AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’ll see Natalie again as soon as I can. I’ll seduce her, sate this inconvenient craving, and be done with it.
I repeat these convictions to myself as the town car maneuvers through the bustling streets toward home. Just one night, I vow. One night to satisfy this temporary hunger, and I’ll be free.
One night, and Natalie Moreau will be out of my system for good.
CHAPTER11
NATALIE
By next Wednesday, I still haven’t heard a word from Alessa.
And I’m not sure if I should feel relieved or disappointed.
As far as the mission goes, I feel annoyed, if only because every meeting seems to turn into a “What Miller Did Wrong” accusation-fest. And this morning I head back to the FBI offices for yet another one of those meetings with my team. We need to analyze every detail of my visit to see if there’s a way for me to get Alessa to invite me back to the exclusive club again.
I grab my usual piping hot black coffee and take my seat at the conference table. Sam Wright gives me an encouraging smile from across the polished wood surface. He’s the only one who’s been defending me, and I’m grateful for him. Right on time, Bell stalks in, crisp suit neatly pressed as always.
“Let’s get started,” he says without preamble. Miller, I want you to walk us through the events of your night at the Ruby Realm again—” a collective groan goes up from the team “—this time in exhaustive detail. We need to comb back through and find the angle that’s going to get you an all-access pass back into de Luca’s operation.”
Over the next hour, I recount everything—again—about my visit, from the decor of the lobby, to naming all of the elite patrons I can remember who were laughing and chatting in the lounge, to the absolute absence of any drug-taking or indecent behavior in the nightclub, so far as I could see.
I describe Alessa again, outline the conversations we had, and the way she pulled me onto the dance floor for hours.
There are things I keep to myself. While I tell them about the women she introduced me to, I don’t tell the team about the unexpected kindness in Alessa’s eyes.
I don’t tell them what she said:I know what it’s like to be lonely.
And I absolutely do not mention the strange connection and sparks that flew between us, or the thrill that went through me when she causally talked about peeling back my layers…
“And you saw no evidence of this underground casino,” Rish Khalil says again, for the third time today.
“Not apart from that door.”
“And you’re certain she didn’t give any indication of offering you an official membership?” Bell interjects, a hint of annoyance edging his tone. “Even after spending the whole night wining and dining you?”
“This is pointless,” Wright jumps in. “Noneof us expected preferential treatment like that right from the start. Building real rapport with a mark this cautious will be an intricate process. Miller’s laying the groundwork, but these things can’t be rushed.”
Bell’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t even look at Wright. “That may be true, but the longer Miller is sniffing around, the more likely her cover will be blown. We’ve had hits on the document cache, which means that a background checkwasconducted. If we can accelerate progress without raising suspicion, it will be safer in the long run. Any ideas, Miller? We could lean on a few more assets, women we know are members.”
I actively try not to pull a face at that, but I sort through various angles in my mind. “Well…I could…feign romantic interest to secure an invitation back?” Even as I say it, my insides twist—but not only with discomfort. Using my sexuality as a bargaining chip feels unpleasant, but there’s also a darker part of me that likes the idea of getting closer to Alessa de Luca.
Getting more intimate.
Kris Hays nods thoughtfully. “That could work. Get her thinking you want more one-on-one time, leverage that to push for club access.”
“It’s risky,” Wright counters, brows drawn together. “We don’t want Miller compromising herself or rushing into something she’s uncomfortable with.”
For the next half hour, we debate various ways I could persuade Alessa to take our association to the next level—that next level being a membership to her club, rather than the association my stubborn mind keeps suggesting.
Finally Bell dismisses us, still scowling at our lack of progress. Wright lingers, touching my shoulder gently. “Hey, you holding up okay?”
I give him a tight smile that doesn’t reach my eyes. “Of course. I know what needs to be done.”
Sam searches my face and I see concern etched into the faint lines around his eyes. “Just remember,youcall the shots here,” he says firmly. “Don’t let Bell or anybody else pressure you past your limits.”
“I know.”
The problem isn’t the team, or Bell.
