AllFreeNovel
Share Us
What really happened was, I snuck after her, avoided Liana the hostess as she crossed into the club to look for me, and caught the security doorjustbefore it closed.
“Alessa, what is going on here?” I demand again, hands on my hips. “Who is this poor girl, and why—”
“It’s a long story,” Alessa says. “I’ll—I’ll explain, just give me a moment. Please. If you’d wait outside?”
I fix Alessa with a hard look, but I nod. “I’ll wait outside, but I’m going to need answers.”
“Thank you,” Alessa breathes out, relief washing over her features. “I promise I’ll explain everything.”
I lean against the wall in the corridor, trying to steady my breathing. My thoughts race, and I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. Over the sound of my own heartbeat, I catch Alessa’s voice speaking softly through the slightly ajar door.
“Sienna, it won’t be long now,” she reassures, her tone warm and gentle.
“Promise?” Sienna’s voice is small.
“Promise. Now, I need you to stay here just a little longer. Can you do that for me?”
“Okay,” Sienna sighs.
The click of the lock echoes down the hallway as Alessa exits the safe room. She casts one quick, nervous glance at the door before turning to me, her eyes pleading for understanding. “Come with me,” she sighs.
I follow her out, senses alert for any sign of deception. The security door locks behind us with a dull, heavy thud. Oppressive.
To my surprise, Alessa heads not toward the club again, but to the front door. She glances at me when I pause. “Coming?”
I follow her in silence, down to her town car waiting around the corner, which the driver gets out of to open the door for us.
“Where are we going?” I ask, taking a step back.
“To my place,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper. When I open my mouth to question her further, she places a finger on her lips, signaling for silence.
I have a decision to make. Never let them take you to the second location, they say about killers. The one they’ve set up, the one they control—the one where they can take their time and enjoy the moment.
Is Alessa a killer?
A moment later, I find myself following her into the car.
* * *
The town car only travels a few blocks, then slows to a stop in front of an imposing three-story brick townhouse, its red facade glowing softly in the sunshine. Wrought-iron gates close off the entrance, while ivy climbs up the walls, framing tall windows adorned with heavy drapes.
“Here we are,” Alessa announces as she steps out of the car. I follow her lead, and she unlocks the front door and ushers me inside quickly.
I don’t have much time to take it in, but the interior is a stunning blend of old-world charm and modern luxury, with dark wood paneling lining the walls, and luxurious furnishings in deep jewel tones. It’s clear that no expense has been spared, but there’s an undeniable warmth to the space—a reflection of Alessa herself.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she says, gesturing to a nearby couch. “This is the only place I can be sure we won’t be overheard.”
I happen to know exactly why that is. During our prep for the operation, we discovered Alessa’s townhouse has surveillance-disruptive technologies built in, and is swept for bugs and cameras regularly.
I take a seat, and note the tremble in her hands, the tightness in her shoulders. Her armor has cracks.
Alessa hesitates, her eyes filled with conflict. “I have to warn you, Natalie,” she begins. “Once I tell you this, your life might be in danger.”
“Are you serious?” I respond, trying to react the way Natalie Moreau might react. But my heart is pounding in my chest, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m making a grave mistake by pursuing this.
“Yes,” she says simply. “So are you sure you want to know?” she asks, her eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt or fear.
“Does it have anything to do with those men who barged in?” She gives a slight nod. “Then they already know what I look like. You might as well tell me.”
