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I laugh lightly, actually surprised. “Truth.”
Her breath is warm on my skin. “Truth it is. But let’s make it a little more fun.” She winds a silk scarf around me and presses her mouth close to my ear. “I want to blindfold you. Will you let me? Just part of the game.”
“I’m always up for a challenge,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. The warmth of her body winds even closer as she ties the blindfold around my eyes—not too tight, but I’m plunged into darkness.
Deprived of sight, my other senses heighten. The chaise dips slightly under Alessa’s movements. I hear the slide of fabric as she shifts. “Trust me,” she murmurs, taking my hand and pulling me up. She leads me into the bedroom, I think, but not to the bed. “Sit,” Alessa commands, guiding me onto a velvet chair. My heart hammers in my chest, and I can’t tell if it’s from fear or excitement.
Maybe both.
“Relax, Natalie,” she coos, her voice soft and soothing. “This is just a game, remember? A little fun. I’m not going to bite.” Her voice holds a smile. “Unless you want me to.”
Despite the playful tone, apprehension flickers within me. Nothing is ever simple where Alessa is concerned. But I try to stay calm.
Stay in character.
“Let’s begin, shall we?” Alessa’s voice is honeyed and dangerous. “The game is truth or dare, Natalie. And I’ll start with a simple question. Who are you?”
The words hit me like a jolt of electricity. My breath catches in my throat, and my palms grow clammy. “Wh-what do you mean?” I stammer, trying to buy time.
“Come on, Natalie,” she sighs. “You know exactly what I mean. Now, who are you? You promised to tell the truth, remember. And I can tell you, you won’t like my dares.”
I rip off the blindfold, and Alessa is only a few inches away from me, leaning in.
“Well?” she asks, more forcefully. “Are you going to answer truthfully?”
I search wildly for some way to play this, some way to salvage my cover and the operation.
But I know with chilling certainty that my deceit has already been exposed.
Alessa’s eyes are blazing. Angry. And a sudden movement catches my eye—to the side of the room, I finally see that we’re not alone.
Juno Bianchi is here as well.
Juno Bianchi—and her cold face promises murder.
But Alessa’s eyes remain fixed on me, awaiting my response.
“Natalie Moreau” hangs in shreds around me. I know I’m trapped. And the steel in Juno’s stare leaves no doubt that she will do whatever is necessary to get the truth out of me.
“I trusted you, Natalie,” Alessa says softly. “And you’ve made me look like a fool.”
Her words slice through me, sharper than any knife. But my tongue feels leaden, no explanation sufficient.
Juno watches us silently. Waiting to see how Alessa wants this handled.
Alessa’s fingers under my chin force me to meet her hardened stare.
“Give me one good reason not to get rid of you right now.” Her grip tightens painfully. “Tell me why I shouldn’t end your charade for good. Tell me the truth, right now—or face the consequences.”
CHAPTER24
ALESSA
Natalie pulls her chin out of my hand, her shoulders stiff. “Alessa, this is madness. Let me out of this room. Now.” Her voice holds steady, betraying none of the nerves I know must be coiling inside her.
I laugh, the sound hollow. “Come now, that’s no way to play the game. Let’s try again.Truth—who are you really?”
“I’d speak up if I were you,” Juno warns, her words clipped and icy. “Alessa doesn’t take kindly to liars.”
