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Wright studies me for a moment, brow furrowed, then nods. “Yeah, that makes sense. You’ve definitely earned a break.” He checks his watch. “I’ll let you finish up here. See you tonight.”
“See you then,” I echo as he departs. The forced smile slides from my face. Finally, I can stop pretending. Pretending I’m fine, pretending the last few weeks meant nothing, pretending my heart and conscience haven’t been shattered beyond repair.
After he leaves, I finish gathering my things, deliberately tuning out the surroundings. I don’t belong in this world. My time here was only temporary, a costume I wore to play a part.
Now I need to rediscover who I really am. Because somewhere along the way, I lost sight of myself.
My feelings for Alessa have blurred the lines in ways I never expected. She operates in moral shades of gray I never knew existed. Shades I’m no longer sure how to navigate.
My inner compass has always been the law and Bureau protocol. The world seemed black and white before all this—legal or illegal, innocent or guilty, right or wrong.
Absolutes.
But now...now I wonder if sometimes the law fails to deliver true justice. If it punishes those undeserving of punishment, and overlooks the guilty hiding behind power and privilege.
I don’t know what to think anymore. All I know is, ever since I met Alessa, the world seems a lot more complicated.
I do one final lap, checking cabinets and closets for any personal items left behind. Then I grab my suitcase and take one final look around the apartment where I briefly inhabited Natalie Moreau’s glittering world.
Goodbye, Park Avenue.
Hello, reality.
CHAPTER27
ALESSA
The leather seat sticks to the back of my bare thighs as I shift, the black town car gliding through the Manhattan night. I’ve ridden in this car a hundred times, but today the luxury interior feels stifling. I press my forehead to the cold glass window, seeking relief. The city lights streak by in a neon blur, doing little to distract my wandering thoughts.
Juno sits across from me, one long leg crossed casually over the other, her short black dress riding up. Her slender fingers are laced with Caitlin’s, their joined hands resting on Juno’s knee. I notice the way Caitlin’s thumb gently strokes over Juno’s knuckles, back and forth in a tender motion. Juno catches my eye, one sleek eyebrow raised in silent query.
I drop my gaze, staring down at my lap. My hands clutch each other, nails biting into my palms. I can’t bear her concern. She knows me too well.
Juno clears her throat delicately. “Alessa, is everything alright? You seem…”
“I’m fine,” I interrupt sharply, dragging my eyes back to the passing night. I don’t want to hear whatever words she was about to choose.
On edge.
Brittle.
Heartbroken.
I hear her sigh, the leather squeaking slightly as she leans back. “If you say so. I just want to make sure you’re okay. You’re the one who kept telling me how important tonight is.”
Guilt pricks at me. She’s right. Tonight’s charity gala is crucial, the biggest event of the year for Anna’s Kitchen. All of Manhattan’s elite will be there, checkbooks at the ready. I need to be at my best to charm the donations out of their pockets.
“I know,” I reply quietly. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be ready.” It’s as much to reassure myself as her. I’m Alessa de Luca, I remind myself. I can do anything in heels and a smile. Even after…after everything.
Juno seems to accept this, settling back into her seat. I return my temple to the glass, seeking the chilled solace once more. As long as I concentrate on the cold, I can keep my traitorous thoughts at bay.
I ignore the flickers of memory trying to surface. The warmth of tangled sheets. Shared laughter in secret moments. The sweet ache of her body under mine…
No. I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking out the visions. Think of ice. The dark cold of deep water. A barren tundra stretching to the horizon.
Anything buther.
The car slows, pulling up outside the glittering entrance of the hotel. I take a deep breath and smooth my fitted scarlet dress, armor against the coming battle. The door opens, the outside air kissing my bare shoulders. I slip on my mask and step out, chin high. My heels tap out a staccato rhythm, echoing the hammering of my pulse as I pause for photographs.
