Chapter 25
Chapter 25
MAIN VILLA
10:32 AM
I walk into my father’s office: this is the moment to die, Inara.
I see him sitting comfortably behind his desk with a hateful look- and above all, a magnificent weapon perfectly aimed at my forehead.
I look at him, expressionless. Any sign of weakness or fear could be fatal.
It’s better to die with dignity, head held high, than to die crawling.
“I was expecting you.”
I figured, given the weapon you’re holding in your hand.
“Do you know what I found out this morning? Alexander was released from prison without you warning me! How could you have told me when you’ve given me no information about him since I sent you on that infiltration mission?”
“I didn’t have enough time to discover what he was hiding, and my obligations to the gang prevented me from fully committing to the mission.”
“So now it’s my fault?”
“I never said that, but you must admit that Alexander is clever.”
“I didn’t ask you to compliment him! Give me one good reason to keep you alive!”
“You plan to kill me in your office? You know very well that unplanned murders always leave behind flaws that the police can trace.”
I can survive if I prove I’m still useful to him.
“It’d be a shame for your whole network to collapse over one stupid murder. You won’t find anyone to replace me.”
“Hundreds of men can serve me just like you do!”
ranks! No
“Men, as you say. But you know, one of the things that sets your gang apart is that you have a woman among your woman can learn to fight or handle weapons like I do! Plus, you have clients who insist on dealing only with me, and no one else!”
If I made myself indispensable in the gang, it was precisely to save myself from this kind of situation. It’s not blood ties that will tip the scales in my favor.
“You think you’re indispensable?”
“You know what I’m worth.”
He sizes me up, then finally lowers his weapon and puts it in one of his desk drawers.
I hold back a small smile of satisfaction. He stands up. He approaches and gives me a huge slap. I feel my head spin, but I pretend indifference.
“Everyone deserves a second chance. If you disappoint me again, you’ll wish you were dead rather than endure what I’ll do to you.” “You won’t regret it.”
1/3
Chapter 25
“I want you to go to your temporary apartment and retrieve all your belongings.”
“I was planning to go back home.”
I’ve lived in an apartment twenty minutes from his villa since I turned eighteen. As soon as I could gain my independence and get even a little away from the gang, I did it.
“You’re coming to live here, with your family.”
1 raise an eyebrow.
“Your men, you mean? I don’t want to come back to this villa.”
“My men have all left the villa. Only Hakim and I remain.”
Two good reasons for me to never set foot in this place again.
“I prefer to keep my independence. Whenever you need me, just call.”
“I want to keep an eye on you to ensure you don’t make me lose more money like you have these past weeks.”
I’d almost forgotten all the crap I’m involved in because of my dear father.
“I need my privacy.”
“You’ll have a large room with a private bathroom.”
“I prefer to be alone.”
“I’ve hired Maria again. She’ll be there to clean your room and take care of all the household chores like in the past.”
I smile at the thought of the wonderful woman Maria is. She was my father’s housekeeper for years. She took care of me from the moment she arrived, when I was four years old. When my mother died, my father needed a nanny to handle my upbringing. She acted as if I were her daughter.
When I moved into my apartment, she left the villa for another one, but we always stayed in touch. I’m relieved to know Maria will be here to help me since my father isn’t giving me a choice.
I nod, then he unbuttons his suit jacket a bit and returns to his desk to sit down.
“I want you to find out what Alexander is looking for, even if he’s now free.”
“What exactly are you looking for about him?”
“That’s not your concern.”
Something very important. Vital.
“To him, I’m a prison guard. He’ll find it strange that I’m suddenly interested in him.”
Lies, always lies, filling my life.
“Just say you quit that job! I’m not asking you to become his best friend, just to find out what I want!”
I don’t even know what I’m supposed to look for. He wants me to play spy, but Alexander is much smarter than my father. He already figured everything out long ago.
Until he surrenders his weapons to me, I won’t leave that thief who thinks I’m a rookie in peace.
2/3
Chapter 25
“I’m talking to you, Inara, are you listening or are you daydreaming?”
“I was just thinking about how to get closer to him.”
He pulls a paper from one of his desk drawers and hands it to me. I walk over and take it. I look at the writing while leaning against the office door. It’s an invitation to the Graves villa to celebrate his release. He seems to have invited many influential
men who run different networks.
I don’t understand why Khalid is invited when Alexander knows I was sent by my father to spy on him.
“You plan to go to that party?”
“Of course. Better not let Alexander suspect I’m plotting behind his back. He could become unpredictable.”
I sigh.
“I’m not going alone.”
“If Alexander feels threatened, he could snap quickly. You better not show up with your cavalry.”
“I don’t need my men. Just one person to watch my back.”
“Hakim is going to have a great time.”
“I’m not talking about Hakim. I’m talking about you. You’re going to accompany me to that party, but it’s a good idea to bring Hakim too.”
I nod automatically. That party will allow me to recover what I’m owed, by choice or by force.
“I hope you have something to wear.”
“Of course.”
He gestures for me to leave the room, then adds:
“So far, you’ve managed to avoid Hakim. When I told you you’d sleep with him, that wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order.”
I leave the office, slamming the door hard behind me. I quickly exit the villa.
Go screw yourself!
I get in my car and speed off toward my temporary apartment, then to my main residence to gather everything I’ll need to survive with them.
