Chapter 54
Chapter 54
One week later
MAIN VILLA
6:32 p.m.
+23
It’s been over two hours now that I’ve been counting the loot my father managed to accumulate during my absence.
Sitting on the living room couch in the luxurious villa, two duffel bags filled with well–calibrated weapons worth thousands of euros that I’m recording on a sheet of paper.
My return from Italy wasn’t very warm, except from Maria, of course. She was the only one happy to see me return in one piece.
All I got from my father was indifference.
No news from Alexander since Italy. No more unannounced visits to my room, no more messages or calls; it’s for the best. I got to see his true face when he laughed like a madman in front of Sergio’s lifeless body. I can’t get that image out of my head.
I already knew he was dangerous but I had underestimated him because of his flirting attempts with me.
All those gestures were just a way to distract me so I wouldn’t meddle in things that weren’t my business.
I was right to be suspicious of him.
After counting the weapons, I get up from the couch, carrying the two bags to take them to my father’s office. I drop them off there.
I leave the villa and spot Khalid in the middle of a conversation. It seems very interesting and particularly important. He’s with a man in his fifties.
When my father catches my gaze, he motions for me to come over. I would have liked to avoid him, but unfortunately, he’s standing in front of my car. It’s therefore impossible to go around or pretend I didn’t see him.
Since my return, he’s been even harsher with me because I wasn’t able to provide any new information about Alexander. Khalid has been overloading me with work to make up for everything I couldn’t do during my stay in Italy. I’ve been going from mission to mission these past few days; I barely have time to sleep or eat.
My father gives me a big smile that seems almost sincere.
“You, I present to you Assar, he’s one of my longtime friends and one of my former associates.”
I’ve never heard of this man
–
very strange for an old friend.
I stare at him, taking in the features of his face. A vague memory comes back as my eyes finish analyzing his features.
This is the man who asked me for a cigarette after I left Khalid when he offered a night with me to Hakim. I was so angry that I was very cold with him.
This time, he’s dressed much more elegantly than during our first meeting. He’s wearing a beige suit with a black tie, a pair of polished designer shoes, and his watch must cost a fortune. He’s classy and charismatic.
He must be involved in illegal and shady business if he’s close to Khalid.
1/4
10:24 pm
Chapter 54
“You’ll come and dress accordingly,” Khalid decides.
I sigh in frustration. I don’t understand how I can still hope to refuse when I have no freedom to do so. I walk around them, then open the door to my car. I get into the driver’s seat and start the engine.
A few hours later
10:26 p.m.
I fasten my mask which covers the upper part of my face.
Hundreds of guests are present,t and they’re all masked. I don’t like not knowing who I’m talking to and who’s talking to me.
I’m wearing a black dress that hugs my curves and goes down to my knees. It has a plunging neckline that gives a nice view to the other guests of the knife hidden there, and I’m wearing a pair of black lace–up heels.
“You look more presentable than usual,” Khalid greets me.
I didn’t even feel him approach.
“You recognized me even with my mask?”
“Every inch of your body was created by me. I could recognize you among a thousand.”
That might be cute if it didn’t sound like a master talking to his slave.
“I should’ve kept working on our missions instead of wasting my time at this party, surrounded by all these rich people.”
Everyone thinks I’m a spoiled brat living in luxury. That’s not the case. Khalid is rich, not me.
“These rich people, as you call them, are either real drug lords, major arms traffickers, or top pimps. Do me a favor and watch your language unless you want your tongue cut out.”
I look at him in surprise.
“I thought this was just a party with ordinary people.”
“You’re wrong. This party brings together the biggest criminals in France.”
I stiffen.
“Why didn’t you warn me? I didn’t bring the necessary weapons in case something happens.”
He glares at me.
“We’re not here to start a massacre, just to have fun.”
“All these people are masked, someone could stab you in a second and you wouldn’t even know who it was.”
“Stop acting like that, you’re going to draw attention to us.
All he cares about is the people around us, nothing more.
“I don’t think you realize that you, just like me, have a lot of enemies who want us dead.”
“This party is a collective truce between all the people here.”
3/4
10:24 pm
Chapter 54
“You actually believe in this truce when it means absolutely nothing?”
“Stop being so defensive and enjoy. You should go have a few drinks to relax, if needed.”
“You know I don’t touch alcohol.”
“You really struggle with the concept of relaxing and having fun.”
I was conditioned this way, to have no leisure, to focus solely on my missions and survival.
23
Khalid turns away from me to join three women sipping champagne. They’d been throwing him looks to catch his attention. and of course, it worked. He never resists fresh meat.
I stay standing in the middle of the room, analyzing my surroundings while carefully adjusting my mask.
A waiter approaches, offering me a glass of champagne. I don’t intend to drink it, but it looks better than just standing there like an idiot.
“I didn’t know you drank champagne.”
I lift my head to look at the person who just spoke to me.
That voice is very familiar.
He’s wearing a blue Venetian mask that blends perfectly with the color of his eyes, a simple, classy black suit. He gives me a cheerful smile that I timidly return.
“How did you recognize me?”
“A mask isn’t going to make you unrecognizable.”
“What the hell are you doing at this party, Mathieu?”
I look at him, confused.
“I was invited.”
How is that possible?
“You know people here?”
“Alexander invited me
That sentence is unbelievable.
