S:34 p.m.
30%
1 come down from my room. Alexander is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. As soon as his eyes land on me, he flashes a smirk.
When I reach him, he keeps scanning me, as if he’s memorizing every curve of my body and every line of my face so he’ll never forget them.
For the occasion, I’m wearing a black, form–fitting dress with thin straps and a plunging neckline. It reaches my knees and is slightly slit at the thighs. What color can rival black? None.
“I’m glad you were able to get your things back from Khalid.”
I smile at the remark, tinged with a certain mockery.
15
He’s wearing a midnight blue tuxedo, a white shirt, black designer shoes, and a silver watch on his wrist. His brown eyes still carry that glimmer of desire and danger.
He holds out his arm. I hesitate for a moment, then decide to take it.
“I promise you an unforgettable night, Inara.”
9:37 p.m.
We arrive in front of a tall building, at least thirty floors high. Alexander grabs me by the waist. His touch electrifies me, but I don’t show it. We head toward the building.
1 eye the place suspiciously – this doesn’t look like a party venue.
“This is where your party is?”
“Follow me. You’ll see.”
Alexander enters a code at the door and holds it open like a gentleman.
It looks more like a workplace, with offices set up everywhere.
“Are you sure we’re going to a party?”
He frowns.
“You scared or what?”
“Scared? Me? You’re joking”
With his little smirk, he walks to the elevator, presses the button for the top floor
number 35.
1/4
18:25 Fri, 22 Aug
Chapter 76
Thate elevators, and even more so, high floors.
When the doors finally open, I widen my eyes.
30%
0
15
We’re not in a party room, but in a gigantic office with dark grey walls and a black ceiling. It’s equipped with the latest technology, two- and single–seat sofas on the sides, and a chandelier hanging in the center.
My attention immediately goes to the three men, around fifty, seated on the sofas – their eyes fixed on us… or rather, on me.
“What the hell is this?”
Alexander ignores my comment. He goes to sit behind the large desk in a chair that belongs to him. He looks at me and then points
to each man.
“Let me introduce Bram, leader of the Dutch gang.”
He has short brown hair with some grey strands, a scar on his cheek, and a large build for his age.
“Here’s Alessio, head of the Spanish mafia.”
He has blonde hair, dyed, and striking blue eyes. He’s rather short and round.
“And this is Diego, leader of the Brazilian gang.”
He’s balding, with almond–shaped dark brown eyes, harsh features, and a well–kept physique for his age.
I stay on guard. These men smile at me, but not kindly. More like hyenas ready to devour their prey.
Is this a trap? Maybe Alexander brought me here to lower my guard so these men could rape me?
I hide the fear I feel. I walk up to Alexander’s desk to face him, glaring at him under the amused eyes of the others.
“I’ll ask again: what the hell is this? Weren’t we supposed to go to a party? Why am I the only woman here?”
He doesn’t bother answering.
f slam my fist on his desk. All the tech on it shakes – he doesn’t.
“Answer me when I talk to you, Alexander.”
“Fascinating little creature,” Bram says.
What, does he think he’s talking about an animal?
“You weren’t lying about this young woman,” Alessio says to him.
Both Bram and Alessio get up, while Diego and Alexander remain seated. Alessio grabs my wrist and forces me to turn toward him
and Bram
“Who said you could touch me?”
Iglare daggers at him.
“She’s as wild as you said she’d be!
2/4
18:25 Fri, 22 Aug
Chapter 76
What kind of shit have I gotten myself into again?
“How old are you, beautiful?” the Spaniard asks.
“First off, I’m not your ‘beautiful. Second, don’t speak to me.”
“Why are you so defensive? We mean you no harm,” Alessio replies.
“Well, I do mean harm to you.”
“What’s with this attitude?”
“Do we know each other? Start by using formal language with me, and things might go better.”
They exchange amused smiles while I glare at them in disgust.
What the hell is this circus? What’s the point of this evening?
“How are you going to tame that one, Alexander?” Alessio asks.
Alexander says nothing – it’s like he’s absent.
“Tame me? Do I look like an animal?”
“This is a men’s conversation–shut your mouth!” Bram orders.
I clench my fists.
“Men? I don’t see any in this room.”
“You want us to pull out our jewels to prove we’re men, is that it?”
“Men your age shouldn’t stoop so low. It’d be a shame if you couldn’t even last during the act. At your stage, things don’t work so well anymore, do they?”
1 let out an amused and mocking smile, and that hits them right in the ego.
“You deserve a slap for that insolence! Do you even know who you’re talking to, you foolish girl?”
“Which one are you again? Diego, right?”
Tknow very well it’s Bram- but criminals think they’re so special. As a result, he stays quiet. Alessio comes back at me.
“You’re just an arrogant little whore, trust me.”
I pretend to be hurt, touching my heart.
“I’m so upset I just feel like telling you to go fuck yourself”
“You little-
I cut him off with a big smile
“Whore, right? Like your mother the whore, isn’t that it?”
3/4
CR–76
22 Aug
I don’t see it coming: in a split second, he slaps me hard, my head whipping sideways.
“Alessio! You shouldn’t have!” Bram yells.
I pull out the knife hidden in my neckline. I step toward him and press the blade to his throat.
He’s frozen. One move and I could slit it.
30%
“You just laid a hand on me? Your mother never taught you that you never hit a woman, and especially not an armed one? Give me one good reason not to kill you right now.”
I can feel his fear perfectly. He knows his life is in my hands – and all it would take is one decision for him to end up on the floor, drained of his blood like a slaughtered bull.
4/4
