Chapter 81
Chapter 81
A Few Days Later
HOTEL–4.47 PM
D
After regaining enough strength to stand, I left the Graves villa with all my belongings.
I remember my last conversation with Alexander very clearly, right after I nearly drowned because of Jared. As usual, he was harsh with his words. While i had tried to help, he acted like an ungrateful bastard and told me to mind my own business or, and I quote, “he’d cut out my tongue.”
I tried to understand how he found me, but failed. I suspect he had something to do with Jafar’s death.
I asked him about Jafar and his son, but I was met with a wall. Our argument ended with him saying, “You better leave. It’s best for everyone.”
That’s when I realized I didn’t belong in his life. I was nobody to him, and I should never have stayed that long.
I’m trying to let go of him, but it’s much harder than it seems. My curiosity keeps me clinging to him, desperate to uncover the mystery he’s been hiding
since the day we met.
I want answers to so many questions.
One of them is: who shot Jafar during my kidnapping? That detail matters.
The man who killed him could have easily shot me too–I was tied up and blindfolded. But he didn’t.
Still, if that person wanted to help me, he could have killed Jared as well, or at least untied me. Instead, he left me powerless and alone.
So he’s neither an enemy nor an ally… then who is he?
Why stay anonymous?
I feel like I’m going insane. Paranoid.
I moved into a shabby hotel, about thirty minutes away from both Alexander’s villa and Khalid’s–just to be sure no one’s watching me.
If I could have, I’d have gone farther, but the more distant hotels are luxury ones. Staying in one would be too obvious.
So here I am, in this tiny room with a single bed covered in a stained khaki sheet and a white duvet yellowed by time, a creaky wooden wardrobe, and a round mirror on the wall.
The bathroom has a grimy bathtub I had to scrub myself, and I found clumps of hair at the bottom–left by former guests, I assume.
I forgot the worst part; the toilet is squat–style.
What wouldn’t we do to survive?
I haven’t forgotten that Khalid wants me dead. Even though he’s been quiet for now, it doesn’t mean he’s dropped me–not at all.
Now that I’m no longer staying with Alexander, I’m easier to reach.
I stopped seeing Maria for safety reasons. I call her using an untraceable phone to make sure no one can track me down.
Same for Mathieu. I don’t want to drag him into this.
6:34 PM
I hear a knock at my hotel room door. I get up from the bed and place my book down.
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Chapter 81
No one knows I’m here. Who could it be?
I grab my gun and check that it’s loaded. I tuck it behind my back. I take a breath and fling the door open.
I go from surprised to relieved when I see Alexander’s stern face.
He doesn’t let me say a word. He walks in, brushing past me.
“How did you know where to find me?”
“Since you left, I’ve known where you were. I just didn’t see the point in visiting you.”
Surprising? Not really.
“You had me followed?”
I fake indifference.
“Not really, since you haven’t moved from this room since you arrived. Let’s just say I have someone in charge of your safety.”
Seriously? Why is he doing this? Should I remind him of our last conversation?
“My safety? Don’t make me laugh.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“Problem?”
“Tell your guy to back off. I don’t need a babysitter, got it? I can handle myself just fine. Your help is the last thing I want.”
“You don’t get to give me orders. They’re my men–they follow my orders.”
I cross my arms over my chest, raising my brows at his nerve.
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“Since when do you care about my life? I’m a grown woman who doesn’t need someone watching over her. Stop treating me like a fragile little thing you need to protect–especially since your intentions are far from selfless.”
He clenches his jaw and glares at me.
“Listen carefully–my man will continue watching you with or without your consent. If you don’t want him breaking into your room to follow you even to the damn toilet, I suggest you shut that pretty little mouth of yours.”
Who the hell does he think he is? Since when is my survival one of his priorities? Did I miss something?
“If you want him to end up with a knife in the balls, go ahead and try.”
“Is that a threat?”
I lock eyes with him.
“No, it’s a promise.”
Unbelievable. He shows up here thinking I’ll open my arms and kiss his damn hand to thank him for his help.
I’ve met some bold people, but he’s on another level.
“I thought you had a taste for luxury. You’re living in a dump.”
“I’d rather live in a dump than die in a hotel with €300 towels.”
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Chapter 81
He looks me up and down. His eyes linger at my cleavage, and a crooked smile appears. Then he meets my eyes again.
Our gazes challenge and desire each other.
it’s paradoxical. having flashes of our passionate moment in the elevator.
The sexual pull between us is unreal.
I hate how weak he makes me feel, how he triggers my impulses–especially after how he i
“What are you doing here?”
Change of subject.
“You’re the one who asked me to come.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“What are you talking about?”
“This note.”
just talked to me.
He watches me strangely, pulls a crumpled, folded piece of paper from his pocket, and hands it to me.
“Meet me at my hotel, it’s urgent. Inara.”
“I didn’t write this note. That’s not my handwriting.”
“You seriously think I know what your handwriting looks like?”
Fair point.
“Didn’t you think it was odd I’d send you a note when I have a phone and could just call you?”
He ignores my question and frowns.
“Then who sent it if not you?”
How would I know? Why would someone want to reunite us? How do they even know Alexander knows where I’m hiding?
Every day, new questions add to the endless list already flooding my brain.
I’m about to answer when there’s another knock at the hotel room door. Alexander raises an eyebrow.
“Are you expecting someone?”
He speaks softly to avoid being overheard. I shake my head. He moves to the side of the door and draws his weapon.
He signals me to open it while staying hidden.
One hand on my gun, the other on the doorknob, I wait for his signal.
No one’s there. I frown, my gaze lowering.
I meet the eyes of a child.
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