Chapter 30 #2
“No. We go together. As far as we can. Just us.” His voice is firm, almost pleading.
“But—”
“Come on, baby. Trust me.”
I pull off my heels and climb onto his back, holding my shoes tight so I don’t leave a trace. My arms wrap around his neck as he rises. His hands lock under my knees, and he takes off running.
We reach a dead-end corridor. Alan stops, panting, fumbling in his pocket.
“Alan, it’s a dead end,” I say, panicking.
“Trust me.” He slides a small key into a hole hidden in the brown wall.
The wall clicks open. My eyes go wide as a hidden door swings inward.
“What the hell is this room?” I ask, stunned as I stare into the darkness beyond.
“Peter’s bunker. Just in case he ever needs to run.”
He carries me in and kicks the door shut behind us. The lock snaps into place. Then he sets me down and flips a switch.
The lights flare to life. A sleek black sedan sits in the center, dust on the hood. Shelves line the walls, cluttered with old tools and boxes.
“Oh my God. This is a garage? Is that the exit?” I ask, scanning every corner.
“Yeah. Leads out the back. Smart setup, huh?”
Alan moves to a cabinet, opens a drawer, and pulls out a worn black backpack, heavy and full.
“What’s that?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
“Our supplies.”
“Supplies for what?” My forehead creases.
“To get away from here.” He keeps digging through another drawer, searching for something.
“Where?” My pulse spikes.
“Anywhere.”
“Alan, this isn’t funny. Where are we going?” My voice cracks. I’m seconds from saying the safe word.
He stops, exhales, and walks toward me. His hands come up to my shoulders, his gaze steady.
“Fenella, calm down. You have to trust me. I’ve been planning this for a long time. I intended for this plan to start the moment you accept my proposal, so everything is ready.” He looks at me with those glittering brown eyes.
Wait. There’s more to his actions. Maybe I should stall for a second. Laird is on standby. The moment he hears the safe word, he’ll come running. But I can do more. I should get more out of him.
“What’s the plan? Why do we have to go so far away?” I ask, my forehead wrinkling at Alan’s words. It’s getting harder to breathe.
He licks his lips, eyes glinting as he leans closer. “I get all the money for my business from Peter. He collects project fees in the state and launders it through shell companies. He makes it look like it’s all mine. You understand, right?”
“Are you serious? How do you know all this?” My eyes widen in horror.
“He told me himself. He’s been using Amy, me, and everyone in Mallory’s circle to keep his money for a while.”
“Wait. So your business is all Peter’s dirty money? It’s all just a laundering scheme?” My frown deeper.
“Yes. It’s all empty,” he chuckles.
“What about Gene? What about Ms. Lola?”
Tears rise in my eyes. I’m not acting. My heart’s breaking. The modeling agency I’ve worked at for seven years is on the brink of ruin because of their greed. All because of Alan’s obsession with me?
“Please, don’t cry. It won’t matter as long as we’re together,” he says.
“You’re not serious.” I shake my head, biting my lower lip to hold back tears.
Have all his words been recorded? My pulse spikes, but I keep my face still, afraid he’ll notice. His wide eyes stare into mine, and the grip on my arm makes me shudder.
“I’m serious. After this, we go far away and take all that money. Filthy rich, untouchable by law. I know some people who have already prepared everything. We’ll split it with them.” His enthusiasm is sharp, almost manic.
I’m stunned. Had he planned this all along? Even before he proposed?
“Let me be clear. You’ve been planning all this for a long time? If I accept your proposal, you’ll take all that illegal money and run away with me?” My voice catches, still holding back tears.
“Yes, baby. Relax. After this, we’ll have hundreds of millions. Peter won’t know the companies or money have been moved to my account.”
Alan laughs quietly, then goes back to the cupboard he had left. He searches for the items and hums. Eventually, he takes out a car key.
“Here you go. Come on. Get in the car now.” He snaps, pressing the remote.
I stand frozen, staring at him. My heart is racing. This is the moment I stop. They’ve all got the confession they need. My mission is complete. Time to pull the trigger.
“No, Clark. I should have rejected you outright back at Whitehill Academy.” Safe word. I hope Laird hears it and comes to rescue me from the monster in front of me.
“What do you mean, honey?” He stammers at the mention of his old name.
“If I’d known you’d become a psychopath this obsessed with me, willing to go to any lengths, even illegal ones like this, I would have never given you any mercy.” I shake my head.
“Baby, please don’t talk like that. We have to leave now.” He moves to grab my hand, but I back away, hopping and limping to avoid him.
“No. Get away from me.” I pull my hand free.
“But—”
The door behind me bursts open. I turn, hoping to see a hero in shining armor, Laird. My chest leaps.
“Alan, step away or I’ll shoot her,” a voice says.
No. The voice is wrong, not Laird’s cadence, not his accent. Before I can move, a rough hand clamps my throat and something cold presses to my temple. My breath stops. The world narrows to a metallic tang and an overwhelming perfume that stings my nose.