CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
LILA
The bag is ripped off my head, and the darkness swallows me whole.
Who did that?
I look around frantically, but I can’t move.
Where am I? The last thing I remember is walking down the back alley… I was late for work. And now I’m here.
The air is thick with humidity. It is damp, disgusting, and suffocating.
It clings to my skin like oil, making me feel sticky and sick.
The scent of sweat, stale liquor, and blood hangs in the darkness.
It wraps around me, heavy and unrelenting, choking every breath with decay.
I’m somewhere I’m not meant to be. Somewhere I need to escape. Somewhere death lingers.
And then I hear footsteps. Each step squishes against the floor, wet and deliberate, as if he wants me to hear him coming for me.
I cannot see the ground, but I pray it is not blood.
His presence moves closer. It is thick, suffocating, and undeniably evil.
I can’t see him, but I know he is here. He is watching me, even in complete darkness, because his soul can see what mine cannot.
What does he want with me?
This is how he emotionally breaks his victims. He traps you in a room he knows inch by inch, while you know absolutely nothing.
He creates fear by controlling the space around you.
He wants you scared. He wants you blind.
He wants you helpless. He wants you begging.
It’s sick. It’s twisted. And it’s working.
“Hello, beautiful.” A thick Russian accent growls from the shadows.
His voice is rough, gravelly, and far too close.
I don’t speak. I can’t. My heart races inside my chest. My legs are trembling beneath me, barely able to hold me up from the fear.
But if I sit down, there is no telling what I might sit in.
Sweat slips down my temple as I stand shackled and shaking. “My boys did a good job picking you.”
His breath brushes against my face. He is close. Far too close. Then his fingers brush against my arm. They are rough and calloused. My stomach twists, and bile rises in my throat.
I just wanted to go to work. I just wanted to help my parents. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t want this.
“You’re a pretty thing. Maybe I’ll keep you for myself,” he whispers.
Then I feel it. A kiss. His scruff scrapes against my lips, and the liquor on his breath makes me want to gag.
A violent shiver shoots down my spine. My body reacts before my mind can catch up.
I slap him. The sound cracks through the air like a whip.
CLAP.
CLAP.
CLAP.
“Earth to Lila? Are you listening?” Clint’s voice cuts through, his hands clapping as he tries to pull me back into the meeting.
Oh no. I zoned out. I was lost in a memory I wish I could erase. A nightmare that still lives inside me. Like it happened yesterday.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly. “I was up late working on the masquerade ball and didn’t get much sleep.” I try to play it off, even as the note replays in my head.
I can’t tell them. If I do, snitches get stitches.
“I saw it this morning. It looks amazing for tonight,” Clint continues, smiling. “Do you have anything to add to the meeting? ”
I try to focus. “The team rescued some of the girls that were taken, and a few of Volkov’s men are in custody… but we’re sure he’s still in prison, right?”
Clint lets out a light laugh, as if it’s a silly question. “Oh, Lila. There’s no way he’s getting out of that place. He’s locked in tight. No one else is going missing on his account.”
I wouldn’t be so sure of that.
I nod anyway.
“Okay, meeting dismissed!” Clint announces, clapping again. “And don’t forget about the masquerade dance tonight. It’s going to be a ball.” He grins like he’s proud of the pun.
I scrunch my nose in disgust. “Really?”
“Lila. Ball-room?” he adds, clearly entertained with himself. Everyone turns away, collectively annoyed. Classic Clint. He catches up to me as I grab my things to head to Aster’s. She’s booked her entire glam squad for us. Yes, us. She’s Beck’s date. Me? I’m going solo.
“Are you going with Kage?” he asks.
“That prick? Hell no.”
“Ooooh, tough crowd. What’d he do?”
“Exist.”
The word lingers. Familiar. It’s exactly what Kage said in the elevator the day after we met.
RING.
RING.
RING.
My phone goes off, and I jump like I’ve been shot.
“Whoa, you okay? You seem… off. A little jumpy?”
“Oh, you know… I’m just on my period,” I say casually. Guys will believe anything if you blame it on your period.
“Ohhh. That makes sense. ”
I roll my eyes. No, it doesn’t. Not even close. He opens the front door for me like a charming gentleman. Too bad he’s not.
“Bye, loser. See you tonight,” I say with a smirk.
“Hey, watch your tone. I’m your boss,” he shoots back, flashing a grin.
“Not outside those doors.” I wave, spinning off in the opposite direction. But I freeze in front of the building.
Oh crap! I forgot my phone went off.
1 MISSED CALL – MOM
My stomach flips.
Please don’t be bad news.
I quickly redial. “Hey, Mom, I’m so sorry I missed your call—”
She cuts me off, sounding perkier than she has in days. “Hey, honey. I just wanted to hear your voice and let you know the doctor came by. I’m officially scheduled for the double mastectomy next week!”
Relief floods through me. “That’s amazing, Mom. I’ll be there. I’ll make sure I’m off.”
“I already spoke to your boss and he said you could have the week off!” she chirps.
“…My boss?” My brows knit. “I’m confused.”
“Well, I forgot to mention it, but the CEO has been visiting me every other day.”
I blink. “Beck?”
“I think so. He said he runs Heartford Cypher International. He’s been bringing us dinner, snacks, and even helping with my medications.”
My mouth goes dry.
Beck has been visiting her? Why wouldn’t he tell me ?
“Oh… I wonder why,” I murmur, trying to piece together what the hell is going on and why I’m always the last one to find out.
She continues, her voice warm. “Probably just checking in on your progress. He’s such a good boy. He told me all about his past… You should think about going after that one. He’s got depth.”
“Mom, he’s dating Aster.”
“Oh well. She’s always had good taste.”
I frown, the puzzle pieces refusing to fit. “I can’t believe he didn’t tell me.”
“You should talk to him tonight. Lila, he sits with me for hours. Playing cards. Doing puzzles. Just talking. He’s really helped me through this.”
“Damn, Mom. Should I book you two a hotel room?”
She laughs. “No, sweetie. It’s not like that. It feels like he needed a mom, and I needed a son.”
My chest aches. “Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy. I’m glad you made a friend.”
“I did. But I love you and just wanted to share the good news before your fancy masquerade. Go have fun.”
“I love you too.” I hang up and stare at the phone. Beck never mentioned visiting my mom. And something about what she said doesn’t add up. The dinners. The medications. The stories.
Why didn’t he tell me? And why didn’t Aster? Did she even know?
I glance toward the lobby windows, a chill creeping down my spine. Something is off. And now my mom is involved. I do not like this. Not one bit. Whatever is going on, it stops tonight.