Chapter 1 – Marielle #2
“There’s another reason? Please tell me you’re not an assassin,” I rushed, laughing.
“Oh, no,” he answered.
His amused expression shifted to a serious one as one of the bodyguards came to whisper something in his ear.
“I’ll be back soon, darling,” he promised before disappearing, some of his bodyguards following him out of the large room while two remained.
I thought back to what he said about me having no idea.
What else does he do?
I noticed that the place was now more packed than it was when I arrived. Still, there was room for many more people.
Regardless of the secrets underneath, it was still an art show.
So I’ll just move around while Lucien handles whatever business he needs to.
“Here you go,” Lucien remarked, all smiles, coming to my side. He handed me another glass of champagne and rested his hand on my lower back.
“Thanks.”
“So, where were we?”
“Telling me about your non-assassin business.”
“Oh, yes.” He moved his face closer to mine. “You should keep whatever you hear or see here to yourself.”
“Of course. I’m not stupid,” I assured.
“That’s why I like you, darling.”
He gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“The logistics part of my work is the most concealed. Even some of my men don’t know about it.
” He took a gulp of his drink. “There are established shipment businesses that move arms, drugs, and other things across countries. I don’t own any of these businesses, but I indirectly work with them.
I have clients who always need to move things without declaring them. ”
“I don’t assume these shipment businesses are legit….”
“The Mafia, mostly.”
“Wow. I’ve only heard of Mafias in movies,” I declared.
He smiled again before going on. “The galleries just exist to launder money.”
“You really are a big-time criminal. I wonder why I’m not scared.”
I raised my glass to my lips.
“You don’t look like the type to be scared so easily.” He leaned closer, our faces almost touching. “Another thing I like about you.” Then he kissed the corner of my lips.
“Well, I like how mysterious you are,” I revealed, my voice just above a whisper.
“I know, darling.”
“So, are you a Mafia boss or something?”
“I’m not under any Mafia. I’m with a Mexican cartel you cannot have heard of.”
Before I could say anything else, another bodyguard came to murmur something only he could hear.
When he excused himself this time, I decided to follow through on my plan to explore.
Not wanting to draw unwanted attention or make it hard for Lucien to find me, I stuck to the fringes of the event.
I wasn’t unaware of the admiring glances some men cast my way as I walked with my glass in hand. With my elaborate bun and a tiny-strapped, low-back silk dress, I knew I looked just as good as the other beautiful arm candies around, if not better. My eyes drifted to a man across the large room.
His eyes weren’t moving around like those of the other men. They weren’t on the show either. They were fixated. Fixated on me.
I averted my eyes from his unreadable face.
But then, something made me look again—and he was still staring at me. Creepy was an understatement. His unblinking gaze made me feel like my body was being memorized. His tall, broad frame didn’t move an inch. I felt myself shudder as goosebumps covered my skin.
I walked back to Lucien’s spot, and he returned shortly after.
Only to disappear again in a few minutes.
When he came back again, he wasn’t smiling.
Something is wrong.
“We leave soon. I just need to finalize some things,” he notified, his eyes flicking to the entrance doors.
“What? Your secret wife is on her way to catch you cheating?” I joked, chuckling.
Instead of a response, he took a large gulp of his drink.
“Your silence might make me think you’re secretly married,” I pointed out. When he still didn’t say anything, I curled into his side and whispered, “What’s got you so worked up?”
“I’ll be back. Don’t leave this place.”
As I watched Lucien’s retreating back, my eyes wandered across the room.
The man from earlier was nowhere to be found. He was probably just one of those people who didn’t know it was rude to stare.
I sipped my drink.
Is Lucien really making us leave to avoid someone?
What if she finds us here and things get rough?
Kat will say she warned me when I get attacked by a violent woman.
“It’s time to leave,” Lucien informed, appearing beside me again. “You’ll go first. My men will accompany you.”
I nodded, too interested in leaving to ask for an explanation.
“I’ll be with you shortly,” he uttered as I walked past him.
I gave him no response as I followed the two guards.
I noticed two men dressed in dark suits like Lucien’s bodyguards standing in front of a hallway ahead. They weren’t there earlier.
One of them locked eyes with me. I frowned, moving closer to Lucien’s bodyguards.
The guard to my right suddenly muttered, “Mierda!” His hand moved to his waistband just as one of the other men sent him to the floor with a blow.
I thought of running back to Lucien and away from the chaos, but I knew I wouldn’t get there fast enough. I screamed as a rough hand grabbed my arm. Twisting violently, I elbowed him with all my might. His retaliating hit made the side of my face hot.
I heard him say something in a foreign language; the cadence told me the hidden meaning.
I’m in trouble.
The last thing I saw was a cloth pressed to my nose and mouth.
And then—
Darkness.