For the sake of this OP, I need to make it look it like I’m willing. They need to believe I’m a powerful piece of shit, a man without a moral compass and who is greedy, just like they are.
The second problem is that a man like my alter ego won’t show up empty handed to an event like this, and it doesn’t mean I’m supposed to bring dessert. I have to own a goddamn slave. I’m pretty sure I could find a woman who’s in a critical situation out here who would accept money to play the part, but that comes with a tradeoff. What if after she finds out who we will play, she outs me to Keled? That is too risky. That is my biggest concern until I called Carter.
I can’t stop thinking… Why was he so uneasy when we spoke over the phone?
Stop!
Now, I’m more focused than ever. I can’t lose the concentration. This is not the time to think about Carter.
I can’t fail.
I won’t fail.
Chapter Twenty-Four
SARAH
After touring the streets of Milan and having bought a few things to kill time, I am now one hundred percent sure nobody is tailing me. It’s time to make my way to the hotel.
I check in at the front desk and they give me a small envelope with two keycards. The elevator takes me to the right floor.
The room is simple yet elegant, with dark colors. The difference from the first hotel is considerable, the bed looks puffy, and I’m pretty sure it is comfy. There is nothing spectacular – this is just another hotel in Europe. I take a seat on the bed this time, instead of throwing myself on top of it, and peace engulfs me, but that only lasts a second.
Because peace brings silence.
And silence brings…
“Me, bitch. What the fuck are you doing in here? Get your ass to the streets, baby. Let’s get some clothes!”
Thoughts andLife.
I wondered where she was, and now that she’s back, I want her to go away again.
“I never went away! Not that I could, even if I wanted to. Who’s going to take care of your sorry ass if I’m not around? Rage? Nope,”she adds with her usual temper.
I can take care of myself, thanks.
“Like hell you can. You don’t get to tell me that after I had to jump in and save you from those creepy dudes on the train.”
That was all me.
“Buuullshit. You were sitting down, feeling drunk or whatever, like a defenseless college coed. If it weren’t for me, I don’t know where we’d be by now.”
She has a point. I feel like I am regaining consciousness in the middle of a dream. Everything went black, and then I was fighting that man.
“Whatever. Don’t expect me to say thanks,” I say out loud.
“Come again, kiddo?” Rage speaks over the earpiece while I draw a sharp breath.
Fuck me! Did I say that out loud? Again? God, I am so stupid!
“What? What?” I pretend to be confused.
“You said something I couldn’t catch.”
I need to get my shit together fast. This isn’t my neighborhood, and I’m not at home alone. From now on I need to be sharp and remember that someone is always listening.
“Oh, nothing I was singing.” I slap my forehead.
