First of all, I am one hundred per cent certain now Sutton did not die from an overdose. He was murdered by someone else, the same someone who tried to kill Lilian, which rules her out as Sutton’s killer, but makes it even more likely she was in on his underground network.
Whoever is after her has to be professional, that’s for sure.
If all goes well, the bodyguard will take my bag, and it will be enough for Lilian to have a desire triggered and reach out. If not, I will have a reason to return for my bag. I’m ready for whatever happens, even if Lilian contacts the hotel to check Ella’s story.
I get off the subway at High Street and walk the four blocks leading to the Dumbo apartment. I love the darkness of night, which allows me to disappear into it. I have always been a lover of the night.
I turn the corner leading to the apartment as a subway rushes loudly over the bridge above me with that distinct metallic rattling sound.
There’s a black SUV standing in front of the entrance door. The door opens, and for one tiny second, a flutter rushes through my stomach. I made many enemies over the years, and while I generally leave no trace, I’m still prepared for anyone finding me. My body readies itself to fight, just in case?—
I hold my breath for a moment as I see a man get out of the car, until I recognize him as Lilian’s bodyguard. Relief spreads through my chest.
I knew it, I tell myself in my mind, because it couldn’t have gone any better.
“Miss Larsen,” says the bodyguard. “You lost something.” He hands me my bag.
I smile vaguely.
“Thank you,” I say, take the bag, and aim to get into the building.
“My employer wishes a word with you,” he says. “Getin the car.”
I turn my head slightly.
“I’d rather get home now,” I say as I put the key into the lock. “It was a long day. Maybe some other time.”
“My employer doesn’t take no as an answer,” he says.
“Well,” I say, turning with a weak smile as I push open the heavy door. “She has to this time.”
And I walk without looking back, fighting to keep a grin off my face. Lilian truly is a predator. One that gets whatever she wants.
Not with me.
Not getting what they want is the worst for people like Lilian, and I will absolutely use that to get close to her.
4
LILIAN
PLAYLIST: PROM QUEEN – MOLLY KATE KESTNER
Iwatch the door close through the window of the car.
Never before has someone turned me down. It is a new feeling, one I dislike. I am used to getting what I want, when I want, and however I want it.
I can’t even tell why I am here. I should be everywhere else after what happened, but there was this one infinite moment of glancing into her eyes?—
Let it go,I tell myself in my mind.She’s not what you want.
Only I can’t, because the truth is, I want her. I want to touch her, dominate her, make her obey. Maybe it is a delayed stress response I have because she was the one who saved me.
Saved me from being murdered on an open street.
I shake my head as if to evade an invisible fly and roll back my shoulders.
“What do you want me to do, Lil?” asks Doug.
