After another hour and a half, we begin to prepare for everything to go into full swing. Samson activates the tracker that he’d injected in my arm yesterday so they can locate where I’ll be brought and we map out how long they hold back before they come in for us. They can’t come in too quickly or it’ll tip him off and he’ll get away. They’ll hold back a little before they begin to follow as well as make sure they aren’t being followed by the FBI.
Once I’m taken, there’ll be no doubt that Alaric will notice my absence and he’ll go into full FBI and boyfriend mode tofind me at whatever cost. The headlines came out revealing that I’m the heir to the Italian Mafia and without a doubt, he knows my true identity, even though my last name was a clear indicator. Maybe that will be the one thing that’ll keep him away from me. Maybe this is the end of us and he won’t come looking. But the look I saw tonight, while I danced, told me that I’m his and that won’t be the case.
I can’t think of him right now. I need to go into this with a clear mind. Without checking my phone for any possible texts he may have sent, I slide it over to Antonio. Samson hands me over a different one. The guy seems smart and he may think it’s weird that I don’t have one on my person.
Getting up from my seat, I grab the bag that had the clothes I have on now and shove the costume I was wearing in there along with deodorant, a wallet with a fake ID, and other things dancers keep in their bags for their shift. Antonio hands me a wad of cash as my payout and we go through all the motions of the plans one more time.
“I love you, cousin. Come back to us alive or I swear to god, I’ll come to the afterlife and bring your ass back.” Antonio wraps me up in his embrace, squeezing me like it’s our last time.
“You can’t leave me with this ass for too long. If I have to hear anymore about how he can’t find a good girl but yet constantly ghosts them, I might have to join you in the afterlife. I would prefer to stay though, sorry. Hurry your crazy ass home.” Larson grabs me from Antonio and gives me a hug before a hand smacks the back of his head.
Glancing at the clock, I step away from them. It’s show time. I should be nervous, things can go incredibly wrong fast but I’m not. My father had always told me that fear can hold you back and drown you from opportunities. A normal person probably thinks I’m absolutely mad for throwing myself in theden ready to be eaten alive. But it’s part of my world; you have to make sacrifices and risk for those you care about and strike fear into those who cross us. Kill first, ask questions later.
“I’ll be fine. If shit hits the fan, look for me like you did in Italy. We may have done thorough research on this guy but things could be altered and shift to the unexpected. I’ll crawl back, even if death is knocking at the door waiting for me. We have other matters to tend to before the devil himself takes me.” I smirk before gathering my things and head to the door.
“Tracking is officially on and working perfectly. He just left through the front doors, no doubt going to be waiting for you to leave. Your man is by the big bar getting a drink. Try to avoid him at all costs so he doesn’t intervene. Good luck.” Samson nods.
Leaving my family behind, I head down the elevator and make my way through the crowd. I spot Alaric, pausing in place getting a good look at him and a wave of guilt washes over me for not letting him know what's going on. There’s a possibility that I won’t come back from this and he didn’t get to say goodbye. Instead, he’ll believe he was ghosted by the Mafia heiress, shoved into the darkness that we swore we would pull each other out of. But instead, he’ll drown since I won’t be the star to guide him out.
This is for the best, I try to tell myself, and duck amongst the people as he turns in my direction. I make my way to the side door, quickly slipping out without being noticed. Hopefully his undercover men didn’t catch me in the act. The door shuts behind me and a cold breeze swirls around me, causing goosebumps to cascade up my spine.
Looking around, the alley is empty other than a stray cat scurrying in the opposite direction. Pulling my bag to my chest I head towards the opposite direction of the main street. He’s not dumb enough to take his next victim too close to the crowdand bouncers lingering at the front of the club. Approaching the end of the alley, I cut right, quickening my step as any female would with how late it is.
The feeling of being watched and followed begins to creep up my body, automatically making me hyper-aware of my surroundings. The sound of footsteps echoes from behind me and when I twirl around, no one is there. He sure does have a sense of dramatics. I roll my eyes and turn back around, making my way down the vacant street.
He’s taking longer than I’d expected but he likes to play with his prey, making little noises to make the panic rise. He wants them scared and once he gets them, he wants them to beg and plead to let them go but he won’t. He never does. In his eyes, you’re a sinner far from saving and there’s no cure for what the devil has instilled in you.
Turning into another alley, it’s vacant with water puddles scattered around the ground and ragged cloth hanging from vacant broken windows. My steps begin to slow down, anticipating that at any moment he’ll make his move. A splash from behind me catches my attention and before I’m able to turn to look, a needle pricks my neck causing my body to collapse to the ground, losing all feeling and control. The last thing I hear is a cynical laugh before my vision blurs and the darkness begins to pull me in welcoming me home as an old friend.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
MONROE
Curiosity killed the cat and you my dear, you’re the stupid, stupid cat.
Celeste sure does know how to entertain, especially when it’s to steer away from a hidden agenda. When Alaric presented us with an opportunity to catch our unsub, I had a feeling that she had something up her sleeve. Even if she was more than welcoming, allowing us to come undercover, I had a feeling something big was going to happen but I kept it to myself. She had Alaric wrapped around her finger and he wouldn’t believe a word I had to say when it came to her.
However, he definitely seems off tonight. I guess I’m responsible for that due to sending that text with the link of an article written about her. It confirmed my suspicion on her, making me want to dig deeper into her past. She owns the strip club, which we already knew and she was gone out of the country for some time before she came back after her father’s recent passing. It was noted that she was seen coming in and out of her father’s business building for reasons unknown.She has an apartment in the city at a fancy complex. Her net worth is six-billion dollars and she’s actually pretty young for being so successful.
Her mother passed away when she was younger. It was noted that she’d died of cancer. She’d battled long and hard before her body couldn’t handle it any longer. Her father had remarried a woman named Bianca who recently moved into a smaller home in the suburbs. I spent hours looking into her and I almost forgot that I needed to sleep before our big event tomorrow. It’s become a slight obsession I didn’t mean to dive into.
As a friend, I have a duty to look out for him and that’s all that I’m trying to do but it’s making me look like a lovesick person trying to sabotage his relationship. He jumped in so quickly with her and that wasn’t normal for him. Of course I want him to be happy, but how can you love someone who keeps so many secrets from you and is an heiress to the most deadly Mafia gang in New York. Her family are literal criminals who deal and without a doubt kill people but always walk away without being touched. It’s not fair of me to judge her by her family’s choices, but something about her strikes me that she’s just as deadly as they are. She’s not innocent but she’s stayed out of the spotlight to avoid getting caught.
When Alaric opens the door, I almost don’t recognize him. He’s clean shaven, different colored eyes, and dressed to the nines. We had to alter our identities tonight and I’m not sure how either of us feel about it. After our little exchange, we head to the club that’s jammed packed and thriving. She must be doing something right with all thepeople lined up, desperate to get in. Luckily we don’t have to stand in that damn line and get right in.
The music is loud, the decor is perfect, and satisfied customers fill the air. Cheers are echoed as players win at the poker tables, which is a good touch for the night and the girls look immaculate. We grab our drinks and a velvet voice sounds from behind us. Alaric freezes for a moment before we turn around to Celeste standing in front of us.
“Mr. and Mrs. Parker, so glad you were able to join us tonight,” she purrs.
I’m not going to lie, she looks breathtaking and she has a mask on, of someone who’s powerful and untouchable.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world, Ms. Hansley. I really admire what you’ve done with the place,” I respond a little too nervous and without thinking, I move into Alaric, wrapping my arm around his.
I feel Alaric tense at my touch and I try to push down the feeling that I might just die tonight from this movement.
“Christina, I do hope your paws stay within boundaries and you don’t get too handsy with your husband. You both should enjoy our girls tonight and have a little fun.” Her eyes dart to my arm wrapped around Alaric’s and I don’t miss the fire that ignites with fury before she quickly looks away and slips her indifferent mask back on.
She will mark this and lock it away for later to address even though we’re to appear as a couple. She doesn’t give a fuck, I’m touching what is hers. Everything seems to go in a blur for the next few minutes of our interaction. She takes her leave after our exchange to god knows where.
