Chapter 35 ALTAR OF LIES II
Relief flowed through me when I saw it wasn’t the same guard from before.
Now that I thought about it. Sienna’s strength must really be something if that one was still unconscious in the closet till now.
I widened my eyes slightly, clutching my clutch purse. “Oh, thank God,” I said, making my voice shaky. I looked around, acting as if I were confused, like a typical bimbo. “I got lost trying to find the powder room. This place is so confusing…”
The guard’s suspicion melted into a smirk as his eyes traveled down my neckline. "It is back toward the main floor, sweetheart. Try to stay where the lights are, yeah?"
"You're a lifesaver!" I chirped, patting his arm before stumbling past him as if I were tipsy.
I walked back into the VIP area, forcing myself not to rush or look back so that I won’t look like I had just come from somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be. My aim was to leave the club immediately.
I thought I was ready to face my ex-husband. But turns out I wasn’t. Just hearing his voice in the office was making me feel like I wanted to crawl out of my body.
“Siren? Mr Sterling’s voice called out, making me pause.
Damn it. I turned slowly, plastering a fake smile on my face.
He grinned as he approached, clearly pleased. “So it is really you,” he said, eyes gleaming. “I heard whispers, but I didn’t believe it.”
I smiled sweetly. “You heard about me?”
“Oh, sweetheart,” he chuckled, stepping into my personal space. “You’ve been making waves.”
His gaze dragged over my body again. “And tonight…” he added, voice lowering, “you look even better than the rumors.”
I laughed lightly, hiding my disgust at the alcohol breath wafting into my face. “Careful, playboy,” I teased. “You’re starting to sound obsessed.”
“Maybe I am.” He said in a breathy tone, which I’m sure he thought was seductive, then brushed his hand along my waist. “I could take very good care of you,” he murmured. “You don’t need to be running around doing… whatever it is you do.”
Of course. Men like him always thought they could buy control.
I tilted my head, letting my fingers lightly trace his collar. “Tempting,” I said softly. “But…”
My words faded off when the atmosphere in the room suddenly shifted.
My body reacted before my mind did.
I looked up to see Kanan coming down the stairs.
He was walking with three executives, his eyes scanning the room with the precision of a hawk.
Suddenly, the lights of the club began to blur. The bass of the music sounded like the roar of rain. I could feel the cold barrel of the gun against my forehead again. I could see Kanan’s finger tightening on the trigger. My hands began to shake so violently that I nearly dropped my purse.
"I... I have to go," I whispered, my voice breaking.
"Wait, I haven't even—"
I didn't wait for Sterling to finish. I grabbed a glass of red wine from a passing tray and tripped, drenching his white silk shirt. While he was roaring in frustration and the waiters were swarming him, I vanished.
I hit the alley air and didn't stop running until I was inside my car. I locked the doors, my chest heaving as I fought for oxygen. I was hyperventilating, the walls of the car feeling like they were closing in. I could still see his gray eyes. I could still feel the heat of the bullet.
“Get it together,” I whispered.
I flinched when my phone on the seat vibrated. Then forced myself to look.
Jax: Are you okay? Tell me you are out.
Another message followed immediately.
I am ten minutes away if you need me to come get you.
I stared at the message on the screen and slowly… my breathing steadied.
A small, unexpected smile tugged at my lips.
Right. I wasn’t alone anymore.
I typed back quickly.
Me: I’m out. Heading home.
I exhaled deeply, leaning back in the car seat.
I wasn't that Elena anymore. I wasn't the lonely girl who had to beg for a place at the table alone. I had a support system now…. even though they thought I was their friend.
I drove back to the garage in a trance, feeling a deep sense of relief when I saw that the building was dark, showing that the others had gone to their different homes.
On that thought, I really needed to find out more about their personal lives. I didn’t even know where they lived.
I climbed the stairs to my loft, my body feeling like lead, only to pause when I saw a plate of food covered with foil on the bedside table.
I read the note sitting beside it.
Eat before you sleep. - J.
I smiled, sat in the dark, and ate, the simple warmth of the food grounding me.
I thought about the altar. I thought about the way he touched the glass. And then I thought about the families he was about to make homeless.
Even with everything, the infiltration had been a burst. I still had no leads or evidence. Just more questions.
I reached for the ledger on the counter and flipped it open to the page with the warehouse coordinates.
“Tomorrow,” I said quietly, “we start.” My eyes gleamed as excitement rushed through me.“Let’s see how they handle a problem they never saw coming.”