Chapter 47 Mask Off
Anna's POV
I let out a small breath, shaking my head faintly. “Does it look like Xavier is giving me a choice?” I replied. My tone was calm, but inside, I was anything but.
He watched me for a second, then nodded slowly, like he understood more than I said. “You shouldn’t marry him,” he said.
That caught my attention. My brows pulled together slightly. “Oh?” I said, folding my arms. “And why is that?”
He tilted his head. “You saved his life,” he said simply. “That puts you in a position most people would kill for. He owes you. That means you can say no.”
I stared at him. For a moment… I almost laughed. Say no to Xavier?
Then something hit me. My expression changed slightly as I looked at him more carefully.
Why was he even saying all this? Why was he helping me? Nothing in this world came free.
I straightened a bit, my gaze sharpening. “I’m sorry,” I said slowly. “Why are you helping me?”
His expression didn’t change. “Does knowing that matter?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said immediately. “It does.”
I stepped closer, lowering my voice slightly.
“Because men like you don’t just walk around offering help without wanting something in return.”
His lips twitched faintly.
“Perhaps you want me to marry you instead, don't you?” I continued.
I watched his reaction carefully. He shook his head. “No,” he said. “I’m married.”
That surprised me a little. But I didn’t show it. “Then what do you want?” I asked.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he looked at me like I was the one missing the point.
“That’s not important,” he said finally. “What matters is what you want.”
I exhaled sharply, irritation creeping in. “No,” I said, shaking my head. “That is the point now.”
I took a step back, my gaze hardening. “Because until I understand your motives, I’m not interested in having any conversation with you.”
Then slowly… I reached into my hand and took the card he had given me earlier. I pressed it back into his palm. “Keep it,” I said.
And without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away.
I could feel his eyes on my back. “Anna,” he called after me.
I didn’t respond, I just kept walking.
Because whatever game he was playing, I wasn’t ready to be part of it.
I moved toward the bar, needing space… something to ground myself.
Before I could even ask for a drink, one of the bartenders stepped forward. “Miss,” he said politely, handing me a small card.
I paused, frowned slightly.
“Someone asked me to give this to you.”
My brows furrowed. “Who?”
He shook his head. “He didn’t say.”
I took the card slowly, turning it over in my fingers.
My instincts immediately went on alert, I glanced around the room quickly.
No one looked out of place, no one was watching me too closely. At least… not obviously.
Carefully, I opened it. There was a short message inside. "Come to your room." That was it. No name.
I stared at it for a second… then a small smile crept onto my lips. Lucas, It had to be him.
Who else would send something like this? But… Why a letter? That didn’t feel like his style.
I tore the card into pieces, dropping it into a nearby bin without a second thought.
Then I turned and made my way upstairs. My heart beat a little faster with each step. Not out of fear though, just anticipation, curiosity. Maybe even a little excitement.
By the time I got to my door, I didn’t hesitate. I pushed it open and stepped inside.
My smile faded instantly.
It wasn’t Lucas, It wasn’t even close. A woman stood in the room.
The same masked woman from earlier. The one who had spoken to Xavier.
My eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m sorry,” I said cautiously, closing the door behind me. “Who are you?”
She didn’t answer immediately. Instead… she reached up slowly and removed her mask.
And the moment I saw her face.
My breath caught. “Serena?” I said, my eyes widening in shock.
She smiled faintly. “Good,” she said. “It’s a good thing you didn’t recognize me earlier.”
I stared at her, still trying to process it. “What are you doing here?” I asked quickly. “And how do you even know my room?”
Her smile deepened slightly. “Anna,” she said, almost amused. “Do you really think you’re the only spy planted around Xavier?”
My heart skipped. “What?”
She took a step closer. “The agency has had eyes on Xavier long before you ever came into the picture.”
That hit hard. I blinked. “Then why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
Her expression turned serious. “Because that agent isn’t just monitoring Xavier,” she said. “They’re also monitoring you."
My stomach dropped. “Monitoring me?” I repeated.
She nodded. “In case you go off track. Or worse… get compromised.”
I let out a slow breath. “Let me guess,” I said quietly. “They’re also tasked with killing me if that happens?”
Serena didn’t sugarcoat it. “You know how the agency works, Anna, they have trust issues."
I frowned slightly, thinking fast. “Is it Eve?” I asked. “She’s always around me. Too observant.”
Serena blinked. “Who’s Eve?”
I hesitated. “My… personal assistant,” I said.
Serena shook her head immediately. “No,” she said. “The agent wouldn’t stay that close to you. That’s too risky.”
That ruled Eve out. Or at least… made it less likely. “Then who?” I muttered under my breath.
Serena ignored that. “We don’t have time for this,” she said sharply. “Let talk about the mission.”
I looked back at her. “I need to know who tapped my phone,” I said.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Who do you suspect?”
“Xavier,” I said immediately. “Lucas… maybe. And Eve.”
She nodded slowly. “Xavier has motive,” she said. “Lucas too. But Eve?”
“Maybe Xavier told her to,” I said.
Serena studied me for a moment. “Anna,” she said carefully, “if Xavier finds out you’re a spy… you already know how that ends. He's going to kill you. So we need to find out what he knows."
I swallowed. “There’s no way to read him,” I said. “He’s unpredictable.”
“Exactly,” Serena replied. She stepped closer, her voice dropping. “Which is why you need to marry him.
I blinked, the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. “What? Fuck no."
My voice came out sharper than I intended, laced with disbelief, anger… and something close to fear.