Chapter 66 New Day
Anna's POV
A soft but persistent knock on the door pulled me out of a restless sleep. I groaned, rubbing my eyes as I dragged myself out of the massive bed.
My body still ached faintly from last night’s events with Xavier, a reminder I desperately wanted to forget.
Please don’t let it be him, I thought. Or Lucas. I couldn’t handle either of them right now.
I opened the door a crack and sighed in deep relief when I saw who was there. It was Serena.
“Thank God,” I muttered, stepping aside to let her in. “If you keep showing up like this, Xavier might eventually suspect something and that can jeopardize the mission. You’re pushing your luck.”
Serena walked in confidently, closing the door behind her with a soft click. “Don’t worry about that. My cover is solid. I’ve spent years building it. He won’t suspect a thing.”
She moved straight to the small bar in the corner of the room, pouring two glasses of red wine with practiced ease. She handed one to me with a bright smile.
“Cheers, Anna,” she said, raising her glass. “Congratulations on your wedding. I wasn't expecting it to be that soon, but it's better that way."
I scoffed, taking the glass but not drinking. “You say that like it was some actual love story. Like I walked down the aisle because I wanted to.”
Serena shrugged, taking a slow sip. “It doesn’t matter what it was. The important thing is we’re now sure Xavier isn’t the one who tapped your phone line. That changes things.”
I shook my head, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Just because he married me doesn’t rule him out. He probably just wants to keep me close enough to figure out the full truth before deciding whether or not to kill me.”
Serena shook her head firmly. “That’s not Xavier’s pattern. He doesn’t play long games like that when he suspects betrayal. He strikes fast and clean. Our culprit is someone else."
“You don’t know him the way I do,” I shot back. “You haven’t been living in the same house with him. You haven’t felt his eyes on you every second.”
“I’ve studied his profile extensively,” Serena replied calmly. “His behavior, his decisions, his psychology—everything. I know how he operates.”
“Studying a file isn’t the same as staying under the same roof with him,” I argued, my voice rising slightly. “It’s different when you’re the one sharing his space. When he’s touching you…”
Serena tilted her head. “I don’t see the difference. As long as it serves our cause. You’re married to Xavier now. Xavier wants Zack dead. Your mission is to kill Zack. That marriage is the best thing that could’ve happened for us moving forward.”
I stared into my wine glass. “There’s another problem. And it’s right here in the mansion.”
Serena’s expression sharpened. “You mean the spy? It’s possible the spy was the one who tapped your phone.”
“I’m not talking about the spy,” I said quietly.
“Then what are you talking about?”
I hesitated before answering. “Lucas. He’s in love with me. And I’m afraid he might do something stupid to jeopardize my marriage with Xavier.”
Serena chuckled in disbelief, setting her glass down. “Lucas is in love with you?”
“Yes,” I said, sitting heavily on the bed. “He practically admitted it earlier. He’s ready to betray Xavier because of me. He’s unstable right now.”
Serena crossed her arms. “Then we kill him if he tries getting in the way of the mission.”
My eyes widened. “No. I don’t want Lucas dead. I like him. Besides, he’s useful to us.”
“We can make it look like Zack did it,” Serena said smoothly. “That would be perfect, actually. It would push Xavier even harder against Zack.”
I shook my head vigorously. “No. Absolutely not. I’ll handle Lucas myself. We are not killing him.”
Serena studied me for a moment, then shrugged. “Alright then. Your call.” A sly smile crept onto her face. “So… has Xavier tried making love with you yet?”
I nearly choked on my wine. “Of course he has.”
Serena looked genuinely interested now. She leaned forward slightly. “It appears Xavier likes you. Tell me, how was it?”
I stared at her in disbelief. “Are we seriously talking about how sex with Xavier was? Of all the things we could be discussing right now?”
“You sound like you didn’t want the sex,” she observed. “Did he rape you?”
“No,” I admitted, looking away. “He didn’t. It would’ve been easier if he had. Instead… he made me want it. I don’t even know how he did it, but he—” I stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
Serena stayed quiet for a while, watching me carefully.
When she finally spoke, her voice was serious. “Focus on the mission, Anna. And make sure you don’t fall in love with Xavier. Because it’s already looking like you’re heading in that direction.”
“I know what I’m doing,” I said defensively. “I can’t fall in love with Xavier. It’s not going to happen.”
“In that case,” Serena said, finishing her wine, “I’ll be on my way. Make sure Zack dies as soon as possible.”
“I will,” I replied firmly.
She headed for the door and opened it, only to nearly collide with Eve, who was coming in with a breakfast tray.
The two women exchanged polite greetings before Serena slipped out smoothly.
Eve set the tray down on the small table, smiling brightly.
“I thought you were my PA now,” I said, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you still bringing breakfast like a maid?”
Eve shrugged, still smiling. “Because I enjoy it.”
I noticed how happy she looked—almost glowing. “Why are you in such a good mood?”
Eve’s smile widened as she arranged the food. “Something happened between me and Lucas while you were away.”
I paused, curiosity piqued. “Which is?”
Eve bit her lip, then grinned. “We had sex.”
My eyes widened in genuine surprise. “You… what?”