145

145
Chapter 145

Liliana

“Maybe?’ I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, maybe. He was lying.”

Gerald said.

“How do you know he was lying?”

“I just know, Liliana, trust me, and before you say I don't believe you, I believe you. I'm investigating Cassandra. I haven't found anything on her, and I don't expect to, but since you've been insisting. I am simply doing it for you.’

I stared at him and sighed.

“Okay.”

I couldn't argue with that logic.

If he thought Glen was lying, then I wasn't going to argue, but I will get my revenge on Cassandra one way or the other, but first, my brother, Tony.

He was the most important obstacle.

Gerald's phone suddenly beeped, and he glanced down at his phone…

“I have to go.”

“Where?’ I asked.

“Following Glen. I told you, we are going to find your kidnappers, no matter what.”

I nodded even though I was pretty sure Cassandra had been the one responsible.

I didn't think it made much sense to continue arguing with Gerald. He was stubborn as hell, and he wouldn't believe me anyway.

I made my way to the kitchen and took a bottle of water and drank.

There've been a lot of revelations that I was still trying to wrap my head around.

Gerald and my father being friends seemed so far off.

Dad was a goody-two-shoes, and Gerald is a textbook bad boy.

A killer.

I doubted Dad would be okay with our relationship, but Dad was dead now.

I sighed.

The moon goddess really wanted to stress me out in every way.

I made my way up to my room, my thought to go look around for what Cassandra had possibly put there, but as I was about to come out of the kitchen, I noticed Cassandra walking past the living room, on a call.

I followed her carefully as she made her way to the training ground.

She looked like she was looking for somewhere private to talk.

I followed her, making sure to keep my distance so she couldn't perceive my scent.

She opened the door to the training ground and closed it behind her.

I stayed behind the door; thankfully, she didn't walk so far that I wouldn't hear her.

“You fool, I told you not to take the route.”

My ears perked up.

She paused as if listening to whoever was on the other line.

“The easy route, now we've lost the goods.”

I frowned. “Goods?”

What's good?

I didn't have to wait for the answer.

“It's for the medications of these kids. If they don't have those, they'll die.”

I frowned.

Kids? What the hell was going on?

I was still listening when a handsome man touched me from behind.

I practically jumped.

Dahlia was staring at me.

“Everything okay?” She asked, and I quickly covered her lips.

I pushed her back to the main house.

“I was eavesdropping on Cassandra.”

“Why?” She asked.

“I think she's responsible for my kidnapping.”

Dahlia said nothing.

I expected her to argue like everyone else, but she just stared at me.

“Well? Are you going to say something?’

I asked, and she said.

“Don't worry about all of this, Lil. The truth will be revealed soon.”

I blinked.

“So, you don't believe me either.”

“I never said that.”

She quickly said.

“I said you need to be patient.”

Just then Cassandra walked in.

She gave me a once-over before her eyes met Dahlia.

She didn't say a word.

Just walked past us like we were beneath her.

“Bitch!” I said under my breath.

Dahlia chuckled.

“Like I said, be patient.” She. Caressed my face before walking back to the training ground area.

I stood at the corner of the wall. I watched her from a distance. Dahlia was long gone. My curiosity was far from satisfied. Cassandra had returned to the training ground. She pretended to be busy. She shifted targets. She instructed a few trainees. I could tell she was only stalling. Her body language was off. Her shoulders were tense. Her eyes kept darting toward the woods. She was waiting for someone.

Minutes stretched into half an hour. She finally made a move. I followed again. This time I kept even quieter. The night had grown heavier. The air was damp from the evening mist. She slipped through the gate that led to the side of the estate. She looked over her shoulder once. Then she walked briskly toward the eastern trail. That trail led to the old well.

That was strange. Nobody went there anymore. It was abandoned after the well dried up years ago.

I crouched behind a hedge. A tall man in dark clothing appeared from the shadows. His features were mostly hidden by the hood over his head. I could make out a scar that sliced across his cheek. Cassandra approached him quickly. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching.

“What took you so long?” she hissed.

“I had to make sure no one followed me,” the man replied. His voice was low. It was rough. It was the kind that carried secrets.

“Do you have it?” She asked impatiently.

He nodded. He handed her a small, black pouch. She opened it. She checked the contents. She nodded.

“Good,” she said. ” I will take it from here. No one must know about this meeting. Understand?”

“Of course,” he said.

They exchanged a few more words. I could not catch them. Then the man disappeared back into the woods.

My heart was pounding. I did not know what was in that pouch. Whatever it was, it was not medicine. Cassandra's lies were stacking up. I was done waiting for proof.

As she turned to leave, I stepped out from the shadows.

“Nice night for a secret meeting, is it not?" I said. I crossed my arms.

Cassandra froze. The moonlight hit her face. It revealed the sharp flicker of shock in her eyes. That shock was replaced by fury.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded. Her voice was low. It trembled slightly.

“I could ask you the same,” I said. “Or do you always meet strange men in the dark with pouches that probably are not for the kids you were pretending to care about?”

Her jaw tightened. “You do not know what you are talking about, Liliana. Leave me alone before you get yourself into something you cannot handle, or maybe I'll finally just kill you.”

“Before I got myself into something, I stepped closer. You mean like being kidnapped. I am still trying to figure out who was behind that. Oh wait, that was you.” I jabbed a finger at her.

She smirked. “You think I had time to kidnap you. You are not worth the effort.”

“Liar.” My voice came out sharp. It was cold. “You have been hiding something from the start. Soon everyone's going to see the real you.”

She took a threatening step closer. Her fingers curled into fists. “If you do not walk away right now, I swear I will kill you with my bare hands.”

I did not flinch. “Do it,” I dared her. “Go ahead. Once my mission is done, you will be the first person I kill. You should start watching your back, Cassandra. Any day now, Gerald will be calling off your engagement. I don't imagine you'll be here any longer to kidnap or try to kill me.”

Her eyes widened. It was just a fraction. I saw it. The slip. The shock.

“What did you say?” she whispered. Her voice trembled despite the venom she tried to lace into it.

I smiled. I turned away slowly. “You heard me. Maybe you should call your little friend back. Tell him your plan is falling apart.”

As I walked away, I could still feel her stare burning into my back. It was sharp as daggers.

For once, I was not the one who felt cornered.

Cassandra did.

I planned to make sure she stayed that way.