Chapter 50: If You’re Ready

Chapter 50: If You’re Ready
Chapter 50: If You’re Ready

EVANGELINE

After Grant leaves, a second black car remains parked on the street as I walk to my door.

I can’t see who’s inside, but I’m sure it’s one of Aleksander’s security guards.

The feeling of being watched is uncomfortable, but not as much as what I feel when I stop in front of my door.

The memories of that night return in flashes, making me hesitate before turning the key.

My heart races, and I take a deep breath, a shiver running through me as I remember the feel of his touch and his words.

"Let’s continue where we left off."

I close my eyes.

"You know what to do."

I shake my head, trying to push the thoughts away.

There’s someone watching the house. It’ll be fine.

With that in mind, I unlock the door and step inside.

Hesitant, I reach for the light switch on the wall. To my relief, the lights turn on normally this time.

Ignoring the lamp and that corner of the living room, I walk to the front window and check the black car outside one last time before heading upstairs.

I try not to think too much, constantly forcing myself to ignore the feeling that someone is in the house.

In my bedroom, I drop my small suitcase in a random corner before heading to the shower.

Thankfully, Aleksander gave me something other than fear to occupy my mind.

Something I have no idea what to do with. The worst part is, I don’t know if I can ask the one person I think would know what to do.

I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. All I want is to call Tess and tell her everything.

What would she say? After making one of her mischievous jokes, of course.

Something like: Hey, there’s nothing wrong with sneaking around with your boss. Then she would throw it in my face that she’d been right all along.

It’s almost like I can hear her.

But I’m sure she would also have good advice on what to do with all this mess. Maybe if I had told her everything from the beginning, I wouldn’t feel so guilty about dumping it all on her now.

The cabin, the messages, the break-in, my stay at Aleksander’s apartment—I’ve been hiding all of it from my best friend. I don’t have the right to ask for help now.

And the truth is, I also feel ashamed of how I let things unfold with Aleksander, not just because everything with Luke is still so recent, but because now, he’s practically my boss.

I just had to keep my distance.

But if she knew what I felt...

I never thought I’d feel this with anyone else.

At the same time, it was so different...

The memory alone is enough to make my body heat up under the water.

His body, his touch…

All I can think about is what it would be like to feel his lips all over my body. His hands...

No. No. No.

What am I doing? I can’t think about him like this.

The two of us... it’s simply impossible.

I just need to pretend nothing happened.

✽

Exhausted, I close the door and take off my shoes before heading to the kitchen. I set my bag on the island, and I’m about to open the fridge when the doorbell echoes through the house.

Seriously, after an entire day of work?

With a frustrated sigh, I quickly grab a bottle of water before heading back to the door, taking a sip along the way.

When I open it, a nearly familiar face stands in front of me. Probably the same guy who spent the night watching me.

"Miss Sinclair," he says.

My eyes scan his impeccable black suit.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Volkov asked me to deliver this." He hands me a matte black envelope. "He also asked me to inform you that the security system has already been installed. In-person surveillance will no longer be necessary."

"Right, thank you very much."

He simply nods before walking away, and I step back inside.

It seems I’m officially alone now.

I close the door behind me. Curious, I inspect the outside of the envelope as I walk back to the kitchen.

The paper is thick, and there’s a small embossed “V” in the center of the triangular flap.

Subtle, but powerful.

Stopping in front of the island, I open it and take out the card.

Volkov Industries
has the pleasure of inviting you to a dinner in celebration of the new partnership with Harrington Row.

Below that are the date and time. Tomorrow, at 9 p.m. There’s also an address I don’t recognize and a dress code.

I read the message again, and all I can think is, why is he inviting me?

After what happened, an invitation wasn’t exactly what I expected. I thought he had understood why I went back home.

Maybe it’s just a professional invitation.

What are the chances?

As always, I can never figure out his true intentions.

As I slide the card back into the envelope, I notice there’s something else inside.

A smaller card, handwritten.

I recognize his handwriting before I even read it.

My driver will be at your house at 10 p.m.
If you’re ready, get in.
A-