both me and Odette? Two princesses, heirs to turf and power and men. But we are only valuable alive. Why kill us? And is he coming back to kill me too?
Maybe because he’s dead?
I don’t have a laptop, a phone, or anything to search for him on. But maybe I don’t need an internet connection to find a picture of him. My best guess is that it was Nicolo, my dead fiancé.
The room is void of any pictures on the walls, but maybe I left something in one of the drawers. I pull open my nightstand drawer and rummage through notebooks, gum wrappers, a vibrator. Then I find what I’m looking for—a single polaroid.
I pull out the picture and examine it closely. This has to be Nicolo.
I study the picture, trying to feel anything, any memories, good or bad, but I get nothing. The picture isn’t posed, taken without his consent or knowledge as he walks down the street. He’s turning his head, looking right at the camera just in time for this picture to be taken.
He has short dark hair, an angry scowl, and he’s wearing a dark suit. The camera’s old technology reddened his eyes in the picture, so I have no idea if they are the grey eyes that have been haunting me or not.
Dammit.
I let the photo drop.
There are no other clues for me to find in this bedroom. As the first round of the competition grows closer, I need information and allies if I want to survive and win.
I walk in my pajama pants to my bedroom door and press an ear to the door. I hear Vincent’s cronies talking outside. Two guards guard my door day and night. I’m not sure if they are to keep me in or to keep others out.
But I have to try something. I have to know if Beckett and the others are still on my side, or if I’m truly alone in this game.
I open the door, and both men’s eyes immediately drop to my breasts. The tank I’m wearing is thin, and I’m sure my nipples are visible beneath the fabric.
“I’m sure Vincent would be thrilled to know that his cronies are checking out his daughter.”
I push my breasts out further, and their eyes snap up. “What can we do for you, Rialta?”
“I’d like to see my friend Lucy. If I remember correctly, she works this afternoon at the Red June Cafe.”
“Of course. We’ll be ready to go when you are.”
I shut the door in complete shock. I’m truly not a prisoner here. They are here to keep me safe and alive.
I remember my life before. I was a college student, undeclared major, working at a local restaurant. I lived in a small apartment with Lucy. Dario and Leone watched from afar but were always watching.
Where were they that night that I was attacked? Why didn’t they stop him? Would Odette still be alive if they did?
I shower and get dressed as I ponder all those thoughts. I could ask them, but I’m not sure they’d answer. And I don’t want them to know what I’m up to. They work for Vincent, not me.
But it’s not their loyalty I care about. Beckett, Caius, Gage, Hayes, and Lennox—are we still on the same side?
They drive me to the cafe without questioning me but stop me before I can get out.
“Here, wear this,” Leone says, holding something shiny out to me.
I study it cautiously, like it’s going to bite me. It’s a sparkly bracelet with hundreds of diamonds.
“No thanks, it doesn’t really go with my attire.” I’m dressed casually in skinny jeans, a maroon v-neck, and shoes I can run in. I blow-dried my hair in long waves and put on only minimal makeup.
“If you want to get out of this car, you’ll put it on,” he growls.
I relent, taking the bracelet from his calloused hand. I don’t have to ask why he wants me to wear it. It’s clear that it has a tracker in it.
I fasten it around my wrist loosely, staring at the ugly piece of jewelry, unsure of how it is going to fit into my plan.
“We’ll be watching the perimeter to keep you safe.”
“To keep me safe or to keep me from running?” I mumble under my breath as I climb out of the car.
“Safe—you can’t run from us,” Leone winks.
I roll my eyes before heading inside, not sure what I’m going to find, but hoping that Lucy isn’t upset that I haven’t called