Page 118 of Whispers in the Dark
I turn and begrudgingly head toward the back corner booth. I keep my eyes on the ground, my chest feeling heavier with each step I take, having no idea how this is all going to play out.
“Hi, guys,” Scarlett greets us as we approach, swirling her glass of red wine before her. “Didn’t know you were into wine bars.” My eyes look up, finding Eli, Madeleine, and Scarlett sitting at the booth.
No Alina.
I spin on my heels, my eyes traveling around the room. Unease takes over, my heart hammering beneath my chest. Fury clashes with worry, causing my fingers to tighten into fists at my sides.
“Where’s…” I inhale deeply, digging my fingers into the base of my neck. “Where’s my wife?” My words echo over the space, dark and enraged as pain slices its way throughout my throat. Every head in the place looks our way until they quickly realize who we are and immediately resume their conversations.
Madeleine’s brows furrow. “She’s not here. In fact…” She gives me a pointed stare. “She said she couldn’t make it tonight because she had plans with you.”
She lied.
To all of us.
Alex takes a step closer, placing his palms on the edge of the table. “I asked you if the three of you were here, and you said yes.”
“Yeah.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “Me, Eli, and Scarlett. One, two, and three.” Her eyes drift between us, her brows knitting together. “What’s going on?”
We’re too late.
“We’ve been played,” Alex mutters, running his fingers through his hair. “Cazzo!”
Eli leans forward, placing his elbows on the table. His eyes darken as he looks between us, concern swirling around him. “What the hell does that mean?”
Alex looks at me, probably not knowing how much he can say. I merely shake my head, not wanting to reveal too much yet.
“I don’t understand.” Scarlett places her glass of wine before her, and her attention lands on me. “Didn’t you have plans with Alina tonight?” I shake my head, and her lips part as realization hits her. “She told you she would be with us, and she told us she would be with you…”
“But why?” Madeleine asks.
“Why indeed?” Alex murmurs, pinching the bridge of his nose. He reaches into his pocket and retrieves his phone. “I’m making a call.” He steps toward the exit, but I grip his shoulder to stop him, knowing who he plans on contacting. “I have to inform Vin,” he tells me with a hint of sympathy in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Mauro. But he needs to know what’s going on.” I let my arm drop because he’s right and watch as he takes quick strides, exiting the wine bar.
“Well,” Scarlett starts, wrapping her arms around herself, “if she’s not with you and she’s not with us, then where is she?”
I grab my phone from my pocket and open my tracking app. Did I install tracking software onto Alina’s phone without her knowing? Yes. And clearly, it’s a good fucking thing I did.
Except…
I zoom in on the screen.
Alina’s current location is at an airport not too far from here.
She’s leaving.
My chest constricts violently, each breath feeling labored and strained.
“We have a problem.” Alex returns, staring down at his phone. “Before I even had a chance to call Vin, my team reached out to let me know a couple of hours ago, Kazimir was spotted on surveillance footage a few towns over from the estate. They’re sending me the footage now.” He scrolls quickly through his phone, and the second a notification pings, he presses his thumb to the screen and waits. I tilt my head closer, trying to get a better view. The footage opens on Kazimir, clear as day, walking up to a building with a sign reading “Mindful Care” with a few of his men in tow. Alex pauses the video and studies the building.
Why would he be going there?
“I have a horrible feeling as to why.” He presses play, and we watch as he steps through the entrance. Only seconds later, achorus of gunshots is heard. He speeds up the footage, but stops when a familiar purple vehicle parks outside.
Alina.
Why the hell would she be there?My heart thunders wildly as I watch her hesitate, cautious before stepping through the front door.Can you get us an angle inside?
“I’m on it.” He makes himself comfortable on a nearby seat and types quickly on his phone.
