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She’s just confirmed my worst fears.
Isabella looks down at her phone. “Come on, we have to get back.”
I want to say thank you, but I don’t know what I would be thanking her for. For giving me advice? For seemingly being on my side?
None of that will matter once I leave tonight.
She opens the door, and I follow her back to the table. Our food has arrived.
Cassius looks between the two of us, studying us. “Is everything all right?” he asks, his voice smooth and deep.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Isabella smiles. Now, I realize that it’s a mask—she acts like she’s clueless but she knows more than she shows.
“I need to get back to work,” Cassius announces.
“We haven’t even eaten yet” Isabella pouts, her disappointment evident.
Cassius leans down to kiss her forehead. “Next time.”
As he straightens up, his gaze lingers on me for a brief moment. “I’ve ordered my car to be brought here. I didn’t feel like walking back. Would you care for a ride, Annalise?”
A flare of anxiety sparks within me, but I push it down. The sooner I can get out of here, the better. “That would be appreciated, thank you,” I murmur, trying to sound confident.
“Very well. Let’s go then.” He gestures toward the sleek black car parked nearby. “Have this packed up for us, Isabella, and send it back to the office.”
She smiles at us as we walk out.
We walk in silence, the tension between us palpable, and yet I can’t deny the strange allure he has over me. The air seems charged with electricity, making my skin tingle and my breath catch in my throat.
It shouldn’t be this way. He shouldn’t scare me and turn me on at the same time.
As we reach the car, I try to focus on anything other than him, but it feels impossible. Surprisingly, he opens the door for me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, sliding into the seat and trying to ignore the way his fingers brush against mine as he hands me the seat belt.
The drive is filled with a tense silence, neither of us daring to speak. I keep my eyes fixed on the passing scenery, willing myself not to look at him. But despite my best efforts, I find myself stealing a few glances at him.
I reach into my pocket to check my phone for the time when a realization hits me.
“Wait,” I say. “I think I left my phone back at the table.”
How will Sienna be able to reach me for the girls?
“Did you now?” Cassius asks, his voice colder than usual. But then I see my phone in his hand, screen illuminated with a text message preview.
How did he…? When I was in the bathroom.
“Give that back!” I lunge toward him, desperation fueling my actions. But he moves it just out of my reach.
“Who are Franny and Gina?” he asks, his voice suddenly demanding. His gaze pierces through me, making me shiver involuntarily.
He knows the truth.
9
ANNALISE
I’m seized by a desperate urge to flee. My heart hammers against my chest as I yank at the door handle, but it won’t budge. He must have my door child locked. Panic surges through me, and I pound my fists against the window, trying to break free or at least hoping that someone will see me and call 911.
