Page 225 of The Devil's Fire

Shit, now I was scared I was underdressed for this.

Chad drove around a large, round lake with sprinklers shooting water high in the air. I told him not to park the car in front of the building but rather further down the street. It was still close, but I wanted to assess the situation before going inside.

“This is for you.” I said, and his eyes widened when he saw the stack of money I wanted to give him.

“That is way too much!” He shook his head, but I just placed the money on the passenger seat for him.

“Take it because I need a favor from you. I need you to stay here and wait for me to come back. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but you’re kind of my personal driver tonight. And if you wait for me, I will double the amount when I’m back. Deal?” I smiled, and he was shocked that I would give him more money.

“You have my word, Lily! I will wait for you.” Chad said excitedly, making me chuckle at his enthusiasm.

“Thank you!” I got out of the cab, only grabbing my clutch, leaving the rest in the car with Chad.

Luxurious vehicles lined up in front of the opulent casino hotel, dropping off people dressed in fine clothing as they ascended the grand staircase to the entrance. I took a deep breath and blended in with the people at the entrance.

“Welcome to the LuxePalace.” The doorman greeted me as I handed him my card. He scanned it, casting a brief glance at his computer screen. “Enjoy, and have a pleasant evening, Jacinta.”

“Thank you.” I replied with a smile, stepping inside.

This was it.

I took a moment to inhale deeply, steadying my nerves, and strode forward with confidence.

I’ve got this.

seventy-five

Althaia

The LuxePalace overwhelmed my senses with opulence and grandeur, leaving me in awe as soon as I entered. The floor was adorned with a glossy beige marble, reflecting my surroundings vividly with its mirror-like sheen. Above, the ceiling reached astonishing heights, adorned with chandeliers that dripped with glistening crystals.

I did my best not to appear too lost, as everyone around me seemed familiar with the place. Deciding to take a seat at the bar, I figured it was the best way to observe my surroundings without giving away my confusion or discomfort.

I ordered a glass of wine and nearly choked when I learned it cost several hundred dollars. Just for a single glass! It was a good thing I was only pretending to be rich for an hour, because keeping up with this lifestyle would leave me broke and on the streets in no time.

Yes, my mother provided me with a comfortable life, but this was a whole new level of extravagance.

As I sipped my wine, I scanned the room, observing people gathered by the casino tables; gambling, chatting, and reveling in the atmosphere. I kept an attentive eye, hopeful of spotting Mr. Vasiliev. However, the longer I lingered at the bar without catching a glimpse of him, the more my hope sank.

After finishing my wine, I decided it was time to explore the venue. For a moment, I thought of the possibility that he had changed his mind and decided not to attend the event. The note suggested he would be here, but then again, I was just assuming and hoping it was him. I was curious about his history with my mother.

Making my way toward the elevators to explore other floors, I paused. His dominating presence filled the room; tall, intimidating, and surrounded by a few men. He was impossible not to notice.

Adrenaline surged through my veins as soon as I spotted him, and I quickly walked toward Mr. Vasiliev. I found myself at the far end of the room, desperately hoping to reach him before he stepped onto the elevator. I was practically half-running as the elevator doors opened, and I just managed to slip inside before they closed.

Trying to calm my pounding heart, I realized I was now standing right next to Mr. Vasiliev. With three of his men present, I was relieved to find a random couple in the elevator, which made my sudden entrance go unnoticed.

The couple exited on the fifth floor, and I noticed the button for the sixteenth floor was pressed. I remained still and quiet, facing away from them, pretending that the sixteenth floor was my stop as well.

The elevator came to a stop, and all four of them stepped out. I walked behind them at a measured pace, leaving enough distance to avoid sparking suspicion. I glanced around the hallway lined with hotel rooms, a perfect cover, as I pretended to search for a specific room number.

Mr. Vasiliev and his men reached the end of the hall, turned a corner, and after a brief pause, I followed suit. I turned around the corner, and I was suddenly slammed against the wall with a force that emptied my lungs of air.

I winced, squeezing my eyes shut and letting out a yelp of pain as the back of my head collided with the wall. My eyes snapped open as something cold pressed against my forehead. I stared into cold, emotionless eyes, a gun held firmly, pointing directly at me.

“Now, tell me, young lady, why are you following me?”

I turned towards the voice, finding Mr. Vasiliev looking at me calmly, hands tucked into his dress pants.

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