Page 54 of Innocently Imprisoned By the Bratva

"Hey, everyone, this is Pippa, the new girl I was telling you about!" She beings introducing me to her friends, who greet me with warm smiles.

"Nice to meet you all," I say, making sure to maintain eye contact and smile brightly. As we engage in lighthearted conversation, I can't help but scan the room for any potential leads on Lenny's activities. Though it's unlikely anyone here would openly discuss such things, it never hurts to be observant.

"Have you met Danny yet?" one of the girls asks, motioning toward a tall guy leaning against a wall with a drink in hand. "He's super cute and totally single."

"Uh, no, not yet," I reply.

"Come on, let's introduce you," Lilah insists, pulling me through the crowd toward Danny. As we approach him, I force myself to stay present and not get too caught up in my own thoughts.

"Hey, Danny, this is Pippa," Lilah says, placing a hand on my shoulder. "She just started at our school."

"Hey, nice to meet you," he greets me with a friendly smile, and we engage in small talk. Though I want to learn what I can about Lenny from Lilah, I know better than to push too hard or arouse suspicion. For now, being present and making connections is the best strategy.

"Drink?" Danny offers, holding out a cup to me. I hesitate for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of accepting. Ultimately, I decide it's best to accept the offer and blend in with the crowd.

"Thanks," I say, taking the cup from him and sipping slowly, careful not to let my guard down. As the night progresses, I continue to mingle and keep my eyes and ears open, hoping for even the smallest clue that could lead me closer to uncovering Lenny's secrets.

Half an hour later, I spot Lilah standing near the fireplace, effortlessly laughing as she flips her hair over her shoulder. I take a deep breath, reminding myself of my mission here, and then stride over to rejoin the conversation.

"Hey, this is quite the party!" I say, smiling warmly at Lilah.

"Isn't it?" she beams, clearly proud of her social prowess. "I'm glad you could make it, Pippa."

As the conversation flows between us, I try to subtly steer the topic toward her father without arousing any suspicions. "So, do you miss your dad when he’s so busy traveling?" I ask innocently, sipping on the drink from earlier.

"Ugh, don't even get me started," Lilah rolls her eyes. "He's always on the phone or in meetings or something. But he did promise me that we'd have some quality family time together soon."

"Quality family time." That sounds promising. "Oh? What kind of plans do you guys have?"

"Actually, we're going to our vacation home next weekend," she says, excitement lighting up her face. "My dad's taking a few days off work to show me and my friends around the place."

"Wow, that sounds amazing!" I exclaim, trying to contain my excitement over this potential information goldmine. "Where's the vacation home?"

"It's in Aspen," she answers, dropping her voice conspiratorially. "But don't tell anyone else; Dad likes to keep our trips low-key."

"Your secret's safe with me," I assure her, mentally filing away this valuable tidbit for later use. This could be the break we need.

As the party continues around us, Lilah and I chat easily about school, our favorite movies, and the latest celebrity gossip. I cautiously probe for more information, but it seems that Aspen is all she's willing to divulge for now. Still, it's a start.

"Hey, Pippa!" one of Lilah's friends calls out, interrupting our conversation. "Come join us for a game of Never Have I Ever!"

"Sure, why not?" I agree with a grin, knowing that maintaining my cover means fully participating in the party. An hour later, the party is still in full swing, but I notice Lilah swaying slightly as she downs another drink. Her laughter is a little too loud, and her cheeks are flushed with alcohol. It's time for me to make my move.

"Hey, Lilah," I say gently, touching her arm to get her attention. "I think you've had enough to drink. How about I take you home?"

She blinks at me, clearly tipsy, but she smiles gratefully. "Thanks, Pippa. You're the best."

"Come on," I tell her, guiding her by the arm as we weave our way through the crowded room and out onto the street. “So, where are you staying?”

“Just off campus,” she tells me.

The night air is cool, and Lilah shivers as we begin walking. The streets are dimly-lit, casting eerie shadows on the pavement. I wrap an arm around her waist, providing some support for her unsteady steps. As much as I'm using this situation to further my own aims, I genuinely care about Lilah's well-being. She's innocent in all of this, and it's not her fault that her father is involved in shady business dealings.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Pippa," Lilah slurs, leaning heavily against me.

"Of course," I reply, trying to sound nonchalant while keeping my eyes peeled for anything suspicious.

Suddenly, I hear it—footsteps, behind us. I keep walking, and the steps keep coming. I feel a prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like someone's watching us. My instincts scream that something is off, and I can't shake the feeling that we're being followed. Could this be a setup?

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