Page 5 of Pretty Girl

Chapter Five

The man in green tie was going to set her hair on fire with the intensity of his stare-down.

The interrogation room had a smell of sweat, musk, and something horrible all mixed together in a weirdly moist combination.

Air should not be moist.

Sophie breathed so little oxygen in that she was having problems breathing because there was nothing more disgusting than stinky gym smell vibes.

The two-way mirror in front of her reflected her disheveled appearance: brown hair that was once in a bun was unraveled down her back, little red lines in her eyes that became extremely clear at how much sleep she got, and cheeks flushed from stress and anxiety.

Who wouldn’t have major stress and anxiety after being hauled out the restaurant into the freezing February night in work clothes—didn’t even have the decency to turn up the heat in the car—, squished between two scary FBI agents, and kept in an interrogation room for who knows how long before the green-tied man came in and just stared at her as if she was a rare species of animal.

“What’s your relationship with Alec Lafayette.”

That wasn’t even a question, it’s as if the man already knew the answer but force her to answer.

“He’s-”

Sophie didn’t know where their relationship was, or even if there was a relationship.

Sure, he was her regular customer. They ate together, he gave her gifts, and they talked. They don’t see each other outside of the restaurant and there was no phone calls or dates.

There was a spark there; the way he was so gentle with her sent shivers down her neck and his voice was deep and baritone which sometimes made her forget she was his waitress.

One night, there was a chance to solidify their uncertain relationship—as uncertain as Sophie saw it, but she had a feeling Alec wanted to devour her half the time—and it was interrupted by his bodyguard.

Something to do with unfinished business; as urgent that sounded, he still stayed and finished dinner with her even if it was unprofessional to dine with a guest and on shift.

The guard was ordered off to stay outside until he came out with a voice cold as his icy blue eyes and it was the first time she had witnessed the mafia boss aura. He had never raised his voice in the slightest, always kind and warm with his million-watts smile.

“I don’t think there’s a relationship, but if you want to consider that he eats at Eclipses and I serve him?” she knew her answer was unsatisfactory by the arm crossing over that hideous green tie.

“You knew he’s a criminal, and yet you continue to associate with him. That makes you an accessory to his crimes.” aggressive and stern, his accusation brought chills to her spine.

“I mean-” she stuttered, “I looked him up but-”

“Then you know what he’s capable of.” he said, leaning back on his chair. “He’s a killer, his organization brought on many deaths. Are you that blind to his true nature or are you simply looking the other way because he pays for your way of living?”

“What?” Sophie knotted her brows in confusion, “He doesn’t pay for anything other than his meals.”

“Well, our intel tells a different story. He’s brought you diamonds, gold, and paid off your student loans and rent for the next four years.”

“No, he didn’t.” this was the first time she was hearing about this.

Were the little trinkets and gifts made with real diamond and gold?

His hand slapped against the desk and her heart lunged to her throat. The file underneath his palm was thick, at least an inch with paper clips separating each section.

“What I have here is ten years’ worth of crimes his entire organization has done. None can be proven because every witness disappeared, evidence destroyed, and prosecutors are too scared to go after him.”

She froze.

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