Page 37 of Undercover Desires

“You’re right, I don’t know much about you, do I? We should change that over a couple of drinks,” I suggest.

She squirms under my gaze, attempting to look away, but I keep her close. “I should get back to work,” she mumbles, a touch of panic in her voice.

I could insist she stay and drink with me as I desire, but I decide to let her go. It’s clear that I won’t get further with her tonight. She’s too distressed. And I have something else on my mind now. “Another time,” I say instead.

“Sure,” she mutters, quickly hurrying away from me, almost like she’s trying to escape.

I watch her through our surveillance system. She walks down the corridor at a slower pace, eventually stopping to wipe her eyes. She’s definitely in tears. After composing herself for a moment, she steps back onto the floor with a smile painted on her face. She’s quite the performer. Something in that photogenuinely upset her, and I’m determined to figure out what it is.

Without delay, I dial Brandon’s number.

“Hey, man, how’s the team going?” I ask as soon as he picks up, my voice laced with excitement.

“Good. Three wins in a row, and we’re off to a great start this season,” Brandon responds, sounding chirpy.

“Nice. How’s Cassie?”

“She’s great.Moulin Rougeis showing every night. She’s living her dream. But somehow, I feel like you didn’t call me just to chitchat,” Brandon remarks, catching on to my mood swings.

“Is there any room in your busy schedule for a quick trip home? I need your help with something,” I blurt out, my words coming out in a rush.

Brandon considers for a moment. “I could make it work. What’s going on?”

“There’s a new girl working for me at Queen of Hearts. She’s an undercover cop, investigating us. I had a meeting with her in my office just now, and she freaked out when she noticed a photo of you.”

“You think she knows me? What’s her name?” Brandon asks, mirroring my growing anxiety.

“She’s going by Bella Jones at the club, but her real name is Arabella Hamilton. Do you recognize the name?”

“Yeah, I know who that is.” Brandon’s response is quick.

“Well, don’t keep me hanging,” I urge, my impatience clear. Why isn’t he coming out with it?

“She’s... my cousin,” Brandon admits, his voice filled with disbelief.

“Your what?” I stammer, my emotions shifting rapidly from surprise to curiosity. “How is that possible?” I ask, confused.

“My dad had a twin brother; she belongs to him,” Brandon reveals.

“Different surname?” I ask, trying to piece it all together.

“Yeah, Dad didn’t really talk about them much, just that his brother was a cop and liked to play it straight. I think the name had something to do with their parents’ separation. From what I remember, Nanna and Grandad separated when my dad was about fifteen. He decided to go with Dad, while his brother stayed with their mom, but they changed their name back to her maiden name. I always found it strange, but Dad didn’t like to talk about it.”

“Interesting. So, her dad is a cop as well.”

“Was, he was killed a couple of years ago,” Brandon replies, a tinge of sadness in his voice, and it makes me feel sad for her.

I pick up the photo from my desk and study it. “Why did she look at your photo like she saw a ghost?”

“Her dad and mine, they were identical twins. I’m told I look just like them at the same age. Maybe that’s why. She hasn’t seen me since we were kids. After Dad disappeared, Ma didn’t want me associating with that family anymore. I haven’t seen her since I was probably twelve.”

“Can you make the trip? We might need your help here. I don’t know what she’s after, but she’s working for Detective Reader.”

“I’ll be there. Just give me a couple of days to sort things out here,” Brandon assures me. I knew hewould. He’s like a brother to me. The both of us have been through so much together, losing our dads on the same night back when we were twelve. But unlike mine, who was pronounced dead, killed in the factory fire, his has been missing ever since. Leo is still trying to work out what happened to him.

I can’t believe they are cousins. I should feel guilty for the inappropriate thoughts I have been having about her now, I know that. But I don’t. I’m intrigued to see her reaction when she sees him in the flesh if her reaction to his photo was so dramatic. Tonight might not have played out how I planned, but I think this surprise for her will work out better.

CHAPTER 15

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