Page 539 of The Sinner: James

He goes silent as a woman's voice scrambles words at the other end of the line.

Something’s wrong, suggests the tension in his shoulders.

“When?” he asks.

The woman explains something hurriedly, fueling the strange feeling barreling through me.

“Okay, okay... Calm down.”

She utters more words while he rakes his fingers through his hair.

“Okay. All right... I’ll fly back soon.”

A hole forms in my chest.

He hangs up as I wait eagerly to hear the news. Without turning around, he makes a call.

The person picks up quickly.

“Hey, Thomas... I need you to fly with me tonight.”

A short pause follows before James speaks again.

“Tiago Rossi is missing again.”

My heart sinks.

* * *

RAIN

A week later

MonteCarlo

The streets areempty beneath the summer sky as the beach and the clubs are most likely the people's favorite spots this time of year.

Wearing a white chiffon dress, heels, and sparkling jewelry, I climb the stairs to the hotel entrance.

It’s the second time I have shown up unannounced this month.

I didn’t plan to surprise him again, but for some reason, I couldn’t tell him on the phone what I couldn’t spell out in person when he spent time with me back home.

The news of Tiago Rossi’s disappearance pushed our personal problems back, making me miss the opportunity to talk to him, but now I’m here, determined to speak with him.

“Good evening, Miss.”

I nod to the doorman, who smiles at me as he pulls the door open.

Swiftly, I walk across the lobby, heading to the elevator.

The silent car takes me up before I stop in front of James’ hotel suite and knock on the door.

The door pulls open, my gaze still tilted down.

The tips of a pair of fashionable stilettos snag my eyes before I drag my gaze up and take in a beautiful woman whose features strikingly resemble his.

A smile tilts her lips as she notices my surprise.

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