Page 55 of One of Them

“Okay.”

“Thank you, Taya,” Alisa whispered, hugging me tightly as she slipped past me on her way out of the pantry.

I leaned against the counter, grabbing a handful of the scattered sweets.

The eye-level window faced the endless sand dunes, a light summer breeze carrying the sand on the wind. I frowned at the waste of this view in the pantry.

As I lingered, stuffing more Skittles into my mouth, the understanding clicked. Only someone with a lot on their mind would come here, would take the time to separate them. A hint of a smile appeared on my face. The view was exactly where it should be. I stayed a little longer, holding my own thoughts at bay.

When they all settled, I pulled out my phone and began researching.

***

Despite the place being advertised as popular among residents, the parking lot was filled with sports cars from various states. If it were up to me, we would’ve ended up in some local dump, listening to gossip over a beer. Summer was prime season in the Hamptons, with the high-end houses attracting all the rich. There probably weren’t any locals left, judging by the diners in this fancy bar. I hadn’t seen this much linen under one roof… well, ever. Looking around at the beige and light browns, I almost missed the black suits typically surrounding me.

There were no doors, no windows separating the bar from the patio.

Ambient lighting added to the seaside atmosphere. Palm trees rooted in pots lined the poles. Since we had little interest in the food, we were seated at the bar. A bowl of peanuts landed in front of us while Alisa discussed the wine menu with the staff.

I couldn’t believe the stunt we pulled worked.

Though we knew it was only a matter of time, we hoped we’d have enough to enjoy ourselves. Alisa was an expert at sneaking out of the house.

Combined with my knowledge of the basement, we worked out a perfect escape plan.

At this precise moment, there were three enraged mafiosos trapped together in a sex dungeon below the house. That thought alone was my entertainment for the night.

I don’t think the restaurant even had a dance floor, but it was the best I could do. It got her out of the house.

We left our phones at home, not just to make it harder for them to track us, but also because I couldn’t stand seeing the screen light up with Malek’s name one more time. Twenty missed calls were where I drew the line.

Maybe I should have stopped when he called from a different number. I thought I was clear at the meeting, but the extra text I sent him should’ve reinforced that.

It wasn’t over, because nothing ever really began. Whatever fantasy he had in his head better dissolve by the time we meet at the wedding.

Alisa and I were wrapped up in conversation for a good hour when the hairs on my arm stood up. I focused, calming my breathing.

Time was up.

I kissed her cheek and excused myself, happy to take the bullet for both of us.

Blinded by the light, I squinted, observing the darkness. When my vision adjusted, the silhouette came into shape. There he was, in the center of it, like he owned the very color. Like he purposely painted his body to blend with the shadows.

Maxim leaned against a tree in the dark part of the parking lot, arms crossed.

I hesitated, expecting a shower of angry words. None came. For a split second, I debated returning inside to warn Alisa we’d been compromised.

That’s when the darkness spoke to me.

I stepped closer, aware of every move. Summer temperatures brought out the tank top, and I was here for it. He stayed quiet, watching as I approached. While I expected a million questions, he asked none. I spoke instead, “When did you have the time to get all these?” I eyed the art again, hypnotized.

He shrugged with a playful smile. “I’m not always where I say I am.”

I rolled my eyes at his vague answer.

“I had fucking years to collect them,” he added, his unrestricted smile flashing in the dark.

“How many?”

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