Page 14 of Concealed Deception

Maybe I will have fun breaking her soul after all.

Eight

Ava

I follow Mr.Lamont out of my holding cell and down a short corridor to what looks to be an elevator.

The big guy I remember from the club, Knox, is walking extremely close behind us.“Seriously, can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?”No one’s telling me what’s happening no matter how many times I ask.

“Good to see you’ve found your voice again.”

I whip my head to the side and see the one man that creeps me out and makes me want to gouge his eyes out all at once.Tony.

“Fuck off, asshole.”I’m done with these people, but as I haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know them yet, I instantly regret my words.Tony is at my side in an instant with something cool held to my throat.

“Antonio, enough,” comes the demanding voice in front of me.

“Oh, boss, I was only having fun.Right, Knox?You’ll back me up, right?”

Knox doesn’t move—in fact, he has the stance of a soldier waiting command.However, my captor is too busy staring daggers at Tony.

I decide becoming mute is my best option around Tony.He scares the shit out of me more than these other two.

As the door pings open, we all step inside.Me in the opposite corner to Tony, with the other two men in-between us.It’s like they’re trying to protect me from an enemy, yet he is their ally.It makes no sense.

Once we reach our destination, another man I recognize is waiting to greet us.Vince, I now know him as, gives me a cheeky smirk before putting his game face back on.

Honestly, as an abducted woman, I’m not feeling very abducted at present.It’s more like I’m with acquaintances with the way everyone is acting around me.Don’t get me wrong, I’m keeping my wits about me.

“We’re still in Manhattan,” I state as we walk outside, though no one answers.

“Get in the car, Savannah,” demands Mr.Lamont.

Once we’re in the back seat, alone, I start firing questions.“Why do you keep calling me Savannah when my name is Ava?Also, where areyourmanners?You still haven’t officially introduced yourself.”

There’s a short pause, but then he surprises me.“Miss Carlisle, you already know who I am, and I keep calling you Savannah Carlisle because that’s your real name.It seems your parents kept a lot of secrets from you.”

I’m shocked at his admission… and my parents?“My parents died when I was a baby.My aunt raised me.What the hell is going on?”

“All will be revealed in good time.”

That’s it?That’s fucking all he’s giving me?Not only has he put my life in a tailspin, but he’s also making me question everything, especially the way I’m acting around him.

One minute, he lights my body on fire from a simple look, and the next, I want to murder him and feed his body to the sharks.I need to work harder—smarter—if I’m to make this work in my favor.

“In good time?There’s not going to be a good time.First you tricked me into meeting you, then kidnapped me, and now you’re telling me you know more about my parents than I doandmy name’s not Ava Pierce—”

“Enough.”His booming voice halts my tirade.An intimidating one at that.“We’re almost at our destination.You need to keep your mouth shut.”

I stay silent and acknowledge his demand.But I’m not happy about it.

“Good.I’d rather gag you but that’ll raise questions if we’re seen by others in the parking garage.Come, it’s time.”

I didn’t notice our arrival into the building because I was ensnared by this man.The car door opens, and I’m greeted by Vince.He quickly takes my arm, halting my movements, or attempts at running, while Alexander gets out of the car.

The moment we get to the elevator another vehicle enters underground, screeching their tires as if they’re in a car chase.

All three of our heads whip around at the sound, while I’m forced to stand behind Vince.