Page 14 of Betrayed in the Dark
“Thanks,” I say, guzzling down a few sips before soaking my face with the cool liquid.
He grabs his phone and then turns it toward me.
What’s wrong?
I arch a brow. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
He quickly types on his phone before showing me the screen.
Because your head’s not in it. You’re distracted, thinking about something else.
A sudden silence fills the training center, and I turn to see Leo and Vin heading our way. All the men in the facility nod in greeting as they pass, showing their respect.
Vin approaches, rolling up his shirt sleeves. He wraps his fingers around one of the ropes and leans forward. “You ready for the big move?”
And there it is—the reason I can’t focus. The reason I can’t sleep, eat, or even fucking breathe. In just a few hours, I’m expected to move in with Madeleine and act like her personal bodyguard. Nothing more.
I’m supposed to pretend like I don’t know every square foot of her home. That I didn’t fuck her in almost every room or fall asleep in her bed with her soundly wrapped up in my arms.
That’s what’s bloody wrong.
I feel like I’ve been dropped in an alternate universe where the past never happened, and I’m supposed to be fucking okay with it when I’m not.
I shrug, feigning indifference as I squeeze the back of my neck. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Vin removes his tie and tosses it over his shoulder. “We need to talk to you.”
I reach for my towel and drag it across my face. “What’s going on?”
Leo jumps into the ring and leans against the corner pole. “We’re not letting Madeleine and Alastor’s wedding happen,” he tells me.
Relief washes over me.
I mean, I wasn’t going to let this fucking wedding happen either, but hearing that we’re on the same page feels reassuring.
“And how do you plan on doing that?” I ask.
“With your assistance,” Vin answers. He pushes himself away from the ropes, crossing his arms over his chest. “Madeleine hasn’t been herself this past year. And I think there’s only one person to blame for my sister’s unhappiness.”
A muscle tics in my jaw. “Alastor,” I grind out. That fucking twat leaves a bitter taste on my tongue every time I have to say his damn name.
“That’s why we came to talk to you.” Leo nods, shoving his hands into his pockets. “As far as we can tell, Alastor and Madeleine barely communicate. Barely see each other, for that matter.” He shrugs. “I don’t consider myself an expert on love, but this seems more like an arrangement than two people madly in love like she’s trying to make us all believe.”
Arrangement?
“But why would she agree…” My words die off as I look between them. “You think he’s blackmailing her?” It would make sense, but she’s a fucking Alarie. What could he have on her that she can’t come to her brothers about?
Or even me, for that matter?
“Most likely.” Vin nods, deep in thought.
Mauro grunts in agreement, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Can’t we just ask her?”
Vin laughs. “She’s stubborn—maybe even more so than I am. Asking her if she’s being blackmailed will only make her retreat further into herself, and I won’t risk pushing her away.” He rakes a hand through his hair. “Her house is her sanctuary. I won’t break her trust by spying on her with cameras, but having you move into her house will give us a chance to observe her without intruding.”
I nod, understanding more than most how much she loves her home and why. “So, you don’t just want me to be her bodyguard but a spy as well?”
