I’d gained those followers because I’d been lying to my audience. Granted, it wasn’t a malicious lie, and it didn’t hurt anybody, but guilt ate at me all the same.
“Like I said, that had nothing to do with our decision. But it’s a bonus.” Luisa cleared her throat. “Anyway, I have to run to a meeting, but look over the contract and discuss it with Brady. We sent a copy to him as well, so let us know if you have any questions.”
“I will, thank you.” I hung up in time to place my order. I’d finally reached the front of the line, but I was so buzzed I was no longer hungry, so I just ordered a tea and a croissant.
By the time I returned to the Mirage, I’d drowned my guilt over my fake relationship with justifications and euphoria from landing the Delamonte deal.
I was going to be their new brand ambassador. Me, Stella Alonso, the face of one of the world’s top luxury brands.
Not only was it a six-figure deal, but it’d open doors to more opportunities than I could dream of. I could up my base rates, network with—
The turn of my doorknob sent me crashing back to earth.
It was locked, which meant it’d been unlocked before I put my key in.
My high evaporated, replaced with an eerie crawling sensation up the back of my neck.
I was ninety percent sure I’d locked my door on my way out. Was I remembering wrong? The Mirage had never had a break-in, but…
I glanced around the empty hallway, the eerie sensation intensifying. I grabbed my taser from my bag before I unlocked the door and inched through my apartment. Part of me felt ridiculous; the other part screamed at me in warning.
I found nothing amiss in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, or Jules’s old room. The only place left to check was my bedroom.
I slowly pushed open the door.
At first, everything looked normal. Untouched bed, closed windows, no open drawers or upended furniture.
I was on the verge of relaxing when my gaze snagged on the item waiting for me on my nightstand.
And I screamed.