Chapter Sixteen
Rhia woke in a sweaty daze later that evening.
She pressed the palms of her hands into her eyes and tried to chase away the bad dreams that plagued her sleep. For several days now she’d dreamed of running through one dark street after another, her uniform restricting her breathing. Ugh. And every time she closed her eyes someone from the shadows mirrored her every step. The growls and whispers felt so real and carried along the cobwebs of sleep still clinging to her mind. It was with relief that Rhia grabbed her phone and saw the late hour. She tossed aside the tangled sheets at her feet and sat up. The sinister sounds weaving along her senses caused goose bumps to rise along her flesh.
Their identity felt damn familiar, just out of reach. She rubbed at her eyes but the faint images only faded more. Premonitions never were a thing of truth for her, but she couldn’t shake the sinking feeling of dread sitting in her stomach.
She cupped her face and groaned. She honestly didn’t think she could do this another night, much less actually find a killer. After a few more moments of gathering herself, she pushed off the bed and padded into the kitchen to find Maya gone. Moving through the silent apartment, Rhia’s mind left behind the bad dreams and clicked over the last couple of days. The unexpected time with Sevastyan and Matteo. Of Matteo. God that man. She loved being taken like that. He’d been so filled with passion and a hot, burning lust for her she still felt breathless. Arrogant bastard. She chewed at a hangnail. Next time she’d be the one throwing him against the wall. A bench. Whatever. Bastard would probably get off on it. A small smile slipped over her lips at the shock that would break his constant stoic expression if she managed such a thing.
More entanglements with that man—any of them—was the last thing she needed. She couldn’t forget about her brothers and the problem they presented. They already called and now that she’d answered they wouldn’t be so patient for her to get back to them in New York City. They had to be drowning in paperwork. But she couldn’t leave. Not yet.
“I’m close. So close.” She gripped the handle of the fridge until her fingers cramped in protest. She’s managed to get herself this far and with a little more patience and digging the truth would be found. She just knew it. But she needed to dig faster. A hell of a lot faster.
She swung open the fridge and stood there in the cool air. The bright light radiated through the dark kitchen and for a long moment Rhia forgot about food and simply absorbed the cool air.
A flick of yellow caught her eye, and she retrieved the orange juice the sticky note was attached to.
In Maya’s familiar scribble the note read:
See you tonight at work. Thanks for the drinks, babe.
At the bottom of the note read: And maybe next time we’ll get you laid, love.
Juice in hand, Rhia leaned against the fridge door and chuckled. If her friend only knew just how fucked she already was.
Skipping breakfast—dinner for people who followed a traditional day—Rhia made quick work of her mundane routine. Half an hour later she welcomed Haven’s air conditioning against her heated skin. This time she’d opted to drive. In a weak moment, she’d plucked down a few dollars for a late model that blended with the rest of the working-class citizens duking it out over minimum wage. Most nights she preferred the walk, but the news promised more rain.
Rhia sighed when she saw the dressing room empty. The open-styled room didn’t afford much privacy for dressing so she made sure to arrive early and slip into her evening’s attire before anyone else arrived.
Outfitted in her leather bodice—with a new sash up the front—her too-short leather skirt and killer heels that made her legs look a mile long, she claimed her small two-by-three section and set to work on her makeup.
“There you are.” Indigo slipped into the room and closed the door behind her in a hushed snick.
Long red hair neatly combed and swooshed back in an elegant braid, shimmering gray smoky eyes, and an elegant black pantsuit made the woman look like she belonged on some catwalk or as a powerful CEO position, not an executive assistant in a sex club.
“Hey there. Maya and I missed you for drinks last night.”
Indigo’s expression was tight when she leaned in and kissed Rhia on the cheek.
“Yes, well, business called.” Indigo waved a hand absentmindedly and slid a hip against her table. This close she could smell the rich aroma of her perfume.
She folded her arms across her ample chest and leaned in a fraction.
“Did you hear?”
Rhia noted the light lilt of Irish that still clung to the woman’s words with a hint of her roots. But after years of living abroad, it had diminished to where you had to pay close attention to catch the clue.
Rhia lowered her mascara brush and turned her full attention to Indigo. Worry lines scrunched perfectly trimmed brows, but the sad look in her friend’s eyes pulled Rhia’s gut into a knot. “Hear what?” Had something happened to Maya?
Indigo studied her for a moment before answering. “Another girl has gone missing.”
Ice water spilled into her veins. “Who?”
Before Indigo could answer a knock came at the door and they whirled around to find the door ajar.
“Señorita Carmichael?” Came a familiar deep voice.
Panic ate at her insides with a vengeance. “Yes? You can come in. Everyone is dressed,” she forced out, standing.