I heard the door and took a deep breath as Alessandro advanced. We were walking down the aisle together. At least it wouldn’t seem as odd a behavior to the two hundred or so guests. I found myself taking several additional breaths, almost panicking. “It’s time. I know. I’m ready.”
As I’d experienced so many times over the last two weeks, prickling sensations swept through me. Only this time, hair stood up on the back of my neck.
Because of panic.
“Hello, Sierra. It’s good to finally meet you.”
The words were far too similar to the ones Alessandro had used, the voice almost as dark but instead of being laced with a sensual tone, there was nothing but pure evil in the stranger’s pitch. And even more terrifying, it resonated just like Tristen’s.
As I turned around, I realized he’d moved to within two feet, the sunlight glinting off a large, jagged-edged knife.
And I didn’t recognize him.
“Who are you?”
I noticed his hand was bandaged, blood seeping through the white gauze. He was missing at least two fingers. Who the hell was this? As soon as I opened my mouth again, he came to within a few inches of me.
“Do not scream, Sierra. I would hate to cut out your pretty little tongue while we’re just getting to know each other.” He was amused by my terrified reaction, raking his gaze all the way down, slowly lifting it to my eyes.
I shifted away from him only to have him make a tsking sound.
“Stay right where you are. We’re going to have a long chat. It would seem you have a double. What a pity I hadn’t noticed before.”
Anger swept through me, vile, evil thoughts.
“You killed her. You bastard!” My words infuriated him and within seconds, he managed to grab me around the neck, yanking me against his chest, the knifepoint placed against my jugular.
“I’d be careful about making me angry,” he hissed. “I can see why Tristen liked you.”
I remained quiet, taking shallow breaths.
“Yes, he spoke of you only once, although he refused to tell me your name. That made me curious, so I followed him all the way to Raleigh on one of his excursions. I watched from a distance as he played house. Did you know he used you as a cover while in Raleigh? That allowed him access to a very fancy club where he pretended to be somebody he wasn’t.”
None of this was making any sense.
“What I found interesting was that he actually loved you. That’s why he left you a small fortune he thought no one would know about. He also left an item that now belongs to me.”
The fucking book. Why the hell was it so important? “What are you talking about? Other than some money, he left a few clothes and a toothbrush.”
“Now, now. Lies are beneath you. Why don’t you be a good girl and I might allow you to live to walk down the aisle with a monster. Or will you change your mind?”
“Where is Tristen?”
He laughed as he gave me another heated gaze, this time filled with lust. I was repulsed, confused. Where the hell was Matteo?
The moment I glanced toward the door, he exhaled. “If you’re looking for your bodyguard, don’t bother. He’s lying in a pool of blood.”
Oh, God. Alessandro had to walk in at any moment.
“You’re a fucking monster,” I said, making my voice was loud as possible. Would anyone hear me through the thick wooden doors?
“Your fiancé made me that way. I should say your former fiancé.”
The man was talking in riddles that I couldn’t understand.
“I’ll ask you again. Who the hell are you? What do you want?”
“His name is Joseph Sampson. He was Tristen’s partner at the law firm. He’s also the man who killed Tristen and made it look like an accident,” Alessandro said as he took long strides into the rectory, a weapon planted firmly in his hand.