CHAPTER 101: EXPOSED

"Are you insane?" Axel growled, shoving my hand away. "You claim to be Layla’s best friend, and here you are, trying to seduce her husband? Get out before I call the police for trespassing."

For a moment, I thought he was joking or just trying to scare me, but the look on his face said it all. I’m fucked.

I laughed, trying to sound confident even though my heart was pounding. "Oh, Axel. So loyal. But everyone has their breaking point."

I moved closer again, my hand brushing his arm once more. "We could have fun. She’d never have to know. I won’t tell if you won’t."

He grabbed my wrist again, this time harder. Much harder. "Touch me again, and you’ll regret it."

He shoved me away, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Leave. Now. Or I’ll drag you out myself."

My face paled, my heart racing for any fix to my current situation. Cass weaned this might happen, but my crush on Axel didn’t let me think things through... Fvccckkk!

On the outside, I forced that calculating smile back onto my face. "Fine. I’ll go get my things."

I sauntered toward the guest room, trying to maintain my composure even though my hands were shaking. How was I going to tell Cassandra I’d almost blown everything? That I’d failed?

I gathered my overnight bag, shoving my belongings inside with trembling hands. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He was supposed to at least eat dinner, supposed to at least be tempted.

Or am I not good-looking enough?

As I reached the front door, ready to leave and figure out my next move, Axel’s voice stopped me cold.

"Erica? I think you’re forgetting these."

I turned, my blood running cold when I saw what he was holding. The listening devices. All five of them, displayed in his gloved hand like evidence at a crime scene.

Oh shit. Oh shit, shi, shit. I’m done for.

My mind scrambled... Deny? Run? What the hell was I supposed to do now?

He advanced toward me like a predator stalking wounded prey. "Who planted these?"

"Not me!" I stammered, my voice coming out higher than I intended. "I don’t know what those are! Someone must have broken in and..."

One of the guards handed Axel a tablet. He held it up, showing me footage from hidden cameras I hadn’t known existed. There I was, clear as day, planting each device carefully in every room.

"Anything to say?" Axel asked in a deadly calm voice.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I was caught. There’s no denying this one single bit.

Axel dismissed the guards with a wave. They filed out, leaving just the two of us in the foyer.

"You avoided the main cameras," he said conversationally, as if we were discussing the weather. "But I installed tiny ones in blind spots after that brick incident. Smart on your part, but not smart enough. So tell me, was this your idea, or Cassandra’s?"

"Cassandra? Who’s..."

"Don’t." He cut me off sharply. "I’m patient, Erica, but I’m not stupid. From day one, I knew you were up to something. You played your part well... too well, actually. The concerned friend act was almost convincing."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes, but I couldn’t tell if they were real or just another manipulation attempt to save myself from my current situation. "Please, Axel. I can explain..."

"Oh, I’m sure you can. And you will. To a judge. You’re going to court with Cassandra. Corporate espionage, trespassing, attempted... whatever the hell that little failed before it even started seduction attempt was."

Just then, his phone rang, cutting through the tension. He glanced at the screen, and his expression turned serious.

"Don’t move," he ordered, stepping away a few steps to take the call.

I watched as he answered the call in a low voice, listening to whatever the caller on the other end was saying.

This was my chance. My only chance.

I backed toward the door slowly, quietly, my hand reaching for the handle. Axel’s back was turned, and his attention was focused on whoever was on the phone.

I slipped outside, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst. I ran to my car, fumbling with the keys, my hands shaking so badly I could barely get them in the ignition.

The engine roared to life, and I peeled out of the driveway, speeding toward the safe house. I was planning to go to one of the houses Cassandra had set up for emergencies, but first things first. I need to get to the one Axel had set up for me, where I’m staying and get all my things. Both personal and implicating items.

I had to get there, grab my emergency cash and fake ID, and disappear before Axel called the police. I know for sure he would.

I’d call Cassandra later and figure out what to do next. Maybe flee the country. Maybe... stay in hiding for real this time.

Inside the safe house, I hurriedly stuffed clothes and important papers into my duffel bag. My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing; probably Axel calling or... I don’t even want to know who it is. Or was it the police? Are they already on my trail?

I ignored it, focusing on getting everything I needed. Passport, cash, burner phones. Everything needed to start over somewhere far away.

I rushed out with my bag, heading for my car parked in the small garage.

The door burst open before I reached it.

Men in black tactical gear flooded in, grabbing me from all sides. I screamed, thrashing against their grip, but there were too many of them.

"Let me go! You can’t..."

"Oh, trust me, we can..."

A cloth was pressed against my mouth, soaked in a sweet, chemical smell. My vision started to blur right away.

"Go to sleep now," one of them hissed near my ear.

I tried to fight it, but before I could do anything, darkness swallowed me whole.