Chapter 67
_Lisa’s POV_
Clam
The city was busy, full of life and noise, but all I could hear was the racing of my heartbeat. My eyes were locked on the black car ahead of us; Alexandra’s car. She was driving fast, weaving through the streets as
if she had somewhere very urgent to be.
I sat beside the driver. I was watching her every move.
“Keep your distance,” I told him quietly. “I don’t want her to know that we’re following her.”
“Understood,” the guard replied with a nod.
I bit my lip and stared out the windshield.
Where are you going, Alexandra?
Sierra’s voice whispered in my mind. Something’s wrong. You can feel it too.
Yes, I can.
Alexandra’s car turned toward the center of town. The buildings grew taller. The roads became busier. I leaned forward as she finally pulled into a parking spot outside a small but elegant restaurant with a glass
front. I had seen it before
It was a place people came to for quiet meetings or discreet affairs.
“Park a few blocks down,” I instructed.
The guard obeyed. I slipped out of the car and pulled my hood up, keeping my face low. I walked quickly but carefully, crossing the street and approaching the restaurant from the side.
Through the large glass windows, I could see her.
Alexandra.
She stepped inside and walked straight to a table in the corner. A man was already seated there.
My breath caught.
He looked middle-aged, with sharp features. He had pale skin and he was wearing dark sunglasses that sat perfectly on his face. He wore a charcoal gray suit and black gloves, like he had stepped out of some old-fashioned mafia movie. His hair was slicked back, neat and cold. He didn’t smile.
He didn’t even look up when Alexandra sat down.
The waitress arrived at their table with a tray. She placed down two glasses and some small plates. The
man must’ve ordered ahead of time.
Alexandra said something to the waitress. She was probably canceling her order but I couldn’t hear them. I was too far and behind the glass.
My eyes stayed on the man.
There was something about him. Something dark. It made my stomach twist.
Sierra murmured, He’s dangerous. I don’t know how I know. But I know.
I watched as Alexandra leaned forward and spoke quickly. Her hands moved slightly on the table. Her
fingers were fidgeting. She looked tense and nervous. Her shoulders were tight and her jaw was clenched.
The man didn’t say anything for a while. He lifted a hand slowly, and Alexandra stopped talking
immediately.
He spoke then, calmly. Like he was in charge of everything.
She listened. Her eyes darted once toward the door, but she didn’t get up.
I shifted slightly behind the bush and pulled my phone from my pocket. My hands were a little shaky, but I
quickly opened the camera app and hit “record.”
I zoomed in just enough to get a clear view of the table through the glass. Alexandra sat with her back
partially toward me, and the man she was meeting was in full view-every sharp line of his pale face and every movement of his gloved hands would be recorded.
He never took off his sunglasses, not even indoors.
That in itself was strange.
I held the phone steady, recording every second.
The way she leaned in.
The way he barely moved. He was calm and in control.
And then that moment came.
He pulled his phone out and showed her something. I couldn’t see what was on the screen but I captured
Alexandra’s reaction.
She gasped. Her whole body tensed. Her hands shot up to cover her mouth. Her eyes went wide and
glassy. Whatever he showed her, it terrified her.
I swallowed hard and kept the camera rolling.
The man yanked the phone back, stood, and pointed a finger in her face. His lips moved, but I couldn’t
hear a word.
Still, his body language said everything.
He was issuing a warning.
And Alexandra looked like she had no choice but to accept it.
She jumped up from her seat and followed him quickly as he strode toward the exit.
I stopped recording and tucked my phone back into my coat.
My heart was thudding.
Sierra’s voice echoed in my mind. That video… you need to show it to Rylan. He needs to know.
I nodded silently.
But first, I had to follow them.
Clam
I ducked lower behind the tall hedges that framed the restaurant patio and watched them step out the
glass doors. I shifted my body to the left, crouching low behind a row of planters.
Alexandra was pleading. “Please wait! Just tell me….what do you want me to do?”
The man didn’t even glance at her. His footsteps were cold and fast. He was disappearing into the traffic.
She chased after him.
I followed from a safe distance, weaving around people and sticking to the shadows.
Then he took a turn down a narrow alley between two buildings.
Alexandra rushed to follow, but when she reached the alley’s edge, she stopped.
I paused too. I was hiding behind a utility pole just a few feet away.
I peered around carefully.
She turned left, then right. Her shoulders stiffened. Her chest rose and fell quickly.
But he was gone.
The alley was empty.
No doors had opened. No vehicles had driven off. He had simply… disappeared.
Vanished.
Just like that.
Alexandra lingered, scanning the area with frantic eyes. She even took a few steps into the alley. She
looked behind trash bins and doorways.
But it was hopeless.
Her shoulders sagged. I saw her bite her bottom lip hard, like she was trying not to cry.
She stood there for a moment longer before turning around slowly. Her steps were slow now, and unsteady. She didn’t speak a word, just walked away. She appeared defeated.
Sierra’s voice was tight in my mind. That wasn’t a normal meeting. That was fear. He’s holding something
over her.
I nodded. Yes, he is surely threatening her.
Once Alexandra was out of sight, I stepped out from my hiding place and took one more glance down the
alley.
It was empty.
I didn’t know who that man was.
But I knew one thing for sure; he had Alexandra trapped.
I walked quickly back to the car where the guard was waiting.
As I slid into the back seat, he turned to me. “Back home, madam?”
“Yes,” I said quietly. “Right away.”
My fingers clutched my phone tightly.
I had proof now.
I had seen something that Alexandra didn’t want anyone to know.
And the worst part?
She was all alone in whatever this was.
I leaned my head back and stared out the window as we pulled away.
The video replayed in my mind over and over again-Alexandra’s fear, the man’s silence, the look on her face when she saw what was on that phone.
Sierra murmured, This could be bigger than we think.
I know.
And I had a sick feeling in my gut that this man, whoever he was, was not done with us yet.
I needed to talk to Rylan.
Before it was too late.
