THE ESCORT

SEVEN | PREDA

The cabin Eyes took her to was very large.

It boasted of a large bed that could easily accommodate five people and still leave a space for a toddler, a single bookshelf that held unfamiliar paperbacks, a large desk made out of shiny dark wood, and two doors that led to a large bathroom and a walk-in closet.

Eyes had left once she'd closed the door behind her, so Elodie took the time to explore the space but wisely kept her fingers to herself.

After taking care of her business in the toilet, she returned to the bed, and sat gingerly on the edge, placing her purse besides her.

Her mind churned with what little conversation she'd heard.

It was either she was reading too much into things or there was something else at play here. The way Angelo spoke and the men she'd seen addressing him tonight told her that he was very powerful, but just how powerful he was, she didn't know.

First, he'd been referred to as Boss, the Bones had called him Capo, too. Prehaps, it was the Italian term for boss, and she was just searching for problems where there was none.

She'd be spending four days with the man, so there was no use borrowing trouble on the first night.

Elodie reached for her purse, opened it, and got out her work phone. Boss could be pissed later, but she remembered that she'd told Jean she was going to check on Mace, so it would be in her best interest to tell her that she couldn't make it to work.

Hi, It's E. There's been a development on Mace's case
and I wouldn't be able to
make it to work, but I'll keep
you updated.

T

he message was vague enough that she could choose the narrative when next they met. Elodie had never been a good liar, so it was best to leave the conversation open.

She also sent a quick message to the home explaining that she wouldn't be able to come in to see Mace because she was away on a business trip.

Once she was satisfied that all loose ends were closed, she returned her phone to her purse, and got to her feet. Her soles ached, so she pulled off her shoes, and went over to the round-shaped window overlooking the Bay. It was hard to see anything out there due to the dark, but she could make out the glistening water just fine.

A sudden scream tore through the air.

Elodie jerked away from the window, eyes blown as she whirled around, half-expecting to see someone standing in the doorway. All her muscles became locked when she saw that she was still the only occupant of the room.

Her heart pumped away in her chest, and her body began to shake.

What the hell was that?

Did she just hear someone scream, or was it a figment of her imagination?

Was this what Angelo meant when he told her to stay in the cabin no matter what she heard?

Was someone being hurt, or worse...was it Angelo himself?

A second scream—this one more blood curling than the first—filled the silent space again.

Elodie's muscles became unlocked and she sprang into action.

Grabbing her phone from her purse, she ran toward the cabin door, grabbed the knob and wrenched it open. The hallway was deserted, and there was no soul in sight like she'd been expecting, considering what was happening.