Killer's Kiss

Chapter fifteen

The DNA test results arrived at dawn, the sunlight breaking through the horizon like the parting of barely drawn curtains. Today, Lisa would finally uncover whose blood had stained the cottage floor where the web was drawn. With any luck, today would also bring her closer to unraveling the tangled connections—Henry, Lilith, Momo's past, the explosion, Lucian, and that cursed cottage. Lisa was certain everything was linked, a labyrinthine puzzle waiting for her to solve.

But first, she had a ball to attend.

The event, aptly named Whiskey Dust, was hosted annually by the notorious Perez family. Known for their opulent wealth and sordid dealings with the Italian Mafia, they were equally infamous for their ongoing feud with the Russian syndicates. Of Mexican heritage with a scattering of Scottish lineage, the Perezes embodied power, privilege, and corruption.

Whiskey Dust was their Halloween tradition—a decadent affair shrouded in secrecy and indulgence. For five years, Lisa had received an invitation, and for five years, she'd ignored it.

This year, however, was different.

What piqued her interest wasn't the allure of the party but a single line in bold italics on the invitation:

Masks must be worn.

The idea of attending a masked ball stirred a giddy thrill in Lisa. But, of course, she had another reason for going.

Yesterday, she had tasked Hyunjin Evans, the desperate British addict, with delivering an offer to Chaeyoung Park. The document had been written meticulously by Lisa herself, specifying that Chaeyoung and Hyunjin—though the blonde would soon discover it was Lisa, not Hyunjin—would meet for the first time at Whiskey Dust.

Every guest was allowed a plus-one.

Lisa's plus-one would be Chaeyoung.

Chaeyoung stared at her laptop, her mind sluggishly processing the words glaring at her from the screen.

Hyunjin Evans, Felix's supposed boyfriend—or rather, ex-boyfriend—had emailed her, offering an outrageous proposal. Revenge.

According to the email, Hyunjin wanted to avenge Felix's death and was asking Chaeyoung to join his fabricated "grand plan." A plan to put the mastermind behind the explosion that killed Felix behind bars.

Chaeyoung wasn't sure whether to burst into laughter or sob hysterically.

Was this some kind of sick joke?

From what Jennie had told her, Hyunjin hadn't even shown up at Felix's funeral. And now, five months later, he suddenly cared enough to contact Felix's friends? To recruit Chaeyoung for a cause he'd neglected until now?

The audacity.

He'd even included the location for their meeting: a five-star hotel hosting the Whiskey Dust ball. Tonight.

Chaeyoung slammed her laptop shut with enough force to hear a distinct crack. She didn't care. She was furious. Now she needed to buy a dress. And a mask.

"Where are you going?"

Jennie's voice floated lazily from across the room as she admired the bouquet of tulips her girlfriend had sent her at work. "Your shift doesn't end for another two hours."

She leaned closer to the petals, brushing their edges with her fingertips. "Hmm, they smell just like my Eva."

Chaeyoung wrinkled her nose. "They don't smell like anything; they're tulips." She quickly unfastened the uniform tied around her waist, answering the earlier question. "I have something to take care of. I already cleared it with the boss, so don't worry."