Red Deception {Book Two}

5: Don't Go

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Riah POV

After a long night of going through surveillance footage and questioning people who were at the club the night Malik was poisoned, I was finally able to strip out of my day clothes, into some pajama's and eat.

"Thank you for putting Alyssa to bed. I really appreciate all you've been doing lately." I shot Nora a grin as I sat down on the loveseat. Alec was sound asleep on the couch next to her with his head placed on her shoulder.

She shook her head, "Don't mention it. I'm always here to help."

Sighing, I glanced at the TV and started watching the French drama show that was playing. After awhile of living here in Amiens, I've really come accustomed to French and Russian shows. Their pretty funny, now that I can actually understand them.

Today has been such an exhausting day and all I want is to relax for at least an hour without having to do anything extra.

"So, how did everything at the church go?" Nora gave me a curious look.

I shrugged. "Not so good, the man who was poisoned by vervain yesterday died in the infirmary."

Her eyes widened, a mix of sadness and shock spread across her face. "How? I thought he got there in time to survive?"

I tilted my head back and took a deep breath, "He did. It must have been a stronger strain, one that we haven't come across yet. I'll be at the warehouse a lot this week trying to sort this all out, so I-" Nora cut me off with a wave of her hand.

"I got your back, Riah. Alyssa will be well taken care of." I was about to thank her, when she began talking again. "Don't thank me, either. I love Alyssa and she's a great kid. I would do anything to make this easier on you, and with Alec working so much and me being home all the time, it's really not a big deal."

I glanced down at my hands, then back into her eyes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Shooting me a beautiful grin, she averted her gaze back to the television. That's when the front door creaked open, and Demitri walked into the house with Aleksandra and Petra behind him. Waving them hello, I watched Demitri waltz into the living room and sit upon the arm of the chair I'm sitting in.

After Aleksandra and Petra sat down at the small couch across the room, I noticed a tension between them that I've never seen before. Shrugging it off, I smiled up at Demitri.

"Where's Marcel?"

"At home, we have some things we need to do tomorrow so he decided to clock in early."

I nodded and slumped into the chair. Trying to avoid the very obvious tension between the two girls, I hesitated then glanced back at them for a second. Aleksandra's body was slightly turned towards Petra, but Petra was as far to the other side of the couch as she could get. Her eyes were searching the whole room, avoiding Aleksandra and her hands were clenched as if she was angry, or irritated?

Before they caught me staring, I quickly averted my gaze and crossed my arms over my chest.

What's wrong with Aleksandra and Petra?

Demitri looked down at me and sighed, I don't know Riah. Just leave them be, I have a feeling they don't want to talk about it right now.

Giving it up, I ran my hand through my hair and switched my attention back to the television. Something is going on between the two of them, they never act this distant and awkward and I will figure it out one way or another. I hate it when something happens between any of us, it tears me apart when they don't get along.

And for some odd reason, I have a sneaking suspicion that Demitri knows what is going on.

Standing up, I stretched my arms up over my head and took a deep breath. "I'm gonna get to bed guys, I am exhausted. You coming?" I glanced over into his deep blue eyes.

He shook his head, "I drove Aleksandra and Petra, plus I need to get back to the warehouse to take care of a mess that one of the soldiers made earlier." Sighing, I kissed his cheek gingerly and made my way up the stairs, careful not to wake Alyssa as her room is right next to mine.

Once I walked through the door and closed it behind me, I shut the lights out and climbed into bed.

Demitri POV

After dropping Aleksandra and Petra off at their house and cleaning the blood up from one of the warehouse floor, I got home, poured myself a glass of blood wine with a bit of plasma in it and made my way into the living room. Sipping at the glass, I grabbed onto one of the large books from one of the bookshelves wrapped around the walls and sat down. Opening the old pages, I began reading the words as I dived into the story I have read a thousand times over, soon drifting into a deep slumber.

"Adeliya! Come check this out." My voice echoed through the walls as I scanned the lines and colors sprawled across the canvas. It was the beach, the sun setting behind it.

With a flash, my sister walked into the room and searched my work. Her eyes lit up, "This is beautiful, brother!" Her voice sounded genuinely amazed.

I thanked her gratefully and scanned the painting again, I don't know what I'd do without her.

Gasping, I woke up with tears streaming down my cheeks. I haven't dreamt of my sister in years. I always thought my mind had possibly moved on, but I should have known better. Sniffling, I wiped my face off and stood from the couch.

My head began to pound as I made my way up the large marble stairs, through the hallway and into my bedroom. I sighed in relief as I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into my giant bed. I hate not having Riah sleeping next to me, but she seems as if she needs some alone time right now. I know I will regret that decision to not have her in bed with me tomorrow, but my mind has been buzzing with so much shit lately, too.

Riah POV

I woke up to my phone going ape shit. The sun had barely just rose, why am I getting a call this early? Groaning, I slid over and answered it with a groggy voice, "Hello?"

"Riah, I need you to get to the church asap." Marcel's voice sounded shaky.

I groaned, "I'll be there in 10." Hanging up, I jumped out of bed and made my way to my closet. After stepping into some jeans and a red sweatshirt, I threw my hair into a bun, grabbed my keys and hurriedly jogged to the front door.

"Nora, I need to go to the church, is that okay?" I shouted as I opened the door.

Once I heard her confirm I'm good, I left the house in a huff and got into my car as fast as my tired body would take me.
As I sped through the neighborhood and to the other side of town, my stomach twisted in curiosity as I went through all possibilities as to what could have happened this time.

Pulling behind the large building, I sighed and got out of my car. Jogging up to the back door, I immediately felt a rush of pain over my body, causing me to yell in agony and wrap my hands around my head.

"Fuck!" I yelled, and as soon as I realized what was happening, I was running down the stairs and through the hallway, trying to get to Demitri as fast as I could.

The moment I reached the infirmary and busted through the door of the room I knew he was in, I dropped to my knees as I took in the scene before me.