Chapter 396
Chapter 396:
His phone buzzed on the nightstand. A message from his intelligence team.
Attached were photos. High resolution. Mrs. Chandler’s husband—the so-called pillar of the community—entering a brothel known for underage trafficking.
Alistair didn’t hesitate. He forwarded the photos to three major news outlets and the district attorney’s personal number.
“Send,” he whispered.
He looked back at Skye. The sedative had taken full effect; her breathing was deep and even.
He leaned forward, resting his forehead against their joined hands.
For the first time in years, the Monster of the Underground felt fear. Not for himself, but for the fragile, stubborn woman in the bed who was trying to fight a war with nothing but her wits.
Morning sunlight sliced through the gaps in the blackout curtains, hitting Skye directly in the eyes.
She woke with a start, her heart racing, before the sterile luxury of the room registered. She looked down at her arm. The IV line was gone, replaced by a small bandage.
The door opened. Alistair walked in, carrying coffee, toast, and fruit.
He looked tired. He was wearing the same clothes as the night before, his shirt wrinkled, his jaw shadowed with stubble.
“You’re awake,” he said. His voice was gravelly.
Skye tried to sit up. Her head swam for a moment, then cleared. “How long p>
“Twelve hours,” Alistair said, setting the tray on the nightstand. “You needed it p>
Skye looked at the clock. Panic flared. “The production. I have to be at the marina by noon. The hiatus is over p>
“You’re not going back,” Alistair said flatly. He sat in the chair beside the bed. “I’ll pay the breach-of-contract fee. I’ll buy the network if I have to p>
“No,” Skye said. She reached for the coffee, her hands steady now. “Don’t you see? Oracle was breached. My apartment is compromised. The city isn’t safe anymore. Lucian’s men can reach me anywhere here p>
She looked at him, her eyes hard and calculating. “The island is a glass cage. There are cameras everywhere. If I go back, Lucian has to be careful. He can’t touch me on a livestream without the whole world seeing. It’s the only shield I have left p>
Alistair ran a hand through his hair. He knew she was right, strategically. Emotionally, he wanted to lock her in this tower and throw away the key.
𝘌𝗻𝗃оy 𝘳𝗲𝗮𝘥𝗂n𝘨 𝘭𝖾𝘨𝘢𝗅𝗅𝘆 𝘰𝗻 𝘣𝖾𝗅𝘯𝗈v𝘦lѕ.𝖼om
Skye’s burner phone—the one hidden in her shoe—buzzed.
She looked at Alistair. He nodded. He knew about the phone.
She answered on speaker.
“Ms. Sterling,” Mrs. Higgins said. Her voice was a nervous whisper. “I have news p>
“Go ahead,” Skye said.
“Sienna Quinn visited the manor yesterday,” Mrs. Higgins whispered. “She met with Beatrice. She left with a large envelope. And… she was laughing p>
Skye froze. Sienna Quinn. A B-list actress with a reputation for doing anything for money. In Skye’s past life, Sienna had been a peripheral figure, always lingering near Seraphina.
“She’s on the cast list,” Skye said, looking at Alistair. “She’s the surprise guest they teased p>
Alistair’s expression darkened. “She’s a plant. Beatrice sent her p>
“I have to go,” Skye said, swinging her legs out of bed. “If I don’t show up, Sienna spins the narrative. She wins p>
Alistair stood. He walked to the dresser and picked up a watch. It looked like a standard sports watch, only slightly bulkier.
“Wear this,” he ordered. “GPS tracker. Heart-rate monitor. Panic button. Press the side twice and my team comes in. No matter where you are p>
Skye took the watch and fastened it around her wrist. It felt heavy, comforting.