Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 159

159

SERAPHINE

I waited until evening, watching the clock tick slowly toward the perfect hour. When the sun had set and the city lights were beginning to flicker on, I got dressed, grabbed my keys, and drove to a hotel. A nice place, not too fancy, not too cheap. The kind of place where a woman could check in alone without drawing too much attention.

I booked a room on the fifth floor. Paid in cash. Gave a fake name. Then I went upstairs, unlocked the door, and stood by the window, looking out at the city below.

I pulled out my phone. Called Felix.

He answered on the third ring, his voice cautious, the way people sound when they do not recognize the number on their screen. “Hello? Who is this?”

I took a breath. Let it out in a shaky sigh. Then I let the tears come, the practiced tears I had perfected over years of manipulating men who thought they were too smart to be fooled. “Felix? It is me. I do not know if you remember me. I am Seraphine. Celeste’s best friend.”

There was a pause. Then his voice came back, softer now, a flicker of recognition warming his tone. “Seraphine? Of course I remember you. What is wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Oh, it is nothing. I should not have called. I am sorry to bother you.”

“No, no, please. Tell me what is going on.”

“It is just…” I let my voice crack, let the tears thicken my words. “I am in trouble, Felix. I do not know who else to call. You are the only one I could think of.”

“What kind of trouble? Are you hurt?”

“I need help. Please. I am not safe right now. I am going to die if you do not help me.”

“What? Where are you? Tell me where you are and I will come.”

I gave him the name of the hotel and the room number. “Please hurry. I do not have much time.”

“I will be there as fast as I can. Stay on the phone with me.”

I placed the pill on my tongue and swallowed it with a sip of water.

The effects hit me almost immédiately. A wave of treat washed over my body, starting in my chest and spreading outward until my skin felt like it was on fire. My heart began to pound, fast and hard, drumming against my ribs like it was trying to escape. My breath came in shallow gasps, my lips parting, my eyes growing heavy-lidded. I could feel the flush spreading across my cheeks, down my neck, into the hollow of my throat.

I arranged myself on the bed, lying on my side, my hair fanned out across the pillow, my dress riding up just enough to show a hint of thigh. I left the door unlocked, as I had told him.

I heard footsteps in the hallway. Then a knock.

I let my voice come out shaky, breathless, the voice of a woman on the edge of collapse. “Come in. The door is not locked.”

Comments