Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
I hold my breath until I’m dizzy.
I wait until it sounds like every single one of my belongings has been obliterated and the cold, angry voices retreat. I stare out the small window and watch the SUVs reverse onto the street and leave.
I can’t go back to any place that’s familiar or home.
I have to run.
CHAPTER TWO
Aria
I clutch my laptop to my chest as I stand outside the towering door. The imposing estate alone almost makes me want to flee, but I didn't get where I am by running when I'm scared.
My finger hovers over the doorbell, my hand quaking. I will myself to push it. No turning back now. Loud chimes sound inside the elegant house.
What am I doing? Why am I here? I wish I didn’t feel so out of place. I wish I had another option.
My heart’s racing when the door opens and Tatiana, my old college roommate and former best friend, stands in front of me.
She blinks. She’s barely aged the past few years and looks as beautiful as ever with her pale skin the color of cream, and her ice-blue eyes, a mass of thick dark curls framing her face. “Oh my God. Aria?"
“Tatiana,” I say with a forced smile as I look over my shoulder. “Please. I need to come in.”
The quick snap of her gaze tells me she understands. With a nod, she steps back and slams the door behind me.
“Come with me.”
I follow her to a small room that looks like a study, complete with a sideboard and gleaming mahogany desk.
“Sit.” She points to a chair. While I never bothered with small talk, Tatiana never bothered with formalities. Without another word, she takes a glass from the shelf, opens a decanter with amber liquid, and pours. "Drink?”
I normally don’t drink. It’s too expensive and I like to stay in control of myself. But this is good stuff and God, has it ever been a week. I drink what she gives me until ice hits my teeth.
Tatiana gives me a half-smile. “How’ve you been?”
I swallow. “Been better. You?”
With a sigh, she nods. “Same. I knew you’d eventually come to claim your dues. So let’s hear it.”
Claim your dues. So that’s what we’re calling it now. Ah, well. She isn’t wrong.
“I need to know that we're safe here. I cannot be overheard."
“We’re alone.”
My mind whirrs and clicks. I can’t help it.
There were two cars in the driveway, four pairs of shoes in the entryway when I entered, and two sets of keys on hooks by the door. Either she likes duplicates, or she's lying.
I know her well, and I think it's the latter.
I give her a look with a pierced eyebrow. "Really?"
"It's recent," she says, clearing her throat, and looking away before she drags her eyes back to me. “I kicked him out. That’s all you need to know, Aria. Spill.”
At one point Tatiana and I were best friends. Eventually, as our college days passed, we had less and less in common. No one really liked me — I was too honest, too direct. I didn’t play well with others. My clothes were never the right style, I didn't know how to drink, how to fit in, and my grades surpassed everyone else's. But we both know I’m the only reason Tatiana graduated from Suffolk Law.
She stares at me. "You’ve finally done it, haven't you?”
I wince and nod.
A slow grin spreads across her face. "I knew you’d do it someday. You're fucking amazing.”
She would know. Whereas others might ask for help with homework or essays, I was the one people came to when they needed hacking skills. She was the one that came to me, tearfully begging me to hack into the school grading system when she was at risk for failing. I did, with the promise that one day she’d pay back the favor.
“Tell me everything you can.”
“It’s huge,” I tell her in a whisper. "The more I tell you, the more danger you're in. You're in danger just being with me right now."
Her brow furrows, and her lips press together. She nods.
“Listen, Tatiana…The stuff that I found…if it ever got out to the press…it would destroy institutions across the world. You remember the Epstein scandal? Think bigger. Multiply it by a hundred, drag in every major institution you could think of, and you’ll be getting closer.”
“Holy shit.”
I nod, my belly churning.
“World,” she repeats, her eyes wide. I watch her swallow before she clarifies. “Not just the country?”
“World.”
"My God,” she mutters. "So if you're found…”
“I’m fucked.” One of the people implicated could have me killed with a simple command, hiding all evidence laughably easily given the lack of contacts and influence I have. I lick my lips and nod. "Even the good guys can't help me this time." Because even the “good guys” are on that list.