chapter 8

Alexander

I can’t believe I didn’t recognize her.Elena.Those eyes of hers should’ve clued me in. She’s the only girl I know whose eyes are an intriguing combination of light brown and green. I should’ve trusted my instincts when I thought she looked familiar.

The last time I remember seeing her, she was an awkward teenager with braces and glasses that were too big for her face. She was always quite pretty, but the girl I’ve come to know as Diana…She’s downright stunning. The black dress she’s wearing today hugs her figure, and it’s quite obvious that Elena is far from a little girl now.

Why would she even hide her identity that night? Why would she deceive me?

I pause on the steps of Vaughn’s club, unable to shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right with her. I haven’t stopped thinking aboutDianasince that night, but I can’t shake the anger I’m feeling either. I feel like she toyed with me by hiding who she was, and it doesn’t sit well with me. I grit my teeth at the thought of her brother, Matthew. She seemed so sweet, so innocent, but she’s a Rousseau, after all. Looks like Matthew’s little sister grew up to become quite the woman. Revulsion rolls through me at the thought of him.

I look back at the doors she disappeared through. What is Elena doing here at all? Vaughn’s club is private, and it has been for years. It’s a highly exclusive and prestigiousgentlemen’s club. Member applications from women aren’t even considered, let alone accepted. The only way a woman can walk in here is as a member of staff. What could bring Elena Rousseau here? Her family is too rich for her to need a job, and even if she wanted one, there’s no reason for her to find one here. I think back to the clothes she was wearing when I saw her at Inferno… the Elena I used to know wouldn’t even own clothes that cheap. I’m not a superstitious man, but I can’t shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen.

“You know what that was all about?” I ask Lucian. The contemplative look on his face tells me he’s as clueless as I am.

“I know things have been difficult for her with her mom being in a coma and her dad remarrying, but that’s all I know. I haven’t spoken to her in years. I follow her on social media, but she doesn’t exactly post much, so I have no idea what’s going on with her. Honestly, if I didn’t follow her I wouldn’t even have recognized her.”

Though my baby brother would never admit it, I know the fact that he and Elena grew apart kills him. She was his only real friend in the superficial world that our family operates in. When Elena lost her mother, he losther.

I frown and eye the doors Elena just walked through. She knew who I was and deceived me. Why? Was it a fun game for her to play? A way to mess with me? Maybe she picked up a thing or two from her brother—she’s a Rousseau, after all. I shake my head and walk toward my car, but halfway there I pause at the same time Lucian does.

“Mom would kill us if we don’t make sure that she’s okay,” he says. I agree with him, perhaps a bit too quickly. Together we turn back around and march toward the club. I grab my phone and text my head of security, Aiden, to request a background check on Elena. Something is definitely up with her, and I want to know what.

By the time Lucian and I reach the front doors, I’ve got my friend Vaughn on the phone. “Where is Elena Rousseau?” I ask, not bothering with pleasantries.

“Lovely to hear from you, buddy. I’m good, thanks, how are you?” he says, sounding amused.

I roll my eyes. “Cut the crap, Vaughn. Where is she? Elena Diana Rousseau. I saw her walk into your club a few minutes ago. What is she doing here?”

Vaughn pauses. “Fuck. It’sher?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“Alexander, someone called me to say Matthew’s sister was going to show up. I thought I was doing you a favor, man. Fuck. I sent her to John. Conference Room eight. You’re not going to like this.”