“Let’s get you back to your room,” Ethan said, his voice soft but firm as he guided me out of the control room. His hand rested gently on my back, sending shivers up my spine. The warmth of his touch was disarming, but I couldn’t let it distract me again.
As we walked back to my room, I kept my eyes forward, trying to ignore the way my body still ached for him, the way my lips still tingled from his kiss. I couldn’t afford to lose myself like that again.
When we reached my room, Ethan paused at the door, his gaze searching mine. “I’m sorry if I pushed too hard earlier,” he said, his voice laced with regret and something else I couldn’t quite place. “I’ve missed you so much, Emily.” He confessed. His voice filled with desire.
I forced a small smile, nodding. “I just need some time.” I explained.
His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, as if trying to read something in my eyes. I held my breath, praying he wouldn’t see through my facade, before he finally nodded.
“Take all the time you need,” he whispered, helping me unlock the door and watching me walking in.
“I’ll be right back. I want to see what the kitchen is up to,” he added before excusing himself.
As soon as he walked away, I rushed into the room closing the door behind me and grabbing the phone from my purse to call Wayne.
“Did it work?” I asked as soon as he picked up.
“Yes, Emily. We’ve successfully infiltrated Alpha. My tech guy is working on giving us full access as we speak, well done” Wayne said and I smiled faintly, I felt a mixture of relief and a strange sense of unease.
“That’s great,” I replied, my voice barely audible. the words coming out to me like a blur for some weird reason I didn’t mean it, doubt setting in my mind.
“Now we just have to wait. I’ve already gotten Gloria’s father on our side. But we still need time to put the plan in motion,” Wayne explained, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. What exactly was this plan?
“I know we keep talking about bringing Ethan down, but what’s the plan? What happens to him?” I wondered.
“We disarm him and kill him,” Wayne said bluntly, his voice filled with conviction. My heart skipped a beat, the word “kill” ringing in my ears.
“What do you mean, kill him?” I stuttered.
And Wayne laughed, “What did you think we were planning, Emily? What did you think you were helping me do?” Wayne’s asked and I shrugged like he could see me.
“I don’t know, get him arrested, expose him, -anything but killing him,” I stammered,
“You’re really quite innocent, Emily,” Wayne chuckled. “That’s not how it works in our world. It’s an eye for an eye. Ethan must pay for his sins.” He revealed, his word making my heart tighten.
“I can’t let you do that,” I protested, the weight of my actions crashing down on me. Ethan had done terrible things, but I couldn’t just let them kill him.
“Oh, Emily, you’ve already given me everything I need,” Wayne said, his voice now laced with menace. “And I know you’re not going to ruin our plans, because if you Ethan would find out you were part of this, and he’ll kill you, just like he did Gloria.” His calm voice had taken on a sinister edge.
I listened, guilt and fear gripping me as I realized the depth of my naivety. I’d been so blinded by my anger toward Ethan that I hadn’t seen the full picture.
“I know you love him, but don’t forget who he is. He deserves to die,” Wayne added, as if trying to convince me, but I wasn’t convinced. Killing him made us monsters too.
“Can’t we find another way?” I was about to plead when I heard the doorknob twist. I quickly hung up the phone, tucking it back into my purse.
“Is everything okay?” Ethan asked as he walked in, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the panic in mine.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I said, walking toward him and giving him a big hug. “I’m sorry,” I thought to myself, feeling the weight of my betrayal.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ethan smiled, pulling back to study my face.
“I’m fine,” I lied. “I just really wish you’d told me the truth.” I confessed.
“I’m sorry, Emily,” he replied, his voice full of remorse. “I promise, from now on, I’ll tell you everything. Even the littlest things.”