What else could I do, but leave? Too many things were happening. More girls had died, and for what? A curse. A serial killer, or according to Hex, both. This was too much for anyone to handle. Yet guilt remained lodged in my gut and Alvarez’s name was written all over it. He’d been so good to me the whole time I stayed here. He not only showed me what real love felt like, he accepted me for who I was. But I just couldn’t remain in a dangerous situation. Sure, I had four bodyguards. Sure, cops and investigators combed the property. But still, the thought of more dead women around me chilled my bones and sprouted goose bumps on my flesh.

Hex had discovered three girls strung up in Alvarez’s office. Three.

Had they all died together or did the sick killer do it one by one? Who was doing it, a servant, cook, guard—or even worse, one of Alvarez’s family members?

I couldn’t even think about it for too long. It would make me go crazy and I was already jumping around like a lunatic at every little sound. I had to get out of here, go off somewhere that was safer. Maybe even visit my old hometown, if necessary.

A knock sounded at my door and I jumped.

Calm down. I have security guards in the hall. No one is going to get me.

“Yes?” I zipped up my suitcase.

“It’s me, Alvarez.”

This was going to be the worst part of the day. I didn’t know how I was going to explain to Alvarez that I had to leave because his life, family, and history scared the crap out of me. We’d shared such a magical evening, but it hadn’t been enough to make me ignore the obvious severity of the days to come.

I placed my hands behind my back and squeezed them together. “Come in.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come by last night. I had a lot to do and then. . .” His gaze turned to my luggage and now bare bedroom. “You’re leaving?”

“I think I should.”

He kept a neutral expression on his face and gave me no indication of what emotions moved behind his eyes.

Say something, dang it. So I won’t feel so uncomfortable about this.

I cleared my throat. “Hex told me about the other three girls dying and. . . about what happened to him when he was younger.”

“He told you about my mother and Snyder?”

“Yes. And he said something about a curse and that his step-dad was returning from the dead or something—”

Alvarez nodded and backed out of my room. “Okay. Just let the guards know when you want to leave. You can use my private plane. If you need to go anywhere in the US it will be no problem. If the destination is overseas then my pilots will need more notice, but just a few hours. You should probably tell Hex goodbye and let him know you won’t be modeling for him or that—”

“Alvarez…”

“Please say goodbye to Hex, but don’t let Hex try to make you feel guilty about this. He’ll be okay. As far as payment for your time here, that is no problem, just send me a—”

“Alvarez?” I walked to him. “Stop.”

“Stop?”

“Yes. You’re upset.”

“Of course I’m upset.” He averted his gaze. “You’re leaving. After last night, it’s hard to say goodbye without hurting inside. Do I understand why you’re leaving? Of course. Do I like it? No. But I have to keep pushing on and take care of the situation.”

“No. You don’t.”

“Yes. I do.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Can you?” Our gazes met. “My grandma says Michael is looking for you and that he’s not a good man.”

“You told me to ignore your grandma’s visions.”

“Well, now I’m telling you to listen to them. Is this true?”

“I don’t know. The last time I saw Michael he was in his studio having sex with his new model. We argued and I left.”

“You left without saying goodbye?”

“Obviously.” I turned away from him and checked the room. This conversation was making me nervous and shoving me on edge. I didn’t want my last words with Alvarez to involve Michael.

“Did Michael let you out of your modeling contract with him?” Alvarez asked.

So he was worried about the art that Hex had done of me, instead of anything else? Here I thought Alvarez worried about my well-being. Instead, he wanted to know if Hex could still use the painting he’d done of me.

“Don’t worry.” I picked up my bag and placed it on the floor. “Hex will be able to use the painting he’s doing of me and the women yesterday.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I don’t want to talk about Michael. I would rather say goodbye to you, a meaningful goodbye where we hug and promise that we’ll see each other again.”

“Will we?” He dug his hands into his pants pockets.

Tags: Kenya Wright Mystery
Source: readsnovelonline.net