ANASTASIA:
"Are you sure you want to be here?" Lara asked, raising her voice to be heard over the thumping bass of the music.
We were currently standing on Oliver's private cruise, the venue for tonight's party. I had no intention of coming, but I needed to. To hunt the truth.
I wore a simple mint-coloured top paired with my dark blue jeans and a black jacket. Lara paired her backless silver piece with high heels. Seductive as always.
I was never comfortable in party settings; the large crowds made me anxious. In the midst of all those people, I felt like I didn't belong, unable to connect with the lively atmosphere. I preferred getting lost in the pages of the crime novels or the case file where I could find information about the mysterious Devil.
But tonight was different from the usual. Lara, Mark, Lorenzo, and I had come together for a mission – to attend Oliver's birthday party and keep a close eye on him and Tony. Miley was on the run, and it seemed highly likely that her next target would be either Oliver Rodgerio or Tony Martin.
The fact that Oliver was throwing this lavish event just one week after Mia's death was perplexing. However, audacity was Oliver's signature style, and my expectations of him were not very high.
Examining the luxury of his impressive private cruise, likely a present from his uncle Russo, I couldn't help but observe the magnitude of his extravagance. A champagne fountain, a well-stocked private bar, a swimming pool for late-night swims, and a DJ to kickstart the evening—all to commemorate his twenty-fifth birthday.
"No sign of Oliver," Lara whispered as we entered.
"He'll be somewhere around, I am sure," I replied, my eyes scanning the room. Famous faces were everywhere, from the superstar Rayan James to the esteemed actress Elora Damien and her charismatic husband. However, Ben was noticeably absent. I wondered if a falling out or a newfound understanding had led to his absence. He must have seen through Oliver's true nature.
A 'TING' from Lara's phone briefly diverted our attention. She checked her phone and relayed, "Lorenzo and Mark have arrived."
I nodded in acknowledgement. "Good. We need to cover every inch of this place. Miley could potentially target Oliver or Tony."
"Do you want anything?" Lara asked, pointing to the bar section.
"No, I'm good," I replied, grateful for her company as she walked towards the bar and I followed behind her closely.
I looked around, taking in the scene. Music and alcohol were taking over their bodies and minds, and I couldn't help but wonder where Oliver was. But for now, all I could do was wait until everyone was out of sight, so I could sneak in to have a look at the surroundings. I am sure, I will find something useful tonight.
So, I took a deep breath and decided to explore the place a little more.
"One Bloody Mary, please," Lara ordered at the bar. Keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings, she selected a spot with a clear line of sight to the entrance. We knew that Miley might make her appearance from the back, and we were fortunate that Mark and Enzo were covering that area. Nevertheless, Lara opted to take a seat at the bar.
Our communication was maintained through earpieces, connecting all of us seamlessly.
"A?" David's voice came through the earpiece.
"I'm here," I responded.
"Good. There is no movement outside so far, but I am sure, she will be here. Till then, you guys, stay safe and keep a close eye on things," he said to me and the rest of the team. "I will turn off the earpiece now. You can call me if you need me."
"Understood, sir," Lara replied with determination.
"Okay. Just remember this has also a tracker, so I can know where you guys are. I'll move if I see anything doubtful."
Oliver still remained out of sight. Taking a walk to the place I began to search for some hints. For starters, his room. As I surveyed the surroundings, it became clear that the crowd was dispersed throughout the area. I knew I wouldn't have another opportunity like this to delve into the lair of the devil.
So, it was now or never.
"I never thought I'd see my one and only true enemy come to my birthday party."
A voice brought me back. As I turned around to look up, it was none other than Oliver. He smirked down at me. He towered over me, looking like the quintessential party boy with his designer shirt and flashy chains, all courtesy of his Uncle Russo's fortune. He was clearly high and drunk.
"And I never thought that you'd get over your best friend's death so soon," I said affrightedly. "Moreover throwing a grand party just after six days of the incident."
Oliver chuckled; his lips formed a smirk. "Come on Ana... How long should we mourn over a dead?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Weren't Mia and the others supposed to be best friends forever? From what I've seen, they were pretty inseparable when Mia was alive. But Oliver appeared too casual to remember her. I hadn't even seen him mourn over Kevin, Sam, or Shawn either.
Looking at him now, I realized that he was never really their friend. He was just using them for the fun and power over the group and now that they were gone, he was trying to make a new one.
"Dead? Do you have no space in your heart for emotions, Oliver? You and Mia were friends," I said, taken aback by his callousness.
Oliver let out a laugh. "Oh, Ana. You're so naive. Sometimes I wonder how you could be James Brown's daughter, with none of his qualities."
I turned away from him. "Whether I possess those qualities or not, I'm still a better person than you," I retorted. "I'm here to warn you that Miley might target you, and—"
"Miley is dead, Ana," he interrupted, his tone carrying such weight that it hinted at his possible involvement in her current situation, in how she had become a ruthless killer. "You are just here to catch the killer who's probably taking her name. So nothing to worry about. The killer definitely hasn't met me. The bigger Devil."
I scoffed at his overconfidence. "Time will tell," I replied firmly.
Oliver let out a bitter scoff before turning back to his birthday party and I certainly regret my decision to come over here. Saving this ass wouldn't give me virtue.
I glanced around and observed the party flourishing like a wildflower under the cover of the growing night. People were engrossed in their quest for alcohol and entertainment. Thankfully, no one paid any attention to me. This was the perfect opportunity to discreetly slip into Oliver's room for a quick search. I wasn't sure if I'd discover anything, but I had to try.
As I moved away from the balcony, I spotted Lorenzo just outside the cabin, holding a bottle of beer.
Our eyes met, and I noticed Lorenzo gazing at me with a subtle, proud smile.
Staring into his dark, brooding eyes, I found it difficult to look away. He was as tall and handsome as I remembered, donning a black T-shirt that perfectly complemented his black denim jeans. A silver chain dangled from his neck, and his jacket concealed the tattoos that adorned his arms and neck. An overwhelming sense of intrigue and fascination washed over me.
I was certain that beneath his rugged exterior lay a hidden facet, equally captivating.
We exchanged a brief nod before I turned away on my mission.
****
It took me several minutes to locate Oliver's room, and it was only on my seventh attempt that I succeeded. The room was indistinguishable from any other on the cruise, with nothing out of the ordinary. It seemed that he was truly a cunning individual, adept at concealing his misdeeds. Upon entering the room, I ensured the door was securely locked from the inside. I didn't want amorous couples intruding on my search while they were otherwise engaged. I scoured his wardrobe, bags, and bed, even though I knew he wouldn't store any incriminating evidence there.
Nevertheless, there remained a glimmer of hope.
"Did you find anything?" Lara's voice came through the earpiece.
"Nothing specific," I replied in frustration.
"Check his locker!" she suggested.
"I've already done that. I found nothing useful."
"He's quite the clever one," Lorenzo chimed in. "Always a sly bastard, that's for sure."
We all scoffed in agreement, but Mark, the silent one, remained quiet, diligently watching over the back of the ship.
"What about you, Mark?" I inquired. "Any sign of Miley?"
Finally, we heard his gruff voice as he replied, "No, she hasn't shown up."
That was unexpected, considering our calculations. If Miley Smith was the killer behind Shawn, Kevin, Sam, and Mia, it was highly likely that she would come after Tony and Oliver. This day presented the perfect opportunity for her. We were sure she would make an appearance.
"Keep your eyes and ears open. I'm certain she'll arrive anytime now."
I glanced around the room once more, a sense of frustration building as I found nothing of value. I was on the verge of giving up when I heard a familiar sound—a notification beep.
I frowned. I couldn't quite place where I'd heard it before, but I knew it was familiar. I combed through Oliver's belongings once more, determined to identify the source of the sound.
"I've seen something," Mark's voice came from the other side. "She might be here!"
"What?" I exclaimed in shock. Finally, Miley was here. "Follow her and inform David. He's nearby."
Mark didn't wait for my response before going silent again.
What was he up to?
Miley was likely here, possibly targeting Oliver or Tony.
"Lara?" I called in an almost frantic voice. "Where is Tony?"
"He's right in front of me."
"Good. And where's Oliver?" I asked, but Lorenzo didn't respond immediately. "Lorenzo?" I called again.
"Yeah... Ana," he finally replied after a brief pause.
"Where are you?"
"I, uh... I'm trying to find Oliver. He just disappeared into the crowd."
"What?" I gasped in frustration. "How's that possible? How could someone of his size vanish into the crowd?"
"I have no idea," Lorenzo responded. "He was here just a few seconds ago, dancing, and now he's nowhere to be found."
"Check the exits. Now!"
Lorenzo fell silent once more. I knew I had to act quickly. I needed to contact David and inform him. But before I could dial his number, I heard the familiar notification beep once again.
Frustration simmered within me as I decided to stay back and trace the source of the sound. After several attempts, I finally pinpointed it – a mobile phone, but not just any mobile phone. It was Ben's phone. I recognised it with its iconic Superman back cover, a gift I had given him on his twelfth birthday. Questions swirled in my mind. What was Ben's phone doing here with Oliver? Could Ben possibly be involved with Oliver? Was there something I was missing, or was there an unknown connection between them? Why had Ben's phone been hidden in the closet behind piles of Oliver's clothes? My mind was flooded with questions and suspicions.
I attempted to unlock the phone and go through its contents, but it was dead.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath. It needed to be charged.
Thankfully, I always carried my power bank. I connected it, awaiting the moment when the phone would have enough power to turn on. Meanwhile, I tried to call David to inform him about my discoveries, but his line was engaged.
Suddenly, the earpiece too, went dead with a series of beeping sounds. "Fuck!" I cursed quietly. Now I'd have to make my way there myself.
My feet tapped impatiently on the ground as I watched the phone's battery percentage climb.
One per cent.
Two per cent.
Three per cent.
Just as I was about to power on the phone, a deafening gunshot pierced the air. It was shockingly close, and my heart froze. Someone had been shot, and it was nearby. Panic began to take hold, and I was at a loss for what to do next.
I froze. I couldn't move at all.
Were Lorenzo, Lara, and Mark okay? Had they managed to catch Miley? Was she shot? Or had something happened to Oliver? I had no answers, and uncertainty gnawed at me.
A/N: Any guess who it might be, the one who is shot? Comment down below.
Thank you for taking time to read this book. See ya next week.