Khaye was sitting cross-legged on the hotel bed, a remote in hand and eyes focused on the television when the door suddenly burst open. Marco was looking seriously pissed as he strode inside after slamming the door behind her. His hair and jacket were wet from the rain outside.

"You have to talk," he ordered, snatching the remote from her hand before she could even utter a word. The television went black and the remote flew to the table beside her bed.

"What are you doing?" she demanded when he grabbed he gathered her things. "What are you doing?!" she cried out again.

"I'm taking you somewhere."

"Why?"

"Because the last thing you need is a hotel where you are reminded of that night. That's why you can't sleep, right?" he asked, throwing her clothes inside the bag. "And maybe then you'll start talking."

She did not answer and just watched him do his work. She had been around him for only a couple of times when her brother would see her and he had no choice but to bring his partner along. They never shared a normal conversation that lasted more than a minute.

So it was only given that Khaye couldn't trust him. Petroff had managed to send his men to get her inside the very place that should have been very well-protected. Someone from the inside was working with Petroff and his men and it could be anyone.

"I'm not going with you," she indignantly said, not moving away from the bed.

Marco stopped what he was doing and impatiently looked at her. "You've already bought enough time. It's time you do your part."

"I don't have to do anything," she insisted.

"When it comes to the law, you can't just say no. Get up and let's go."

"Where are you taking me? Where's my brother?"

"He's in the station. I wanted to speak to you alone."

Her heart began to hammer. "Why?"

"Because you've been holding out a lot of information, Khaye. Don't deny it," he said, pointing a finger at her. "It's time you talk."

Khaye swallowed and shook her head. "Not without my brother."

"I can't have your brother going soft while I interrogate you. Let's go."

"Interrogate me?" she asked, horrified.

Marco turned toward her, bag in hand. "Do you know how many questions I have for you? No, you don't. I have unanswered questions regarding that night you said you witnessed something. I have questions on how you escaped yesterday. It's time you answer each of them," he said. "Now, get off the bed or I'll drag you out."

"Are you treating me as a suspect?" she asked, wide eyed.

He arched an eyebrow at her. "Should I? Maybe I should."

"You're a prick!"

"I've been called worse. Now, get ass off that bed, Perez, and let's go!"

*****

Theo threw her a pair of jeans and shirt. All his, of course.

Desiree did not protest since they were a better option than the dress she had been wearing since yesterday.

And since her footwear could not be found, she had to stay barefooted until Theo could get her some.

He did not take his car with him. They had to wait for someone to pick them up and she wondered why though she did not ask.

She had to save her energy for later. If a chance of escape would show itself, she'd take it whatever the circumstances.

He was silent throughout the ride, sitting at the end of the backseat, putting a good distance between them. Whatever he was planning, she knew it wasn't good.

When she asked what bribe he was talking about earlier, he did not reply but simply left without a word. He had let her wander around his house freely, confident that she could not get away or even dare try. He might be right, but Desiree vowed to find a way. He as much as make the wrong move or turn his eyes the wrong way, she'd be gone, she promised.

He was right though. His house was secluded and was only one she saw for the next hour of the drive. When they finally reached the city, Theo did not even bother to hide the route they were taking. Desiree tried to memorize each turn, taking into account any landmarks.

The rain started to pour, washing the grimes and dirt off the street, giving the city a fresh new look. When they finally reached an alleyway, Desiree started to get restless. The car stopped just outside a rusty metal door.

"We're here," Theo said, breaking the silence. The driver had not spoken a word and he remained mum as he waited for Theo to climb out. Desiree thought of escaping, but thought better of it when Theo opened her side of the door and grabbed her by the arm. She let him lead her to the metal door, her feet touching wet cobblestones. The rain was soaking her shirt and pants. Theo pulled the door open.

There was just darkness inside.

"Careful. There's a stair right below you," he warned as he entered, taking her hand in his and guiding her down the steps in the darkness. The door closed behind them and there was total darkness.

She felt the metal staircase through the pads of her feet. She could hear the dripping of water from somewhere. They were going deeper underground.

After fifteen or more steps down, Desiree began to see a trace of light from the distance.

Theo dragged her faster through the tunnel. She almost lost her balance when she stepped on a slippery part but he pulled her up before she even landed on the ground. Without a word exchanged between them, they reached the brighter part of the tunnel. A door was standing before them with one armed guard.

"She's a guest," Theo informed the man as he had his eyes scanned and his fingerprints taken. He was searched from head to foot. The man then turned to Desiree and began searching her, starting on her shoulders. "She's not armed," Theo coldly told the man. The hands did not stop their work, going over her breasts and toward her back. Desiree gasped when Theo snatched her away from the man to stumble to his side. "I said she is not armed," he repeated, glaring darkly at the guy.

The man's jaw tightened but he nodded after one last look at Desiree. He turned and opened the door, stepping back to let them in.

Theo pushed Desiree inside and her feet touched dry, polished ground. She looked around and her mouth fell open. The place didn't look anything like it was underground. The sound of traffic up on the streets had disappeared and there was nothing but silence.

Except the familiar clicking sound of heels. The hair on her arms stood in response to the sound and Desiree, once again, felt a sense of dread.

"You don't have to look so shaken, dear," Ms. Kane told her. She turned to Theo with a smile. "I assume you are taking her in for a complete wardrobe haul?"

"Yes," Theo answered, slightly pushing Desiree toward Ms. Kane's direction. "Take care of her. I have to do something."

It was only then that Desiree saw the different doors at both sides of the room; four at the right and three at the other. Ms. Kane took her hand and said, "Follow me, Desiree, dear. You'll enjoy what we're going to do." She looked over at Theo for help but he had already turned away to walk to one of the doors to the right. Ms. Kane was leading her to the farthest door to the left. "Have you ever gone shopping underground?" Ms. Kane asked her, excitement in her voice.

*****

Khaye refused to enter the car and Marco lost it. He grabbed her by the arm, opened the door and forced her inside the passenger seat. He threw her bag on her lap, causing her to shout all sorts of slangs at him. "Yeah, a thank you would suffice," he told her through clenched teeth before he slammed the door at her face.

He drove out of the hotel with Khaye shouting for him to let her see her brother.

"You will see him if you just shut the fuck up!" he shouted back, turning around a corner.

"Where are you taking me?" she demanded.

"Somewhere safe and secluded."

He saw the alarm on her face.

"You have got to start trusting me if you want to stay alive, Khaye," he said, calling her by her first name. He had to practice being nice to her if he wanted her cooperation, he told himself. But the longer she tried to act like a bitch, the shorter his patience was.

"I want to see Gian."

"Gian will see you once you get settled."

"Does he know where you are taking me?"

"I'll tell him later."

Her mouth fell open and she tried to open the door of the car. He locked, it of course and she kicked on the door with her foot. "Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!"

"You'll be dead the moment I do that," he said over her screams. "Better shut up or I'll do something about that mouth of yours," he warned.

Khaye continued to scream at the top of her lungs and Marco swerved the car to the side of the road and stopped. He reached inside his jacket and took out his handkerchief. Before she could move away from him, he grabbed her hand and pulled. It was a lot of struggle, but he finally managed to gag her mouth with the cloth until her screams were muffled.

"I told you I'll do something about that mouth," he said before starting the car.

If anyone would bother to look through the windows of his car, he would have police tailing behind him. But no one was taking notice because no one cared. People on the streets had their own business.

Marco drove faster and avoided crowded areas of the city until they reached the border that would take them to the place he intended to keep her safe.

"No one's going to hear your muffled screams, Perez, so better make the best out of this drive and rest," he told her, his voice more gentle. His anger was starting to subside now that she was not screaming at his face. "When we get to where we're going, you're gonna start talking so save your voice."

*****

His father was already in the room with Richard when he arrived. He met his brother's eyes for a moment, both of them gauging each other's state of mind. When he figured that his brother was not going to do something stupid as last night, he walked to the empty chair across his father's table and sat down.

"Petroff told me he has the murder under control," their father informed them, his voice low and serious. "But that's none of our business. It's just a small matter and Petroff can handle it on his own," he said, his eyes directly staring at Richard's stern face. "So I don't want to hear another word about one of my sons getting involved on that matter." When none of them spoke, Mr. Hong added, "Did you hear me Richard?"

His voice was full of warning that Richard only nodded.

"Good. Let Petroff take care of that. You're already in trouble with the cops so keep your activities light." He turned to Theo next and asked, "What happened to that client?"

Theo shrugged. "He was concerned for a while when he heard about the murder, but then he got the package and he was gone before the hotel was locked down. I don't think we'll be having another deal with him for a while though."

"Get a hold of him. I want to talk to him," their father ordered. "Now, what about what we talked about last night? When is the ship making its way here?"

Theo shifted in his seat, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "About that..." his eyes went to his brother for a second before he continued, "because of the murder, Richard can't easily get out of the country undetected. My sources said that private jets and even boats of any kind are also being monitored. His name, along with Petroff, came up in the investigation and they're looking for them."

Their father's brows furrowed in concentration as he weighed the matter. "We can't just send anyone to go with the ship," he uttered.

"That's why I think we should postpone—"

"You're going," his father's voice cut off.

Theo's mouth hung open and Richard straightened in his seat with the same amount of shock.

"Me?" he asked incredulously. "You know I don't do that kind of work," he said with a scoff as if his father just made a joke.

"We can't send him," Mr. Hong said, tilting his head toward Richard, "we can't send Petroff. I cannot very well send Kane, can I? And Vernier is untouchable, you know that."

"And so you send me? I don't even know what I'll do once I get on that blasted ship!" Theo uttered, his voice adamant.

"I can go," Richard said. "I'm sure we can find some ways to get me out of the country."

Mr. Hong was shaking his head before Richard finished. "It's time your younger brother gets his fair share of our activities."

"I get my own fair share of activities and that is talking to contacts. I don't do this kind. Never have, never will."

Mr. Hong had already stood up, a signal that their meeting was about to end. "You are getting on that ship in two days' time, Theo." He turned to Richard and added, "Orient your brother well. We can't have a big shipment go awry like what nearly happened with that bloody murder."

Richard just nodded and stood up with Theo who was looking pissed.

"It's time you get your hands dirty, little brother," Richard uttered under his breath as they walked out of the room.

*****

She could hardly contain her awe when she saw the huge collection of clothing. Never, in her entire modeling career, had she seen such a big array of clothing in one place, much more underground.

Desiree was still in the process of trying to fathom how such a large room could be contained underground when the place was shown to her through the door.

"Who are you people?" she couldn't help but ask.

Ms. Kane laughed. "The same question I asked the first time. And I'll tell you the answer I got." Desiree turned her attention to the lady. "One thing I am sure of is that we are not the Mafia. People who know of our presence call us a lot of things. Mob, Mafia...you name it. When, in fact, we don't really have an official name. We want it that way. But they have to call us something, right?"

Desiree held her breath as she waited for Ms. Kane's next words.

"The one name I like the most is The Liaisons."

"Liaisons?"

Kane smiled at her mysteriously. "Yes, dear. That's what we are. We make things possible for all our clients, the Mafia as one of them." She gave a wave of her hand and said, "Well, whatever. Our group is not as big as the others, but we are effective. But most importantly, we hold a lot of power over a lot of people. And that, I am not willing to discuss because I am not at liberty to say anything. You'll have to ask Theo about that one." She took a deep breath and sighed, looking around the place with pride. "This is where we take most of our clothes," Ms. Kane informed her, walking through a rack of pants, completely changing the subject. "We have everything you want; every label and size. They are cheaper, of course, since we don't pay taxes. And they are up to date with the latest in fashion. My work, of course," said the lady, exaggeratedly placing her hand over her chest with pride. "Since fall is starting, dear, we should go...there," she said, pointing at the far end of the room. Desiree wouldn't call it a room because it looked like she was inside an underground basketball court filled with racks, steel staircases that led to more racks, shelves and a lot of other things. It was heaven for anyone with a fashion sense, she thought, as Ms. Kane pulled her to one section.

"Get as many shoes as you can, dear. Theo has enough money left," Ms. Kane said with a wink as they stopped in front of a large shelf full of shoes. "I suggest you get a lot for all occasions."

Desiree just stared at the high end labels before her. "He will pay for each of them?"

"Of course. They don't come for free, you know."

For the first time in days, Desiree tugged her lips into a genuine smile—a wicked one. "Well, then, where should I start?"

*****

Theo's eyes narrowed when he saw the cart full of clothes and apparels being wheeled toward him. Ms. Kane was smiling as she pulled it to a stop and she said, "You know it will come to this, Theo. Buying an artifact that can think on her own will land you in the most unexpected places."

His jaw tightened as he wrapped his mind around the cost of the cart's content.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

"Dressing for the event, of course," Ms. Kane answered. "She's at the back. These will be taken to your car," she added before walking out the door.

Theo searched for Desiree at the far corner of the place. He wanted to push at all the shelves he passed by in disbelief, but amusement came to him when he reached the outside the dressing room. She did what she could to get back to him by taking as much as she could from the place. He wondered what she was capable of doing next.

"Are you ready?" he asked out loud.

She did not answer, but he heard some movement from behind the door before it swung open to reveal Desiree's new look. His eyebrow instinctively rose and fell after he took a good look at her.

"You chose well," he said, running his eyes over the white, glittering dress over again. It covered most of her upper body in a loose fit. The revealed her collarbone but covered her entire arms, stopping at a perfect spot on her wrists. But unlike the previous dress, it was shorter and it stopped in the middle of her thighs. His brow lifted when he saw the small tattoo on her right inner thigh but did not bother to mention it. She chose a pair of golden high-heeled shoes which complimented her entire feature. For a moment, Theo pictured her walking down the runway wearing exactly the same face she had on her—challenging, unwavering and strong.

He tugged on the front part of his own dark suit and stepped aside to let her pass. "Go back to Ms. Kane and have that hair changed. And cover up that fucking bruise," he ordered.

"Why?" she asked, walking beside him. With her heels, she they were of the same height and it somehow intimidated Theo for a few seconds before he gathered himself together.

He didn't want to explain how he hated its color or how he wished she had her long tresses back. "Just because," he snapped instead, walking faster and ahead of her. "And next time, you're not doing the shopping alone."

*****

"Where is this place?" asked Khaye when Marco finally too the gag off her mouth. It had already gone dark and the car just stopped outside an apartment complex.

"This is where I you'll be staying," he said instead of answering his question. He grabbed the bag from her lap and climbed out of the car.

"Where's Gian?" she asked when he opened her side of the door.

"He'll be here tomorrow to check on you. Get out." The ground was still wet from the rain earlier and the air was chilly. She hugged herself and followed Marco inside the building.

"Whose place is this?" she asked after he entered the passcode and opened the door. He kept quiet and led her to the stairs. She looked around. The place was not the best, but it was decent and clean. "Whose place is this?" she asked again, following him up the stairs.

Again, no answer. They climbed two more flights of stairs. Marco turned to the left hallway covered with cheap Victorian wallpaper. He passed five doors and stopped at the one that had the numbers 306 above it. As he fished for the keys, Khaye's heart began to hammer. Was he going to do something to her? Was he working with Petroff?

The door opened. Marco flicked on the lights and she saw before her eyes a very ordinary apartment—a couch, a television, a small kitchen at one corner and a table with four white chairs. There were two doors standing beside each other across the kitchen.

Marco turned and waited for her to step inside. She did so with hesitation.

Petroff's promise to her yesterday kept playing in her mind. She hadn't said a word to anyone yet. She hadn't done what he didn't want her to do. If Marco was working with him, he wouldn't have any reason to hurt her.

She walked further into the small living room as Marco went back to close the door. She flinched when she heard the lock and the bolt set in place.

"Now, let's get down to business," he said behind her.

*****

Theo had been patiently waiting while Ms. Kane dyed her hair into a darker shade of brown. He had been frowning on his phone the entire time. When the dye was finally washed off her hair and the Ms. Kane was done drying her hair, her face was next. She almost praised the lady for a job well done, but she refrained herself from making a sound.

There was nothing ordinary in what was happening to her right now. She may have gone shopping and had her hair and makeup done, but it was different. She was here against her will. She was underground, being prepared to attend an event that sent chills throughout her system just by thinking about it.

Theo had mentioned he was going to set her as a bribe. That was the reason why they were making a lot of effort to make her look her best.

And she hated every moment of it.

"Are you done?" Theo asked Ms. Kane when she finally stepped away from Desiree.

"Covering that bruise wasn't easy, but I think I did great," Ms. Kane said with a smile.

"That's better. Let's go," he said to Desiree, standing up and walking to the door.

Every cell in her body wanted to scream at her for following his orders, but she had to. At the moment, it was her only chance of survival.

"You will be meeting a lot of people tonight," Theo told her in a well-modulated tone when they were finally alone, leaving Ms. Kane behind the room she called her own parlor, one that was hidden in this complicated underground maze of doors and hallways. "But there is one in particular that I want you to recognize," he said.

She did not say a word and waited for him to finish whatever he was trying to say.

"His name is Milo Vernier. He's in his sixties, graying hair and well-built. He's very good with what he does and," Theo stole a look at her before he continued, "he likes women like you."

Desiree swallowed, her steps beginning to falter.

"You will not speak to him, but you will not completely ignore him either." He checked his watch before he continued. "You will not speak to anyone. You will not leave my side. Did you hear me?"

"Is this what you were talking about? Me as a bribe to this man?" she managed to ask under her breath.

"You don't ask questions, Desiree. You are not in the position to."

Desiree stopped walking and Theo gave a frustrated sigh as he did the same. He faced her with impatience painted on his face. "I believe I deserve to ask every fucking question I want when it's my life on the line."

"You are not going to lose your life if that's what you are worried about." He looked her up and down. "But you might have to lose a bit of your dignity in the process. With that, you don't really have a choice."

Her fist went straight across his face before another thought came to her mind. His head turned to the side with the impact and his eyes went ablaze with anger when he turned to look at her. His hand caught her wrist. He roughly pulled her against him, eliciting a cry of pain from her lips. "Don't ever do that again or you'll get another pair of bruise to go with the one you already have." He bit out each word through clenched teeth. He pushed her away and stared her down. "You will do everything I say you do and you'll keep your life. This is not a game, Desiree. Whether you like it or not, you are nothing but a pawn here, a piece in my game of chess, and I own you. Whether you like it or not, I pull the strings."

He grabbed her arm and dragged her down the carpeted hallway until they reached another door. Desiree could barely remember all the turns, the doors, and hallways she walked since she arrived.

Theo's jaws were still tight but she saw with amazement how he managed to easily compose himself before he opened the door and revealed a large glittering room full of people in cocktail dresses and suits. For numerous times that day, Desiree's mouth fell open and her heart began to hammer against her chest.

The room was not as big as the ballrooms she had seen in the past, but it was enough to hold fifty or so people. The floor was marbled and the ceiling was high enough that she wondered how far down the city streets they were. Big chandeliers gave light to the place. Large paintings were hung against ivory walls. The cocktail tables were made of glass and it reflected the elegant dresses of different colors. Despite herself, Desiree felt intimidated.

A question crossed her mind: Has Jamaica been living this life before she died?

Theo's hand softened and transferred to her hand. He pulled her into the room. Eyes turned to look at them for a few seconds, acknowledging Theo's presence before they returned to their own business.

As Desiree's wide eyes scanned the room full of people, she realized that they were not all strangers. Some she had seen on television, on movies and articles. They were people of great influence.

Theo led her deeper into the room toward the bar that served drinks. They avoided cocktail tables and people who called out for Theo.

"Martini for the lady, Scotch for me," he said to the man behind the bar. His eyes hovered over hers and he leaned down to whisper against her ear, "Get ready."

Before she could voice out her question, she saw a man that matched the description Theo gave her earlier walking toward them with a smile. His eyes were feasting on her as if he was a boy who finally found the perfect toy for Christmas.

Desiree found herself grabbing Theo's arm. She wanted him to get her out of this place. But that was not happening, she thought. This was her plan from the start.

"I was hoping you'll be here," Milo Vernier said the moment he reached them, his eyes not leaving Desiree. "Theo, I heard you wanted to make a deal?"

"You heard right," came Theo's response.

"And the price?" Vernier asked, his smiling knowing, his eyes feasting on Desiree who stood frozen against the bar.

"You are looking at it."