Desiree had trouble sleeping again that night. Theo handcuffed her again to the foot of his bed and went straight to sleep with an order that she did the same.

Though her body was screaming for her to close her eyes, her mind wouldn't stop spinning. And as she kept on thinking about her situation, she started to doubt whether she could get away from this nightmare.

Jamaica was dead and everyone thought she did it, Richard on top of that list. The police would wonder about her disappearance and she wouldn't be surprised if she was their number one suspect right now. But how could she clear her name if she was chained in this cruel fate? And if she did manage to escape after a long disappearance, how would she prove that she didn't do it?

She had heard Richard that night in the hotel. They had taken care of the cameras in the hotel. There would be no proof that she wasn't there the night Jamaica was killed. If she as much as show up to the police, there was a big chance that she was going to land in jail. There were only two people who last saw Jamaica and they were Petroff and Richard. She hadn't seen Petroff. Richard was ready to kill her anytime he got the chance. But that didn't mean he didn't do it either. Both men were powerful and they could easily get away from it.

But what about her? The world saw her as nothing but a model who knew nothing but to take advantage of her age and beauty. She was powerless compared to them. Petroff controlled the industry she worked for. Richard was the son of a powerful underground criminal leader.

I have to prove I didn't do it, she thought.

How?

By learning more of their world. By knowing everyone in it. By catching the real killer.

If she could manage to escape in the future, she'd have to be ready to fight. And she would have to find the right person to talk to. She'd clear her name and spill every dirty little secret of The Liaisons.

*****

Marco was silent for a very long time. His eyes told her he didn't believe her but she had no choice.

She kept her mouth shut and forced her eyes not to waver.

"You told us the night we talked to you a very different story, Khaye," Marco said, breaking the silence.

"I was scared senseless, okay? I didn't know what I was saying. You guys were putting a lot of pressure on me. I didn't want to point out Desiree at the scene because what happened was an accident."

He gave her a puzzled look. "Accident?"

"From what I heard, it was an accident." Petroff didn't tell her this, but she had to make up her own story if she wanted to be believed. "They fought because of Petroff. Desiree saw Jamaica walking out with him from that bar and I think she got jealous."

"Jealous how?"

"Petroff hooks up with a lot of models. It's a great advantage to be in his favor. You know how shallow women can get when they are desperate, at least in our world. They may be best friends, but that's only for the cameras," she lied again.

Marco didn't even have a notepad in front of him but it amazed Khaye how he remembered every small detail. "You told us that Desiree was with a man when you ran out of that hotel room."

She nodded her head. "Yes, she was. They were both walking away from the same hall as me."

"Tell me exactly what you heard that night Desiree and Jamaica fought."

"I can't remember every fucking word they said, okay? I was still at a loss from what happened with that Richard guy and Petroff, trying to wrap my head around what Jamaica could possibly be into other than modeling. All I know is that Desiree came in and she was drunk and she called Jamaica a whore and they fought. There was a bit of commotion and then I just heard Jamaica's pained scream. And Desiree kept saying she was sorry and all. Then the door opened again and another guy's voice spoke up and they talked for a while, Desiree in panic, telling the guy it was an accident. He told her they should get the hell out of there and that was it. I think they tidied up the room. Desiree was crying the whole time and then they left. That was when I thought I should get the hell out of there and I saw them running away. That's the real story. That's all I can say."

Marco kept quiet, digesting every word she said.

"Have you had a good look at him?"

Khaye shook her head no.

Total silence ruled between them.

"Where's Desiree now?" she asked with hesitation.

"We can't find her. She's gone."

Khaye just nodded, a tear falling from one eye. Had they taken her? She wondered. If that was the case, Desiree could be gone for good. Or if she left with at her own will, Khaye hoped they found her soon. But that was nearly impossible because Petroff had told her that all the cameras that night were manipulated, one of the reasons why her lies would be sold. No one could vouch for Desiree after all.

"We are still looking for her," Marco added. "Then tell me about the 'money' stuff Petroff and Richard Karlsson was talking about when they fought inside that hotel room. You mentioned they talked about money."

"That's why they left. They talked about the money and I didn't understand any of it. It was just that Petroff wanted the money as soon as possible and Richard said he'd get it to him in no time. The two men left after that."

"I don't believe you when you said you didn't remember a thing that night. You must have remembered Desiree doing it but you didn't tell us. Why?"

Khaye shrugged. "I thought it was good to point the murder to the people I didn't know because the man Desiree was with could be one of them, you know. And as I've said, it was an accident. Desiree didn't do it on purpose. It sounded like a normal cat fight until something went wrong."

"Then why were you taken? Why would some other bad guys want to take you when the murder was committed by someone else?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. They asked a lot of questions. They asked if I saw some bag of cash or if I knew where the money went. That Richard guy and Petroff obviously had a lot of connections but when they learned about what really happened, they told me to go back and tell the truth. They didn't want to be a part of a murder they didn't commit. At least that was what the lady told me."

"You know we will talk to Petroff, right? And if he as much as tell us a different story, you will face serious issues, Khaye."

Khaye nodded. "Do whatever you want. I haven't seen Petroff or that Richard again after that night."

Marco narrowed his eyes at her.

"You want it to be them, don't you?" she asked him.

He arched an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"Because we all know they are the bad guys and they are very much capable of killing Jamaica. You want it to be them." She wanted to test him, see how he would react. But he didn't. He just stood up and walked to the kitchen.

"There are fresh linens inside that room. Go get some sleep."

"We're done?" she asked in surprise.

"No, we're not. I know you are lying about something and I can't point out what as of the moment. But I'll get you to trust me and tell me everything you know."

Khaye ignored him. She couldn't trust anyone anymore. Her secrets would die with her if it meant she'd live for a long time.

*****

"How's your new toy?" asked his brother.

Theo glared at his brother and said, "If you touch her again like the last time, I'll make you pay for it. She's worth a lot, you know."

Richard's nose flared. "She killed Jamaica."

"And why are you so worked up about that? You never once showed any signs that you have such a big affection toward that girl."

"What I had with her was between the two of us."

"But why do I get this feeling that you're acting more on guilt rather than revenge?"

Richard did a great job containing his anger. They were inside their father's office. One wrong move and they would both be in serious trouble.

"You are hiding something, Richard," Theo said. "It better be just some stupid hate toward a woman rather than something that may affect the business. He trusts us and you know what happens if that trust is stained."

Richard blinked and all of a sudden, his face was bare of any emotions. "You're right. Since we are here for business, let's talk business."

"First, I want to take Desiree with me."

Richard looked at him with a mixture of surprise and horror. "That's absurd."

"I can't leave her here for a lot of reasons. She might try to escape and do something to jeopardize our operations. Or you might end up killing her this time. I still need her for a lot of other things. If you are not okay with that, you can risk getting out of the country yourself."

Richard snared at her but eventually nodded. "Fine. But you take care of getting her new identity because I am not lifting a finger for that bitch." He sat down behind the table and opened a folder. "And you can use her for your cover. Your stupid idea might not be a bad one after all. Guess I'll have to wait a bit longer before killing her."

*****

Desiree was silently sitting at one corner of the room. Theo had brought her with him again but this time, it was not Ms. Kane who showed up.

"Hey," Tatiana said with a curt smile the moment she spotted Desiree in the room. It was a lounge area of some kind, and obviously it was not a private place.

Desiree did not answer and kept mum. She stared at Tatiana from the corner of her eye. The lady was tall and beautiful. Her blonde waves were expertly tied at her nape with a glittering ornament on top. Instead of a dress, she was wearing a simple white shirt and black slacks. For a second, Desiree thought that only the lady could perfect such a look. Tatiana was young, probably just a year or two older than Desiree. But she was out of her league. Desiree brushed off any feeling of intimidation by the lady's mere presence.

"Where's Theo?" asked Tatiana as she approached the bar and poured herself a drink.

Desiree kept her mouth shut. She didn't have to talk to her.

Tatiana took a small sip from her glass and fully turned to face Desiree with a smile. It was a genuine one. "You don't talk that much, do you?" she asked. "Or maybe Theo told you not to utter a word. I wouldn't be surprised if he ordered you to stop breathing and you'll do so without question."

"He can't order me around," Desiree finally said, proving her wrong. "I just don't want to talk to you."

Tatiana sighed. "Poor me. I don't get to talk to a lot of people every day, you know. For a moment I thought you'll be a breath of fresh air under this... you know... this place." She rolled her eyes as she brought her glass to her lips. "Do you want a drink?"

"No, thank you."

"You don't have to look so glum, Desiree," Tatiana told her after a while of studying her. The lady took the seat opposite hers. "Theo is probably the best person who could have bought you in that auction."

You father tried to buy me too, she said in her head. And he still wants me for whatever sick reason.

"You must be feeling helpless right now, being dragged into all this shit," Tatiana said conspiratorially. "But, really, darling, you should wrap your head around it soon before you go crazy. There's no getting out of this."

She decided not to react to that one and kept her words to herself.

It was obvious that Tatiana didn't have anyone to talk to every day because she kept blabbering without any response from Desiree. "There have been women like you before. They had the same look on them for a while."

"What happened to them?" she asked, unable to stop herself.

Tatiana smiled. "They learned to love it. Well, some of them did. Some fell into the wrong hands and...we never saw them again. The best example of those who managed to survive and climb up the ladder?" she asked, leaning over to Desiree to whisper, "is Ms. Kane. I assume you've met her."

Desiree was too taken aback to even answer. Ms. Kane? That was hard to believe!

"She was the fastest to embrace this world, dear. I don't know how the process goes for you because I was born to this. You know, my father being the right hand man of Hong and all. My husband, being the best criminal defense lawyer of almost everyone here, I was born for it. But I mostly handle the legal and the good stuff. We got to make face every now and then, right? So we put up charities. I take pride in that. What I do is the lesser of all evil down here."

Desiree hardly believed her words. There was something in Tatiana's eyes that told her she'd rather be somewhere else than this place. She was wise not to point that out though. She didn't know the woman well. She was friends—or more—with Theo.

"I'm a good person, Desiree, and you can always count on me if we ever become friends. I take care of my friends. Just don't piss me off because I can be a total bitch if you do."

"And what would piss you off?"

Tatiana gave her a smile. "You'll know once we get to know each other." She jumped off from her seat and started for the door. "I wouldn't get close to Richard if I were you. You know what happened to Jamaica, right?"

Desiree was about to ask her if she knew anything about Jamaica's murder and who did it, but the lady was out of the door before she could open her mouth. What did she mean about Richard? Did Tatiana just tell her that Richard killed Jamaica?

*****

Marco saw the surprise on her face when Gian showed up the next morning with a bag of groceries.

"You shouldn't have taken off like that," Gian snapped but went to his sister to give her a hug. "You okay?" he asked her.

She nodded, her eyes on Marco. She looked puzzled and he wondered why. Did she think he meant to keep her away from Gian?

What really happened that day she was taken?

Of course, he didn't believe her. If there was something he believed it was that she was scared. But from whom? Petroff? Richard Karlsson?

For now, he had no choice but to play along with her. She had to trust him first before she could tell him the truth. But the time was ticking and Jamaica's murder wasn't anywhere near to being solved.

"I have to leave," he informed Khaye and Gian.

"Where?" Gian asked.

"They've located Petroff. He's back in his office."

"Are you going to arrest him?" Khaye asked, her voice filled with fear, giving Marco all the more reason to doubt her story.

"We don't have conclusive evidence to point him the killer. But if you tell us that he took you, we can take him in."

"He was at the time she was killed," Gian said.

Marco looked at Khaye and turned his gaze at his partner. "Why don't you ask your sister what she told me last night? I have to go before Petroff goes missing again."

As he drove away to Petroff's office, he wondered what happened to Desiree. She was one of the most important pieces of the puzzle and she was missing. No one could find her after she left that hotel. He grabbed his phone and called someone. "It's me. I want you to deliver all the tapes we have on that hotel. I know," he snapped impatiently, "I just want to see them again. Get the tapes to my table within today. I know we missed something."

*****

Theo returned with a brown envelope in hand.

"Let's go," he said upon seeing her.

Desiree stood up from her seat and followed him out of the door.

"Where are we going next?" she asked. "I haven't had lunch yet."

"Since you asked, let's get lunch."

He took her to a restaurant just a block away from the entrance of their underground world. Bold move for him, Desiree thought, but he knew she wouldn't do anything. There was no one else in the place but them and she was almost certain that he knew the people working there.

He pushed the envelope toward her and said, "That's your new identity. You have to get used to it from now on."

Desiree pulled the envelope toward her and opened it. It contained everything from driver's license to passport. She even had discount cards. And credit cards.

"Ysabel Cushko," she muttered, her appetite gone. "Why do I need it?"

"As I've said, we are going on a trip tomorrow. You'll need those things."

"I have credit cards."

"Which are connected to mine," he informed her. "I'll know every move you make with those."

"So you are planning to turn me loose in no time, expecting that I will return to you and not run away?"

Theo's eyes bored into hers. "That time may come and you might not even realize it."

"Like what happened to Ms. Kane? She was auctioned against her will and now she works with you guys."

"How did you know about her?"

Desiree smiled at him coldly. "I am learning my way around your so-called underground world, Theo. Don't take me as stupid."

"Ms. Kane will be very glad to tell you her story. Get it straight from her. You might just be inspired."

"Fuck you," she hissed at him.

"Eat. We don't have much time," he said instead.

*****

"Why do I get this feeling that Marco wants to pin the murder on Petroff and Richard Karlsson?" Khaye asked her brother later that day.

Gian looked at her for a while before his gaze wavered and he said, "We have been hunting down The Liaisons for a long time and a murder like this can be of great help to catching them."

"The Liaisons?"

"That's what we call them. They work with a lot of people, including the Mafia. They've been involved in a lot of crimes and even political stuff. We want to catch them so we can have a chance of putting a stop to the people they work with."

"And Petroff and this guy Richard are part of that group?"

"We only know Karlsson. Petroff is a new name and yes, we believe he too is part of that group. These guys know how to hide in plain sight. They get a lot of help from a lot of people. They can pull strings anywhere. That's why we need to be careful around them. We can't just take Petroff in. He can use that against us. All the more reasons why we need a great amount of evidence to make them stay in jail for as long as we can. They can easily bail themselves out. It has happened a lot in the past."

"So you have history with these guys," Khaye uttered, munching her burrito.

"Marco has more history with them, I guess." Then, as if he said something he shouldn't, Gian stood up and walked to the kitchen and pretended to sort the groceries.

"What kind of history?" Khaye prodded her brother. She followed him to the kitchen and rested her forearms on the counter across her brother.

"Not my story to tell, Khaye," Gian said.

"I don't trust him. Not at all."

Gian stopped what he was doing and looked her in the eye. "If there is someone you can trust on this case, it is me and Marco. He hates the Liaisons with passion. That's all you need to know."

She scoffed at her brother. "And you expect me to trust him because you do?"

"They killed his father. Among other things," her brother finally uttered. "But that's all I am saying. Marco's story is not relevant to yours. What I suggest you do, sister, is that you start to cooperate. We can't save your ass if you can't trust us. And before I forget, don't you dare touch a thing in this place. This belonged to his father before he died. Show some respect while you are here."

Khaye fell silent, deep in thought. Maybe it was time to follow her brother's words. She should consider trusting his partner.

*****

Petroff was a man with so much power and Marco had easily sensed that the moment he stepped inside his office. An entire wall was made of glass and it overlooked the city. The wooden floor was well-furnished that it was a shame his dirty boots had to step on them.

Petroff was easily pissed as well because he was frowning at Marco from behind his desk.

"I am a very busy man, Mr. Morrison so get to the point and make it fast."

Marco did not bother to sit down. He stood in front of Petroff with a determined look. "I want to know where you were the night of Jamaica dela Vega's murder."

He wasn't surprised and he didn't hide the bored look on his face. "I knew you were going to ask me this question," he said, his voice laced with his thick Russian accent. "And I am going to tell you the truth. I was on my way back to the city. Check with my secretary if you want to."

"Someone said you had a fight with Richard Karlsson before Jamaica died."

He frowned. "I don't know who that is. I was in my room, ready to leave that night."

Marco smiled. "You and I both know you know him. And you arranged for our prime witness to be kidnapped right under our noses."

"Don't point fingers when you don't have shit to back up your story, Mr. Morrison. People can easily get pissed."

"Is that why you killed Jamaica? You got easily pissed?"

"Are you saying I killed that woman? Of course not. Jamaica is one of my best assets. She's a very good model."

"She's good in bed as well, right?"

He got a smile for that. "I won't say anything about that."

"And what about Desiree?"

"What about her?"

"Have you seen her?"

Petroff shook his head. "I was hoping you can tell me. We've been looking for her ever since I got word of Jamaica's death. But it seems that she has disappeared from the face of the earth." He moved his hand with emphasis as he talked. Then he added, "Are you talking with Khaye Perez? I heard she is your prime suspect."

"She told us a different stories every now and then. She said she heard you and Richard Karlsson fighting inside Jamaica's room. Then she said she heard you both left her alone alive. Now, she's pointing at someone else as the killer while days ago, she was adamant that you or Karlsson killed Jamaica."

"She did? And you believe her?"

"No, not really. That's why we can't just let go of the idea that you and Richard Karlsson have something to hide."

"I don't know any Richard Karlsson, I am sorry. But if I encounter his name, I'll give you a call." He reached out to punch a button on his phone. "Mr. Morrison is leaving. Prepare my next meeting," he said to his secretary situated outside. Petroff fixed Marco one last look and said, "And you are right. You can't trust Khaye Perez. She makes up a lot of things. I, for one, am a living testimony of that. But she's good in bed as well," Petroff said, giving Marco a wink. "Don't go trusting women who keep on changing their stories, Mr. Morrison. They may be beautiful, but they can make you run around their soft little palms."

Marco backed off without tearing his eyes off Petroff. "I'll be seeing you. So don't go running away. You might receive an invite to our station."

Petroff showed off his perfect white teeth. "Gladly."

Marco left Petroff's office without getting anything relevant to the case just the fact that Khaye was a known liar. And she didn't mention she had been sleeping with the boss as well. She was one big mess to deal with, he thought.

For now, he had managed to let Petroff know that they were watching out for him. Marco hoped it would cause an alarm to the man and he'd make the wrong move soon.

He checked his watch. Gian would be watching over Khaye for tonight. He'd talk to her tomorrow. Tapes were waiting for him at the station. He'd have to pull an all-nighter if he had to.

*****

"How long are we going to be away?" Desiree asked. Theo had woken her up that morning and barked orders. He told her to pack anything she had. And an hour later, they were driven to the airport. He was in a worse mood than yesterday and she wondered why.

"Two weeks the most. I hope you packed well," he answered curtly.

They were walking along a current of people in the airport to have their bags checked.

Desiree had no choice but to go with him. If he was bringing her along, he didn't trust her enough yet. And going away might be a good thing. She could find an opportunity to escape. But he didn't give any details as to where they were headed. He held the tickets.

Theo passed through security without a hassle, a big relief for Desiree. It meant Theo wasn't carrying any weapon. It was her turn next. She tried to catch the security guy's eye but he was busy looking at her passport and at his computer. Apart from the look of admiration thrown at her, he didn't catch her silent cry for help. Theo was waiting for her to pass through and before she could look at the security with a helpless look again, Theo said, "Honey, I'll be waiting over there," throwing her a knowing look before walking a few paces away.

Desiree's shoulders dropped and stepped away with heavy steps, carrying her carry-on bag.

"Don't do that again," he warned under his breath. He grabbed her wrist in a tight hold.

She followed Theo away from the security area, looking around in hope of spotting someone familiar. Any face that she could send a signal to that she was in trouble.

"Sir! Wait up!" a man called behind them. They stopped walking.

Desiree looked over his shoulder and hope flared inside her. It was the same security guy.

"Wait up!" he called out again. His face was serious as he approached Desiree and Theo, his steps cautious and his eyes traveling from her to Theo and back again.

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