Page 41 of Ever After

She nods.

My eyes all but bug out of my head, and I lean forward in my seat. “Finley, who is it? We have to be able to bring him in, stop him from doing this to others. If you can give me a name, we can stop him.”

“Chris Genova, Nick’s Genova’s disowned son.”

I scrunch my face as I think. “Wait, I’m confused. Nick Genova doesn’t have a son. There isn’t anything we’ve found on him that states otherwise.” Then it clicks.That’swhy he looked so damn familiar. He’s a younger version of Nick.

She looks up at me through her lashes and gives me a half smile. “I know a lot about Nick Genova that you won’t find in any document.” Her face drops, and she looks as if she’s going to be sick. “Where’s my laptop?”

“It wasn’t at your apartment the night you were taken. Chris must have it.”

She stands and paces the room. “I need to get in touch with Allie. She can get access to my records from her laptop. Can we get her over here today, or can I go to her? Nick gave me all sorts of information on him.”

I stand and block her pacing. I rest my hands on her shoulders, and she looks up at me. “Finley, you’re not going anywhere right now. I’ll call Allie and have her come over here with her computer. Then you can search through notes, and if there is something pertinent you find, you can let Winston know.”

She pulls her eyebrows together. “Winston?”

“He’s the man that got you out of there last night. We’re at his place right now. I have to go back to the hotel I’m staying at while I pose as Chase Biggs. I shook my tail last night to be here with you, but they’re going to grow suspicious if I don’t return.”

Speak of the devil. Winston knocks on the door, and we both turn to look at him.

“Hey, man, you better get back soon.”

“Thanks.” I turn to look into her scared eyes. She scoots backwards on the bed, pressing her back into the headboard and pulling her knees to her chest. I notice her hands shaking. “Finley, you’re safe with Winston. I trust this man with my life. He’ll protect you until we can put Chris behind bars.” I turn to look at Winston again. “Chris Genova. I need all the information you can dig up on the fucker. Call Shaw with anything you find out, too. I need her to work on bringing him in.”

“Will do.”

“I’ll check in with you later. If you need anything, let Winston know, and he’ll get in touch with me if he can’t get it.” I pull her to my body, kiss the top of her head, and then leave. It’s the last thing I want to do. I need to keep up my façade until we can bring him in.

* * *

I takethe stairs up to my room, and my tail is standing there waiting for me when I arrive.

“Long night?” I ask, pulling the key from my wallet.

He doesn’t say anything, but when I open the door, he holds it and pushes his way in behind me.

Fuck.

Chris is sitting in a chair in the corner. “What the fuck are you doing in my room?” I need to play it up so he doesn’t suspect any more than he already does. “Is this how to treat your patrons? Barge into their rooms?”This fucker really needs to leave.

He locks eyes with me, but doesn’t smile. “Where’s Crimson?”

“How the hell would I know? She’s not my pet to keep tabs on, not yet. Isn’t thatyourjob until you sell her?”

He sneers. “No matter. I’ll find her soon enough, and when I do, she’s going to wish she was never freed in the first place.”

I cross my arms over my chest, feeling my heart beat uncontrollably. “What do you plan on doing to her?”

“That’s really none of your concern. As you said, she’s not your pet.” He steps into my space, inches from my face. “I’ll get her back. Don’t you worry about that. I’ll make sure she’s broken, just like I always do. Don’t do anything stupid in the meantime.”

“Since she’s not for sale, and my business is done, I’m leaving Chicago. You don’t have to worry about me. And I’d appreciate it if you’d drop the tail.” I turn and size the man up who’s standing behind me, blocking the exit.

“Leave Chicago. Until then, expect I’m protecting my investments and my business.” He appraises me. “I’ll be in touch if anything else is needed from you, Mr. Biggs.” He walks past me and exits my room, his minion falling in line.

I call Amelia and give her all the information I have aboutEver After.

Finley