Page 50 of Kneeling for Them

But when the elevator doors open, it isn’t Ella who stands in front of me.It’s Trina.

My arms fall.

“Oh, don’t look so happy to see me,” she says with a braying laugh.“Were you expecting someone else at this hour?”

“Nope.”It’s a lie, but maybe I can get her out of this place quickly, before Ella shows up.“What can I do for you?”

She strides past me to the living room area, where she shoves aside a notebook on the sofa and sits down, looking completely at home here even though I think she’s only been inside my penthouse a couple of times.She says, “I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving in a couple of days.”

I shouldn’t feel so relieved at this announcement, but I do.Getting Trina out of my city will free up my mind.I won’t constantly be worried about her subtle threat, what she might say to people about that night seven years ago.

“Well, thanks for letting me know,” I say.

“I’d still like to have dinner with you before I go.”She points an accusing finger at me.“You’ve been avoiding me, and there are a few things I want to go over with you.”

“Can we talk about them now?”I ask.Here, in private, without anyone possibly overhearing us in a crowded restaurant.

“I guess,” Trina says, a smug smile on her lips.

“Well?”I wave my hand at her.“Don’t keep me in suspense, T.”

She laughs.“I found her.”

“Who?”

“Your little nightingale.”

“My—who?”I ask, even as my heart starts banging out a rhythm of panic.

“The rando chick who sang with you at the karaoke place,” she says.“She’s a student at San Esteban School of the Arts.No surprise—I can tell the girl’s had some training, although she could use a little more.That kind of talent is rare, though, so I’m glad she’s nurturing it.”

She found Ella.Shit.And she thinks she’s a student.Easy enough mistake, I guess, since Ella used to be a student, and she’s around the traditional age for college.

“Of course, she sounded fantastic when she sang with you,” Trina says, scanning me with her green eyes.“Your chemistry was incredible.What do you think of doing a collaboration?”

“Have you spoken to her?”I ask.

“Not yet.I think I spooked her by accident.I’m going to wait until the time is right.”

At that moment, the worst possible thing happens.

The elevator doors open, and Ella walks in.She’s cute as always, even in her maid uniform, and her face is flushed, probably because she hurried over here.

My shoulders feel so heavy, like someone’s pushing down on me, trying to dunk me under water.I nearly drowned the first time I tried to surf, and this feeling is eerily similar.

Ella looks between Trina and me, confusion on her face.“Sorry, did I interrupt something?”

Twelve

Ella

So this is Sebastian’s place.

I expected the stark manliness of it, with its tasteful, muted tone furniture and black and white portraits of musicians on the walls.I expected to find guitars here, and scribbled notes on random pieces of paper.

I didn’t expect to find another woman.

She stands gracefully, her straight blond hair swinging forward with each step as she approaches, her hand held out.She’s wearing a pair of jeans and a silk blouse with a leather jacket.Her hoop earrings are encrusted with what I am certain are real diamonds.