Page 138 of Pervade Montego Bay

I went back and reached for it again, pushing and then pulling it.

Bloody hell!

With ease, I pushed the back wall open to reveal a seemingly endless tunnel.

Stepping into the entrance, I stared into the darkness ahead. This thing went on forever. It was below sea level, which was an engineering feat. Money had been poured into its construction. Had I merely found a pirate’s smuggling tunnel?

A light flickered on, just bright enough for me to proceed safely forward. Every ten steps or so the lights behind me went off as more lit my way ahead—all of them primed to respond to movement.

The air got thicker as the chill deepened.

I’d left the pantry door open behind me so at least they’d know where I’d gone. This felt like the adventure of a lifetime.

After twenty minutes of walking, I second-guessed myself and realized I’d make a terrible mistake. What if this went on for miles? What if I became trapped down here?

I started to turn back, and then the lights flickered on ahead of me, revealing a steel door. I’d made it to the end. I rushed forward and turned the handle.

Oh, God.

It was locked.

The risk I’d taken had been ill-conceived…all because of my curiosity. Still, Xavier knew about this tunnel. Why shouldn’t I? Why hadn’t James told me about it?

I heard a soft click.

I had to know what was on the other side. I slowly pushed the door open a few inches and peeked around it…into Louis’ kitchen.

The sound of a piano being played in another room reached my ears, the notes beckoning me as I recognized the song: “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven.” My mind swirled with questions. Why would there be a tunnel between James’ home and Louis’?

Tiptoeing up the central staircase, I continued on cautiously, the familiar marble floor beneath my feet and the walls threaded with gold a contrast to the man I knew who lived here.

Ahead lay the entrance to the vast ballroom. The music was coming from there…

I hoped Louis wouldn’t be mad at me for snooping and finding the secret passageway that led to his home…or for entering uninvited.

Maybe going back was the best option.

The music stopped.

Taking a step inside the grand ballroom, my throat tightened when I saw James and Xavier standing beside Louis’ Steinway. It was as though they’d been waiting for me. Maybe they’d discovered that pantry door open…

Louis turned in his piano seat to watch me enter.

“I couldn’t help it,” I said in way of an apology.

Louis pushed to his feet and walked toward me. “That was quite a trek.”

“Why do you have a tunnel?”

“In case I need to escape,” he said simply.

I swallowed hard. “Escape what?”

Louis looked down at his hands. “My secret has been protected for decades. Men have sacrificed so very much to keep me hidden.”

Hidden?

“I want you and I to be friends, Emily. As you are going to be living on this island and visiting me frequently…”