Page 42 of Tainted Empire

I pull out my phone, snap a picture of the receipt, then I decide to talk to her, but carefully. I can’t let on that I know too much. I find her in the living room, flipping through a magazine.

“Hey, Lee, can I talk to you for a sec?” I ask, trying to sound casual.

She looks up, her expression guarded. “Sure, what’s up?”

I sit down across from her, my mind racing. “You haven’t really been yourself lately and before you even protest, you’re forgetting I’ve been living with you this entire time,” I say, taking her hand in mine. “Is everything okay?”

Her reaction is immediate. She stiffens, and I see a flash of something in her eyes. Fear? Guilt? It’s hard to tell.

“Oh, that. It’s nothing, just some personal stuff,” she replies, a little too quickly. “It’s not anything I can talk about right now, Gabi; hope you understand.”

“Ah, I get it,” I nod, pretending to be satisfied with her answer, but my mind is working overtime. There’s definitely something she’s not telling me. But then again, why would she?

The rest of the day passes in a blur, my thoughts consumed by Lee and the receipt. I need to talk to Mikhail, get his take on this. But for now, I need to play it cool. If Lee is involved in something dangerous, I can’t let her know that I’m onto her.

I retreat to the privacy of my room, my fingers hovering over my phone. I need to tell Mikhail what I’ve found, but I also know I have to be careful. Even the walls feel like they have ears in this place.

I type out a message, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and urgency. “Found something. A receipt with Lee’s name, a big amount. Something’s not right.” I hesitate for a moment before attaching the picture and hitting send. It’s a risk, but Mikhail needs to know.

Minutes tick by, each second stretching out endlessly. Finally, my phone buzzes. Mikhail’s reply is terse, a reflection of his concern.

“Be careful. Don’t confront her about it yet. We’ll figure this out. Talk later?”

I reply with a simple, “Yes,” my mind is already racing with possibilities and dangers.

Lying back on my bed, I try to piece together the puzzle. Lee has always been a bit of an enigma, but this... this is something else. What could she be involved in? And more importantly, how does it connect to us?

I’m pulled from my thoughts by a soft knock on the door. “Gabi, are you okay in there?” It’s Lee’s voice, tinged with a concern that feels too practiced.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired,” I call out, hoping my voice doesn’t betray my inner turmoil.

“Okay, just checking. Goodnight, then,” she says, and I hear her footsteps receding.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The walls between us, once transparent, now feel like they’re made of steel. Trust, once given freely, now has to be earned, and I’m not sure Lee is on the list anymore.

I spent a restless night, my dreams filled with shadows and whispered secrets.

Morning arrives and it doesn’t even feel like I’ve slept at all. I pack my things, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts about Lee, the receipt, and the impending conversation with Mikhail.

I hear the sound of a car pulling up outside just as I’m zipping up my last bag. I take one last look around the safe house, a place that once felt like a haven now tainted with doubt and suspicion. I can’t help but wonder what else might be lurking beneath the surface.

As I step outside the bedroom door, Lee is there, her bags in hand. She turns, that same practiced smile on her face. “Morning, Gabi. Ready to get going?”

“Yeah, Mikhail’s here,” I reply, unable to keep the relief out of my voice.

She nods, her eyes searching mine. “I’m heading to Ireland for a bit. Some... personal matters to attend to.”

I nod, keeping my expression carefully controlled. “Safe travels, then. We’ll catch up when you’re back?”

“Definitely,” she says, but there’s a hint of something unspoken in her voice. A promise or a threat, I can’t tell.

We say our goodbyes, a strange formality to our words. As she leaves, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to her trip than she’s letting on. But right now, my focus is on Mikhail and the safety of getting out of here.

I step outside, the fresh air a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the safe house. Mikhail is waiting by the car, his presence a solid reassurance. I walk towards him, my steps quickening as the distance closes.

“Hey,” he says softly as I reach him, pulling me into a tight embrace.

“Hey,” I reply, the sound of his voice grounding me. “Ready to get out of here.”