Livy stiffened for a second, but quickly forced herself to keep dancing.
Was that Nathan?
She glanced toward the crowd again.
He was standing at the corner.
It really was him.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She immediately turned her attention back to Antonio, pretending nothing was wrong.
She couldn’t let him notice how shaken she was.
She needed to speak with Nathan.
But how?
A minute later, she gently touched Antonio’s arm.
“I need to go to the bathroom.” He looked down at her.
“Do you want me to come with you?” “No.” She quickly shook her head.
“I’ll be fine.” She quickly rushed off.
But when she looked back, she saw two of Antonio’s men walking right behind her.
Of course they were.
She stopped and turned to face them, crossing her arms.
”Are you going to follow me inside the bathroom, too?” The two men stopped, keeping a straight, stone-cold face.
They did not say a word.
Livy let out an angry breath.
She turned around and made her way through the crowd towards the back area where she was sure the bathroom was.
It was a standard protocol drilled into her during her time under witness protection.
Whenever a cornered situation turned volatile, heading for a restroom was step one.
An agent was supposed to be stationed nearby as an emergency contact, a quiet lifeline in the middle of hostile situation.
Livy pushed open the bathroom door and stepped inside.
Two women stood by the vanity mirrors, chatting quietly as they touched up their makeup.
Livy kept her expression calm and walked toward the sink.
Turning on the tap, she pretended to wash her hands while keeping an eye on them through the mirror.
The women soon finished and walked out.
The moment the door closed behind them, Livy reached for a paper towel.
Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth.
She gasped as they pulled her toward the bathroom stalls.
She fought back, but the person was too strong.
The person released her and she spun around.
Her eyes widened.
“Nathan?” Agent Cross stared back at her.
“Damn it’s good to see you,” he whispered, and drew her into a tight hug.
“Nathan it’s really you.” When he pulled back, he studied her carefully.
“Are you okay?” Livy nodded, but her eyes quickly filled with tears.
“What about Mara?” “She’s fine.
She’s undergoing treatment.” “I’m so sorry,” he said, pulling her into another hug.
“How did you know I would be here?” “The director got an invitation.
We suspected he might be here, so I wanted to see you.” She smiled.
“I’m happy to see you.
I am sorry I ruined the case.” “It’s not your fault.
I’ve been so worried about you.
Is he hurting you?” he asked.
“No.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” Livy nodded.
“He hasn’t hurt me.” Cross hesitated.
“Did he…
did he force himself on you?” “No.
He has never done that.” Cross studied her face for a moment.
“I saw you kiss him.” “It’s not what you think.” “Then what was it?” Livy looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
“Its part of the deal to act as his wife outside.” Cross’s expression tightened.
“Livy, this man kidnapped you, forced you into a marriage, and is holding your mother to control you.” “I know.” “Then don’t let yourself forget who he is.
He is a murderer.” Livy frowned.
“I haven’t forgotten.” Cross lowered his voice.
“Are you starting to care about him?” Livy immediately shook her head.
“No.” “Good.
The director and I think you can help us from the inside.
You’re already close to him, and no one will suspect you’re working with us.” He reached into his pocket and handed her a small black pen.
“This has a hidden camera.
Press this side, and it takes a picture.” Livy stared down at it.
“What exactly am I supposed to look for?” “Anything connected to D’Angelo’s business.
Names, meetings, shipments, locations.
Anything that could help us understand how his organization operates.
That’s the only way to bring him down.” Livy stared at the pen in disbelief.
Was this a good idea?
She didn’t want to get on his bad side.
She remembered his words about double-crossing him.
But now was not the time to explain that to Nathan.
So she nodded.
“God, it’s good to see you,” he said reaching up to gently touch her cheek.
Then he leaned down and kissed her.
Livy froze for a second, unsure how she was supposed to feel.
He had kissed her several times before, but this time it felt different.
He seemed to realize it, because he slowly pulled away and studied her face.
Suddenly, they heard the bathroom door open.
Female voices drifted into the room.
“I need to go, he has men following me.” Cross nodded and pulled her into another hug.
She wraps her arms around him.
“I don’t want you to go.” She laughs softly against his shoulder.
“You know I have to.” “I know.” He pulls away and holds her by the shoulders.
“Take care of yourself, Livy.” “I will.” She took one last look at him before stepping out of the stall.
The drive back to the penthouse was completely silent.
Livy sat quietly in the back seat, staring out through the tinted window.
She felt a little sleepy.
Maybe she shouldn’t have accepted the alcoholic drink they had offered her.
Marco had warned her about it.
But her mind kept returning to what had happened in the bathroom.
She hadn’t expected to see him.
After everything that had happened, seeing a familiar face had stirred something inside her.
Maybe she had needed the drink more than she realized.
Her thoughts shifted to the small pen hidden inside her dress.
If Antonio ever found out, he would kill her for sure.
He had already made that perfectly clear.
And yes, she was afraid.
Not for herself, but for her mother.
When the car rolled to a slow stop outside the building, Antonio cleared his throat.
“We’re here.” She nodded, still not saying much.
“You did good today,” he said without looking at her.
She gave a slight nod.
“Thank you.” They used the private elevator back to the penthouse.
Livy was exhausted.
The moment she reached the bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed without bothering to take off her dress.
Before long…
Antonio lifted the silk blanket that covered her body.
Her naked form was revealed and reflected in his dark eyes.
He leaned in for a hot kiss and suddenly plunged deep into her.
A sudden jolt of pain shot through her body, prompting a stifled moan to escape her lips.