The Underworld

chapter thirty three

He knows. How much more does he know than what he told me? Does Louis know that he knows?

No, he doesn't . . .

Teo must've found some other way. There must be someone on the inside. Did Annabeth tell him? She didn't seem the type to just tell anyone anything about others, but maybe she did tell him. Unless Teo's playing multiple sides, Louis might've told him himself.

Still, how did this happen? How can I—

Teo cut me off and said, "only you know what you've been through."

I took a step away from him. I had to get away. The guards must be by the doors if they followed my orders. Did they know Teo was here also? There was no doubt about it that they would tell Louis if they noticed something was off. I couldn't keep standing here.

Keep it together, Alaina.

"I don't know who told you such things, but I would appreciate it if you kept them to yourself. It was good seeing you, Mr. Lebedev. I hope you enjoy the rest of the night."

"Your child," Teo continued and a pause followed.

My back was now facing him as I stared at the doors ahead of me. I wanted to move. I wanted to leave, but my feet felt glued to the floor. The more Teo spoke, the harder it was to move.

"What do you think will happen once your child is born? More importantly, what do you think they will do to it?"

I didn't want to think of the answer I already knew.

"Alaina, let me help you."

I continued to stare ahead of me. I had so many questions. I frowned. What is he planning?

I scoffed, "why? Why are you doing this? What do you gain from this?"

"Louis would be gone, along with anyone else who has closely worked with him."

"What's so important of having him gone?" I asked as I turned to face him.

I didn't see the point to it—at least for him. From what I knew, Louis wanted to be Teo's ally. Why was Teo going against him? Starting something like this could lead to a war between the two mafias.

At that moment, Teo pulled out his phone and read the notification on the screen. He placed his phone back inside his jacket before pulling out another phone. He made his way up to me, holding the device up in my direction.

"Take it. We can communicate this way."

Without much thought, I took the phone from him and held it tightly in front of my stomach.

"Who else knows about this?" I asked.

"I can't tell you. At least, if you do decide to work with me, not yet."

Teo then nodded at the phone and continued, "I will send you a message tonight. Read it when you can. I made sure all sounds and vibrations were off and that no one except I could track it. The only number you'll find in it is the one I'll use to comunícate with you. Do not save it to your contacts and do not give the number nor the phone to anyone else. I will notify you if there's anything else to know."

All I could do was stare down at the phone.

"Have a good night, Alaina."

That was the last thing he said to me before he walked away into the building.

Without further thought, I quickly hid the phone under my breasts. I don't know if the panic of getting caught made me extra attentive to making sure it wasn't noticeable, but I managed somehow. I heavily sighed.