Another Chance for the Luna Queen

August had never trusted Kila, 1 could already Imagine what he was thinking that I had finally discovered something to prove her true motives were underhanded.

I couldn't exactly correct him. Not without revealing something that might hint at the truth Ella had just confided in me

As uncertain as I felt about all of this, I wouldn't betray her trust.

Still, I had to be absolutely certain that what she told me was the truth-that there wasn't some underlying mental illness or family history of psychosis that I had missed.

I believed her. She'd been so sincere. I didn't think it was passible for someone to fake that kind of emotion. But I had to be 100% sure.

Part of me just didn't want to believe it, because it meant I was going to have to deal with Sabrina again. And I had hoped never to see her perfect face for the rest of my life.

The way things had ended between us, it was only natural that I felt this level of animosity—at least, that's what I told myself.

"One other thing, August."

"Yes, sir?"

"I need you to see if you can track down Sabrina."

At the sound of her name, August's eyes widened, and a flicker of anger crossed his face.

"Why?"

I stared at him, disbelief clearly written on my face. August never questioned my orders. He asked for clarification at times, but he never outright questioned me.

"Ella has heard from her... mysterious sources that Sabrina could become a problem for us in the election," I said carefully, ensuring that I didn't lie to him while also not revealing too much.

"And you believe her?"

"She doesn't know Sabrina," I pointed out. "I've never spoken about her with Ella. Never mentioned her. There should be no way for her to know. And yet, she told me that a beautiful blonde woman is going to unleash the scandal that will destroy my political career. Who else could that possibly be?"

August was silent for a long moment. Then he simply said, "Yes, sir."

EE

"Thank you," I said softly. None of this was pleasant for August. He'd been with me through the worst of my depression after things ended with Sabrina. He was possibly the only person who truly understood how much this troubled me. 1

"I have to go," I muttered, rubbing my temple in firm, slow circles to stave off the headache building behind my eyes. "I can't be late."

"Of course," August said. "The car is waiting. Send me a text if you need anything else, and I'll get started on that work immediately."

"Very good," I said, grabbing the cup of coffee waiting for me on my desk before turning toward the exit.

The idea of facing Ella's father right now was daunting. Not only had I just heard from Dr. Brianna McIntyre that

here had been a plot to kill him, but Kila had just told me that originally, he really had died.noveldrama

His daughter had confessed things to me that she hadn't to another living soul-not even him, despite how close they were. In a way, I almost felt like I had oversteppe

Why Ella chose to confide in me and no one else was beyond me. True enough, her story was difficult to accept, but her father seemed like such a loving, devoted parent. I just couldn't imagine him dismissing her or worse, rejecting her.

I forced those thoughts out of my mind. Now wasn't the time for any of this.

I needed to put on that same charming smile I always used when facing the

public-the one that got me out of trouble 90% of the time and helped me cover up when my personal life was falling apart.

I had to play the part of Alexander Black, no matter how uncertain I felt of myself at the moment.