Alpha Read Online Free PDF Page A

again.  
    Not bad, Kyrie. Not too bad. I nodded at my reflection, summoned my nerves, and stepped out.
    Harris had my suitcases packed, and was closing the drawers of my dresser. He looked me over. “You’re very beautiful, Miss St. Claire.”
    I ducked my head, oddly pleased by his compliment. “Thank you, Harris.”
    He nodded. “Now, if you’re ready?”
    “Everything is packed?”
    “All your clothes and underthings, jewelry, and the phone charger. I assume everything else you need is in your purse.” He lifted the suitcases and moved toward the front door.  
    I followed him, then paused as he opened the door. “What about my apartment?”
    He set the suitcases in the hallway, waiting for me to exit so he could close the door behind me. “Everything is taken care of.”
    “What—what about Cal? And Mom? And—”
    “I repeat, Miss St. Claire: Everything is taken care of. All you need to do is follow me.” He watched me, his pale green eyes calm, patient.  
    I let out a shaky breath. “All right, then. Let’s go.” I shouldered my purse, shut off the lights, and locked the door.  
    I followed Harris outside into the late evening sunlight. There was a low, sleek black Mercedes-Benz parked away from the other cars, angled to take up two spots. He set the cases by the trunk and withdrew a key fob from his pocket. The hatch opened, and then he placed the cases inside. He had all this done before I even had a chance to put a hand on the door.  
    Harris opened the back right passenger door, held it for me as I slid in, and then closed it gently. Within seconds, he was in the front seat, and the engine roared to life.  
    He drove us to a small airport, passing through a security checkpoint, and then he parked on the tarmac beside a huge private jet. I swallowed hard as I stared out the tinted window at the airplane. Was this really happening? Ohgodohgodohgod. I was nothing short of terrified.
    “If you wish to make a phone call, now is the time, Miss St. Claire,” Harris said.
    I dug my phone from my purse and called Layla.  
    “What’s up, Key? Wanna meet for drinks?”  
    I let out a breath. “I—can’t.”
    “Why not? What’s up?”
    I blinked hard. “I’m going away.”
    “Wh-what? What do you mean? Where? Why? For how long?”
    “I don’t know, Layla. I don’t know. The checks? All that money? I’m about to meet the man who sent them.”
    “Who is it?” Layla demanded.
    “I don’t know. I don’t know anything. A man showed up at my door an hour ago and said he was here to collect me. I’ve been collected , Layla.”
    “Does he know you’re calling me? Are you, like, in danger?”
    I forced myself to breathe calmly. “I don’t—I don’t think so. I don’t really have a choice, but I’m not in danger. Like, I don’t think anyone is going to kill me. I am scared, though. What’s going to happen to me?” I whispered the last part.
    “Kyrie…Jesus. This would only happen to you.” I heard her breathe, sounding as shaky as I did. “Where are you?”
    “Oakland County International Airport. About to board a fucking massive Gulfstream or something like that. A big private jet. Right now I’m sitting in a Mercedes-Benz.”
    “Ohmigod, Kyrie! So whoever this guy is, he’s loaded.”
    “Yeah.”
    “And you owe him—what, a hundred and twenty grand?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How are you going to pay him back?” Layla asked.
    I blinked hard, fighting tears of fright. “This guy, Harris, he said my benefactor isn’t interested in money.”
    Layla sucked in a sharp breath. “He’s interested in you , then. Something tells me you’ll have to put out a hell of a lot to pay back that much money, honey.”
    “Layla!”  
    “Just sayin’, babe. It’s true.”
    “I’m not a whore. I’m not going to use sex to pay him back.” My voice shook.
    “You may not have a choice.”  
    “I know. That’s why I’m so scared. I mean, I’m no prude. You know that. But…what if