All Chapters of Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

15 Chapters

11

Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception/Alisa Selby

Nathan handed me a stack of photos of the missing women. Each one had been vibrant and full of promise, and each had disappeared from the same club. My stomach churned as I studied the images, a sense of urgency setting in."Look at the timeline," he said, pointing to a board covered in notes and newspaper clippings. "They're all young, all pretty, and all vanished from the club. The similarities are too strong to ignore."I took a deep breath, trying to push aside my personal feelings and focus on the job. "Okay, let's go through the security footage again. Maybe we missed something."We spent hours watching the same clips over and over, searching for the tiniest detail that could lead us to Jessica. The club's lights flickered in a maddening rhythm, playing tricks with the shadows that danced across the screen. It was like watching a macabre dance of fate.As we studied the tapes, the rain outside grew more intense, the drops racing down the windows like a million tiny rivers trying

Last Updated : 2025-04-15

12

Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception/Alisa Selby

~BRIANNA~As I walked into the agency, I was surrounded by the energy of the place. Agents moved about, their voices combining with commands and urgency. For most, the workday was well underway, and the ever present scent of coffee filled the air, a scent that would have normally drawn me toward the break room to garner a cup. Today, the dark brew held no appeal---over the last twelve hours I’d had more than enough of the liquid.Hours earlier when I had arrived at the hospital, my eyes had immediately found Nathan's, and my steps had faltered. His gaze had been haunted as he'd peered sightlessly at the floor, his face etched with lines of pain and exhaustion.Gently approaching him, I'd placed my hand on his shoulder. "How is she?" I'd asked.Looking up, Nathan had gazed at me through eyes that were bloodshot and tired. "They're still operating," he'd stated, his voice raw with emotion. "She lost the baby though," he'd whispered, swallowing hard.Pain squeezed my heart and I'd breath

Last Updated : 2025-04-15

13

Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception/Alisa Selby

I gazed at Nathan, the memory of the tongue-thrashing he had given me still fresh in my mind. His words had sliced through the air, cutting me deep; a whip of accusation and disappointment.His words had been relentless, his voice rising and falling in a crescendo of fury."Brianna, what the fuck is wrong with you?" he'd roared, his hands braced on my desk as he leaned in close. "You're supposed to be the best! But you're out here missing the most basic of shit!""I-I'm sorry-" I'd stuttered.My words had cut off as he'd barked, "You're sorry?" Then, eyes narrowing and the muscles in his jaw popping, he'd bit out, "That's it? That's all you've got? You're sorry?""Yes," I'd whispered. "It won't happen again."He'd shaken his head. "You're damn right it won't! You're supposed to be the best, Bri. You're my right hand, and you're failing me. You're failing us. What the fuck is going on with you?"The accusation had stung, and tears had pricked the corners of my eyes as I'd murmured, "I'

Last Updated : 2025-04-15

14

Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception/Alisa Selby

At five after six, I stepped out of the building’s double doors and drew a breath. Overall, the day had gone well, I surmised. I’d had little contact with Nathan, which I was thankful for; I was still very much in love with him, and his behavior toward me was killing me.As I walked through the parking lot, I listened to the activity going on in the nearby surroundings. To the blare of car horns, the loud exhaust pipes, and the thumping speakers of the cars as they sped past, their occupants in a hurry to get home or to wherever they were going after their workday. Reaching my pickup, as I was in a hurry to get home too, I pulled the driver’s door open. A hand and arm reached around me and shoved it back shut, before being jerked around I stared at the furious features of Nathan. “What the hell is this shit of you putting in your resignation?” he roared, glaring at me. I could only stand behind what I’d had to do, however, my insides felt shattered. “It doesn’t matter Nathan, it’s

Last Updated : 2025-04-15

15

Echoes of Desire; Dance of Deception/Alisa Selby

The next morning, I stood, gazing out the small window residing above the sink. I'd done the same thing at least a thousand times, but the view never got old.As I watched, the sun crept above the tree line, showing the first blush of its morning face as darkness gave way to the light of a new day.Carrying the coffee mug I held in my hand to my lips, I blew on the liquid within its depths, before taking a sip as the curls of steam rose above the cup, brushing my lips, cheeks, and nose with their dewy breath.No sooner had the bitter brew hit my tongue, though, than its scalding temperature rushed across it, blazing a trail of fire in its wake. Swallowing Hell's liquid inferno, I gave a hiss and grimaced at the sting. Letting out a curse, I began sucking in air and flicking my tongue against my teeth, trying to cool the burn. Damn! I'd never claimed I was smarter than the average bear, but shit, I sure as hell thought I was smarter than this!Nonetheless, by my actions, I'd proven dif

Last Updated : 2025-04-15

1 2

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP