Chapter 71

Sienna glanced worriedly at Riley, who was deep in conversation with Zoey, her fingers idly plucking at her electric guitar strings. The bar felt eerily empty, especially with Riley having rented it out entirely, but without giving anyone an explanation. Sienna furrowed her brows, sighing as she observed Riley, clearly preoccupied.

"What's with the sudden gathering?" Mia nudged her, eyes also fixed on Riley's strange behavior.

Sienna shook her head, feeling just as puzzled. "No idea at all," she replied, watching as Nyx and Harriet entered the bar, their expressions curious as they too glanced toward Riley and Zoey.

"Why the impromptu reunion?" Nyx asked, sliding into a seat and casting an inquisitive look in Riley's direction. The absence of Anne and Tonnie, who were back in England for business, only heightened the oddness of the gathering.

Sienna shrugged again, her anxiety quietly mounting. "Honestly, I don't know. She didn't say much to me about it either." Her eyes flicked over to Riley, who was now tuning her guitar, as if the music was a distraction from whatever she was holding back.

Nyx exchanged a look with Harriet before leaning forward slightly. "Do you think this is about the case again?"

Harriet nodded slowly, her gaze settling on Riley's focused form. "She's been digging around a lot lately... It's possible."

Sienna bit her lip, the uneasy feeling in her chest growing. Whatever Riley had planned, she knew it wasn't going to be simple. "Maybe," Sienna whispered. "But she hasn't told me anything specific. I don't like this... I don't like that she's keeping me in the dark."

Mia rested a reassuring hand on Sienna's shoulder. "I'm sure she'll tell you in time."

Sienna sighed heavily, eyes never leaving Riley, who was now laughing at something Zoey said. "I hope so... I just don't want her to get hurt again."

Sienna's anxiety spiked as she watched Zoey stand up and toss something into a drum set up just a few meters away. The clank echoed through the otherwise quiet bar, making Sienna's heart race. Her eyes then flickered to the two duffel bags resting by Riley's table, their presence adding to the sense of mystery and foreboding.

"What are you thinking now, Riley?" Sienna whispered to herself, feeling a sinking sensation in her gut.

Zoey sat back down across from Riley, and the two resumed their conversation, exchanging quiet words that Sienna couldn't make out. Every instinct told her to demand answers from Riley, to press her until she revealed her plans, but she also knew this wasn't the time. Not yet. Sienna clenched her fists under the table, forcing herself to remain patient even though the tension was gnawing at her.

Riley glanced down at her wristwatch, frustration evident in her features as she ran her fingers through her hair. The gesture was a tell—a sign that something wasn't going according to plan, but what? Sienna's thoughts raced, piecing together the fragments she knew. The bar, the bags, the drum... whatever Riley was doing, it was more than just a casual reunion.

Sienna's blood boiled the moment Isabella Ross stepped into the bar. She hadn't expected to see her here, not now. Her immediate reaction was to stand, fists clenched as if preparing for a confrontation, while everyone else in the room seemed to react with equal shock. The air thickened with tension.

What the hell is she doing here? Sienna cursed inwardly, barely able to keep her composure.

Riley and Zoey both paused, their conversation abruptly interrupted by Izzy's entrance. Riley placed her guitar down on the table, her expression unreadable, while Zoey stood up slowly, casting a glance toward Sienna and Nyx. It was a silent signal—a plea to stay calm, to let whatever was happening unfold without interruption.

"Wow, what kind of reunion is this?" Izzy's voice slithered through the room, instantly setting Sienna on edge. The smug, self-assured tone grated on her nerves, but it was the way Izzy's eyes zeroed in on Riley, with that sickeningly doting look, that truly made her stomach churn. "I thought we were going to have some fun?" Izzy added, her words dripping with innuendo.

Sienna's jaw tightened. The nerve of this woman. After everything that had happened between Riley and Izzy, the last thing anyone needed was her showing up here—especially when Riley was still recovering, both physically and emotionally.

Nyx was the first to break the suffocating silence. "What's she doing here, Riley?" she asked, voice low and sharp, cutting through the growing tension.

Riley, however, didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked toward Sienna, a flicker of something unspoken in her eyes—guilt, maybe, or hesitation. Sienna's chest tightened. Whatever was going on, Riley was in deeper than she'd admitted, and the fact that she hadn't warned anyone about Izzy's arrival only made Sienna feel more on edge.

"Riley..." Sienna started, her voice barely masking her frustration, "What is she doing here?"

Riley shifted uncomfortably, standing up but not moving toward Izzy. "It's... complicated," she finally muttered, rubbing her temple as if searching for the right words. "She's... part of the plan."

Sienna's eyes widened. "Part of what plan?"

Riley sighed as she noticed the darkening expression on Sienna's face when Izzy made her unexpected entrance. She couldn't blame her; no one had been told about this plan. It was all part of Riley's scheme to trick Izzy, though she knew she'd be facing some serious backlash from everyone afterward.

Zoey walked over to Izzy, guiding her to a seat three tables away from Riley. She handed her a folder filled with confidential documents before heading to the door, locking it as if to ensure Izzy couldn't leave.

Izzy scoffed as she flipped through the papers. "Did you even put any thought into this, Riley?"

Riley stepped forward, leaning casually on the table, hands buried in her pockets. "I told you, didn't I? I wanted to play a game with you again," she said, doing her best to remain calm, though anxiety was bubbling beneath the surface.

"So, I just sign this, and then we play?" Izzy raised a brow, her gaze locked on Riley. Riley chuckled softly, rubbing her temple.

"Do you think this game will be that simple? Izzy Ross, I've outlined terms and conditions. You might want to read them before signing," Riley said, pulling out her copy of the agreement. She began reading aloud. "This document is the official agreement between Riley Pierce and Isabella Ross, agreeing to engage in sexual interaction under the following conditions: Number one, Isabella Ross must answer all questions asked by Riley Pierce truthfully. Number two, for every answer Riley deems satisfactory, one item of clothing will be removed until Riley is fully undressed..."

Riley continued reading as Sienna's voice suddenly cut through the air.

"What the hell, Riley!" Sienna shouted, stepping forward as if to confront her, but Riley raised a hand, signaling her to stop.

Izzy laughed mockingly. "I guess Riley's not so invested in your relationship anymore, Sienna Reed."

"You're jumping to conclusions, Izzy," Riley said, putting the papers back into the folder and crossing her arms. "Shall we begin?"

"Fine," Izzy finally said, her smirk fading slightly as she settled back in her chair, scanning the room. "Ask away. I've got nothing to hide."

Riley leaned forward, her hands bracing the table as she stared directly into Izzy's eyes. "What did you do to my research two years ago?"

Izzy's smirk returned, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—hesitation, perhaps. "Your research? Oh, that... You're still stuck on that, huh?"

"Answer the question," Riley's voice was firm, unyielding.

Sienna's breath caught as the room fell into silence, the weight of Riley's question hanging heavy in the air. Everyone waited, the tension building like a coiled spring ready to snap.

Izzy tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Alright, fine. I'll tell you."