Chapter 121

Madison

“So,” I said, setting down my fork, “without any police involvement, you managed to track down the bartender who drugged you? That’s impressive.”

Alexander’s expression darkened slightly. “Leo has certain skills that make finding people relatively simple. Especially people who don’t know they need to hide.” He took another sip of his wine. “But we aren’t sure if this woman is actually behind everything or if it’s all an elaborate script to divert attention.”

I frowned. “You think the bartender is lying?”

“I think someone clever enough to orchestrate this would also know how to create a convincing fall guy.” His eyes locked onto mine, intense and calculating. “The bartender’s story was almost too perfect: a mysterious woman, a single initial, cash payment, and no traceable connection.”

“So you’re back at square one,” I said.

“Not entirely. We know someone targeted me specifically. We know they had resources and planning. What we don’