Chapter 254: Make Her Speak
The rusted neon sign buzzed faintly overhead as Levi leaned against the chipped brick wall of a boarded-up convenience store, arms wrapped around himself to fend off the cold. His clothes were wrinkled, his shirt still partially unbuttoned, and a thin trail of dried blood lingered on the cuff of his sleeve from where the cameraman’s blood had splattered. The early morning air was sharp, but the adrenaline still coursing through him dulled the sensation.
A pair of headlights sliced through the darkness and slowed as a sleek black SUV rolled into view. The vehicle pulled up beside him, and the driver’s side window lowered.
"Jesus Christ," Chris muttered, peering out. "You look like hell."
Levi didn’t respond. He simply opened the passenger door and collapsed into the seat with a groan. Chris leaned over, scanning him for injuries.
"Did someone beat the crap out of you, or is this just... high fashion after a breakdown?"
Levi offered a weak, humorless chuckle. "Let’s just say... I had an unexpected photoshoot scheduled."
Chris stared at him for a beat, then pulled away from the curb. "Where the hell were you? This address is nearly two hours outside the city. Did you go on a hiking trip and get mugged by a bear?"
Levi exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I didn’t drive here. Anya did."
Chris glanced at him, confused. "Wait. Anya? As in, Anya?"
Levi nodded. "She showed up posing as my driver. Drugged me. Took me to some dump of a hotel. Tried to get some kind of scandalous photo op going while I was unconscious."
Chris blinked. "She what?"