Kraving Khiva by Zoey Draven

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next day Eve was in the study, going through every file and transaction and correspondence in her father’s outdated Nu device, searching for a name or any connection to the United Worlds, when her own Nu device alerted her that someone was at the front door. The mechanical chime of the doorbell followed.

Thinking it was Genni and bracing herself for another uncomfortable conversation, she went out of the study and opened the door.

Only it wasn’t Genni. It was perhaps the last person, next to Madame Allegria, that she’d expect at her front door.

“Valerie?” Eve asked, dumbfounded.

“Good afternoon, Miss Tesler,” Valerie said, inclining her head in a brief nod. She didn’t smile, however, and the blonde looked over her shoulder before asking, “Do you mind if I come in for a moment?”

“Of course, come in,” Eve said, the words snapping her out of her shock and she stepped aside to let the woman pass. When Eve closed the door, she realized with some embarrassment that she was in nothing more than her dressing gown, despite it being late Saturday afternoon. “Can I get you tea? Or water?”

“No, I will make this quick, Miss Tesler,” Valerie said, stopping in the middle of the foyer and turning to Eve.

“Eve, please,” she replied slowly, confusion replacing her shock, thinking about why Valerie would be there unless… “Is…is Khiva alright?”

Valerie looked around the foyer, at the Old Earth standing clock next to the stairs before her gaze returned to Eve. “He’s the reason why I’m here.”

Unease and concern made Eve step forward. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

Valerie shook her head, but it was the hesitation that made Eve’s heart lurch. “No, he is well.”

“Then what is it?” Eve asked, a little impatiently.

Valerie’s gaze strayed past her to the door and even though they were alone, she said quietly, “He…requested that I ask you to meet him. Tomorrow night at 10, in the Lake District.”

“The Lake District,” Eve said softly, surprise coloring her tone. Dumbly, she repeated, “He wants me to meet him?”

Valerie nodded, but it was obvious that she was uncomfortable with relaying the information.

“But I thought…he never said that he could…”

Eve trailed off, looking down at the foyer floor. What she really meant to say was that he’d never told her he could leave Madame Allegria’s.

Valerie seemed to understand her question. It struck Eve that she was carefully wording her sentence when she said, “On occasion, they leave, but they must be discreet for obvious reasons.”

Eve’s chest constricted and a sudden flame of anger made her ask, “Does Madame Allegria know that they do?”

Valerie’s lips pressed together and again, she carefully said, “Yes, though she tries to discourage it.”

Eve wondered if Valerie knew everything that Khiva had told her. “You realize she’s a criminal, don’t you?” Eve asked. “You work for a woman who is essentially a sex trafficker!”

Valerie’s head snapped up. “And yet, you are a woman who continues to book visits, regardless of this fact.”

The words stung because Eve knew they were true. They hit every vulnerable part of her because they showed how hypocritical she was. But even though she knew Madame Allegria’s business dealings, not for a moment did she consider not continuing to see Khiva, if for no other reason than to convince to accept her help.

Valerie blew out a breath and closed her eyes. “Miss Tesler,” Valerie said, softening her tone, before regarding her once more. “Eve, trust me…I know better than most what she is.”

“You know that she pays them virtually nothing, keeping them trapped in her employ,” Eve said quietly, shaking her head. “You lied about the contract. You’re apart of this.”

“You’re right, I am,” Valerie said and Eve exhaled a short breath. “But not in the way you think.”

“Why don’t you report her to the Earth Council, to the United Worlds?” Eve demanded. “You have access to proof of what she is doing. You can end this.”

“It’s not that simple, Eve,” Valerie said quietly, with another glance at the door. “If you knew the kind of power she has over those types of organizations, you would see that too.”

Eve froze when she realized something. “You’re afraid of her.”

Valerie’s gaze slid away but then she said, “I used to think like you, when I first came to Everton, when I first realized what she was doing, how she was exploiting them. Despite what you might think of me, I did report her. Once.”

Eve’s breath hitched. “You did?”

“Yes, to an Earth Council member I met in private. He was very concerned about what I told him, until I handed over a client list and he realized his wife was among the names. She’d used her mother’s name to keep it a secret. In the end, Madame Allegria blackmailed him to keep quiet and take no action against her, or else his family name would be tarnished and his career would be over. She has similar pull throughout all the colonies,” Valerie murmured. “And when she found out it was me who contacted the Council member…well she made sure I would remember not to cross her again.”

“What did she do?” Eve asked quietly, almost afraid to ask. Valerie shook her head and Eve knew that she didn’t want to say. “She didn’t let you go? After that? Why would she keep you employed under her?”

“I know too much,” Valerie admitted, her shoulders sagging slightly. “Not to mention, she is my aunt.”

Shock made Eve’s eyes widen. “She is?”

“My mother’s sister. They were nothing alike,” Valerie murmured. “My mother was her antithesis. Kind, generous, loving.”

Eve’s chest ached at the longing she heard in the woman’s voice. “She’s gone?”

Valerie nodded. “Yes. We lived on Genesis. We were poor, but happy. I came here after her passing because I had no other options. No inheritance, no family, other than her.”

Eve reached out to touch her shoulder, shame for her previous words and accusations making her need to apologize. “I’m sorry, Valerie. I didn’t realize.”

“She is a monster. If only you knew how much,” Valerie murmured, meeting her eyes. The blonde let out a heavy, short sigh. “I didn’t want to come, but I promised Khiva I would. There will be consequences for all of us if she finds out.”

“I can help them,” Eve said slowly. “I can help you.”

Valerie gave her a smile, but it was sad and weak. “I doubt that, Eve, despite your good intentions. You can help Khiva, though. You have been helping him. You’ve given him something I doubt he’s felt in a long time. Moments of happiness.”

“I want to give him more than just moments,” she whispered, feeling the back of her throat burn.

“Meet him then. Tomorrow night. Madame Allegria will be off colony. He wants to see you, away from that place, from that room.” Valerie squeezed her hand. “What should I tell him?”

Eve looked up at her. She didn’t even hesitate when she said, “Tell him I’ll be there. Of course, I’ll be there.”