The Last Six

Episode 7

The Next Day

The gang regrouped the following day, gathering in their new safehouse. The haul from the villa was impressive—paintings, jewelry, artifacts that could fetch millions on the black market. But no one seemed particularly interested in the loot. The tension from the night before still lingered like an unwelcome guest.

As Kieran sifted through the valuables, his phone buzzed on the table beside him. He picked it up, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw an unknown number. A chill ran through him as he hesitated, but something told him he needed to answer.

He stepped outside into the alleyway and pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello?”

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a familiar voice. “I didn’t think you’d pick up.”

Kieran’s grip tightened on the phone. It was her—the villa owner’s daughter. Her voice was soft but laced with a subtle edge, like she was playing a game he hadn’t agreed to.

“How did you get this number?” Kieran asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“I have my ways,” she replied, her tone light, as if this was all just a casual conversation. “We never introduced ourselves, did we? My name’s Sienna.”

Kieran exhaled slowly, his mind racing. “What do you want, Sienna?”

“To talk,” she said simply. “You see, I could have called the police last night. I could call them now, actually. But I’m not interested in that.”

“Then what are you interested in?”

There was a pause, and when she spoke again, her voice was quieter, more serious. “I want to meet. You and your… friends. Tonight.”

Kieran’s pulse quickened. “Why?”

“You’ll find out,” she said. “But I’ll make it worth your while. Think of it as an opportunity. You’re in over your heads, and we both know it. You’re playing in a world where one wrong move can get you killed.”

Kieran’s jaw clenched. She wasn’t wrong. They had taken a risk, but this—this was different. “Where?”

“There’s a café on the edge of the city,” Sienna replied. “The one near the park. Midnight. Come alone.”

Before Kieran could respond, the line went dead. He stared at the phone for a long moment, his mind swirling with questions. Why had she called? What was she playing at?

As he headed back inside, Calista caught the look on his face. “What happened?”

Kieran hesitated, then sighed. “We’ve got a new problem. The girl from the villa. She wants to meet.”

Calista’s eyes widened. “Why? What does she want?”

“She didn’t say.” Kieran ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “But I’m going. Alone.”

“No way,” Calista said, crossing her arms. “We go together. She’s playing games, Kieran. You don’t know what she’s planning.”

Kieran shook his head. “I’ll be fine. If this is a trap, I’ll handle it. But I need to find out what she wants.”

Calista’s eyes softened, concern flickering across her face. “Just be careful.

Midnight

The café was quiet, its dim lights casting long shadows across the empty tables. Kieran arrived early, parking a few blocks away and walking the rest of the distance to avoid drawing attention. He entered the café, scanning the room for Sienna, but she hadn’t arrived yet. The place was empty, save for a lone waitress wiping down the counter.

He took a seat in the back, facing the door, his senses on high alert. Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last. Then, just as he was beginning to wonder if she would show, the door creaked open.

Sienna stepped inside, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders. She looked different from the girl he’d seen at the villa—less formal, more at ease. But her eyes, sharp and calculating, remained the same.

She walked over to Kieran’s table and sat down without a word. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension thick between them.

Finally, Sienna broke the silence. “You’re not like the others.”

Kieran raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen people like you before,” she said, her voice calm. “Thieves, con artists, criminals. They all come and go, but you… you’re different.”

Kieran leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “And what makes you think that?”

Sienna smiled faintly. “Because you hesitated. You had a choice last night, and you chose to leave us alone. Most wouldn’t have.”

Kieran didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure if she was testing him or if this was all just part of her game. But either way, she wasn’t here just to talk.

“I want to make a deal,” Sienna continued, leaning forward slightly. “You’re in over your head, and if my father finds out about you, he won’t just let it slide. But I can help you.”

Kieran’s eyes narrowed. “Help me how?”

Sienna’s smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “You work for me now.”

Kieran stared at her, his mind spinning. He hadn’t expected this—a twist that could change everything.

“And if I refuse?” he asked.

Sienna’s expression didn’t change. “Then I make one phone call, and you and your friends are done. It’s your choice.”

Kieran’s heart pounded in his chest. This was the last thing he had anticipated. The game had changed, and now it was Sienna’s move.

The Calm Before the Storm

The clock struck six as Sienna returned to the villa, the golden hues of the fading sunset casting long shadows across the sprawling property. Exhausted from her travels but excited for the evening ahead, she entered the quiet villa, the echo of her footsteps trailing behind her. The house was eerily empty without her family, just the way she liked it. For the first time in months, she had the freedom to host her closest friends and celebrate her birthday the way she wanted—away from the stifling watch of her father.

As she ascended the grand staircase to her room, she felt the familiar sense of luxury that clung to the walls of the villa, but tonight, something seemed different. There was an unshakable weight in the air, a subtle disquiet, but she brushed it aside. This was her night. Whatever unease lingered in her chest would disappear once her friends arrived.

After a long, warm bath, Sienna stood before the mirror, watching the steam rise and dissipate in the cool air. She combed her dark, damp hair, its silky strands falling over her shoulders in soft waves. Her fingers grazed the vanity as she carefully applied a touch of makeup—just enough to accentuate her features, but nothing too heavy. Her reflection stared back, poised and elegant, yet there was a spark of rebellion in her eyes. She reached for the short dress she had chosen for the night—a deep crimson that hugged her figure, its neckline dipping slightly and hemline resting just above her thighs. It was daring but tasteful, a perfect balance of sophistication and allure.

Once dressed, Sienna descended to the main hall, her heels clicking against the polished marble floors. Her friends would arrive any moment now, and the villa—usually so cold and lifeless—would soon be filled with laughter and celebration. She had hired a private chef to prepare their favorite dishes, and the best champagne her father’s cellar had to offer was already chilling in silver buckets.

The first to arrive was Evelyn, her blonde hair bouncing as she stepped through the grand entryway with a bright smile. Behind her came Rose, Claire, Lila, and Aria, each one as glamorous as the next. They were a group of women who could turn heads anywhere they went, and tonight, they were here to celebrate Sienna’s special day.

The villa’s grand dining hall, adorned with towering floral arrangements and flickering candlelight, became the center of their celebration. Laughter filled the room as the six friends toasted to another year of friendship, their glasses clinking with the sound of crystal. They indulged in gourmet meals and shared stories, catching up on everything they had missed while Sienna had been away.

“You’ve really outdone yourself, Sienna,” Rose said, taking a sip of champagne as she admired the lavish surroundings. “This place feels like something out of a dream.”

Sienna smiled, though a part of her felt disconnected from the luxury surrounding them. To her friends, this was a dream come true—an exclusive night in a magnificent villa. But for Sienna, it was merely a gilded cage. Still, tonight wasn’t about that. Tonight was about freedom, even if just for a few fleeting hours.

As the night deepened, the atmosphere grew more carefree. The music was turned up, and soon they were dancing in the spacious living room, their laughter echoing through the empty halls. Sienna, usually composed and reserved, let herself go, twirling in her crimson dress, the fabric swirling around her legs. For once, she wasn’t the daughter of a powerful man—she was just a girl enjoying her birthday with her closest friends.

It was in these moments, surrounded by the glow of dimmed lights and the sound of her friends’ laughter, that the unease returned, creeping at the edges of her consciousness like a shadow lurking just out of sight. She shook it off, unwilling to let anything ruin the evening.

They eventually gathered in the lounge, sinking into the plush sofas, their feet tired from dancing. Lila lit candles on a small cake they had brought out, and the group sang “Happy Birthday” as Sienna closed her eyes and made a wish, the flames flickering in the dim light.

“What did you wish for?” Evelyn asked, her voice playful as she nudged Sienna.

“If I tell, it won’t come true,” Sienna replied with a smirk, cutting the cake and handing out slices to each of them. As the night wore on, the conversation turned more intimate, and they found themselves discussing life, love, and everything in between.

Outside, the night had grown darker, the moon casting a pale light over the villa’s gardens. Unbeknownst to the girls, a storm was brewing—one far more dangerous than any weather they could imagine.

After finishing the cake, Sienna leaned back against the cushions, her eyes heavy with the contentment of the evening. “We should stay up late,” she suggested, looking around at her friends. “I mean, we have the whole villa to ourselves. We can do whatever we want.”

Her friends agreed, their excitement renewed. They decided to change into more comfortable clothes, returning to the living room in pajama sets and robes, armed with bottles of wine and ready for more laughter. The plan was simple: stay up late, enjoy themselves, and make the night last as long as possible.

But as they settled back into the plush couches, an unsettling sound pierced the night. A faint, almost imperceptible click, like a door being opened. The girls froze, their laughter cutting off abruptly.

Sienna’s eyes darted toward the direction of the sound—down the long corridor that led to the east wing of the villa. She stood, her heart quickening. “Did anyone else hear that?”

Rose looked up, her face pale. “Yeah. What was that?”

The unease Sienna had pushed away earlier came crashing back, heavier this time, filling the air with a thick tension. Her father’s security system was supposed to be impenetrable, but that sound wasn’t part of their carefree night.

The others looked at each other, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. The night had been perfect, almost too perfect. And now, as the candles flickered in the dimly lit room, the reality of their isolation began to sink in. No staff. No security.

Just the six of them.