Chapter 257
Checking in
Your rooms are ready,” Thomas announced as they entered the hotels gleaming lobby.
Irene stretched her neck, taking in the fancy surroundings while Thomas collected key cards. Her stomach knotted as she realized she’d never actually asked where she’d be staying.
“This is yours,” Thomas handed a card to Natalie as they entered the elevator. “And Dr. Sterling will be in Mr. Haven’s suite.”
Natalie’s head snapped up like she’d touched a live wire. What? She looked at her card–presidential suite–then back up. “And where exactly will Irene sleep?”
“With Mr. Haven,” Thomas repeated, voice flat as day–old soda. “Next door to you.”
The elevator doors opened to a hallway screaming money and taste. Natalie trailed behind, face darkening with each step.
“Isn’t that crossing a line?” she asked, voice tight as a drum.
Adam, quiet until now, turned slightly. His finger tapped once against his armrest–the only crack in his cool.
“The suite has multiple bedrooms,” he stated, cold as a frozen lake. This is my decision. If you don’t like it, there are plenty of other hotels in town.”
Natalie’s face flushed in blotches, like someone flipping her complexion on and off. She stormed to her door, swiped her card like she was stabbing it, and slammed it behind her. The bang echoed down the hall.
Irene stood frozen, embarrassed by the whole scene. When she finally looked at Adam, she found him watching her calmly. His words echoed in her head: I only need you. Her heart skipped, and she had to breathe deep to steady herself.
Behind closed doors
Inside the massive suite, Irene gulped down water, then automatically poured a glass for Adam. She handed it to him without thinking, now as natural as breathing.
“Aren’t you worried she’ll run to your mom?” she asked, dropping onto the sofa.
Adam took the glass, fingers brushing against the warm surface. “That’s why she’s here–to finally get that there’s no point.”
He sipped his water, eyes never leaving her face. Irene looked away, watching steam rise from her glass in tiny curls.
Her thoughts drifted to Natalie–polished, perfect Natalie with her spotless background. She caught herself stealing a glance at Adam’s profile, and something tightened in her chest.
“I should unpack,” she said suddenly, needing room to breathe.
In the bedroom, Irene emptied her suitcase piece by piece, Adam’s words kept playing on repeat: I only need you. Four simple words that shouldn’t have dug so deep under her skin. She shook her head, trying to shake them loose, but her lips curved up anyway.
She pulled out a jacket and froze mid–motion. It was Adam’s–the one he’d put around her shoulders after the Hayes dinner. She’d meant to return it, but somehow it had snuck into her luggage.
How did this…” she whispered, running her fingers over it.
1/2
Chapter 257
Without thinking, she brought it closer, catching a hint of his cologne. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly folded it and set it aside, her face burning. The nitror confirmed the color in her cheek
What are you doing?‘ she murtured to herself, the question covering everything–the jacket, the feelings, those four words echoing
In her head.
Across town
Samantha’s phone buzzed. She read the message, lips curving into a mile that never reached her eyes.
They’ve arrived. Adam, Irene, and Natalie at Royal Grand. Same floor, different rooms.
She set down her phone, nails tapping a slow beat. Perfect timing–all three targets in a foreign country, away from home turf.
She dialed a number, voice cool when answered: “They’re in position. Get our people ready. We move when it’s right.”
She hung up, touching a photo on her desk–Adam at some business event, face serious as always.
“Soon,” she whispered, we’ll solve all our problems at once.
Chapter Comments
LIKE
POST COMMENT NOW
<SHARE
