Niko caught up as we went in. “I’m pleased to know you’re alive.”
“Me too.”
When I saw the stairs, I headed to the elevators instead. I’d already seen some gory stuff today and didn’t have time to be shocked by a faceless man in the elevator. My legs were too shaky for six flights of steps.
“Are you going to see Viktor?” Niko asked after I pushed a button.
“I’ll drop you off on four. I’m going up to my room for a little while. Tell them I need to be alone. I’m fine. I just… I can’t handle a crowd right now.”
“As you wish.”
When the doors opened, Niko stepped out.
Blue greeted him and took his arm. “Hey, amigo. You made it.” She gave me a nod before the doors closed.
When the elevator chimed again, I got off and sat by our door to wait for Christian. I probably had enough power left to bust the knob, but then we’d have to worry about repairs. It seemed like only seconds had passed when they arrived, but it must have been longer.
Harley’s barking snapped me out of my daze as they emerged from the elevators. He bounded down the hallway and started barking at me. I reached out to pet him, but my hand went right through. Could he sense me?
“Quiet now.” Crush snapped his fingers.
Harley obeyed, but a low growl thrummed in his chest.
“Welcome to the fantasy suite.” Christian unlocked the door and hurled Crush’s bag inside.
Crush pointed a finger at him. “Watch the attitude, peckerhead. I don’t give two shits if you’re seeing my daughter—show some respect.”
“I thought the respect part came with saving your arse.”
Crush stalked by him. “You still haven’t explained that part.”
The dog trotted in behind his master.
Christian helped me up. “How are you feeling, Precious?”
“I drank blood.”
He locked eyes with me. “Is he dead?”
I nodded.
“Good girl.”
Once inside, Christian shut the door.
My father stood before the window, looking out. “Hell of a view. Nothing but booze and hookers.”
I sat at the foot of the bed by the bathroom. The hotel linens from the other bed were still heaped in a pile on top.
“You wanna tell me what we’re doing here?” Crush took off his brown sherpa-lined coat and tossed it in the corner chair by the other bed. “And why you looked like you were carrying something when your arms were empty? I’m old, but I’m not senile.”
“Daddy?”
He didn’t turn. He couldn’t hear me anymore.
Christian scratched his head. “Raven’s a ghost.”
A thunderstruck silence fell over the room. So much for beating around the bush.
