It’s her eyes, I decide. There’s something in her eyes that scares me. Something that’s not right. A strange glint that sets off every warning bell in my body. I palm my bump firmly.
All those reasons Baron had listed to promote sympathy just sounded like gigantic red flags fluttering in a gale storm now that I had a look at her.
I pause in front of a door and rap gently, and it takes only a moment for the assistant manager to appear from beyond. He smiles at me before his gaze slides to Ulla standing a few feet away. “This is my new floater?”
“Aye. I’m interested in your training procedures, so I’ll be coming with you.” I reveal, and he nods before grabbing his uniform vest and slipping it on. Stepping out of his office, the manager pulls his lanyard out from under his vest and sighs sharply.
“Let’s get to it, then.”
I’ve never understood the phrase ‘black out’ until this moment. Following Ulla and the assistant manager around starts in the offices, and when I blink, I’m in the lobby watching 15 construction workers pile through the doors. My stomach churns as I look around wildly, but Ulla and the assistant manager are by the receptionist’s desk speaking with the front desk manager. Relief slumps my shoulders, and I rub my head worriedly.
“Delaney?” Baron walks up to me, and I cup my forehead with my palm and close my eyes. “Are you alright, love?”
“No- no, I’m not alright,” I snap lowly, but I don’t want to make a scene here in the lobby. I glare at him hotly, and Baron frowns at me with concern knitting his brows. “We’ll talk about it upstairs.”
“Okay. How was the tour?” He changes the subject, but I can’t answer. I don’t remember anything. My stomach gurgles loudly, and Baron glances down knowingly. “I take it you haven’t had dinner yet?”
“Not yet,” Glancing back at Ulla, I catch her staring at me, and her eyes widen before she looks away. Baron takes my hand, drawing my attention, but I’m afraid to turn my back on her. Like she’ll come up behind me and slit my throat. I gulp harshly. “Let’s go upstairs and get catering. I can’t do this right now.”
Baron holds up a hand before walking to the receptionist’s desk to handle the construction crews’ lodging, and I make my way to one of the elevators. The resort’s main hotel has three floors; it’s by no means massive, but it has three wings and two basements. I punch the button with my thumb, grimacing when it lights up cheerily. “Shite.”
Coming up beside me, Baron wraps his arm around my waist just as the elevator doors pop open. We step out of the way for an older couple to step off, and I only take a breath when the doors close behind us. Leaning against the wall, I rub my aching chest as anxiety seeps from my pores to make the air thick.
“You said to trust you, Baron. . . and I will,” I catch Baron’s gaze firmly, my voice guttural with graveness. “But there’s something about Ulla that doesn’t sit right with me, and you cannae convince me different. I’m telling you- she creeps me out, and I don’t want her anywhere near me. I’m serious. I met her, and she makes my skin crawl.”
Baron’s eyes glimmer brightly with alarm; I can’t recall a time when I spoke to him in such a way. Thankfully, he simply nods mutely and doesn’t try to persuade me.
“I’ll handle any situations involving her if they arise, love,” Baron promises. I snort roughly, rubbing my arms, trying to get the prickly sensation to die down. The elevator stops on the third floor, and I step out first to heave a hot sigh. “What’re you thinking for dinner?”
“I don’t care. I’m not hungry. Just order some pasta or something, aye?” I grumble, not looking back as I head towards the north hallway. Baron hesitates, and I pause to close my eyes and take a deep, calming breath. Whirling around, I gesture him over with a wave of my hand. “I’m not mad at you, but keep a close eye on Ulla.”
“Mmm,” Baron grunts in agreement before we head into our suite. Taking off my employee vest, I hang it over a chair and drop down into it. “You want a sparkling water?”
“I don’t remember anything,” I confess now that we’re in the safety of our own space, and Baron turns to stone mid-step. He whirls around, worry etching deep into his face. “You know how you get black out drunk? I don’t remember anything about today. I’m telling you, Baron. . . keep her away from me. It’s like my brain can’t process anything when she’s around. I don’t know if it’s because of Hans. . . or what. . . but I’m serious right now.”
“I think you should call your therapist and Doctor Morris, Delaney,” It seems like a long time before Baron speaks up, his voice hoarse and strained. “I’ll get your laptop.”
CHAPTER29
BARON
Iwatch in horror as Delaney wakes up and goes to the bathroom. The past few days have been a nightmare as I watch my wife dwindle right before my eyes. Something is seriously wrong and I don't know what to do about it. I'm hesitant to force her to do anything because I never want her to feel like I'm taking her choices away but right now it seems like she's walking on a ship or something. Dizzy and off kilter. She keeps trying to convince me that she's fine but I can't ignore this anymore. I shouldn't have let it go on this long.
"Delaney, enough is enough. I can't take this. We need to go the doctor."
"What, no! I'm fine." She says but as she does she puts a hand up to her head and lets the other jut out to balance herself. I rush over to make sure she doesn't fall.
"No you're not! Something is wrong and we need to find out what." I keep my voice stern. I'm not going to let her talk me out of doing what I know she needs done.
"What about resort. More people from the London constructions crew are going to be coming in today. We need to be here for that." She looks up into my eyes trying to persuade me to see it her way.
I shake my head in disbelief, does she truly think I give a fuck about a construction crew right now? "No we don't. We don't need to be here for anything. Hell the whole resort can close down for a few days for all I care right now. I want you to get the attention that you need. It's not going to happen with your running around behind everyone. We're going Delaney, that's the end of it." I stare down into her eyes and she finally gives up .
"What about...." She starts again.
I sit on the bed and slip my shoes on, "We can leave Ulla here to just take note of any problems and we'll tackle them together when we get back."
"You want to leave her here by herself? No way." Delaney's eyebrows furrow in consternation.
