“And who areyou?” Ahri bristled, not caring that she was being rude. She was tired, emotionally frayed, and finished with people acting like she was the one who’d done something wrong.
Rafe reached over and touched her clenched fist. “He’s Bill Ryze, head of my security.” He shot a warning glance at Bill with a tip of his head toward the driver.
Mr. Ryze nodded and turned back to face the front, but his watchfulness seemed to increase.
Ahri relaxed her hands. Why hadn’t Rafe introduced them earlier? Probably because this Ryze was keeping an eye on things outside. She wished she’d known about him earlier. She might have thought to mention the stalker, but he’d already gone by the time Rafe had arrived anyway. It wouldn’t have mattered, right? Ahri was suddenly grateful for the darkened windows.
She glanced at Rafe. He fingered the cover of the album, looking pensive. Because he believed her? The little knot that had been growing in the pit of her stomach since the night Zed had left loosened a little. Rafe hadn’t blown off what she’d said. He’d brought his top security guy, who seemed to be taking her information seriously, though maybe security people were just like that. Either way, she didn’t feel as minimalized as she had even an hour ago.
Her mind drifted over how her life had changed so drastically in the last two days. Instead of going to her graphic design class tonight, she’d be fleeing the state. At least Taliyah already knew about it, so Ahri wouldn’t have to cancel tomorrow’s lunch date.
She leaned her head against the window, looking forward to getting on board the plane and not having to worry about being followed. It felt a little like she was one of those colorful little balls in that corn popper push-toy that Taliyah’s toddler played with. Ahri’s whole life had been turned upside down, and her mind just couldn’t think beyond getting away from here.
She closed her eyes, fatigue weighing on her. Only when the SUV stopped did she open them.
“Wait. TheBiltmore?” They were going to stay the night here? Ahri just wanted to get out of the state right away and leave the whole nightmare situation behind. She wanted her brother. “I thought we were going to the airport.”
“It’s been a long day for you,” Rafe said as a doorman opened his door. “I have business in town I can take care of tonight.”
She pressed her hands to her abdomen; she wouldn’t get to see Kayn until tomorrow. Only then did she realize how much she’d been looking forward to it. She’d been counting on him to help her make sense of it all.
“Thanks for letting me know,” Ahri snapped, surprised at the sudden burn in her eyes. She closed them, pinching the bridge of her nose; shewouldn’tcry.
Rafe sat in silence for a second. “I’m sorry. I assumed you’d know we’d stay the night since it’s such a long flight, and I’ve already made the trip once today. My mistake. Will you be all right?”
His words made Ahri feel like a selfish brat. Hehaddropped everything to come across the country to get her. She took a deep breath. No, she wouldn’t overreact. She knew Rafe was being kind and not looking to hurt her feelings.
“I’m sorry. That didn’t come out well.” She forced her voice to sound light, “This is a beautiful place. I’ve always wanted to stay here.”
“There’s one in North Carolina too,” he said, “but I’ve never been to that one.”
The driver had the back of the SUV open, and a hotel staff member was pulling out their luggage. They were either very fast and efficient, or Rafe’s assistant was and had called in advance.
Ahri followed Rafe inside with Bill bringing up the rear, feeling like a poor second cousin in her grubby jeans and T-shirt, while Rafe and his security guy wore button-down shirts and slacks.
When Bill paused at the door, she glanced over her shoulder at him. He was scanning the wide parking lot. She appreciated the concern, but it did nothing to settle her nerves. The Biltmore had a long street approaching it. How would Bill know if something looked suspicious?
The cool, air-conditioned air hit Ahri, and she shivered. While Rafe checked them in, she scanned the lobby, her gaze settling ona colorful backlit panel of stained glass. She went up to it and read the plaque.
“Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,” Bill said.
“Yeah.” The whole place wore a feel of opulence without being vulgar. She hated to admit it, but it impressed her.
They strolled to where Rafe was finishing up. She glanced at the luggage near an elderly couple who were also checking in. Ahri tried to remember what she’d stuffed in her bags. It wasn’t like she’d been planning to stay in a hotel tonight.
Rafe turned and handed them each their access keys. “We’re in a suite.” He headed toward the elevator.
“Have you stayed here before?” she asked, following him inside.
“Once, though it was winter so the weather wasn’t too hot.”
“You get used to it. Kayn said the hardest thing about attending Harvard was Massachusetts’ humidity after having lived here so many years.”
“He complained about it all the time,” Rafe said with a chuckle, checking out the room numbers as they went down the hall. “Now he likes to complain about the same thing in Boone. That and the snow in the winter.”
“I thought he was just kidding. You really have snow in North Carolina?” Ahri asked.
“Our elevation is over 3,000 feet. I think we probably average maybe three feet each winter.”
