Hours later, I woke up tangled in silk sheets,alone.
I looked to my right to find the bed empty.
Disappointment grew in my throat.
After Club Sweat, he brought me back here, to The Ritz. He told me to order whatever I wanted from room service. He stayed until the food arrived, taking phone calls and scheduling meetings before he left. My body moved on its own, sitting up out of the bed and leaving the bedroom to search for him.
“Angel.”
I turned away from the window; apparently, I was too lost in thought to notice the view.
My demon was sitting on the couch, an ankle over his knee, still in the same outfit from the club. I sucked in a breath when I noticed his shirt was unbuttoned. The shadows of the room covered his face, but the glow of the city allowed me a hint of his tatted skin. His arms were stretched out, resting on the back of the couch.
“Hi,” I whispered. It came out unsteady because of the nerves—and the guilt. I shouldn’t be attracted to a man who hurt my family. Was I insane?
“You should be sleeping.”
I ran a hand through my hair as I looked at the empty bedroom. “I don’t sleep well in unfamiliar places,” I admitted.
“You sleep at my home.”
I chewed my bottom lip. “I’m comfortable there.” That wasn’t a lie. I had spent the last few months within those walls, and I knew I was protected—safe.
“I know about the letter,” he said, his voice low.
Time froze, and a gasp left me. His eyes were cold, focused, studying me.
I shivered. “Col, please, listen to me. I was the one who convinced Bella to help me. She is innocent—”
He chuckled.
Oh God, he was going to kill her. “Col, if you hurt her—”
“You’ll what? Hm?” he asked, standing. My eyes struggled to stay on his face when I knew that his abdomen was exposed. Isaw tattoos. He was covered in ink. His voice had an edge to it, but it didn’t show anger from him.
He knew about this.
“How long have you known about it?” I asked, trying to keep my voice firm and sure.
He stalked to me, his blue eyes freezing me in place. He gripped my chin. “Considering I was the one who let Bella help you… I've known for a while, angel.”
My mouth fell open as I took a step back from him. I weaved a hand through my hair, needing to make sure I was still in my body on this Earth. He remained silent, watching my every move as his jaw ticked. My brows came together as I tried to swallow, but my throat was suddenly dry. Shock led to confusion, and then came…panic.I shivered as a single drop of sweat made its slow crawling descent down the back of my neck. “Collin, I—”
He held up his hand, turning his face away from me. The letter was a test, and I had failed him. He didn’t trust me. He didn’t—
Tears filled my eyes, and my hand slapped over my mouth, my stomach twisting in painful knots. After everything. The last twenty-four hours. He just wanted a taste of me and I let him have it. He brought me here to Boston—to—to…
“Make it quick,” I whispered as my hand fell, my eyes focusing on the couch behind him. My fingers grazed my lips. I would never forget the feeling of his lips against mine, even in death. They were nothing short of heaven. He moved closer, saying something, but I had already checked out.
I would never see my family again.
I would never see my friends.
I would never see my nephew again.
I would never get to become a momma.
I would never get to see Jeremy truly happy.
