For a tiny moment, there’s that spark of guilt in his eyes again, but then he schools his features. “I ordered breakfast. You didn’t eat much last night. You must be hungry.”
Not sure I’ll be able to control the urge to plant a fist on his jaw, I cross my arms again. “Where’s Jazz?”
“In her room.”
“Let her out.”
He smiles. “I can guarantee you she’s still sleeping.”
I hate that he knows her so well, that he remembers. He doesn’t deserve those memories or the intimate details of my life and my friends I shared with him. “Under the circumstances? I don’t think so.”
“I’ll let her out soon enough.” He glances at his watch. “It’s barely six.”
“Good to know. It was difficult to tell the time without my phone.”
He gets up, pockets his phone, and goes to the trolley to dish up a plate of food that he carries to me.
I look at the bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast on the plate. “No, thanks. Lesson learned.”
“You saw me preparing the plate. I didn’t sneak anything into your food.”
“Not a chance I’ll take again.”
“Go ahead then.” He puts the plate on the coffee table. “Dish up for yourself.”
“I’ll eat if I’ve cooked the food.”
“Jesus, Tatiana. Do you think I’d pay the hotel chef to drug your breakfast?”
Stubbornly, I remain quiet.
He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “How about I take a bite of everything? Will that convince you?”
“As enticing as you may find the idea, I have no intention of exchanging germs with you.”
He sighs. “I won’t put a sleeping pill in your tea again. Happy?”
I scoff. “Am I supposed to believe that?”
“I take it you’re going to say no to coffee then too.” He pours himself a cup. “As I recall, you don’t function properly before your second cup.”
The aroma of the strong brew makes my mouth water. I’m dying for a cup of coffee, needing the caffeine boost like never before, but I’m not taking anything from him.
“Fine.” His manner is resigned as he shoves a hand in his pocket and sips his coffee. “If you insist, you can go grab your own coffee and breakfast. Reino will drive you.”
“Oh, I insist.”
I’ll take Noah and Jazz. We can run at the first chance we get.
“And don’t think of it as a clever opportunity to escape.” His eyes tighten in the corners even as a smile curves his lips. “My men will be watching and ready to catch you. I won’t allow you to get away again.”
Irked that he can read me so easily, I grit my teeth.
He puts the cup down on the coffee table. “If you’re not going to eat, we need to talk.”
“Exactly.” I get into his space, putting us chest to chest. “I want answers, and you have fifteen minutes before Noah wakes up.” That boy’s sleep cycle is like clockwork.
His voice drops an octave. “Why did you hide him from me?”
