42
ADAM
In the morning,Fletcher and I ordered room service. We ate a delicious breakfast of French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and orange juice, plus coffee, made just right.
Neither of us spoke about the elephant in the room, even though I was well aware that we couldn’t hide out here in the hotel for the rest of our lives.
I didn’t want to leave him, though. I was afraid that if I did, something bad would happen and I’d lose him all over again. I knew I needed to go back. I needed to pack our things and move them to the new house—or hire someone to do the heavy lifting for me.
That gave me an idea.
I leaned over and kissed Fletcher. “Why don’t you go soak in the jacuzzi while I make a few phone calls? I’ll join you in a little bit.”
“Okay, baby,” Fletcher agreed.
While the tub filled, I stepped out onto the balcony and checked my phone for the first time since last night. Aria had called and texted a handful of times.
There was also a single missed call from my father. One call. No voicemail. It surprised me. I fully expected him to blow my phone up overnight—that’s why I’d put it on silent.
Leaning against the bannister, I texted Aria a quick apology and that I would call her soon, then got to work. A few Google searches turned up exactly what numbers I needed, and I made some calls.
I managed not only to get the new house closed—a little extra monetary incentive could go a long way—but I also called a moving company who claimed they could have everything done in six hours or less.
I arranged for them to meet me at the manor at noon.
By the time I called Aria, my hands were trembling a little. She answered on the first ring. “Adam? Is everything okay?”
“Hey. It’s a long story, but yeah. I think so. To say Father flipped out is the understatement of the century,” I told her. “Fletcher is safe, though, and that’s all that matters. Could I get you to do me a huge favor?”
“Damn. I had a bad feeling,” she murmured. “Sure, whatever you need, I’ll do my best to help. What’s up?”
“Go to my home and let yourself in with the door code that I’m going to text you. Could you just chill there until I arrive?” I asked her. “I have the feeling that Father is going to start shit, and I need someone to record everything, just in case things get out of hand. I need evidence if I end up having to go to the police.”
“Of course, Adam, but don’t think you’re getting off the hook that easily,” she said, a hint of teasing to her tone. “I want the details. All of them.”
“And you’ll get them on my drive home, promise,” I said. “I’ll call you when I head out. Talk soon.”
I ended the call before she could get another word in. I tucked my cell into my pocket, then let myself back into the hotel room.
The bathroom mirror was fogged with the steam that hung heavy in the air. Fletcher was already submerged in the gently-bubbling water, his cheeks pink from the heat.
I grinned down at him. “Room for one more?”
“Please. I think this tub could probably fit three people, easy,” he joked, but his expression smoothed into a pleased smile. He bit his bottom lip. “But please, join me.”
I needed no further prompting. I undressed and slid into the tub beside him, and we spent the next forty minutes cuddling and splashing and washing each others’ backs until our skin was wrinkled and water-logged.
Towels wrapped around our bodies, I pulled him to me and kissed him sweetly. “I need to go, but I’ll be back soon. Please, promise me you won’t leave the hotel room.”
He pouted, but there was a twinkle in his green eyes. “I promise, Adam. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be safe. Just do what you need to do so that we can start our new lives together.”
“I will.” I kissed him again, my lips lingering for a moment longer. They tingled when I finally pulled away. I cupped his cheek in one hand. “I love you.”
He beamed up at me. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” he murmured. “I love you too, Adam. So much. Be safe, and be careful. Your father’s insane.”
“I know. I’ve got a plan, though,” I told him. “See you tonight.”
I made the drive back to the manor with Aria on bluetooth, and I didn’t spare a single detail. I told her everything. Every damn thing, including the fact that I had killed one of my packmates in order to save Fletcher’s life.
