“She okay?” Teddy asked as he climbed out with me.
“Think she’s just trying to hold it together until she’s somewhere more private.”
He nodded to that.
“I made sure the penthouse has everything you need for the night. But if there’s anything else, just call down to the desk.”
“Thank you, Teddy. You’ve done a lot for us already.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just take care of that girl.”
With that, I opened Lula’s door, watching as she self-consciously tugged her cover-up tightly around her body and ducked her head as we made our way through the doors and into the lobby.
She turned her back on the desk as I got the key for the private elevator, refusing to lift her chin until we were alone again.
As if she had anything to be ashamed of.
But her silence was starting to bother me as I unlocked the door and we stepped into the penthouse.
“Lula…”
That was all it took.
Her breath caught on a sob.
As soon as my arms were around her and her face was pressed to my chest, all of the fear, pain, and uncertainty finally poured out.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lula
I’d been present—but not—all during the trip to the clinic, then the ride to the hotel.
But then Raff had to go give me the soft voice. That was it.
The floodgates opened.
And I was pouring.
It felt like it went on forever, my already sore face hurting more with each passing moment as my face contorted, as my tears flowed.
All the while, Raff just held me, ran his hands up and down my back, pressed soft kisses to my temple.
Until, finally, I was wrung dry.
“Well, then,” he said when I was done, forcing his tone to be light. “Now that that’s out of the way. Let’s get you into a bubble bath and fresh clothes, yeah?”
Before waiting for a response, he took off across the space and disappeared down a short hall.
Yes, a hall.
This hotel room had a hallway.
Because it wasn’t just any hotel room; it was a penthouse suite. Which, as far as I could tell, took up half of the upper floor. Meaning, it was enormous.
It looked recently redone, too, with its crazy textures and darker woods—giving it an elevated but cozy vibe that made you want to sink your toes into the plush carpet and curl up on the couch with a book or movie.
There was a whole kitchen with dark wood cabinets and marble counters with brown and gold veins.
