Page 53 of Let Me Protect You

His words make sense, but it doesn’t feel right for him to pay for a room for Elias and me to share.

“My men will take turns sharing a third room as they rotate out. Don’t worry. I’ll make this right, and you’ll be back home in no time.”

Victor hands me my key room labeled 404, and we say our goodbyes.

When I don’t move, Elias asks, “Are you ready?”

I nod. He kisses my forehead, his lips lingering. All I want is to sink into him and to forget everything that’s happening, but I need to push through. Maybe now that we have Victor on our side, we’ll have more access to upgraded technology, and we can find out who is behind the messages.

Elias pulls away, and I almost chase after his warmth but resist. We’ll have plenty of time and privacy once we’re in our room. He slings a backpack over his shoulder and picks up two more bags. I pull on the handle to the remaining luggage and inwardly sigh. We definitely overpacked. But who knows how long we’ll be here? And I had to bring my sexy lingerie.

Elias leads me over to where Abigail and Patrick wait. Their heads are bent together, and Abigail laughs at something Patrick said. Something about them being here feels … off. Why would a guy who never truly met me suggest they cut their date plans and come see me?

As we near them, Abigail spots us, and she presses the elevator button. The four of us stand there, shifting, and shuffling our feet. I press myself into Elias. Just being near him makes me feel safer. I’m not sure what to say in front of someone I don’t know. It must be getting attacked and drugged that has me skeptical of anyone I’m not familiar with. I feel that should be a normal response for most people.

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. We file in, and I press the button labeled with a four. I instinctively glance up at Patrick and find him watching me as Abigail and Elias chat about work. Patrick flashes me a smile before turning back to Abigail. I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans right as the elevator stops and the doors open. We step out, and my hotel room is three doors down.

Stopping outside my door, I turn to Abigail. No way am I letting a stranger inside my room. “Thank you for bringing something. I appreciate you thinking of me.”

She pulls me in for a hug. “I also put a bottle of wine in there.” When she pulls back, she winks. “Hopefully, you won’t be drinking it alone.”

Chapter 28

Harmony

Asoft orange glow comes in through the blinds as I lounge on the most comfortable bed imaginable. I sigh and spread my arms out wide, sinking farther into the fluffy blankets. The pillows are like resting my head on a cloud and the room smells like fresh linen and roses.

It’s a like a hideaway. A little vacation.

Elias jiggles the door handle as he inspects the lock, shattering the illusion. I pray we’re far enough away from Serenity and Summer that they’re safe.

I eye the bag Abigail gave me. She probably had good intentions, but something is still bugging me about Patrick.

Maybe once Victor’s security personnel shows up, I’ll relax a little. Victor sent me a text saying they should be here in an hour. I never imagined he’d get them here so quickly, but money gets things done. When Victor said he paid for an extra room for his men, I thought there would be one or two of them, but no, there are a dozen. And he practically reserved the whole floor. He brought in enough guards that it looks like royalty is staying here.

If anything, at least I can live like a princess for a few days.

Elias’s phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket, answering. “You’re there?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose as he listens and paces away.

“Can you get on video so I can check?”

A second later, Elias pulls the phone away from his ear and looks at what I imagine is a video call. I prop up on my elbows, hoping to get a glimpse, but Elias shifts so that I can’t see.

“Okay, show me.”

He says nothing as he stares intently at something on the screen. “The girl passing around the tubes isn’t there.”

I immediately sit up and scoot to the edge of the bed. Is he trying to find who roofied me? Or who at least helped.

Sully’s soft voice filters through the phone. “The manager said she quit the day after you and Harmony were at the night club.”

Elias nods. His face looks calm, but his free hand clenches and unclenches. “Then it must be her. The bartender was already cleared. Get her name and address, and we can go from there.”

He strides back over toward me but says nothing. He watches me as I stare up at him. I raise my brows, waiting for him to say something, anything to fill me in on his plan.

“We found out who roofied you.”