Page 83 of Miss Belief

Teagan

Istepped through to room number six and stopped in my tracks. “No fucking way. I will quit on the spot before my ass gets anywhere near your lap.”

Chance rolled his eyes and threw a blob of material at me. “Put this on.”

It was a silk robe, black in color. “I don’t know what kind of kink you’re into, but—”

“Jesus, and here I was the one accused of being cynical. The robe is to cover yourself before Reid walks through the door.”

“He’s here now?” Instant panic propelled me to throw the robe on quickly.

“Yes, and since I figured you’d rather be covered when you see him, I bought us a couple minutes.”

I lifted my chin. So the jig was up, and Reid knew I was here. “I don’t care how he sees me.”

“Bullshit.”

Maybe, but hell if I’d ever show it. “How did you know I was here?”

“I’m one of the club’s investors.”

Of course. Now it made sense he’d been able to find out about me.

Two knocks sounded on the door before it opened. Once I laid eyes on Reid, all of my false bravado evaporated.

My arms crossed over my chest as I fought both tears and an overwhelming urge to flee. It wasn’t merely uncomfortable to have my two worlds collide; it was cruel.

“Hi.” Reid looked tired and unbelievably handsome in a rumpled button-down and slacks.

“Hi.”

He glanced at his brother. “Can you give us some privacy?”

“Certainly. I’ll be outside the door.”

“I can’t stay back here long. They’ll be expecting me on the floor soon.” It was a flimsy excuse, but I had to try something to shorten the impending conversation.

Chance paused on his way out. “It’s been cleared. Take your time.”

So much for my escape plan. As soon as the door closed, I went on the offensive. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I needed to talk to you. I know you received some text messages, but they weren’t actually from me. My mother asked to use my phone to call for a car, but evidently used it to text you some fake messages. Before that happened, Vanessa claimed she wanted to return the engagement ring. I didn’t put two and two together until after it was too late. By then, my mother and Vanessa’s had barricaded me into a hotel room with her. I was ready to leap from the balcony to the one next door when Chance stormed in. Otherwise, I’d probably have broken my neck.”

“Trapped by your past,” I whispered. The fact the psychic’s words had come true sent a shiver down my spine.

“Who would’ve thought it was a direct warning against kidnapping?”

Although Chloe had already said the whole string of text messages had been a misunderstanding, I’d needed to hear it from him. “So you weren’t ever working it out with Vanessa? Or returning to New Hampshire with her?”

“No way. Not remotely close. I took her up on her offer to return the engagement ring because my mother came up to her room with me. Foolishly, I couldn’t imagine what could go wrong. The entire time I was stuck there, I was anxious to return to you. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve kicked myself for giving in to Vanessa and letting her talk me into giving her ‘closure.’”

“I appreciate the explanation, but it doesn’t matter.” My voice was full of misery. Having given up on anger, I went straight for resigned. He wasn’t with his ex, but here I was in a strip club. The end result was the same.

“Because of Chance? You don’t need to worry about him. He won’t ever tell anyone else or threaten you again.”

“Good. Um, I should get back to work. But I appreciate you coming by and clearing things up.”

His eyes went wide. “Maybe I’m doing this all wrong. I chased you to LA and then here because I want to be with you.”