Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 268

James isn’t happy, but he also doesn’t have a better idea.

So I finally convince him later that evening to drive me to the

luxury hotel where I know Ryker has been staying.

We don’t say much to each other during the long drive.

I can tell James wants to convince me not to do this, while I

want to ask about Jessica.

However, I know that puts James in an awkward position, she

his sister, after all. It wouldn’t be fair to expect him to not respect her privacy or whatever.

So we sit there in strained silence with the weight of all the things we’re not saying hanging between us.

Instead of using the valet service at the front of the hotel, James insists on parking the car himself nearby, which leaves us about half a block away to walk.

As we’re approaching the hotel, a woman steps out through the revolving doors and gets into the back of a black town–car waiting for her.

I stop dead in my tracks as I realize it’s Karolina.

What the hell is she doing here?

It can’t be a coincidence that she’s just stepped out of the same hotel where Ryker is staying.

Although, the hotel does have a high–end bar and restaurant, so I suppose it’s possible she was just meeting someone and it

nothing to do with the fact that

telling me this

and I

and the Council and the fact

now

bottom of all this, one

determination, I march into the hotel and up to

suite where Ryker

and it makes me wonder about the kind of

outside of the room.

of them speaks into a wire

the time we arrive at the door, they simply nod and let us in, since apparently Ryker has let them know he’ll

the city and out toward the snow–capped mountains in the distance.

is standing by the bar to one side

Ryker says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Can I get either

and takes up a stance near

I tell him

cross the room.

has fine taste, I see,” Ryker teases, before pouring a measure of expensive bourbon into two glasses.

the drink

I’m surprised to see you, given

I ask, ignoring the sharp pang in my chest I get whenever anyone mentions Aaron

his head, expression sobering. “I’m

man. He didn’t

hands of a Council that’s clearly forgotten the Old

his condolences, then take a

been much of a drinker, but I find the bourbon has a pleasant smoothness with a hit of fire when

down.