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

with the fact that Ryker is staying here.

are telling me

and I wonder

of Aaron and the

now a widow.

to get to the bottom of all this,

I march into the hotel

penthouse suite where

a couple of guys standing in the hallway, acting as security, and it makes me wonder about the kind of life he lives where he can’t even stay at a hotel without bodyguards

outside of the

speaks into a

they simply nod and let

over the city

is standing by the bar to one side of the sitting

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

up a stance near

whatever you’re drinking,” I tell

cross the room.

I see,” Ryker teases, before pouring a measure of expensive

he brings the drink over to hand to me. “What

admit, I’m surprised to see you, given

mate?” I ask, ignoring the sharp pang in my chest I get whenever anyone mentions Aaron and what happened to

head, expression sobering. “I’m sorry, Leah.

man. He didn’t deserve an end like

Especially not at the hands of a Council that’s clearly forgotten the Old

I accept his condolences, then take a sip of the bourbon.

been much of a drinker, but I find the bourbon has a pleasant smoothness

down.

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