Page 70 of Room Service
“You love me?” I ask, because I didn’t realise how much I needed to hear her say it until now. I didn’t realise I fucking need to hear the words leave her lips to complete me.
“I love you,” she whispers, and I move so I’m back on top of her again.
“Say it again.”
“I love you, Dorien Dukes.”
“Fuck.” My lips are on hers as I claim what’s mine. I’ve waited a fucking lifetime to find her, and now that I’ve got her, I’m never letting go.
Chapter Fifty-One
DORIEN
The phone call comes at five a.m.
I hear it ringing from the other room, and I untangle myself from Elise, so as not to disturb her. As I pull on a pair of joggers that are strewn across the floor, I pad my way out to the main room, ready to tear whoever is ringing me at this hour a new arsehole. The phone stops ringing as I reach the coffee table, but when I see who the missed call is from, I know that there will be no new arsehole needed.
Nate Knowles.
It’s been nearly forty-eight hours since I met with him. Forty-five since I had the contract drafted, which I gave to Ronan, for Nate to become a partner in my business. And it’s been forty-three since he signed on the dotted line and the deal was finalised.
I’m yet to discuss anything further with him, and if he thinks I’m going to change the way I run things, then we’re going to run into major issues, because I know success, clearly, I’ve made fucking millions from my hotels and business deals, and I wouldn’t expect him to question me, just like I wouldn’t question how he runs the underworld.
But my gut is already telling me that this isn’t related to hotel business, and as I dial him back and put the phone to my ear, he answers on the first ring with just three words.
“We’ve got him.”
* * *
I left Elise in bed, got dressed, putting on a suit, and then I left the hotel and got into my car, driving to the location Nate gave me, ready to put an end to this part of Elise’s life.
I feel in control as I park in a space at the back of an abandoned warehouse, away from the main road, and hidden by trees that make it look like nothing is here but woodland.
I pick up the envelope I brought with me and exit the car with my game face on. I’ve been waiting for this moment since he attacked her, and my adrenaline is pumping through me as my mind urges me to keep my cool façade.
Ronan is waiting for me at the back entrance as I approach, and with a nod, he turns and leads me inside. There’s one of the big burly fuckers stood inside the door, and when we’re through, he closes the door and bolts it, standing guard as Ronan continues to lead me through a small room and into a big open space, which is the main part of the warehouse. I see Nate and Jax are stood in the middle of the room, with a man hunched over in the chair he’s been tied to just before them, with his back to me. I clench my fist at my side as my other hand struggles not to crumple the envelope.
“Dorien,” Nate greets as I stop behind Derrick, fighting the desire to kill the bastard myself.
“Nate,” I reply, my jaw clenched as I rein in my anger for a little longer. “Jax.”
Jax just grunts in response, his fingers clenching at each side of him, like he’s ready to do some damage.
“If you have anything to say to him, I’d do it quickly,” Nate says, before he nods at Derrick and finishes with, “Because Jax is ready to unleash.”
I move around Derrick as he lifts his head to look at me. “You,” he breathes, and a few feet away from him, I smirk and say, “Yes. Me.”
“From the hotel… you… you threw me out,” he rasps.
“I did.”
“Why are you here?” he questions.
“To watch you pay,” I tell him, keeping it vague, seeing his legs twitching nervously. I want the fucker to squirm before he dies.
“For what?” He really looks like he doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong, but I’m here to enlighten him.
“Is there a table in here?” I ask, turning to look at Nate, who nods at Ronan. Ronan disappears for a moment, into the dark corner of the warehouse, before he’s bringing over a folding table and passing it to me. “Thanks.”
