Page 82 of Chase

A man dressed in a grey suit with a long jacket and wearing a cap appeared from nowhere and began emptying our bags from the car. Violet grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs toward where it was signposted reception. An older woman in a fitted black dress stepped out from behind a table and walked across holding out her hand.

“Mrs. Waite,” she said. “We are delighted to have you back at The Estate.” She took my friend's hand and then mine to shake warmly. “Let me show you both to your suites. Do follow me.”

“Thank you, Katrina,” Violet gushed as if the woman was a lifelong friend. We both followed behind her as she led us through magnificent rooms decorated with exquisite furniture and artwork before climbing a staircase to the upper floor. We stopped outside two doors marked “The Shakespeare Suite” and “The Keats Suite.”

“Our best suites, Mrs. Waite. Please decide between yourself and Mrs. Chase who would prefer which room,” Katrina said, and I balked, then scowled at my friend. Fuck sake, here she goes again, marrying me off to one of her brothers against my will. If she weren’t so loveable, I would wring her neck.

Katrina turned to me and beamed. “Congratulations on your recent marriage, Mrs. Chase. We will be sure to make your stay exceedingly special.” With that, she turned and walked off.

Violet pushed open the Shakespeare door first, and I followed her inside. The suite extended for what seemed like room after room. There was a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and relaxing area, all decorated in elegant cream and gold.

“Why did you tell her I was married?” I hissed, and my friend smiled.

“We might get some treats. Places like this love to keep their customers happy.”

“Is this not a treat enough?” I opened my arms wide, and she giggled.

“Relax, Sam. Enjoy the rest from keeping my brothers from killing each other.”

“Who did you tell her I was married to?” I asked, suddenly realizing the added complication of the fake information.

“I didn’t specify. Maybe if someone asks you, whoever you pick may be your answer to who you want to spend the rest of your life with.” I stare at her, stunned by the flippant comment. “Anyway, I’m going to unpack. Your bag is over there.” She gestures to my overnight bag, which is magically already sitting on the bed. “I’ll meet you in the bar in twenty minutes.”

I stood in the most luxurious hotel room I’d ever been in and watched her leave with the truth in her words stabbing at my heart. Soon, I will need to choose between them, and I don’t know how.

Unable to help myself, I take photos of the view from my window and of the room, then send them off to Bryan.

Guess where I am.

Since everything happened at the hospital, I’ve been sending him the odd message so he knows he still has my support. Russell and Connor would be furious if they knew, but he’s my friend and I know he wouldn’t be part of the criminal ongoings within the department. His reply comes instantly, a simple thumbs up. Since then, any conversation has felt one-sided.

I am here if you need me. Much love my friend.

I type back, and he replies again, this time with a heart. I smile to myself.

Things will get better.

They need to. Because Sam, I’m not sure my family can cope with much more.

Chapter thirty-two

The Estate, Buckinghamshire

Connor

“This doesn’t feel right,” I mutter to Russell and Harrison as they watch the girls enjoy a jacuzzi in the hotel spa. “Do you not think they’ll figure out there are no other guests here?”

“I doubt it with the volume of champagne being drunk,” Harrison replies, and Russell punches his arm. “Vi will be asleep by eight o’clock at this rate.”

There’s a knock at the door, and an elderly man dressed in the clothes of a butler steps into the room. “Good evening, gentlemen. Would any of you like a drink?” he asks.

“Another round of beers, please,” Harrison says, his eyes never leaving his wife. Somehow, he convinced the hotel manager to give us access to an office next to the spa with one-way glass. We’ve been somewhere on the grounds since our ladies arrived at the hotel three hours ago, just in case anything goes amiss, which is unlikely since we booked out the whole damn place.

“Do you not think you’re slightly overprotective?” Russell suggests to him, and Harrison glares back.

“This coming from a man who stalked his brother’s girlfriend to get her to notice him.” My brother’s mouth falls open. “No, Violet could find trouble in an empty room. So being here means I know she’s safe, and I wouldn’t sleep at home anyway without her.”

“Sam said they weren’t using the spa today,” I continue, trying to divert a disagreement. I was only made aware of their arrangement to follow the girls minutes before Russell and I left the café.

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