Page 27 of Elusive Promise

Her gaze moved to the front desk and the adjacent bank of elevators. There was a hotel clerk checking keys before guests went up in the elevators. In addition, there were several men in dark suits, who appeared to be watching the area as well. She was guessing those men were there to protect the Kumars.

Knowing that she wouldn't be able to sneak up to the top floor, she boldly approached the female front desk clerk. She gave her name and asked the woman to contact the Kumars and let them know she wanted to see them. The clerk told her to wait and then went into the back room.

She tapped her fingers impatiently on the counter, then turned her head, her gaze sweeping the lobby. Jared had taken a seat at the bar that faced the lobby area where she was standing and had ordered a drink. He gave her a subtle nod and a smile, reminding her of when she'd first seen him at the party. He definitely had the ability to slide into any scene and look like he belonged there.

A moment later, an attractive blonde dressed in boots and a short sweater dress took the seat next to him, giving him a warm smile.

She frowned at the weird feeling that ran through her. She had no reason to care that he was now talking to the woman, except that it felt a littlewrong. He was supposed to be on guard, watching the lobby, keeping an eye out for problems, not flirting.

What if that woman was a plant, someone meant to distract him?

But no one was after Jared. No one was aware of his activities at the consulate the night before—at least she didn't think so. She didn't really know for sure.

And she was being ridiculous. Maybe even a little jealous.What on earth was wrong with her? Why was she even thinking about Jared when her focus should be solely on Jasmine?

Glancing toward the elevator bank, she saw a man walking toward her. He'd been with Kabir Bhatt, the director of Bezikstan security, at the hospital, but she hadn't been given this man's name.

"Miss Maxwell," he said in a voice laced in a faint British accent. "I'm Sanji Gupta. I'll take you upstairs."

"Thank you," she said, accompanying him to the elevator. She was relieved that the Kumars had agreed to see her.

He put in a security card to access the penthouse suites, and within seconds, they reached the top floor. They walked down a thickly-carpeted corridor to the end of the hall where large double doors were being guarded by two uniformed men with guns clearly visible. The men nodded to Sanji and opened the door.

A female dressed in a black sheath dress greeted her and then escorted her into the living room. Kenisha and Anika were seated across from each other—Kenisha on a plush white sofa and Anika in a chair by a gas fireplace that offered a warming fire. They looked exhausted and terrified.

Both women came to their feet as she entered the room.

Kenisha gave her a teary smile as she opened her arms.

She embraced Mrs. Kumar, feeling her trembling shoulders, knowing that Jasmine's disappearance was ripping her apart. Then she turned to Anika, whose hug was much lighter, but whose gaze was just as troubled.

"Would you like some tea?" Kenisha asked, motioning toward the silver tray on the coffee table. "The water is still hot."

"That would be nice," she said, as she sat down on the sofa next to Kenisha. "My throat is still a bit sore."

"But you're feeling better now?" Anika asked. "We've been so worried about you."

"Yes. I'm better." She almost felt guilty admitting that she felt close to normal when Jasmine…who knew what condition she was in? But she couldn't let those fearful thoughts overwhelm her. "Is there any news?"

Anika shook her head. "No. It's as if my sister disappeared into thin air. I don't understand how no one saw her being carried out of the building, although there's apparently some tunnel through the basement that none of us knew about. But still, how did she get to the basement unseen? There were hundreds of people around."

"It's very disturbing," she agreed.

"You were lucky that you managed to get yourself out of the room and into the stairwell," Anika continued. "The guards were not so fortunate."

She couldn't help but see the question in Anika's eyes, the suspicion of something… "I guess the fumes were worse in the hall than in the bedroom."

"But you said Jasmine collapsed almost immediately," Kenisha put in.

"Yes. Jasmine jumped up, and I think maybe she was closer to the vent than I was. She fell to the floor. I tried to get to her, but I couldn't. I'm so sorry." Her voice broke as guilt swamped her.

"No one is blaming you," Kenisha said gently. "There was nothing you could do, Parisa."

"Why did you go upstairs?" Anika asked. "Mr. Bhatt told us that Jasmine wanted to speak to you alone, but it didn't sound as if your conversation was about anything too important, unless he didn't relay that information to us."

"Jasmine felt overwhelmed by the attention, all the eyes on her. She wanted a minute to catch her breath, so we went upstairs. She said the ring was weighing her down."

"Jasmine has always had a shy quality about her," Kenisha said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I wish she'd told Westley that she didn't want to wear that enormous ring. And I wish I'd encouraged her to speak up. She expressed some doubts to me about accepting such an expensive gift, but I told her that she would hurt his feelings if she didn't wear it at the party. This is my fault."

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