Page 133 of Thorns of Malice

She groans and hangs up.

My worries creep back in. I hate that I have to worry about her with other people, but I also know I quenched her urges last night. All I can do is hope it's enough for now.

She needs to take the drug.

Did she read over the information I told Kristen to deliver to her?

She has yet to reach out to Craig or Vivian.

I'll have to talk to her more about it at dinner.

I continue to the spa, fighting traffic. I pull up to the curb in the fire lane.

A young kid with zits on his face and a mohawk declares, "You can't park here."

"Fuck off," I say, and stroll past him, my happiness perking up again.

Avery is going to be livid.

I enter the building, going directly to the fourth floor, where the spa is located.

A woman behind the desk sees me as soon as I step out of the elevator. She bats her eyes at me, chirping, "Mr. Carrington, it's so good to see you."

I groan. She's always flirted with me, and I've always turned her down. She's the exact opposite of Ivy, so I wouldn't even consider her.

"I heard my sister is here," I state.

She nods and beams. "Yes, she's having the works today."

"Of course she is," I mutter.

"Um…" Her forehead furrows in confusion. "I don't see you on the schedule, but what service would you like today? We'll make sure we accommodate you, of course, Mr. Carrington," she quickly adds.

I hold up my hand. "I'm not here for a service. I need to meet with Avery."

She glances back at the schedule. "She's in her mud bath treatment right now."

"That's fine. Which room?"

Her eyes dart to the computer screen. “She's in room B on the east wing."

"Okay, thanks." I brush past her.

"Mr. Carrington, why don't we escort you back there?" she yells after me.

"No, that's fine. I know where I'm going," I call over my shoulder.

She relaxes and smiles. "Okay."

The last thing I need is an escort. I want Avery to be as shocked as possible.

I force myself not to whistle as I walk down the hall and find the east wing. I stroll through it and find room B.

I open the door, and a therapist I've never seen says, "Excuse me, this room's in use."

"Yeah, I know. Get out." I open the door wider.

"Dax!" Avery scolds.

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