Page 99 of Sinister Intentions

She nestled herself against me in the hammock like a little kitten, searching for even more contact.

The firelight danced across her short hair and face and softened her usually sharp features. She was a study in contrasts—fierce and vulnerable, strong and delicate. Utterly intoxicating.

Her earlier breakdown had caught me off guard. Jemma always presented such a tough exterior. Seeing her exhaustion, seeing her walls come down, even for a moment, felt like a rare gift. It made me want to protect her even more fiercely.

I tightened my arms around her, marveling at how perfectly she fit against me. Her steady breathing and the warmth of her body were lulling me into a peaceful state. My eyelids grew heavy as I breathed in her scent.

Just as I was about to drift off, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I tensed, instantly alert. I pulled it out carefully so as not to disturb Jemma.

The screen showed an unknown number, but somehow I had the feeling it was Zotov.

Carefully, I extricated myself from Jemma’s embrace and flopped out of the hammock while keeping it from rocking.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake up. I tucked the blanket snugly around her and made sure she was as warm and comfortable as possible.

I added another log to the fire, watched the flames leap higher. This should keep her warm enough for a while.

With one last look at her peaceful form, I stepped inside to call back.

Hawk had come through quicker than I’d anticipated. And whatever Zotov wanted, it was time to lay the cards on the table.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Iwoke up in the hammock, teeth clattering from the cold. I immediately knew I was alone. Where was Vince? How could I have missed him leaving?

I blinked my eyes open, squinted at the pale light filtering through the cloudy sky, then stared at the last glimmering embers of the fire.

No wonder I was freezing.

I sat up with a groan and shivered as I struggled out of the hammock. As soon as my feet hit the chilly concrete, I hissed and hurried inside.

As I entered the apartment, I considered heading straight for Vince’s bed, but curiosity won over warmth. Where did he go? And why was it bothering me so much that he left me alone?

Wasn’t I the one who stated nothing had changed between us?

Then why did I feel as if everything had changed?

I tiptoed through the quiet apartment and let my fingers run along the polished concrete walls.

The last time I was in his apartment, I wasn’t really in the condition to take a good look around apart from his bedroom and his sister’s room.

I barely got the chance to get an undisturbed glimpse into Vince’s world.

The apartment was actually huge, with an open-plan kitchen and living room. His bedroom was the first room to the right, so I turned right, away from the living room, and followed the corridor. The door next to Vince’s bedroom was his sister’s, so I skipped that one and focused instead on the doors on the opposite side. The first two rooms looked like standard hotel rooms and appeared unused like guest rooms that hadn’t seen visitors in ages, if ever.

The next door I opened made me stop and step inside. The room was stark white—white walls and a white floor apart from the one wall that consisted of a floor-to-ceiling wall of windows. A white table held art supplies, and a single easel with a blank canvas on it sat in the middle of the room, yet it didn’t seem like anyone had ever used it. Maybe Vince’s sisters had set it up, intending to paint but never finding the time.

Vince’s sister, aka Isabella Salvini, aka Iset.

Damn. Would she have news about our situation? Did she try to contact me already?

Did I leave my phone in Vince’s car?

I needed to find him and get it.

I exited the room, turned left, and followed the corridor until I came across an open door and peeked inside. Vince’s office wassleek and modern with a dark grey design and abundant plants giving the space an almost outdoorsy feeling.

Totally not what I’d expected at all.

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