Page 103 of Cruel Hearts

“We’ll get going now. Paulo hasn’t found anything downtown, and Max and Richard still haven’t picked up any clues watching the videos online. If we can’t find evidence of who did this, neither will the cops. They’re too busy dealing with that gang war to chase dead ends.”

If the police drop the case, that’s good for me. If no one cares, I can stay dead a lot easier.

Mel drives the long way around King’s Crossing, zigzagging back and forth across the river, and the city’s lights blur together in one long streak of light.

The sun is rising by the time she pulls into the Crowne’s back lot, and she parks in the staff parking area near a courtesy van.Carefully, she lifts me out of the backseat and sets me onto my feet. The air is hot and heavy in the early morning and it smells humid, earthy, and maybe a little dirty.

She wraps her arm around my ribs, and gingerly, she walks me toward the hotel. The staff entrance is unlocked, and we stagger through the rear of the building.

I lean heavily against the elevator wall, and the doors open to an empty hallway.

We shuffle to Max’s suite, and everyone turns our way when we step inside the sitting room.

Zane’s slouched at the conference table and he stands, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

I meet his eyes, and none of the hate is there from last night. He looks like hell, tear tracks on his cheeks glimmering in the weak light shining in through the window. He’s still wearing his suit, the loose ends of his tie hanging around his neck.

Mel lets me stand on my own, and I step toward him.

That’s all he needs to rush across the room and crush me against his chest.

His arms feel strong and safe.

“We’re going to my suite,” he says, picking me up and cradling me like an infant. “We’ll figure out what’s next after we rest. I need time with her.”

“Zane—” Mel says, her voice quiet.

“Thank you. For everything.”

“It’s what you pay me for. Zane, she thinks you meant it.”

He draws in a breath, and his chest expands under my cheek. “We’ll work it out.”

Hurrying, but trying not to jostle me, he carries me to his room, and this time, when he closes the door, he lets it lock behind us.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, I’m able to push this thought through my brain: we did it. Ash will think I’m dead. The planning we did paid off. We’re all in place.

Now the real work will start.

I just need a few years of sleep first.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Zane

Idon’t let myself break down. Stella needs me strong.

I lay her on the bed, and she blinks at me. She’s adorable in her red wig and glasses. I’m grateful Mel didn’t let her go off on her own. I can picture her stumbling around King’s Crossing, drugged out on pain meds, looking like a sexy hooker, and some sick fuck taking advantage of her.

“Stella,” I say, cupping her cheek in my hand and rubbing my thumb along her cheekbone, “how are you feeling?”

“Sore, but,” she wiggles her fingers in front of her face, “light.”

“Would you like to relax in a bath?”

“With you?”

“Yeah, if that’s all right.”

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