Page 42 of Demise

“I had no idea. Is it technically owned by the Brethren or…?”

I shake my head. “This is my money. I had a sickening large inheritance when my father passed, and not a care in the world to spend it on anything for myself. So, instead, I invested.”

“I know that I came from a privileged upbringing, so this will probably sound odd, but exactly how rich are you?”

A laugh escapes me as the elevator doors open and we make our way to our room.

“Rich, rich,” I tease as we come to our suite.

I swipe the card over the reader and the door unlocks with a whir. Our bags are already up here, ready and waiting on the bed. I always wonder how the hotel staff manages to ensure your bags are in your room before you arrive.

Skyla’s eyes trace over the clean interior of the room all the way over to the terrace. She practically jogs over to it, throwing the doors open as she steps outside.

The sky is dark grey, releasing lazy snowflakes as if waiting for Skyla. A megawatt smile spreads across her face as she lifts her arms out by her sides and begins spinning. I lean my shoulder against the wall as I watch her.

“I’ve missed the snow,” she says with a laugh.

“You like it?” I ask.

“Love it. London doesn’t get too much. It typically melts before you can even enjoy it.”

“Well, New England gets absolutely buried in snow every year. You’ll be sick of it before you know it.”

She turns to me, white snowflakes beginning to stick to her loosely curled hair as she shakes her head.

“Not possible.”

I smile at her, stepping out onto the terrace with her. She sticks her tongue out, catching a snowflake on it, and I do the same. Skyla giggles in delight when I’m successful, and it pulls a smile out of me just at the sound.

My phone begins buzzing in my pocket, and my smile vanishes in an instant. Skyla notices and cocks her head to the side as I silence it.

“So, what do you want to do?” she asks, clearly trying to distract me.

“Well, it’s probably best if we don’t leave the hotel. Boston is a big city, easy to be spotted and not realize it.”

She frowns at that and nods. “I didn’t think about that.”

Frustration flares inside me. I hate that this is the best I can offer her. Hidden rendezvous, stolen touches. She deserves more, she deserves everything. At least Asher can give her more when they are together. Then again, maybe not. Christopher is already concerned with how close they are.

“C’mon, let’s get some lunch. The Italian restaurant downstairs is great.”

Skyla nods, stepping back into the room as I shut the doors behind us. I lead her out of the room and back downstairs where they take us to a private table in the back. As soon as we sit down, my phone begins buzzing again. I silence it, only for it to start up again and again.

Fucking hell. Not now. Not today.

Skyla frowns. “Who is it?”

I shake my head as I reach for her hand across the table.

“No one important.”

She raises a questioning brow at that and clearly isn’t going to let it go.

“It’s Annie,” I say.

“Williams?” she says.

I nod.

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