Page 14 of Dragon's Code

I give him a pleasant smile. “If he paid for my room, can you reimburse him and we can put my card on file?”

“That won’t be necessary. The owner of the hotel is comping both your rooms.” He comes around the corner of the counter and picks up my backpack.

“Oh, you don’t have to take that,” I say, chasing after him to the elevators.

“It’s no trouble, Ms. Miller.”

“Please call me Athena.”

“As you wish.”

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Jonathan. I’m here for anything you need. Just pick up your phone or come visit the front desk. I’m on site all weekend.”

“Thank you, Jonathan.”

He nods graciously.

The doors open and he quickly heads down the hall to the corner suite. He stops at the room just before, opening it up with an electronic keycard. “Mr. Wystan’s room is the corner suite. You have adjoining doors, and can be reached right through here. He’s at dinner now, but will be done later this evening.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Jonathan gestures for me to enter the suite. He sets my backpack on the luggage stand in the closet. “Should you need any other amenities, please let me know. We have plenty of toiletries and if you need clothes for anything, our shop will be able to help you find anything you need.”

“Anything? Even for a plus-sized woman?”

Jonathan gives me another business-polite smile. “Yes, madam. The store is fully stocked. The owner’s ma–wife shops there often. She’s closer to your size.”

“Oh, that’s cool.” Not sure I believe it, but I can look around.

“Is there anything else I can get for you? The chef’s special is filet mignon, with pan seared scallops, and a…”

I hold up a hand. “Sold, Jonathan.”

He gives me a warm smile. “I’ll send it right up.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Jonathan leaves and I sit on the foot of the king sized bed to try and gather my thoughts, waiting for the reality of the space, of the complete upheaval of my life to settle in.

The air conditioning feels good. The room is beautiful, fancier than an average hotel room. The air is tinged with a delicate fragrance, a blend of fresh flowers and a hint of vanilla, creating an inviting and soothing atmosphere. It almost feels like a dream, somewhere Raphael could never think to look for me.

There’s a small living area adorned with a plush velvet couch in a shade of deep emerald and a sister royal blue chair wide enough for two to cuddle, arranged around a stunning marble coffee table. The last of the sunlight filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a great view of the Vegas strip.

There’s a television in the living space and one on the dresser at the foot of the bed against the wall.

They must really like Kashton to comp a room like this for just his friend.

I unpack my backpack which is full of surveillance equipment and my computer. It takes me a half hour to set up four cameras, a motion sensor, and a door stopper alarm. I’m checking everything is in place and working when there’s a knock at the door.

It’s Jonathan with the food. That’s some service he provides. He sets it up on a table in the corner, even going so far as to light a couple tall taper candles. It all looks amazing, and he’s also brought along a slice of the most beautiful chocolate cake I’ve ever seen, and a bottle of wine, one of my favorites. Jonathan is scary-good at his job.

After I fill myself to the brim with excellent food, I decide to hop into the shower, rinse off, and then get into some comfy shorts and camisole.

I lay down on the bed on my stomach and turn on the television. I’m waiting for the need to sleep to kick in but I feel too wired.

I want to—I need to—see Kashton.

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