Page 47 of Diamonds & Deception

“Holy fuck.” Ryder grabs the tequila off the table and takes a swig. “That woman just started a fucking war with Switzerland.”

CHAPTER NINE

I’m worried becauseDrake hasn’t messaged me all day, and I’m nervous that any second he’ll call or stop by. I really don’t have anything to be nervous about though. His friend didn’t catch me doing anything wrong.

I may have name-dropped him to the detective, but he’d already interviewed Drake. Still, the block in my stomach weighs more heavily with each passing hour. I feel better and worse after talking with Lenora.

She’s awesome at not giving advice and helping steer you in the right direction. She wants me to keep pursuing Drake, and not for information. Granted, she has sex on the brain and doesn’t understand how deep my feelings go for him.

My phone buzzes as I’m putting my leftover takeout in the fridge.

Drake: My bed is cold. Come warm it up.

I expected sweet talk, some flirting all afternoon and evening. He told me he had a ton of meetings today, but I assumed he’d have time for our usual flirt texting. His sexually demanding text has me growing wet. I can’t say no to him.

Me: Dress code?

I’m flirting with danger. Literally. I’m doing this for Carly. For Randy. For closure. I should be thankful Drake at least puts on an act like he’s a decent human being or seducing him to gain access to his penthouse would be that much harder.

Drake: Michael at check in will have an envelope for you.

Instead of replying, I spend the next few minutes adding a light layer of makeup and spritzing myself with my vanilla spice spray. Twenty minutes later, I’m walking through the lobby of Four Aces.

I recognize Michael, and he must recognize me.

“Good evening, Miss Jane.” He hands me an envelope and guides me to the employee elevator behind him. “Have a lovely evening, Miss Jane,” he says before the elevator doors close.

I open the envelope and take out a key card and a slip of paper.

Passcode: 42238

The elevator hasn’t moved yet. I swipe the card in front of the scanner, and we begin to move up. I assume the code is to his penthouse. When the doors open to the short hall that houses only two doors, I go to Drake’s and enter the code.

“Hello?” I call out when I enter.

It’s quiet and dark. The glow from the city lights below casts enough light so I don’t bump into the furniture. I fumble around for a light switch and am momentarily blinded.

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