Page 146 of High Roller

The drive is quiet despite Victor saying we have things to talk about, and I get the sense that he is just as apprehensive about this plan as I am.

An hour later, we park in an employee lot at Elysium, and Owen meets us.

“Mr. Novak wants me to escort Liliana to her suite and has asked that Victor and Grace stay out of the building.”

Victor grips the steering wheel but doesn’t object.

Grace scrambles out of the SUV and opens my door. I step out and into her arms. “It’s going to be OK, Grace. We’ll be together again in a few days at most.”

She holds me tighter and nods against my chest. “This will be over soon.”

Victor is out of the car now and he pulls my suitcase from the back. “You have my number. Call if you need anything.”

“I don’t have a phone,” I say, lamely.

Owen chuckles. “I’ll take care of that for you.”

I stare at Victor, unsure of what to do next.

“Kiss your girl goodbye, mate,” Owen prods after an awkward minute or two passes.

Victor growls but steps forward and cups the back of my head in his palm pulling me to him for a rough kiss. “Listen to your security. I’ll be here in the morning to see you to the courthouse.”

I follow Owen into the resort and try to shove down the thought that I may not see Victor and Grace again. It’s too painful to think about. But if there is any sense that I’m putting them in danger, I can’t go back. I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to either of them.

My night is restless, but I resist calling Victor on the hotel phone. Owen offered to bring me a phone, but I told him it could wait until tomorrow. When sleep comes, Finn is there, telling me I’ll never escape. At five, I give up and force myself through a yoga routine before making a cup of coffee in the fancy penthouse kitchen. At eight-thirty, security arrives to escort me to Hunter Novak.

I’ve met Hunter and his wife at fundraisers before, but it’s always been a quick hello or polite small talk. I’ve never been this up close and personal with them. We meet in Hunter’s office after they sneak me into the Pink Sapphire, one of his other high-end resorts, through an underground tunnel I had no idea existed.

His wife is with him, and up close she’s just as intimidating as he is.

Victor is there just as promised, and he squeezes my hand as we walk into the office. But Hunter insists on speaking to me alone, so Victor is forced to wait outside despite his objections. I hope they don’t butt heads too much today.

“Mrs. Draven, you’ve caused quite a stir over the last few days, and I have to say I don’t like being dragged into drama that has little to do with me,” Hunter says when the door is closed.

“I apologize, Mr. Novak. It has to be a great inconvenience, and I’m grateful to you for your help. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please let me know.”

Hunter nods. “I’ve asked my wife to join us so that people don’t try to spread rumors about you and me more than they already will.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Novak,” I say politely.

She gives me a tense smile, and I wonder if she’s uncomfortable with this situation. I know I would be if our roles were reversed.

“What can you tell me about why you’re leaving your husband?”

It’s a personal question, and I figured Victor or the others would have filled him in already. Then again, the reason he asked me in here alone is likely so he can get my side of the story with as little influence as possible.

“Finn has always been abusive. He hides it well, and while I’ve got the scars to prove it, he never leaves marks that would be visible in public. But I put up with it for so long because that’s what I believed I had to do for my family. Then I found out he was sleeping with the woman who is supposed to be my best friend, and that was just the last straw for me. There are other more painful stories I don’t feel comfortable sharing with a stranger, but either of those things is reason enough for divorce, wouldn’t you agree?”

“And where does Victor fit into your future?” He asks, ignoring my question.

I let out a long breath. “That’s complicated, and I don’t have a good answer for you. The truth is, I’m in love with him and his girlfriend, and the three of us have been lucky to find each other. But we’re also smart enough to realize that with the dark cloud that is Phineas Draven and his mother hanging over them, I can’t stay. So as much as I want a future with both of them, I just don’t see how it’s possible.” Admitting that I love them isn’t hard, but it isn’t something I meant to say out loud. Not when I know I can’t have them.

Trinity gives me a sad look. “I’m very sorry for everything you’ve gone through, Liliana.”

“Thank you. I’m looking forward to moving on.”

“If you want Victor in your life, we can make that happen. I wasn’t aware Victor had a girlfriend. I’ll have to meet her sometime,” she says.

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