Page 38 of Wicked Riddles & Bitter Heartbeats

“Really?”

I let out a little laugh. “Yeah, I think it’s what keeps us alive. You know, the little voice that tells you not to cliff-jump, even though you really want to.”

“People do that.”

“Which is why I saidmost people.”

We pull into the hotel parking lot. The sun is down, the inside of the hotel illuminated by bright lights. People walk about, chatting and heading to wherever it is they’re going.

What we’re about to do could change so much. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t know Atticus. I feel like I do, but when it comes down to it, I don’t know much about him. I can’t pretend to know how this whole thing makes him feel or how he will react when he meets his brother. It could go very well, or very badly. I don’t think there is an in between.

“Hey, Atty?” I say softly, putting my hand on his arm. He turns toward me. “No matter what, I’m here, okay?”

He blinks a few times, nods, then takes my hand and kisses the back of it again. It’s such a sweet gesture and I hope he never stops doing it.

“Thanks, Kitten.”

We get out of the car and head toward the doors in search of his brother.

Chapter Seventeen

Atticus

The conference doors open and thousands of people flood out.

Kitten and I stand to the side, watching as the men and women head outside and down the hall.

There’s no way I’m going to spot James in this crowd of people, but I have to try. I have to start somewhere, and I know he’s here, in this room. He’s attending this conference, he’s here in this hotel. Though… perhaps this is the wrong place to look.Why didn’t I think of that sooner?

I grab Lilah’s arm. “Come on.” I hurry us through the crowd, getting dirty looks as I cut in front of people and shoulder past others to get to the door that leads to the stairs.

“Where are we going?” she asks as we start up the stairs.

“I’m looking in the wrong place,” I say.

“Huh?”

I shake my head, but don’t answer as we continue up the stairs until we reach the sixth floor. I head down the hall, looking for James’ room. There are a few people on this floor, coming and going, but none of them are the man I’m looking for.

His room is on a corner, so I head down the hall more, and lean against the wall, pulling my phone out.

“What are we doing?” Lilah asks in a quiet voice.

I jerk my head toward James’ door. “Waiting for him to go to his room after the conference.”

“Oh,” she says. “That makes sense.”

I should have thought of it sooner. It’s possible he’s in there already. But if he is, then he has to come out at some point. Hopefully that’ll be sooner rather than later. I don’t want to stand here all night. Though, I will if I have to.

I aimlessly scroll on my phone, keeping my gaze on James’ door, waiting for someone to show up to get in or for it to open and let someone out. People pass us, and I smile and nod or say hello. They continue down the hall and make it to their rooms. No one questions me being here, maybe even thinks I’m one of them. They’re all dressed nicely in button downs and slacks. So am I.

Do these idiots think I’m a cop, too? The thought is humorous, and I crack a smile.

“Oh no,” Lilah mutters, moving closer to my side.

I frown as I look at her, but anger fills my chest when I feel her body shaking against my side.

“Kitten—”

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