Page 38 of When Sinners Fall
She walks over to the window and looks out at the view, all sass and attitude. “Come here. Look at all this out there. Gorgeous. You can’t ask me to stay in and miss it all.”
“I’m only gonna say this once, and you better believe I mean it, Wren Bird. You set foot outside these hotel grounds while I’m gone, and I’ll beat on your ass for a week.” She spins to look at me, eyes wide. “You understand that?” Still, she stares. “There are reasons for it, and I’m not explaining them. Stay here.”
I walk over to get my bag and sling it up onto my shoulder, then go over to her and grab hold of her chin. “Nod to tell me you understand.” She does, slowly. “Good. Wasn’t so hard, was it?” My hand softens on her face, sliding its way up to her cheek to flick her hair back off it. “Stop pouting. You’re the prettiest damn thing I’ve ever seen, and I’d look at your face over those views any day of the week. Smile for me.”
She does, as she looks at my eyes and blinks a little. “Well, it’s hard to be mad when you say things like that.”
I chuckle and start backing away for the door, hand reaching for it. “Get some rest, Wren Bird. You won’t be getting any tonight.”
The door shuts behind me, and my frown drops into place.
Time to work.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
WREN
The blue dress hangs beautifully, like a work of art, on the back of the wardrobe. Taunting me. It’s stunning. Something I’d never choose on my own, but after hearing Dante’s need for it, I couldn’t say no.
I’ve checked in with Bridezilla, confirmed half a dozen appointments, and re-arranged the cake samples I had booked. The beauty of this job is that much of it can be done remotely. However, we’ll see the reaction I get when I go back into the office. Regardless, it didn’t stop me from coming away with Dante.
While inconvenient due to the lack of any kind of warning, it's also kinda exciting. Like parts of my own imaginary fantasy are seeping into reality. Although if this is my fantasy, I won't be ordered to stay here. What’s that about? I’m a grown woman, and he's treating me like some child who might get lost in the city?
I pace the room, check my emails again, and realise that I’ll never be able to sit here, despite how gorgeous the room is. There’s too much in my head, and I’m too excited to stay put. There’s a coffee shop off the lobby, so I head there. He didn’t tell me to stay in my room, just not leave the hotel.
I’m technically still in the hotel.
I sip my black coffee and watch the sidewalk as people hustle and bustle. There’s a different rhythm here than back home, and it’s fun to watch. Colours are brighter. Sounds are louder and somehow filled with joy. Although, that smell isn't great.
I pull up my phone and type out the four words that I know may put a dampener on this trip.
Cortez family New Orleans.
I scan over the results, but nothing scary appears. Dante said he had work, but it doesn’t look like they own any businesses here. There are, however, half a dozen news reports about one particular bar and some associates of the Cortez name, and a drugs haul.
I look back through the glass window into the five-star hotel lobby, remembering the black AMEX he tossed down like it was nothing, and the jet. That kind of money doesn’t just grow on trees. Maybe that's what Dante meant when he said there’d be secrets.
I finish my coffee and head over to the lobby desk.
“Can I help you?” A perky lady smiles.
“Yes. I’d like to use your facilities. What’s on offer?”
“Well, we reserve our amenities for hotel guests.” She smiles while looking down at me.
“And I am one. Cortez.” I annunciate the surname for added measure and get a little jolt of power as I do.
She taps at her keyboard, and then her features freeze as she looks back at me.Yes, that's right. The King suite. Even I know it's the best one here, and I don't know this hotel. Add Dante’s name in, and I guess we're getting somewhere. “Of course, Ma’am. I can recommend the spa, and I’m sure we can fit you in for whatever treatment you’d like.”
“Better. Thank you.”
~
The door opens, and Dante strides in.
I hate that I smile so hard when I see him. My heart even gives a little flutter, but I’m going to put that down to this trip and nothing more.
“We’re going out.”
