Page 28 of The Savage

To be honest, I just need to sleep this alcohol off, and Charlotte is obviously struck dumb, which is probably a first, so all I want is to be left and hit whatever bed they have made available.

“We just need rest.”

I yawn loudly to prove my point, and Tariq nods. “I’ll show you to your rooms.”

“Room.” I stare at him pointedly and Charlotte gasps beside me. Fixing her with a warning glare, we follow Tariq and take the huge staircase up to the second floor. He leads us to another staircase off the galleried landing and we find ourselves in a room that takes my breath away.

Like the living room, this one has an open fireplace on an arched wall, either side of which are floor to ceiling windows looking out across the alps. A strip of lighting runs between the ceiling and the wall and surrounds the room in a warm glow. The huge bed that dominates the space is placed facing the view and is dripping with silk and cream fur. Charcoal gray and soft taupe cushions designed to break up the palette are scattered in style against the pillows. Huge drapes are secured back from the glass and once again, the furniture is minimal, with no art on the walls. Elegant simplicity is the theme running through this house, and I wish I never had to leave.

Tariq nods with respect and leaves us alone and as soon as the door closes, Charlotte hisses, “Why can’t I have my own room?”

As I rip off my jacket, I smirk, “Because in case you have forgotten, you are my prisoner and I need eyes on you at all times.”

“Are you sure that’s the real reason? I mean, look at this place. It’s a fortress.”

“With strangers controlling it.”

She looks worried and I whisper harshly, “Trust no one, princess, only me, because I am your new best friend. Now I suggest we find the bathroom and wash off this journey and get some sleep because our problems may only just be starting.”

I turn away and look down at the iPad to locate the controls for this bedroom and as I enter the huge bathroom, I hate my friend more than I believed possible.

Charlotte’s squeal of delight leaves me in no doubt of her own opinion because this isn’t a bathroom, it’s a fucking spa.

Once again, the main feature is the beautiful view and the ever-present fireplace concealed in the wall. The bath is a huge hot tub that is placed facing the window and the dark marble creates a cozy atmosphere along with the usual concealed LED lighting providing a warm glow.

The shower is set against one wall and resembles a waterfall that you stand in front of and stare out across the view. The toilet is separated by a marble wall and two marble sinks are set in a vanity unit that appears to be edged with gold.

Huge mirrors dominate the room, making it appear as large as a ballroom, not a bathroom, and I am as speechless as Charlotte as I stare around at a place I will never see the like of again.

Charlotte is looking longingly at the hot tub, and I take pity on her and say gruffly, “You can relax. I need to make a few calls, so you have your privacy.”

“I do.”

Her eyes widen and she looks so happy about that, it makes me feel like a bastard all over again.

“Sure, I’ll be next door.”

As I leave her to wallow in luxury, I head to the bedroom and close the door, walking over to the window to study the view. As I remove my phone, I hope to God this call tells me what I want to hear because I need to step back onto familiar ground and wrestle my mind and heart away from the delectable prisoner, who is currently starring in every fantasy I ever had as she languishes in the most decadent tub I have ever seen.

“Ivan.”

He answers immediately and I say wearily.

“Angelo. I’m just reporting in.”

“What happened? You said Norilsk was safe.”

“I thought it was. Do you have any information about that?”

“Malik ran a check on the crew of your plane. We guess you must have ingested the poison from something you ate on board.”

“What did he find?”

“The flight attendant received a large sum of money into her bank account the day before and after the flight. We did some digging and discovered she has an expensive drug habit and mixes with the wrong company.”

“This company, do we know them?”

“Elliott Gardenia.”

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