Page 9 of Shattered Reign

My mind raced as I tried to process the fact that he was standing in front of me. I couldn’t even make my body return the hug because I was in too much shock. Why was he here? How did he know I was here?

I shook my head, trying to clear my mind so that I could focus on one thought at a time. “What are you doing here?”

Easton glanced around the lobby before looking back at me. “We should probably go to your room, and then we can discuss everything.”

I found myself nodding my head. “Let’s talk.” I was proud of myself for managing to say that.

He gently placed a hand on the small of my back and led me toward the stairs so that we could get to my room. The gesture was simple and featherlike, without any possessiveness, yet it made all the butterflies in my stomach come alive. Every subtle brush of his fingers forced the electricity within me that had been dormant to spark.

A thought passed through my mind as we continued to walk. Did he know exactly where I was staying? Or was he following my lead to my room? His movements were calm and collected, his demeanor betraying nothing. It was hard to tell if he was actively guiding me along or just going along with the flow of my stride.

I briefly looked down at his hands and noticed that he wasn’t carrying any bags. Questions swirled in my mind. When had he arrived in Italy? Where was he staying? I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea that Easton had traveled halfway around the world to find me.

My eyes moved back up to his face. His hair was slightly tousled, and faint shadows were under his eyes. I assumed he might have been a little tired, but he didn’t look worse for wear. I hated that about him. It had to be a crime for him to look this good if he’d managed to travel to Italy anytime within the last couple of days.

We were silent as we walked up to my hotel room. It was as if I was on autopilot, and I wasn’t sure how to react. We reached my door, and I quickly opened it, holding the door for him to walk in behind me.

His touch lingered on my back as we walked across the threshold. He refused to step away, instead choosing to let his gaze take in the hotel room as if studying the location that I’d chosen as my hideaway.

I turned around to face him and he spoke first.

“I’ve missed you, Bianca,” Easton confessed, his voice steady but barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air; a confession laid bare in the quiet room.

I felt my heart catch in my throat. I’d been wishing to hear him say those words since I’d left New York.

“I...” My voice trailed off because the words stuck in my throat.

He slowly moved his hand to my face, cupping it gently. His thumb brushed against my cheek in a slow, gentle caress. I felt my breath catch as I looked up into his deep-green eyes. I allowed myself to lean into him, something I’d been wanting to do for so long. All the questions and doubts that I had suddenly melted away because of his touch.

All this was overwhelming. I felt the tears well up in my eyes as I stared into his. Finally, I found the courage to say something.

“Easton,” I said, barely above a whisper. “I’m so sorry.”

“There’s no need to be.”

He smiled at me and shook his head. Soon I felt myself being gathered into his tight embrace, allowing my body to be flush against his. We stayed like that for what seemed like hours but were probably only moments before he stepped away and gave me a small kiss on the forehead.

But I had something else on my mind. “Before we say anything else, can you tell me if you've heard anything about Iris?”

He looked puzzled for a moment before he spoke. “I haven’t heard anything, and I’ve been trying to find out more information. I’m hoping I’ll have some information after the break.”

Fuck. That was weeks away.

“Are you sure? You didn’t see or hear anything?” I pressed, desperate for anything he could tell me.

“I promise, Bianca. If I knew anything, I would tell you,” he said, his voice softening.

It wasn’t what I was hoping for, but for now, I had to take him at his word because I didn’t have any other choice.

Easton led me to the couch and said, “We have plenty more to talk about as well.”

I was thankful for that because my legs felt weak beneath me. As we settled onto the cushions, I could feel the tension between us grow thicker, among other things.

“Easton,” I began, taking a moment to suck in a deep breath and gather my composure. “Why are you here?”

His gaze searched mine before he spoke, “I needed to find you, Bianca.”

I frowned, pulling my arms tighter around myself. “But why? And how did you know where I was?”

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