A sigh leaves my chest, and my eyes fly to the window.
I wish I could go outside––have some fresh air.
I push my chair back and walk to the wall of windows.
Lights play outside in a magical dance of perdition. I slide the glass doors open and walk onto the terrace.
The evening air gives me a chill, and it’s cooler than I expected. My eyes move to the world outside, the cars and people on the sidewalks.
I could be right there right now. Getting lost in that crowd and forgetting that I can’t get any sleep.
What if I go down there?
The idea sounds crazy, especially since, apparently, I have no business being there. But… I would be outside only for a few minutes.
Half an hour, maybe.
I spin around and go straight to my room, where I remove my necklace and deposit it in the drawer before picking up a jacket from the closet.
The problem is… How do I get out?
I’m sure I can’t use the elevator without running into his bodyguards.
I’ll find a way.
I collect my purse and quietly sneak out of the apartment.
I turn left instead of right in the hallway, trying to avoid the elevators.
I know there are emergency exits.
They must be here, somewhere.
Luckily, the rugs absorb the noise of my heels, and before long, I notice a few doors. A couple of them are locked, but the third one is not.
I slide it open and find myself at the top of a well-lit stairwell that connects the floor to the one below.
Steadily, I move in that direction and find another door.
I open it, and I’m fairly sure this is the hallway I ran into Damaso that fateful day when we locked eyes, and I asked for his protection.
I walk down the corridor and locate that door when a weird thought makes me try it.
It’s locked.
Okay.
I try to remember how we got out of here that day, or more precisely, how Beau got out when Damaso barked at him to get lost.
There was a door. Where is that door?
I move my gaze around and find the exit door.
This is it.
I’m out.
And sure enough, a few minutes later, I enter the lobby through a side door and look at the majestic entrance of the hotel.