Page 1 of Wade

Chapter 1

The nightmare was vicious and had her clawing her way out of what seemed like a drug-induced sleep. The scream was trapped inside her throat and as soon as she reared up off the pillows, she felt the tears on her cheeks and the burning sensation in her chest.

She started to reach for Wade when she realized that he was not there. He was on a business trip and it scorched her that she had become so accustomed to him being there to calm her from the terror that for a moment, her nausea and helplessness were exchanged by fury.

Damn him, she thought bitterly, reaching for the pillows and hugging them to her chest. Inhaling his subtle cologne, she felt herself settling in stages. Her heart slowed, as did the rapid panic breathing, and she could feel the tremors getting less.

A glance at the clock showed that it was half past one and she had just tumbled into bed at eleven. She could not sleep when he was not around and had filled the hours with work so that she did not have to go to bed alone.

She started to grab the phone, when she stopped herself. He was in Italy, which meant that he was probably wheeling and dealing at some fancy restaurant. She was a grown ass woman who had existed and managed to do so quite well, before he came into her life.

Shuddering out a breath, she put aside the pillows and settled back, closing her eyes. She did not want to remember, nor was it fair for her to call her brother. He was no doubt fast asleep by now.

Scrubbing her hands over her face, she opened her eyes and stared off at the tan and gold wallpaper. She was about to get off the bed, when her phone vibrated. Rolling her eyes and ignoring the hammering of her heart, she reached for it.

“You are supposed to be in a meeting.”

“And you are supposed to be sleeping. Nightmares?”

“Just a little one. Manageable.”

“Remi.” His deep voice rang with a warning. It was uncanny how even at the distance between them, he was familiar with every nuance of her voice and somehow knew when she was in the throes of something horrible.

“It was bad,” she admitted shakily. “God. I hate this. I can deal with things. I am not a damn child who needs an adult to help me navigate through whatever the hell is going on.”

“I am on the next flight back,” he told her coolly.

“No. Dammit, just-“ Leaning her head back, she breathed in slowly. “You are just going to piss me off-“

“Then you will be pissed off.”

“You are not responsible for me.”

“Pissing me off is not going to change my mind. Is the housekeeper still there or did you give her the night off?”

“I gave her the night off.” She wanted to scream at him and tell him that she did not need him charging back in his fancy jet to hold her hand, but she knew him well enough to realize that would not work.

“Drink some tea.”

“I am fine. Look Wade, I am over the worst. You said you would be gone for another day and I am certain you have not finished with your business.”

“I am coming back. I will get there later today. Is there any way I can persuade you not to go in today?”

“None whatsoever. I guess we both are as stubborn as hell.”

He sighed. “I asked you to accompany me.”

“And I had work to do. The hotel is due to be opened in the next two weeks and I must get my part of the job finished before then.”

“I happen to be the owner- “

“I have been contracted to design the rooms and you promised not to interfere,” she pointed out.

“You held a metaphorical gun to my head.” He sighed. “Darling, I miss you.”

She felt a jolt to her nervous system. Even after a year, she was not used to him saying that to her.

“You just left three days ago.”

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