He tugs on his boots and nods to my phone sitting on the bedside table. “You need me, use it.”

I nod.

He looks hard at me, and I know the expression on my face is that of disappointment. For more reasons than one. The first is that he’s leaving. The second is that he’s still fighting for information.

“A few hours.”

I don’t bother nodding. I just get out of the bed and head into the bathroom.

“Later, Dimi.”

I hear him sigh and leave the room.

That didn’t go how I planned.

Not at all.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Dimitri

Boss, you should know we got some information on Jess tonight.”

I turn to Peter, my second in charge for the night. He’s not much older than me, but he’s a damned loyal worker.

“Hit me with it.” I say, walking to my locker and opening it.

“After she ran, you know, obviously, you sent someone after her. He had problems communicating back. That’s why we’re only getting the information now. He said he had troubles with his phone.”

I don’t entirely know if that’s true. Ted, the man I sent after the cab she jumped in, isn’t the most reliable of sources. The fucker probably didn’t even take his phone.

“Anyway, he contacted us just after you left to return here. He gave us a big bullshit story as to why it took so long, but that’s not important. He said he got to the hotel just after Jess, because his driver had to do a lap of the block to get a parking spot. She was already inside by the time he managed to find somewhere to park. He said he waited, unable to call it in because of his phone. He said about an hour after he sat, someone came out of the hotel.”

“Someone?” I ask, strapping my knuckles.

“Boss,” he hesitates. “He said he saw Hendrix come out.”

My entire body jerks. Hendrix? Fucking Hendrix?

“What the motherfuck was that cunt doing there?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know, he just said it was most definitely him.”

He was in her room with her. She saw him. Everything in my body turns to ice. I just gave her a part of myself and she was with Hendrix. God, I’m such a fucking idiot. She’s probably plotting with him. It’s why she’s not leaving, why she’s not running. It’s how she got the fucking hotel room.

Anger boils over and I drive my fist into the locker so hard a massive dint appears straightaway. Blood trickles out of a split in my knuckles and the throbbing pain doesn’t ease the one forming in my heart.

“Get. Her. Here. Now.”

“Yes, sir.”

So help me fuckin’ God, this isn’t going to end well.

She betrayed me. Fucking betrayed me.

She will pay.

Jess

“Jess!”

Luke is pounding on my door. I sigh, wondering why the hell he’s suddenly so desperate to get to me. I’ve just finished a shower and was looking forward to lying in bed and getting some sleep. With a growl, I walk over and swing it open. He’s staring at me, his eyes hard. There’s something behind them—I can’t pinpoint what it is but it’s not a happy look.

I’ve gotten to know Luke a little better since I’ve been here, and there are times, although occasional, when he actually smiles at me. Now, he looks as though he wants to rip my head off. I really don’t understand why. Was I supposed to let him in? Is he angry about having to stand outside until Dimi gets back? I put my hand up on the doorframe and stare right back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Time to go. Now.”

I shake my head, sure I’ve heard him wrong. “What?”

“You heard me,” he barks. “It’s time to go. Let’s move.”

He reaches out and takes my hand, tugging me. “Wait!” I cry. “Let me get changed.”

He lets me go and growls, “Hurry up.”

I turn and quickly change back into my clothes and then I throw my hair up into a ponytail before rushing back to the door.

“Why the hurry?” I ask as Luke takes my arm again, pulling me out.

“I’ll let the boss speak to you.”

I shake my head and let him pull me down to a waiting car. He opens the door and I get into the back quickly, pulling on my seatbelt. Luke walks around after slamming my door loudly, and jumps into the passenger seat. A man I don’t know is driving. I cross my arms and stare out of the window, not quite sure what to make of the sudden outburst. I decide, until I can speak to Dimitri, there’s no point in saying anything. So, I sit back and stay silent until we pull up at Dimitri’s house.

I’m surprised we’ve come here, and even more so that Dimitri didn’t come and get me, or even call. When the car comes to a stop, I climb out and walk up to the front door. Luke catches up in a mere second, and I can feel his presence behind me. God, why is he so close? Is there any need for that? I pick up my pace and head into the main living area.

Dimitri is standing by the window. His fists are down by his side and he seems to be panting. Is he angry at me? Luke clears his throat and I watch as Dimi turns and pins me with his scathing glare. He’s angry, I was right . . . I just don’t know what he’s angry about. Luke turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone with him. I warily take a step forward, unsure what the hell is going on.

“Who got your room for you tonight?” Dimitri growls, his voice low and throaty.