Chapter 43 – Sydney
SYDNEY
Second Circle.
I stare up at the massive hotel, awed by the sheer size of it, as Earl steers the town car into the underground garage.
He weaves smoothly through the structure before navigating to a reserved spot with Alec’s name on it.
The roar of an engine announces Sebastian’s arrival moments before his motorcycle pulls into the space next to us.
He takes off his helmet as he dismounts, shaking out his hair, before striding over to open the car door for me.
“You’ll be safe here,” he promises, offering me his hand to help me out of the car. The trunk closes with a dull thud as Earl pulls out my suitcase. “At least while we work out a more permanent solution.”
I miss the person I was this morning, when I didn’t know what it meant to pack a bag of everything you can’t stand to leave behind.
I reach into the backseat for Bea’s cat carrier, grateful that she’d stayed hidden under my bed during the attack.
I peek inside and see her calmly licking her paw, completely indifferent to the entire ordeal.
She’s as apathetic about murder as you.
“What about my shop?” I ask.
“You’ll have to close down for a few days.” Sebastian gives me a long, measured look. “We’ll reimburse you for the financial loss, of course.”
My teeth grind together. “That’s not the point.”
“I know.” He drags a hand through his hair and releases a tired breath. “I know, love, believe me I do. But it’s the best we can do right now. It’s not safe for you to be working there. Even with the cameras.”
He’s right. And I hate that he’s right.
“Who was that man?” I press. “The one who attacked me?”
“As far as we know? Hired muscle.” He takes my bag from Earl. I give the older man a polite smile and mouth thank you, as Sebastian guides me toward the elevators. “We’re still working to ID him.”
“But why would Chase—”
The elevator doors ding as they open, and Sebastian ushers me inside.
“I called Jade on our way over,” he tells me. “She’ll be shutting down the store tomorrow and coming here to spend the day with you.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He shoots me a look that says he absolutely did. “I don’t want you to be alone. And having your best friend here will make the transition easier.”
He’s right again. I do need her, right now. I need the comfort having her around will provide.
“She sounded excited,” he adds. “When I informed her everything would be comped, she asked if that included room service and the minibar.”
“Does it?” I ask, lifting a brow.
The corners of Sebastian's lips twitch, the ghost of a smile. “Of course.”
The elevator doors open, and we step forward into a whole new world.
“Wow,” I murmur, as Sebastian guides me past two armed guards standing watch near the entrance.
Luxury drips from every corner of the hotel lobby, from the deep crimson velvet of the couches to the gold-limned chandeliers and smooth marble floors.
It feels lush in a way I’ve never experienced before, the shimmering light kept to a level just bright enough to illuminate passageways and the Botticelli beauties painted on the walls.
There are no windows. No natural light. It’s as if we’re hidden away from the world, separate from it. It stirs something inside me.
Want. Need. Desire.
“Ah. Mr. Sterling. And Mrs. Sterling.” An elegant, older woman moves forward from the ornate concierge desk to greet us. She inclines her head toward me in acknowledgement. “Welcome to the Second Circle. I’m Francesca. You’ll be very well taken care of here, I assure you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “But I’m not Mrs. Ster—”
“The staff has been informed that you are here as Alec’s personal guest,” Sebastian says smoothly, talking over me. “They will be referring to you by our name, when not in private.”
I’m not sure how I feel about that. Not sure why the idea of being called Mrs. Sterling sends a delighted thrill through me.
“Jonathan?” Francesca calls. An enthusiastic, trim man appears at her side almost instantly, clapping his hands together in excitement. “Please take Mrs. Sterling’s bags and animal companion up to the penthouse and—”
“Not the penthouse,” Sebastian interrupts, voice sharp as he stares her down. “Give her the Goddess Suite.”
Francesca’s brows rise, but she doesn’t argue. “Of course. Too many memories, I presume?" She doesn’t wait for him to answer. Turning back to the attendant, she says, “Run ahead and make sure the Goddess Suite is prepared for Mrs. Sterling and her incoming guest.”
“Right away!”
“Penthouse not grand enough for me?” I ask in a low voice, as Sebastian leads me through a luxurious side passage toward an alcove housing more elevators.
“Nothing ever could be.” He stops, and to my surprise he moves closer to me, dipping his head to press a delicate kiss to my lips.
Oh. I like this, this more intimate side of him. I slide my hand up to the nape of his neck and lean into him, savoring the feeling of his body against mine.
“Sir?”
Sebastian jerks back. We both turn.
A beautiful woman stands near the elevators watching us, her long black hair pulled into loose braids, dressed in a bright yellow crop top and a flowing bohemian skirt.
“You don’t need to call me that,” Sebastian says stiffly. He’s tense, suddenly, shoulders drawn back.
She tilts her head in bemusement, but nods. “Of course. Mr. Sterling,” she amends. Then she turns her attention to me, giving me a bright smile. “Mrs. Sterling. I’m Victoria. But you can call me Vicky. Francesca sent me to take you on a tour of our facilities and show you to your room.”
“Of course she did,” Sebastian mutters, adjusting his glasses. He lets out an irritated breath. “Vicky, this is Sydney. Sydney, this is my friend Vicky.”
Vicky approaches me with a radiant, unabashed smile. “May I touch you?” she asks.
A bit taken aback, I nod. She wraps her arms around me in a warm, unexpected hug. “It’s good to meet you, Sydney. I promise you we’ll take good care of you here.” She takes my hand, tugging me toward the elevator. “Your room is still being prepared, but I have so much to show you!”
“Wait!” Sebastian says. He stands planted in the hall, back stiff and his jaw tight. His eyes flick between the two of us. Then he steps forward, taking my face in his hands, and pulls me into one last lingering, possessive kiss.
“Call me if you need anything at all,” he murmurs against my lips. He presses a gentle kiss to my cheek, fingers tracing my jaw, before he forces himself to step away.
I’m blushing when he finally lets me go. Next to me, Vicky is struggling to hide her own smile as he walks off, disappearing down the hallway and out of sight.
“He likes you,” Vicky says in an excited voice. “That’s not like him.”
No. It’s not. My cheeks burn, flooded with heat. I have to clear my throat twice before I can speak again. “Are the two of you close?” I ask her.
“Oh yes. We’re good friends.” She gives me a playful smile, her eyes twinkling as she looks at me. “But I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
My blush deepens, and I try to ignore it as I let her direct me to the elevators.
“This is your keycard.” She presses a credit-card sized piece of black metal into my hand.
It shimmers in the artificial lights. “It grants you access to every level of the hotel. There is a restaurant on level three, and a full bar there as well. There is another bar on the ground level.” Vicky scans her own black card and presses a button.
The elevator glides into motion. “But we advise you to use the more…exclusive one, during your stay here. The third level is off limits to anyone not staying at the hotel, but the ground floor is open to the general public. It’s safer if you keep to the more protected areas. ”
“Are we really afraid I’ll be attacked while getting a drink?” I ask sardonically.
Vicky doesn’t share my skepticism, but she still smiles sweetly as she explains, “Mr. Sterling has made it clear that your safety is our top priority. And staying within the secure areas of the hotel is the best way to ensure that safety.”
It’s hard not to feel trapped when she says that. Like I’m being held captive.
Vicky notices. “Don’t worry,” she assures me, reaching for my hand to hold it again, giving it a friendly squeeze.
“You’ll have plenty to do in the hotel. We have a full spa, private movie theatre, 24/7 bars, restaurants and room service.
Anything you could ever desire.” Her smile grows.
“And once the other girls hear about your kitten? You’re going to make so many friends! ”