Chapter 59
CHAPTER
FIFTY-NINE
Andi wandered into the lobby to get a soda.
That was when she saw Rupert pacing near the front desk, his phone pressed to his ear. As soon as he spotted Andi, he ended the call.
“There you are.” He rushed toward her. “I was just explaining—again—why pivoting the schedule on twenty-four hours’ notice is not ideal.”
Andi smiled, deciding to jump in with the update before Rupert could wind himself up again. “Good news. They found Gina. She’s alive.”
Rupert froze. “Alive? Well. That’s . . . that’s wonderful. Truly. Maybe we can finally focus on this tour!”
Andi’s smile softened but didn’t disappear. She was determined to play nice and keep Rupert calm. “Not yet. Kate’s still missing.”
Rupert’s mouth opened, then closed. “I’m just not sure what you’re hoping to prove with this added stop. From a business standpoint, it’s messy. From a liability standpoint—”
She lifted a hand. “I know all about liability. And thank you—for being a good sport about it.”
Rupert blinked, seemingly caught off guard. “I beg your pardon?”
Andi grinned, already stepping past him. “Really. We appreciate it.”
As Andi headed back to her room, she pressed a silent prayer into the chaos.
Let this work.
Let this unplanned stop shake something loose.
Let this guy make a mistake.
The gang grabbed dinner at a local Mexican restaurant just off the main road, a place with bright tiles, laminated menus, and the smell of grilled carne asada hanging thick in the air.
It wasn’t the best meal Duke had ever eaten. But it was fast, hot, and filling, which was all anyone really wanted right now.
Conversation stayed light.
However, Duke’s attention snagged every time his phone buzzed against the tabletop. He didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Celeste.
He’d already checked twice. Short messages. Nothing dramatic. Nothing he could easily explain away, either.
Do you have a minute? We need to talk soon.
He turned the phone face down.
Across the table, Andi’s gaze flicked to his phone and then away again.
He saw the hurt—and suspicion—in her gaze.
His chest tightened.
He thought he’d be able to keep this under wraps. He should have known better.
Andi was astute, and things didn’t get past her.
He couldn’t put this off much longer. He needed to tell her what was going on.
But he desperately wanted to wait until things were calmer. When there wasn’t a killer threading his way through their lives.
By the time they walked back to the hotel, the night air had cooled just enough for goosebumps to prick along his arms. The others peeled off toward their rooms, quiet and tired, until it was just him and Andi again.
The hallway was dim, carpeted, quiet except for the distant hum of the ice machine as he walked her to her room.
She slowed, then stopped with her key card in hand. “Listen, I know you’re hiding something. I’ve been patiently waiting for you to talk to me about it, not wanting to push. But my patience is running out. We need to talk.”
His stomach sank. “We do.”
“You’ve been texting Celeste.”
There it was—direct and without apology. “I have been.”
“In fact, you’ve been texting her for a few days.” Andi kept her voice steady but tight. “But you haven’t mentioned anything to me about it. I don’t want to seem like the jealous girlfriend, but the fact you’re keeping this a secret makes me think there’s more to it.”
Regret slammed into his chest. “Andi—no. It’s not like that. At all.”
Her eyes didn’t soften. “Then what is it like?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face, struggling to choose the right words. “I can explain everything, including why I haven’t mentioned it.”
“Then please do.”
“The truth is, I just need you to trust me.”
“Trust you? Trust you with what?”
“I want to explain, but I can’t.” He paused. “Not yet.”
“Why not?” Her voice lilted with emotion.
“It’s complicated, but I promise—”
A shrill sound ripped through the hallway, cutting them off.
He looked up and saw the red light flashing in the corner.
The fire alarm.
Doors flew open up and down the corridor as startled guests spilled out, voices rising in confusion.
Andi stepped back, tension still etched into her face. His confession had been interrupted.
“Come on.” He rested a hand lightly at her back as the hallway filled. “We’ll talk later. I promise.”
Outside, sirens sounded in the distance as people clustered on the sidewalk.
He saw no signs of a fire, nor did he smell any smoke.
Most likely, this was a false alarm. Had someone been trying to draw everyone outside?
His gut tightened at the thought.
He needed to finish his conversation with Andi.
And he would. As soon as they got back inside and somewhere private.