20. Chapter 20 #3
I went back to the bag of clothing, finding a pair of yoga pants and a pink hoodie also in there. Then, despite everything, I laughed.
Beneath them was a brand-new pair of black Crocs in my size.
That bastard.
I slipped the outfit on, including the Crocs, before opening the door and venturing into a bright, sunlit hallway. I followed it until I found myself in a radiant open-space kitchen and living area. Enormous glass windows lined the room, giving jaw-dropping views of the lake from different angles.
I found Dax settled into the barstool of a large white and gold-flecked quartzite island. The light bounced off its smooth surface as his tattooed hands typed fast over the keys of a fresh-looking laptop.
“Where are we?” I asked him in greeting, gesturing toward the grandiose windows.
Dax’s gaze traveled up my body, lingering on the curves of my hips where the fabric of the yoga pants clung tight but soft against my skin.
It trailed up to where my hair lay flat against the peak of my breasts through the hoodie.
He didn’t respond until his eyes met mine.
The crystal-clear blue reflections of the sky and lake glittered against the steely azure of his irises. “Lake Domenica,” he voiced.
I gave him a quizzical look.
“We’re in the Sierras,” Dax elaborated.
Oh. That would explain the glimmering lake and snow-kissed mountains at its backdrop.
“And what is this place?” I gestured to the living space around us.
Soft neutral tones surrounded the elegant living space.
The room was so…balanced. The perfect harmony between modern and classic elements.
A stately glass and iron hearth centered the living room, the bottom tapered out like the shape of a beaker.
A long sofa with rich cream-colored fabric stretched around it to face the extraordinary view.
“I had it built a couple years ago. I’ve only really had the chance to come up here a few times. I bought it in case of emergencies.”
A house? He had to be kidding.
“Bought what?” I asked for confirmation.
“The lake,” he answered, like this was obvious.
He bought an entire lake in case of emergencies? I thought my mind was going to combust.
Dax swung his legs around on the stool, planting his feet on the sophisticated European white oak floor.
The space was airy and masterfully designed.
A spark of inspiration flared up in my mind for a fleeting moment, the same way it did when I saw his mansion in the city.
But it was different. Instead of the elaborate vintage details of the Victorian, this place had smooth lines and crisply contemporary elements diffused by gentle textiles.
There wasn’t much in terms of artwork. There wasn't a need for it with all the windows. It paid homage to the picturesque landscape on the other side of the glass, nature’s art.
“It’s breathtaking,” I told him, a little dumbfounded. I gestured toward the large island. “What? No all-you-can-eat buffet this morning? I’m disappointed.” My lame attempt at humor did nothing to ease the tension growing in the air between us.
“It hasn’t been morning for hours, Luce.” He shut his laptop. “Are you hungry, though? I can make you something—”
“No. Thanks though.” I padded barefoot across the floor toward one of the barstools a few spaces away from where he sat. “What have you heard about Bellissima?”
“Bellissima is gone, Lucy.” The weight of those words fell heavy in his breath.
I could tell it was crushing him. He had given up his life working for CIPHER to start the restaurant.
Despite only working with his staff a few times, I knew the sense of family he created in that space.
Everyone loved him, and every person who walked through the doors of that place felt an immediate sense of home.
I winced. My gaze dropped to one of the bandages covering my arm. “I’m so sorry, Dax.” When I looked back up at him, something thunderous echoed in his eyes. “What about Ricky?”
He shook his head. “He hasn’t woken up yet. The doctors think it might take a few days before it could happen. He suffered severe head trauma when he hit the floor during the blast.”
I swallowed back the dryness that coated my throat.
“Emile’s team is trying to restore the security footage recorded on the computers in my office.
They were damaged pretty badly, but we’re hoping we can clean it up enough to figure out who did it.
” Dax noticed the glossiness of my eyes as tears threatened their corners.
“Anyway, try not to worry about it right now.”
“What am I supposed to do now? Just sit here and wait for something to happen?” I shouldn’t have slept this long. I was so exhausted, but meanwhile the world was crashing around us while I had dozed off.
“That’s exactly what you should do. Just try to relax, get some rest. If you want, I can show you where the library or pool are.”
Did I hear that correctly? “This place has a library and a pool?” I looked around the beautiful open space overlooking the sparkling lake.
Dax’s lip twisted up into a small but revitalizing smile. “Come with me.”