and headed for the front where my driver would be waiting. He leaped out of the car when he spotted me and opened the rear door. I hustled Athena inside, then followed.
“Hotel, please,” I said, immediately activating the screen to separate the front and back. “Buckle up, Athena.”
I spent the journey back to the hotel answering emails that had come in during the last two hours, while Athena buzzed with irritation beside me. We drew to a halt underneath a large concrete canopy in front of the hotel. I got out, waited for Athena to follow, then clutched her hand again. I didn’t trust her not to run off. She wouldn’t get far—I’d run track in college—but an attempt wasn’t out of the question.
We took the elevator up to my penthouse suite. Elliot occupied the only other one. A risk, maybe, but my suite was big enough to hide Athena should Elliot come by unexpectedly.
I went into the bathroom and returned with a robe. “Put this on,” I said, anticipating an argument and armed with a cutting response.
Athena surprised me by accepting it without making a fuss. She slipped her arms inside and fastened the belt, then wandered over to the large picture window and stared at the street far below. The lights from the surrounding buildings cast a shadow across her face. I stood in place, watching her, a deepening ache hollowing out my chest.
I tore my gaze away. I needed to get back to the club and deal with Tanaka before Elliot became too suspicious and started asking questions. Quizzing Athena on what the fuck she thought she was doing working in a sex club would have to wait. But, equally, I couldn’t leave her alone. I knew her far too well. The second my back was turned, she’d run.
Fortunately for me—not so much for her—I had contacts all over the globe. For all its benefits, enormous wealth also brought with it a shit ton of problems, the need for security on occasion an unwelcome necessity. But in this case, having those contacts worked in my favor. I texted a trusted individual, a man I’d used for personal protection on various occasions when traveling through the Far East. He responded within seconds, promising someone would be with me in five minutes.
Now that was service.
Athena turned around, leaning against the window with her arms folded over her chest. She looked so small and lost swathed in the thick toweling robe, but when it came to Athena, appearances were deceptive. One momentary concentration lapse, and she’d knee me in the balls.
“When does the interrogation begin?” A knock at the door startled her. She widened her eyes. “If that’s Elliot, don’t let him in,” she begged, panic bleeding into her tone.
“Don’t worry, darling. It’s not Elliot.”
I opened the door and smiled at the man waiting outside. “Three minutes. Impressive.” Standing back, I allowed him to enter.
“Who’s this?” Athena demanded.
Ignoring Athena’s question, I cut my eyes to the guard. “Don’t let her out of your sight. And don’t believe a word she says.”
I left the suite with Athena’s spluttering indignations ringing in my ears.
2
Athena
I shot a glance at the big oaf Ryker had installed to…to… what? Keep an eye on me. Babysit me as if I was twelve. I curled my hands into fists, my laser-sharp stare ferocious enough to burn holes in his face.
In response he yawned, hoisted up his pants, and plopped onto the sofa. He promptly began picking at his teeth.
Asswipe.
Also… urgh. Filthy habit.
And then my mind turned away from Mr. Disgusting to the important shit.
Ryker left. He goddamn went and left.
He’d always had more than his fair share of arrogance. Even as a teenager, he’d exuded power, control, dominance. It was one of the many things that first brought him to my attention, morphed him from my brother’s best friend to the man who invaded my every thought, ingraining himself so deeply in the very fiber of my being, nothing could scrape him out.
Wanting Ryker was the very reason I found myself here in Japan. Taking a job in this club hadn’t been part of the plan—I’d find a way to pay Hiroto back for giving me no choice—but after all those years mooning after Ryker and getting nowhere, I’d needed to get away. My obsession with him had poisoned me from the inside out, turning me into a petulant, bitter, jealous woman I barely recognized. I tried forgetting him, but it was like he’d put a hex