the regular entrance. Instead, he leads me down a darkened hallway and into a smaller elevator. It’s then that I realize this is the private entrance.
How much does he know that he hasn’t shared with me? Tonight’s been a revelation on so many levels. What else does Lachlan hide from me?
I thought I’d gotten used to the Clan and who they were. I thought I’d accepted them. But now I feel as if I’m floundering with no anchor, and it worries me.
If he notices my reticence, he doesn’t say. His jaw is tight and his eyes steely as we ride the private elevator to an unnumbered floor. I don’t speak when he takes my hand in his, laces his fingers with mine, and brings our folded hands to his lips to kiss the knuckle of each of my fingers. His eyes meet mine, and I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but I think I see apology in those depths. My heart flutters.
No, I tell myself. Stay strong. I can’t let whatever schoolgirl infatuation I’ve had for Lachlan keep me from pursuing truth. Stay strong.
The elevator opens not to a hallway, but straight to a locked door. Again, he tugs my hand and leads me to the doorway, and moments later we’re in a massive suite so big, my entire family could fit in here.
He arranges me just inside the door, shuts the door behind him, then sweeps the place before returning to me. When he does, he finally sighs. I swear he looks as if he’s aged years since this morning.
“Come here,” he says gently, drawing me to his chest and wrapping strong arms around me. Wordlessly, I tuck my head into the hollow of his neck, and my arms go around his waist. I close my eyes.
“You alright?”
No. No, I’m not alright. Tonight, I saw a man killed. Tonight, I saw my brother and the man I love for the brutal mobsters they are. Someone wants to kill me, and I’m on the run.
I don’t respond at first.
He pulls me away from him just far enough so he can grasp my chin and hold my eyes with his. “You’ll learn to talk to me, Fiona. I don’t want anything hidden in that heart of yours that you don’t share with me. Do you understand me?”
He’s got the same stern expression I’ve seen countless times, but I don’t know how to respond.
“There are so many things on my mind, though,” I finally say with a sigh. “And I don’t want to tell you everything.”
His eyes narrow, and his lips thin. The grip on my chin tightens an infinitesimal notch. Not enough to hurt, but enough to capture my attention.
“I didn’t give you that option.”
My temper sparks. “Oh, right,” I snap. “Just like you didn’t give me an option to go with you tonight. Just like I didn’t have an option to speak, or to partake in your conversation with Calum. And just like you didn’t even ask if it was okay with me to come with you to another hotel in another room, when all of my belongings are in my dorm or the other hotel.”
I watch his nostrils flare, but he doesn’t speak at first. But I’m not done.
“I came here to go to college. For a fresh start. Something new, that was only mine, so I wasn’t beholden to anyone. And now here I am. Not even sure where I am or who I am anymore.”
Still, no response.
I blow out an angry breath.
“No response, Lachlan?” I shove my palm against his wrist, my temper igniting, but he captures my freed wrist with his other hand and pins it to my side.
“I can’t decide if I want to kiss you or punish you.”
That sends a tingle straight down the center of me.
Zing.
I roll my eyes. “You could do both, couldn’t you?”
“Aye.” He stares at me for long moments. “No,” he finally says. “Not tonight.” He sighs and lets me go.
Why does that disappoint me?
“Get ready for bed.” His back’s to me, while he flicks the locks in place.
Anger surges in me. I want to smack my palm on the broad flatness of his back. I barely resist the urge.
“With what?” I don’t bother to modulate my tone. A flame of fury licks at my core, barely contained.
“Bags are on the bed. There are clothes. Your phone should be there, too.”
“Excellent,” I mutter under my breath. I slide one of my shoes off.
“Watch it.” His back’s still turned to