she wouldn’t. She was more than that. Her mom had made sure of it.
They made it by thirteen guards and into the elevator without incident, and as the doors closed, stealing her view of Gabriel’s door, she couldn’t help but wonder how he would react when he learned she’d left. Her nape tightened. He was going to kill her.
Actually, no.
He wasn’t going to do anything to or with her ever again. They would never touch or laugh or talk or love—
She blinked. Love?
Yes. God, yes. Why pretend now?
She was desperately in love with him.
“I love him, Caleb,” she whispered, grabbing her friend’s hand in a grip so tight he winced.
“Hey, relax, Priss,” he chuckled. “Who do you love? Your old man?”
“No. Yes.” She shook her head and looked away from the wariness settling on Caleb’s face. “I don’t know yet about him, but Gabriel I do know. I’m in love with him. And I think my father will be easy to love because he loved my mom. And you and Nika, I love you guys.” She forced out another laugh that came out more of a croak and let go of his hand so he wouldn’t feel her trembling. “I just wanted that out there because I’ve been thinking about it lately and I don’t say it enough. Sorry. I’m tired and stressed. Ignore me.”
God, if they didn’t get out of this elevator soon she was gonna go Bruce Banner on the bitch.
“Priss. I think maybe we should go back upstairs. Tarasov can come to you.”
She waved her hand. “I’m fine. I can use the drink.” She had to do better than this. Furio was going to kill people if she didn’t get it together. She flashed her best smile at Caleb. “Doesn’t help that I’m PMS’ing.” As expected, his eyes glazed over. “Right? When it rains it pours. Like I said, ignore me.” Shut up, Eva. “Hey, maybe I shouldn’t have that drink. If I do, I’ll probably end up bawling my head off and embarrassing everyone in the vicinity.” Shut. Up. Eva. “Maybe you could lend me your ratty t-shirt; I can use it as a tissue. Seriously, Caleb, you need a girlfriend. Please find someone to love you.” SHUT UP, EVA!
She bit her lips and watched the numbers count down the final ten floors. The bell dinged and the doors swished open to present the lobby. They stepped out and turned right, and Eva made a beeline for the restroom she’d used the night of the gala. If she went out the secondary exit, she’d get to where she needed to be without involving Caleb or Aron.
“You know what? Before I go into the bar, let me splash some water on my face. Just give me one second to get a grip, ’kay?” Before she could touch the door, a strong hand gripped her upper arm. She looked up at the man who’d been one of the blessings in her life.
“You go in, clean up, and come right back out. Talk to no one. You fuck around in there and I’ll kick your skinny ass. Got me, Priss?”
I love you, too, Caleb, she said silently as she nodded and pulled away. Like she normally would have, she threw him an eyeroll for good measure as the door swung shut behind her.
With her heartbeat pounding in her ears, she ran through the restroom and slipped out into the back hallway. Without a backward glance, and moving as quickly as she could to the Exit sign at the end of the corridor, she pushed out into a dimly lit area that smelled of old car exhaust and salty air. Her arm was snatched before the door had a chance to clang shut behind her.
“I’ll never get over how fuckin’ gullible women are.”
If the Mohawk didn’t give him away, Furio’s evil eyes would have done the trick. “I’m here,” she said. “Do what you’re going to do, but please, promise me you’ll leave Gabriel and my father alone. Don’t hurt them.” She looked around for the detonator he’d mentioned.
Weirdly, so did he. But in an obvious way. Then he frowned and made like he was confused. “How can I hurt them? They’re way up there—we’re down here.” His grin was the stuff of nightmares. “Not hard to hack into a hotel’s surveillance system to see who’s hanging in whose room,” he explained in a drawl meant to make her feel stupid.
And she would have, but rage over what she’d just