Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 177397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 887(@200wpm)___ 710(@250wpm)___ 591(@300wpm)
“Aleena, I’m sorry.”
She brushes off my sympathies as if they’re not required. “It’s okay. I’m fine with it now. It just stung a little at the time. It kind of knocks your ego being disregarded like you’re worthless.”
She is preaching to the wrong person, but since this is about her, not me, I scoot to the edge of my chair before squeezing her hand in mine. “But things are different this time, right? This isn’t an arrangement. You love Kazimir and he loves you?”
Her sob breaks my heart, so you can imagine my surprise when she acts like everything is fine. “Of course. It’s wonderful.” When my expression announces that I need a little more convincing, she says, “Last night was nerves. I was getting cold feet and petrified that Kazimir was experiencing the same. But he put my worries to bed last night.”
“He visited you last night?” I need to get a second opinion on the medication I am taking. They’re making me far too sentimental. I sound like a lovesick fool.
A flare darts through Aleena’s eyes as she nods. “Yeah. He made everything better and had me so giddy that if a certain someone hadn’t hogged the hotel event planner’s evening, she may not have been the only one shacked up and married right now.” She bumps me with her knee. “If only we were in Vegas.”
I giggle. It loosens some of the tension hanging heavily on my chest. “So we’re still on for today? You still want to hang out?”
“Yes,” she whispers. “Of course.”
“Okay.” I squeeze her hand again. “Why don’t you go grab the girls and come back here. We have a full itinerary of activities to undertake.”
I melt into her embrace when she hugs me before I shadow her walk to the door.
I stare at it for a few moments to gather my bearings. Something feels off with Aleena’s story, though I can’t quite pinpoint what it is.
It doesn’t help that my usually stealth detective skills are lagging this morning. I barely slept last night. It wasn’t solely Nikita’s abrupt nuptials keeping me awake but also the promise of a man I shouldn’t have fallen in love with but have.
I waited up for Andrik as asked.
He never arrived.
I stop staring into space when the creak of a door opening trickles into my ears. Maksim exits Nikita’s room looking more disheveled than he did last night. Her memory loss is worrying him as much as it is me.
“I have a handful of matters I need to take care of.” When I nod, he continues. “There are two guards stationed at the end of the hall, and my security personnel were briefed this morning. She is safe here, though I would appreciate if you would encourage her to stay on the hotel grounds.”
“Most of our activities today are here.”
Like all dominant men, he only hears what he wants to hear. “Most?”
“I booked us a spa day at a salon in town. No offense but the prices here are outrageous.”
He smirks, amused by my honesty, but remains firm on his orders. “I will have Slatvena cancel the appointment.”
“Every girl knows the best cure for a hangover is a spa day. If you want her memories back sooner rather than later, let the appointment stand.”
Maksim doesn’t seem the type to compromise, though I am delighted when he does. “I will organize for my team to come here.” My lips barely move before he gives them no reason to. “At the hotel’s expense.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
He eyes me for a nanosecond before muttering, “But?”
“But…” He isn’t a fan of delayed gratification. “The spa day was in preparation for a DJ gig we were planning to attend tonight. I don’t see DJ Rourke willing to do a home visit like your spa techs.”
He gives me a look as if to say, Don’t bet on it, before he pulls out his phone. “What time is the gig?”
“Nine.”
He scrolls an overloaded planner on his phone while humming before he says, “That could work. I’ll organize security.”
My mood perks up. “Great. Thanks.”
“But.” He isn’t asking a question this time. He’s about to hit me with a statement. “Nikita won’t be able to leave this room with that hanging over your head.” He nudges his head to the duffle bag I was unable to hand back last night since Andrik failed to show up. “It will be harder to maintain her safety when there are too many variables at play.”
“I understand. I just…” Again, morals break through pathetic excuses. “Andrik didn’t show up last night, and I don’t have a way to contact him.”
Maksim almost looks sympathetic.
Almost.
“My offer is still open. I am more than happy to return it to him.”
I stray my eyes to Nikita’s bedroom door for the quickest second before recognizing the cause of the commotion outside the suite’s door. Aleena and her bridesmaids are giddy with excitement about our day, and it reminds me of what this weekend is meant to be about.