“He did it to protect you, Hadley. He just went about it the wrong way. I told him I could help him, and that’s when all of this came into play. He never thought about what it would do to you or your career. All he wanted was to keep you safe . . . alive.”
“It’s your fault then?”
He shrugged. “Not entirely. But soon, you’ll be home and all of this will be over.”
“Will it? I guess I’ll have to see it to believe it. Does Blake think I’m dead too?”
“Yes, but he’s a smart man. By now, he’s probably figured out you’re alive. He’ll come for you.”
My gut clenched. “What if he doesn’t?”
“He will. I’ll make sure of it.” Opening the door, he peered down both sides of the hall.
“Why are you helping me?”
He glanced back at me, his gaze full of pain. Lifting his hand, he circled a strand of my hair through his fingers. “You remind me of someone.”
“Who?”
His gaze darkened and he shook his head. “Forget it. Let’s just say I have my reasons. Now go back to bed.” He disappeared down the hall and I just stood there, wide awake. There was no sleep to be had.
For the rest of the night, I sat at the window and watched the sun come up. How could a place so beautiful, be filled with so much evil?
“Knock, knock,” Connor announced, knocking on my door.
“Come in.” I watched him walk in through the reflection in the window.
“I’m here to escort you to lunch.”
“Like I could eat right now,” I grumbled, turning to face him.
His body tensed. “You have to, Hadley. You’re not supposed to know anything.”
“Don’t worry, I can do this. Will he be eating with me?”
He nodded. “That’s the whole point. And whatever you do, don’t mention Blake, or your friends, or anything about using a fucking phone. Just spend time with him and get through the day. He’s not the same guy you think you know.”
My hands started to shake. I can do this.
Opening the door, he held it wide for me. “Let’s go.”
Taking a deep breath, I walked past him into the hall. He stayed by my side and whispered encouraging words, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. We stopped at a set of double doors and he nodded encouragingly before opening them up. At the far end of the table sat two place settings, both with covered dishes.
Connor nudged me forward. “Take a seat. He’ll be in here in a minute.”
“Aren’t you staying with me?”
Shaking his head, he retreated to the door. “He wants to be alone with you.”
Once he shut the door behind him, I sucked in a breath and held it, as I made my way to the table. The sound of footsteps sounded on the marble floor just outside of the room and when the door opened, I froze.
“Miss Rivers, would you like something to drink?” a soft voice asked.
I blew out my held breath and grabbed my chest. The lady was petite, probably in her mid-forties, with dark brown hair, and dressed in a typical blue and white maid’s uniform.
“Hi.” I was at a loss for words. It was the first time I’d seen someone in the house other than scary mobster men.
“Would you care for a glass of wine, water, or soda?”
“May I have a bottle of water?” That way I could tell if someone had spiked it.
She bowed her head and smiled. “I’ll be right back.”
It didn’t take her long to get my bottle and when I opened it, the lid was still attached. I guzzled it down and almost had the whole bottle gone when I heard his voice.
“Calm down, killer.”
When I saw his face, I gasped and choked on the water.
He rushed over and patted my back as I coughed it out. “You okay?” he asked, kneeling down beside me. He smiled and my heart broke. Connor had to have been wrong. There was no way Tristan would hurt me. Plus, he didn’t have an Irish accent like the guy from last night.
“Tristan, what are you doing here?”