“Yeah. I think that’s where he’s going. I keep asking him, but he won’t answer. He’s really pissed because you won’t answer the phone.”
“Doesn’t he have the rehearsal dinner tonight?”
“He told Danny he was sick. His best friend is getting married, and he’s skipping it to look for you. He should be giving a toast right now.”
“It’s not my fault he makes dumb decisions.”
She huffs. “If you want to end this, then leave and turn off your phone. I’m sick of your ‘on again, off again’ thing with him.”
“Yeah, you’d love for us to be over. You’d just slip right in and take my place in a heartbeat.” I pause, my voice thickening. “He hurt me, Missy. Beware of him. Please.”
She huffs. “I don’t know why I’d need to know that. He’s my employer.”
No, he’s more than that.
As soon as I arrived in Vegas and met them at the hotel, my hackles rose at the undercurrent of tension I sensed. The way she fidgeted, her eyes darting to him over and over. The way he didn’t look at her. They’d arrived a few days before me, and I smelled something rotten. Sure, Kian and I had a tumultuous relationship and had broken up a few times, but I always trusted him to be faithful when we were together.
Finding a pair of women’s lacy white underwear under his bed had cemented my suspicions.
Then the awful fight that ensued afterward—the final straw.
“I’m throwing my clothes into my bag as we speak. You’re literally giving me seconds.”
“He’s been with me in the car. I couldn’t call you. I texted.”
I was asleep.
“He can’t focus when it comes to you,” she adds, her tone annoyed. “He needs to be getting ready for next season—”
I hang up on her and turn my phone off. I fly around the room, grabbing candy and water. My hands shake as my head runs in circles, trying to hatch a plan in seconds.
There’s no time to call a taxi or Uber; plus, I don’t want to use my phone until I can delete the app he installed. I could use the one in the room, but there’s no phone book, and I’d need to turn my cell on to find the listing for a taxi company. I could call from the front desk for information, but I wouldn’t have time if they’re just down the road. I could hide in the stairwell or a dark corner, but knowing Kian, he’ll walk every inch of this place. I picture him walking the outskirts of the desert around the motel with the flashlight on his phone. Right now, he’s thinking he’ll get me back by showing how much he cares by sacrificing the wedding to look for me.
Look at me, I’ve traveled hours to get you back in my arms. That underwear was left there on purpose—to break us up.
I’m almost out the door when I spot a set of keys on the desk. For the Lamborghini. G must have left them by accident. I snatch them up, dash out my door, and dart to his. I knock and call out his name.
Mayday. Mayday.
Please. Answer. Let me hide in your room.
“It’s Emmy, G!” I knock rapidly.
My reaction isn’t just about Kian being angry; it’s about my weakness. The man knows how to grovel. He’ll beg my forgiveness, say that he’s sorry for the tracker, that he never touched Missy, that he’s sorry he put his hands on me. He’ll make heartfelt promises with tears in his eyes, and I might just get in his car and go back to Vegas with him.
My heart thunders as a wild idea swirls.
Wait.
Could I “borrow” Lambo’s car?
Gran’s voice dances through my head. If it feels wrong, then it probably is . . .
I pull a notepad from my purse and scribble a barely legible message.
G
I’m in the middle of an emergency! You left your keys in my room, and I borrowed your car. You’ll find it in Tucson at the airport. I’ll leave cash for gas and the keys tucked on one of the tires. Thank you again for helping me. SORRY!!
Emmy
I slip the note under his door and dash down the breezeway.
After taking the stairwell farthest from the main office, I run through the parking lot. I click the fob to the Lamborghini, and the car unlocks. Relief hits as I open the fancy door and slide inside. It looks like a spaceship. And, wow, it smells like him, a spicy masculine scent mixed with rich leather.
I’m trying to figure out how to start it when a black Escalade pulls into the lot. Grunting, I duck down in the seat, recognizing Kian’s rental. He parks in front of the office and gets out.