And yet, as I watch Ryder pack up his gem equipment, I’m not as thrilled as I thought I’d be.
“You’re sure you want to leave now?” he asks.
“Yes. It’s best we get back as soon as possible,” I insist.
“So you can deliver the goods and get a hefty pay day, I presume,” he surmises.
I force a fake smile. “Yep.” A white lie. The last thing I plan to do is hand the diamond over to Adam Voss, but I’m not letting Ryder know that.
After quickly packing up, we leave our little country cottage and head back to Vienna. Once we’re aboard the jet, I touch base with Voss and text him I didn’t find the diamond. Of course, he isn’t happy, but he knew the risks. And this isn’t about him anyway.
Both Ryder and I are quiet, but I sneak glances at him throughout the flight. He looks so lost in thought. A little sad, too. We barely say two words to each other, and I end up curling my legs beneath me and dozing off.
Once we touch down in Denver, I grab my bag and flee from the plane as if it’s on fire. I know there’s nothing I can say to change the dark, contemplative look on Ryder’s face. So I don’t bother to try. Our time together is over.
“Hey!” He jogs up behind me, taking my duffel in his other hand, and we walk over to my Vanquish. “I hope you’re not just leaving me here.” His voice is teasing, but I’m not in a playful mood. It really would be much easier if he took the hint and just Ubered home.
“Of course not,” I say stiffly. “Get in.”
Starting the car, doing my best to ignore the tumult in my heart, I exit the airport and head toward Ryder’s house.
I’m expecting him to start chatting me up, but he remains quiet. I don’t know how I can be so relieved and hugely disappointed at the same time. When I finally pull up to his Wash Park house, he turns to face me.
“So this is it, huh?” he asks in a low voice.
Clenching my hands tighter around the steering wheel, I wonder why I feel guilty. And like the biggest jerk in the world. “I’m not sure I understand. We found the Phantom Orchid—for Voss,” I add, even though I have no intention of delivering it to him. “The job is over.” He seems to mull over my words a little too long, and I let out a sigh. “Ryder—”
“Right. Gotcha.” He opens his door, and my face falls as he gets out.
Fighting the urge to call out to him, I clamp my mouth shut.It’s for the best. This was always the plan. Let him go.Ikeep repeating the mantra in my head, attempting to force myself to believe it.
Ryder props an arm on the car’s roof, leans inside and gives me a crooked smile. “Thanks for the best adventure I ever had, Delaney.”
I almost correct him and tell him to call me Bella, but what’s the point? Besides, I really like the way he says my name. I’ve missed being Delaney Marquette, and the idea of him knowing who I truly am behind all the false layers gives me a strange sort of comfort.
“Guess I’ll see you around.” He pats the top of the car and closes the door. Swinging his duffel over a shoulder, he starts up the walkway.
“Dammit,” I whisper, unable to tear my gaze off his broad shoulders and firm ass. The way he moves with such ease.
I hope I didn’t just make a huge mistake by letting him walk away.
Suddenly, my mantra isn’t helping. Not even a little. I gun the engine and drive away far too fast. I have no idea why my eyes burn with tears, or why my heart thinks we could’ve had something together. I need my brain to enter the picture and set everything straight.
“Don’t be a fool, Delaney,” I scold myself. Because that’s exactly who love is for—fools.
Back to Denver. Back to reality.
I drive straight home to my small downtown apartment and park in the underground garage. This is my permanentplace of residence, but no one knows I live here. My legs feel like lead as I trudge up the two flights of stairs, unlock my door and slip inside. Dropping my duffel bag, I swipe my stupid tears away, momentarily squeeze my eyes shut then shake it off.
Right then. Time to disappear.
Turning the lights on, I reach into my pocket and pull out the small velvet bag. Tipping it upside down, I drop the diamond into my palm. The light catches its facets, and it sparkles a gorgeous pinkish-purple. I suck in a breath, awed by its unique hue, and marvel at the fact that I’m holding the Phantom fucking Orchid in my hand.
“I did it, Dad,” I whisper reverently, holding the gem up. I’d like to think he’s watching me from a very happy place and smiling so hard his cheeks hurt.
The weird thing is, I thought I’d feel… I don’t know. Happier? As amazing as it is to finally have this treasure, I have no one to celebrate with me. I should be popping open a bottle of champagne right now with Ryder. Then inviting him into my bed.
Gritting my teeth, I put the diamond back in the bag and set it down on the coffee table a little too hard. I don’t have much to pack. Just some fresh clothes, toiletries, and a few mementos that I refuse to leave behind. Then I’m outta here. There’s no point in lingering.
