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“Spend money.” His lips twisted into a knowing smirk. “But this is not up for discussion.” He placed his hand on my lower back as the doors opened and he ushered me out.
We ambled through the lobby along a row of windows toward the main exit. As I was taking in the remarkable view, Valentino stepped ahead of me to whisper something to Joseph, leaving me behind with Noah.
Suddenly, I froze when I saw someone familiar gliding by the glass outside. Instantly, I whirled toward the window but did not see the ghostly figure any longer as it disappeared into the crowd on the sidewalk. I let out the breath I had been holding for a few seconds.
“Miss Ayala?” Noah stopped a step ahead of me.
Joseph and Valentino spun around to us when they heard the concern in Noah’s voice. Without warning, I sped toward the exit to go find the person I saw.
“Isabelle!” Valentino shouted as the three of them hurried after me.
Coming to an abrupt stop outside, I stared in the direction he went. Neck craned, I darted my eyes down the road, searching for any sign. The bravery swiftly diminished, and I shivered with anxiety. Valentino threw his arms around me, enveloping me in his embrace.
“What’s wrong?” He kissed the top of my head.
A few passing people glanced at us as they strolled past.
I leaned back, staring at him, shocked. “I saw him!” I peeked at Joseph, who was busy stretching his neck to see anyone he recognized.
Joseph spun back to me. “Isabelle, who did you see?” He did not bother with the formality.
“A ghost maybe.” I sighed, shaking my head. “I really don’t even know, but can we just go?”
Valentino kept his arm around me as we were about to enter a store next to the hotel, but I stopped. He placed his hand on my stomach. “What’s wrong?
“I hate to be that woman but, can we go eat something first?” I rested my hand on top of his. “I think maybe that’ll help me feel better.”
He smiled. “Of course.” He pivoted us in the other direction. “I know the perfect place.”
“Do you own that too?” I snorted.
“Weand no.” He narrowed his gaze on mine briefly while we walked in the opposite direction.
As we sat in the little French café by the window, Isabelle and I had our backs to the glass. Joseph and Noah were facing us so they could keep watch outside. Carefully, I studied Isabelle. She was noticeably uncomfortable and shaken up from whoever or whatever she saw outside the hotel. Distracted, she kept staring at the table as she took small, sporadic bites of her food. She picked up her glass, grasping at the straw with her lips, but she missed. I snickered and took her drink, setting it back on the table.
“Alright, alright let’s talk.” I placed my arm around her and swiveled toward her. “What’s going on and who did you see or think you saw?”
She dropped her head and fidgeted with her fingers in her lap. “I think I’m just traumatized.”
Joseph leaned forward and tapped the table in front of her with a finger. “Isa… Miss Ayala.” He rolled his eyes at his second slip up in thirty minutes. “You know I always have your best interests in mind and Noah does now as well.”
I rested my hand on her shoulder, stroking it with my fingertips. “Do you want them to step away so we can chat privately?”
“No, it’s okay.” She shook her head, then exhaled. “They should know too.” Returning her hands together in her lap, she fidgeted with her fingers again as she stared at the table.
Noah skewed his head and watched something outside the window. I was too busy paying attention to Isabelle to worry much about what he was doing. She was still contemplating telling us what was going on. Noah pulled out his phone and tapped on it furiously. He then laid it down in the middle of the table and pointed toward the screen.
“Miss Ayala.”
She raised her head and all our eyes fell on the phone screen.
He pointed once again. “Is that who you saw by chance?”
She gasped, nodding. “How did you kn—”
“He just walked by the café on the other side of the street. I saw him as well.” He picked his phone up and returned it to his pocket and sat back, crossing his arms.
Joseph jumped up, marching outside at lightning speed, still trying not to cause a scene inside the restaurant. Noah stood and spoke in his earpiece as he lifted a finger, signaling for us to stay put while he checked around inside.
