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“It’s OK, you’re safe, Nova. I’m going to take care of everything.” He squeezed me hard against him.
I bet you are.“Ryzen, the men who took me, do you know…”
He shook his head. “Shh, shh, we’ll talk later. You’re in shock. I’m getting you out of here.” He caressed my face with his hands, leaning down to place a kiss on my cheek.
The doctor came into the room and Ryzen grabbed him by the elbow, took him back out into the hallway and shut the door. I stood and walked over, pressing my ear to the door, but could only make out muffled voices.
My whole body was shaking, and I let out a deep breath. I didn’t know what I had imagined was going to happen when I saw him, but it wasn’t this. Delove had made it sound so easy, but I was beginning to think he had never been double-crossed in his life. Or been in love. Or hate, for that matter.
My mind kept drifting back to Cian. I would give anything to have him here right now, holding my hand, telling me everything was going to be OK. But he wasn’t here. And wouldn’t be for a long time. No, I couldn’t let myself hold onto that thread of hope that he was out there waiting to save me. I was going to have to save myself and Juliet. It had to be done.
Ryzen came back into the room with the doctor, who handed me a prescription for painkillers and said I was free to go. Just like that. No paperwork, no more interviews, they would take care of everything, and I could just… leave with Ryzen.
After changing into some scrubs Erin gave us, Juliet and I walked out of the hospital. A white SUV pulled up and one of Ryzen’s security came around and opened the door for us. It was one of his regulars I had seen at his office many times, Valik or Verik something. He gripped my hand and helped me step up, then Juliet. Ryzen climbed in behind us.
Juliet sat facing us, Ryzen glued to my side, gripping me to him. She was doing really well controlling herself, I could tell. Hell, I’d seen that woman experience every emotion in the book, and right now her face was as blank as a stone-cold killer’s. Ryzen squeezed my hand and I laid my head against his chest as we drove down the freeway. I wondered if Delove and Dobbs were behind us. Were they watching? Was Cian? Someone had to be, I knew that.
Ryzen was quiet the whole ride. I knew he wouldn’t want to talk in front of Juliet, which was fine by me. I stared at her, having a silent conversation with our eyes.
I hate him, he’s a dick.
How do you think I feel sitting next to him?
You’re strong. You got this.
We got this.
You’re going to pay for stealing my marshmallow fluff.
OK, I didn’t know that was exactly what she was thinking, but knowing Juliet, she would find a way to pay me back for that one.
The silence in the car was driving me crazy. There were so many questions I wanted to ask Ryzen, but I knew that it would have to wait. Honestly, I was surprised he hadn’t grilled me yet, but that just reaffirmed that he was waiting for the right moment. My leg jiggled as we got closer to downtown, and when we passed Goodacre Estates, my whole body tensed.
“Where are we going?” I stammered and sat up.
“A hotel for tonight.” He rubbed my back. “I thought you would be more comfortable.”
OK. I guessed. That definitely hadn’t been part of the plan. It wasn’t like I could have taken the FBI equipment with me to the hospital—it would have been found right away. Delove had said the supplies would be waiting in my apartment for me, and refused to answer when I asked how he planned on getting in there unseen. It was time for plan B, which was to stall any heavy conversations with Ryzen until I got my wire hooked up.
Of course, we pulled up to Covington’s Luxury Suites on the Magnificent Mile.
Valik, as I heard Ryzen call him, parked and grabbed a small black bag out of the trunk. He stood in front and guided us to the elevators, bypassing the check-in desk. Maybe Ryzen had a room here all the time for his little dates with Iva. I wouldn’t be surprised.
We took the elevator up to the fortieth floor and walked to the end of the hall. There was a man sitting in one of those metal folding chairs, and he looked like he was about to crush it at any moment. He stood when we got to the door and let us in.
The room was as huge as a three-bedroom apartment. It even had a pool table in the center of the living room area. Ryzen stayed in the hall for a moment and spoke with Valik and his other guard before shutting the door and walking over to the bar. He poured out three shots of bourbon and handed us each a glass, which I more than happily threw back.
“I’m exhausted, and I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.” Juliet placed her shot glass on the bar. “Is there a bed I can stay in?”
“Yes, of course, Juliet. I’ll take you.” He waved his hand toward the room at the end of the hallway and walked down in front of her. She turned to look at me and mouthed,Oh, my God,and I tried to not smile.
I poured myself another shot, then another, slamming them down before he came back.
He cleared his throat and I jumped, turning to face him. “Jesus, you scared me.” I gasped.
“Sorry.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You’re probably tired and want to get some sleep.”
“Yeah, you’re right. But we do need to talk.” I poured two more shots and handed him his glass.
