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“Fine, Daisy.” Jackson runs a hand through his rumpled hair. Even though he’s all the way on the other side of the elevator, mybody still hums from his touch. “We do this your way. We’ll help you get rid of the ghost first, but don’t think that means we’re done with you.”
I can’t help the way my pulse races at those words. “What exactly do you mean?”
“I mean that you and me and Orion are going to get the truth out of Brooks once and for all,” Jackson growls. “And then you and I are going to finish what we started.”
16
SIXTEEN: LILY
When I get back to the hotel room, thankfully, Brooks isn’t anywhere to be found. I don’t think I can face him knowing that his brother just kissed me in the elevator.
Jackson kissed me.
And I kissed him back.
In front of Orion, who I also want to kiss.
What is wrong with me?
I swallow down the taste of elderflower and scrawl a note to Brooks, informing him that he needs to be present tonight after dinner for the séance. I leave it on his pillow.
My stomach rumbles.
Hmmm, dinner. I remember that I had Freddie book that table for two tonight, and Brooks will be picking up the tab. Grinning at my petty revenge, I throw open my rucksack, rummage around, and pull out a skintight red dress.
This is exactly what I need to take my mind off of Jackson and Orion and thatkiss…
I still have a couple of hours to kill before my reservation, so I head down to the gym and get a heavenly massage—also chargedonto Brooks’s card. Then, I lock myself in the bathroom in case Brooks returns and take a long soak in the tub while listening to a true crime podcast about all the grisly murders that have happened at the Bridgemont.
I take my time curling my hair and doing my makeup, and finally pull on the dress, add a pair of high heels (with only a couple of scratches on them), and a pretty necklace my parents gave me on my sixteenth birthday. I stare down at the witch’s mark pendant hanging around my wrist. It doesn’t exactly go with my outfit, but I don’t want to take it off.
Satisfied that I’m going to break hearts tonight, I fling open the door to the bathroom and step out—straight into the broad chest of a scowling Brooks Bellua.
“Where are you going dressed like that?” Brooks demands, placing his arm on the doorframe to hem me in.
This close, his scent invades my nostrils. While Jackson smells like a cheeky mix of sweet and spicy and Orion is all woodsy, earthy tones, Brooks is just a wall of rich, dark sandalwood.
“I’m going out.” I smirk and duck under his arm, throwing my hair over my shoulder and blowing him a kiss. “See you tonight at the séance, darling. Eleven o’clock p.m. Don’t be late.”
“You’re not going out dressed like that.” Brooks’s face becomes a storm cloud.
He lunges toward me, but I dart outside and slam the door in his face. He doesn’t follow me, but I can hear him cursing me out all the way from the elevator.
I take the elevator up to the intimate restaurant—one of many in the hotel—on the top floor. I’m seated at a table for two right in front of the panoramic windows overlooking the mountains as they sweep away into a deep valley obscured with clouds. We’re so high up that my head spins. Or maybe that’s allthe conflicting feelings about the Bellua boys rolling around in my skull.
“Will your husband be along shortly, ma’am?” the waiter asks as he uncorks my Dom Perignon and fills my glass.
“I’m positive he will,” I say. “In the meantime, I’ll start without him. Please bring me…” I try to remember what Freddie said was the most expensive entrée. “The beef thingy. No, make it two.”
“Very good, ma’am.” The waiter turns to leave.
“Actually,” a deep, British voice says. “Make that three.”
“What are you doing?” I hiss as Levi slides into the chair opposite me, looking right at home in a sharp black pinstripe suit that makes me want to fan myself. Good lord. No man should look that good.
“I saw a table set for two and a beautiful woman who’s clearly been stood up.” Levi unfolds the menu. “I couldn’t resist the opportunity to indulge myself in your company.”
The waiter looks at me for confirmation. I flash a broad smile.
