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“Technically, but I don’t think we should risk it. We assumed David was working alone. He wasn’t. Let’s not make the same mistake twice. Where we’re going, there’s a slim chance anyone will be there looking for you. If we go back to your apartment, we gamble, and the cost is too high.”
Kody’s gaze lowered as she went to say something, narrowing as she stopped on the price tag.
“…Fine. But no more shopping from this place.”
I handed her the bag and scooted her towards the hall. “That’s nothing. Go get dressed, and then we’ll eat.”
Argue. Yes, she wanted to say something about the price, but I wasn’t about to let her. I chose it because I knew it would hug her body in just the right places. She’d look stunning in it. Not to mention the cardigan would cover the scars. Kody needed this. She needed to feel good about herself. Did she not see what so many others no doubt did?
I took the plates from the trays as Kody disappeared down the hall, moving right to my phone the moment I finished. When the front desk echoed through, I glanced to the back of the room.
“Hi, this is Jase Colter. I’d like to speak with Miranda Coll.”
“One moment please.”
Music played through the speaker, only lasting a few seconds before a voice cut through.
“Mr. Colter, so nice to hear from you. It’s been a while. How can I help you today?”
I kept my eyes on the hall. “I have a very special guest staying with me. She’ll be here for a while.”
“Of course. If you just give me her name, I can add her onto your list.”
“That would be great. My guest is Kody Marshall. I want her to have access to everything, but I need more than that. Our privacy is crucial.”
“Why does that…The girl from the news?”
My lips tightened. “I need to be informed if anyone inquires about her. Her safety and wellbeing are my top priority. Do you understand?”
“Absolutely, Mr. Colter. We take security very serious here. You can rest assured no mention of her name will leave anyone on our staff. That, I promise you. I will not only alert them, but I’ll note the account with the privacy requirement as well in case anyone calls the main desk.
“That would be great, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, Sir. Is that all?”
“Yes. For now.”
I hung up just as Kody appeared from the hall. The phone slowly left my ear, and I was not prepared for just how breathtaking she’d be. Those curves were going to kill me one way or another.
“Look at you.”
“Do you like it?”
“Like?” My hand came to my chest and she laughed, blushing as she shyly looked down. “You look gorgeous. More than gorgeous. That color is perfect on you.”
“I like it. Thank you. You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to. Come eat. We need to talk.”
At the change in my tone, Kody sobered from any happiness she’d felt only seconds before. She nodded, following me to sit at the table. She didn’t bother touching her food, even though I gestured for her to do so.
“You’ve changed your mind.”
“I didn’t.” That look. That disappointment. “I didn’t,” I reassured. “What I want to talk about is more about you. About what you’re getting yourself into with me, and I’m not referring to the men David was connected with. Any time we leave together, there’s always a chance of us being noticed. I’ve given the staff downstairs strict rules and I think we’re safe today, but from experience, I know it’s only a matter of time. At some point, whether that’s a week or a year, the world will know you’re here. Kody, nothing I can do will stop that. You have to be prepared.”
“I don’t understand.”
I grabbed my fork, angrily cutting into my pancakes at the mere thought of where this could go. “There will be stories. Most of which are not true. The media will speculate on what’s happening between the two of us. Some may paint the situation in a good light. Others may be downright cruel towards us. I can try to stop as many false stories as I can, but I won’t be able to stop them all. What I’m trying to say is, the media world doesn’t see me as a good man. There’s a chance this could get bad. You have to know that.”
