‘Go on.’
‘It’s about—’
Before Rain could finish, Lauren’s phone rang. With an apologetic glance at Rain, she retrieved her phone from her pocket.
‘Sorry, I have to take this. It’s my sister.’ Lauren pressed the accept button and put the phone to her ear. ‘Syd, is everything okay?’
Sydney’s tone informed her that things were far from okay.
‘The police are here,’ Sydney said, her voice strained with tension. ‘They’ve confirmed the guy had a drug overdose.’
‘Okay…’
‘His wife said he got the drugs from one of our employees.’
A sense of dread settled over Lauren as she absorbed Sydney’s words.
‘Are you sure? I mean, who was it?’
‘She doesn’t know. He’s still unconscious, but she’s adamant he didn’t have any drugs on him when they arrived at the hotel.’
Lauren released a deep breath. ‘This isn’t good.’
‘Tell me about it. The press are lurking around the lobby like vultures. Someone must have tipped them off.’
Lauren ran her fingers through her hair, her mind racing with the implications of Sydney’s words.
‘This kind of publicity could ruin us. Listen, I’m on my way back. Make sure the staff don’t speak to anyone until I get there.’
Lauren disconnected the call and rose to her feet.
‘I’m sorry, Rain, I have to go.’
Rain mirrored Lauren’s movements, rising from her seat too.
‘What’s happened?’
Lauren briefly explained the situation as they made their way to the exit.
‘And his wife doesn’t know who gave him the drugs?’ Rain said.
‘No, but I’m going to find out if it’s the last thing I do,’ Lauren said, determination in her voice.
Stepping out into the cold night air, Lauren turned to Rain. ‘You were cleaning in the room a few doors down. Did you see anyone that looked out of place hanging around?’
Rain frowned and slowly shook her head. ‘Um . . . no . . . I was too busy fighting with the duvet cover. Look, do you want me to come back to the hotel with you?’
‘No, I’ll be fine.’
‘Okay, I’m here if you need me,’ Rain said. ‘It was good to spend time with you tonight.’
Before she could second-guess herself, Lauren closed the distance between them, her lips meeting Rain’s in a tender yet urgent kiss. It was a moment of connection, a brief respite from the chaos that seemed to constantly swirl around them.
Lauren reluctantly pulled away. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.’
Rain smiled. ‘I’m glad you did.’
Lauren glanced at her phone, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. ‘I hate having to rush off like this. I’ll see you soon.’
‘You can count on it.’
Lauren turned and walked back towards the hotel, a deep longing for Rain’s presence lingering in her heart. It was a bittersweet reminder that some moments, however fleeting, can change everything.
Chapter Eighteen
He followed Alex into the bathroom, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. She was too absorbed in her own thoughts to notice his presence behind her.
As the door swung shut, he grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. Alex let out a startled gasp, her eyes widening with fear as she realised it was him.
‘What the hell were you thinking?’ he demanded, his face inches from hers. ‘Drawing attention to our business? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?’
Alex stammered, trying to find the words, but he didn’t give her a chance. He shoved her back against the sink, his hands gripping her arms tightly.
‘A hotel guest is in the hospital, Alex. The hospital! If he dies, that’s on you.’
He ignored the tears welling in her eyes and the tremor in her top lip. She needed to understand the gravity of her actions.
‘And that’s not all,’ he continued. ‘Fay’s sister is snooping around, looking for her. If she finds her and Fay tells her about our operation, it’s all over. For both of us.’
