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I weigh my options. There’s no way in hell I want Rachel near Deuce. She doesn’t even need to know he exists. Which means the only choice is to go downstairs alone. The baby nurse isn’t due for another hour, so Lars will have to stay up here with my son.
“You’ll have to stay with the baby. I’ll go see what she wants.”
His frown deepens. “Not a good idea.”
“It’s not thebestidea,” I concede. “But I’m not an idiot. Hunter has eyes everywhere. I know there’s a car stationed outside, probably someone lurking in the damn bushes for all I know. I won’t leave the lobby. I’ll stay in plain sight.”
“I don’t like this,” Lars mutters, jaw clenched. “My job is to protect you. And that includes reporting anything suspicious to Hunter.”
“But she’s here,” I press. “And I need to see her.” My voice softens, just a little. “She’s still my sister, Lars.”
He scoffs. “Blood isn’t everything. It just means you didn’t get a choice in the matter growing up. Now you do. I’d choosenot.”
I meet his gaze and say firmly, “This isn’t a negotiation. I know you work for Hunter, but I’m marrying him—which means you work for me, too.”
The words leave my mouth before I even process them, but I don’t regret them. I respect Lars. He’s older, wiser, and damn good at his job. But this is my life. My decision.
His expression hardens, but after a long beat, he relents. “Fifteen minutes,” he growls. “Then I’m calling myotherboss.”
Ooh, he’s pissed.
But I don’t care.
I need this closure.
“Deal.”
I slip into my room, change into a clean shirt, and make my way to the elevator. As I descend, my pulse pounds in my ears. The moment the doors slide open, a new guy at the front desk gives me a nod and subtly gestures to the far left corner of the lobby.
Rachel stands with her back to me, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the city beyond.
At first glance, she looks… unfamiliar. Like any other young woman lost in thought. But when she turns around, my breath catches.
She’s unrecognizable.
Gaunt. Sallow-skinned. Her once-lustrous hair hangs in limp strands around her sunken face. Her clothes are loose, hanging off her body like she’s been starving. And for the briefest moment, I mourn for the selfish, reckless girl she used to be—because the person standing before me now isbroken.
Her eyes flick over me, assessing. “Megan.”
“What are you doing here, Rachel?” My voice is sharper than I intend, but I can’t help it. I fight the urge to ask when she last had a meal. “What do you want?”
Her lip trembles. “I haven’t seen you in a year, andthat’swhat you ask me?”
“Rachel, I have a lot on my plate. Your showing up here was unexpected. And frankly,unwanted.” I level my gaze. “What. Do. You. Want.”
Tears slip down her face, but I don’t trust them. She’s always known how to cry on command.
“I was kidnapped,” she whispers. “I don’t know where our parents are. And you want me to leave?” Her voice rises, raw and pleading. “I havenowhereelse to go.”
I knew Hunter had something to do with this. But the fact that she doesn’t know that? That’s a miracle.
“You were kidnapped,” I repeat.
“Yes!”
“And youescaped?”
“Yes!”