Page 182 of Conquered

I never got to go to her funeral. I was too drugged up, basically under sedation for several weeks after Mum’s death. Whenever I was awake, I would be an absolute mess. Screaming, rocking, and unable to cope. My uncle said that anytime the funeral was mentioned, I would fly into a mindless rage, and they’d have to sedate me yet again. I have very little memories of that time, more a feeling of pain and terror, but then, I guess that’s what trauma and heavy drugs will do to you.

Although I wasn't able to attend, I’d assumed that Lexi and Ryan would have been there.

Before I can even formulate a response, Ash steps in.

“Can I suggest that we take this indoors somewhere? Before it starts raining again. This seems like a conversation to have in private.”

“Y–yes, that's a good idea,” I stammer out, seeing the concern in Lexi’s and Ryan’s eyes, their gazes pained as they look at me. “We’re staying in Claridge’s, can you meet us there?”

“Of course, Lilly Bear,” Lexi replies, squeezing my hand. “We’ll be right behind you.”

I watch as they walk away until Jax takes a step back, and turns me back around to face the car, his huge hands on my upper arms.

“Come on, Baby Girl. Let’s get in the car, and you can have some breakfast,” he softly suggests, letting go and grasping my hand in his warm one. I follow him, my mind a maelstrom of emotions and thoughts.

We settle inside the plush interior, the luxury lost on me as Jax buckles my seatbelt, and Ash opens one of the food containers that he got from somewhere. It’s full of fruit and those small caramel Stroopwafels, and although it feels as though my stomach is churning, when he brings a waffle to my lips in silent command, I take a bite. My appetite returns full force as the sweet flavour hits my tongue, and before I know it, I've finished them and the fruit, leaving the container empty.

I must have eaten quickly, because we pull to a stop outside the hotel as I swallow my last mouthful.

“Good girl,” Ash praises, using his thumb to wipe a crumb from the corner of my mouth. “Right, before we go in, can you tell us who Lexi and Ryan are?” he asks, and I’m shocked to realise that I didn’t even introduce them. I take a deep breath.

“Lexi was Mum’s best friend, she worked at Grey’s too,” I tell them, looking at Kai who gives me a small smile that warms me more than the heating in the vehicle. He’s putting his stuff asideto help me deal with mine, and my chest feels like it’s going to burst, my heart so full as I look at him and then the others. “Ryan was Mum’s long-term boyfriend, practically a father to me although she never made it official for some reason.”

Ash nods, Kai obviously filled him in on our conversation by the lake last term, then the door opens and he’s stepping out, holding out a hand for me to take like a gallant Knight.

I look around to see Lexi and Ryan walking up to us, tentative smiles on their faces as they take in the hotel. Like Mum, Lexi earnt well, but this is next-level shit.

I step away from Ash, taking hold of Lexi’s hand and her face lights up with a brilliant smile, the very reason why she had the best tips at Grey’s. It feels so comforting to be holding her hand, and we walk like that, following Ash and Jax with Kai, Loki, and Ryan coming up behind us.

Once inside, Martin, who was there to greet us, takes us over to the Art Deco style lift, ushering us inside. He leaves us to it, only after Ash assures him that we know where we’re going several times. Apparently, The Prince Alexander suite is their usual, and they’ve stayed here quite often before.

We take the lift up to the third floor, the male uniformed lift attendant making sure we get where we need to be, because heaven forbid we press the damn button ourselves.

Our personal butler, Edwards—I know, what the ever-loving fuck has my life become?—greets us as the gold lift doors open. He’s of middle age, dressed in a smart dove grey uniform with white gloves.

“Good morning, Mr Vanderbilt, Mr Matthews, Mr Thorn, Mr Griffiths, and Miss Darling,” he says politely as we step out of the lift onto the carpeted hallway floor. “This way, please.” He indicates with an outstretched arm, and we follow after him to the end of the corridor where he opens white wooden double doors. “We’ve added a slightly larger table to seat five, as peryour request, Mr Vanderbilt,” he tells Ash as he ushers us through into an entrance hall.

Yep, you heard me right. Our suite has an entrance hall, complete with black, white, and grey marble tiled flooring, a crystal chandelier, and mirrors reflecting the space making it feel light and airy.

“Thank you, Edwards,” Ash replies, and his American accent is stark against the butler’s upper class British one. “Can we have a light buffet lunch sent up, please, enough for us and our guests.”

“Of course, sir,” Edwards bows his head, opening one of the doors and revealing the living room space before holding his arm out to take our coats. Once he has them all, including Lexi’s and Ryan’s, he hangs them up on an antique coat stand, then turns away to presumably fulfil Ash’s request.

My steps falter, alongside Lexi’s, as we take in the room before us. We seem to be in a corner of the hotel, because there are floor-to-ceiling windows draped in white gauze, and framed with duck egg blue watered silk curtains on two sides. Coordinating silk cushions are scattered on the navy blue velvet sofas, walnut side tables situated next to them. Other silk upholstered chairs are dotted around the room, and there’s a small dining table, plus a fucking baby grand piano. To top it all off, there’s another crystal chandelier.Jesus.

It’s not quite Buckingham Palace, but it wouldn’t be out of place in a stately home.

“Drinks?” Ash queries, snapping me out of my room-fest.

“Whiskey, single malt,” Ryan says gruffly, and I arch a brow at him. “Please.”

Loki chuckles, obviously remembering all the times I pulled him up on poor manners.

“Lexi?” Ash asks, and I think it takes her a little by surprise as she jumps.

“Same, please…” she replies, raising her perfect eyebrows at him.

“Asher Vanderbilt,” he says, heading over to what looks like a drinks cabinet.He’s such a cuntwaffle sometimes!