Page 150 of Never Tell Secrets

“I’m getting snot on your shirt.” My voice was muffled by Kal’s chest and broken by soft hiccups.

“I don't care.” He lifted his arm, offering me his sleeve. “Go for it.”

I hesitated for a moment before wiping my nose on it. He lifted me off the table and helped me back into my sweater. I wrapped my arms around myself, cold and suddenly exhausted.

“Sorry for being a buzzkill.”

Kal gave me a ‘stop talking nonsense’ look. He took my hand and we returned to the office where the drugs were still laid out in their neat little line.

He took the first pill and handed it to me. The sleeping pill. I stared at it wondering at how lucky I’d been to run into Kal tonight.

“You know, sex was never really on the table, right?” Even if I hadn’t burst into a blubbering mess, I knew in my heart I never would have been able to do that to Alfie.

“Despite how much I want to, I would never fuck my friend’s girl. It’s good to know you wouldn’t betray him either.” It hit me then that he’d been testing me. A test wrapped in the form of help. I wondered if I should be angry about that but no, Kal had the right to know what kind of woman I was.

He helped me back into my coat and I grabbed my bag before following him to the lift. I felt tired to my very bones.

In silence, Kal led me through the house and finally to a decadent bedroom. A stunning four poster bed stood proudly, and there was a velvet blue chaise-lounge by the bay window. It was beautiful.

“This is perfect. Are you sure you don’t mind if I stay?”

“I’m sure.” He gestured to a small screen next to the door. “Press the button next to the screen if you need anything, it’ll connect you to the staff quarters.”

“A phone charger would be good.” I really needed to let Keira know where I was.

“Done.” He put his hand on the door to go but I stepped forward.

“Why did you do that tonight? I get why you would give me a place to stay but the…rope stuff…why?”

Kal hesitated, an action that seemed deeply out of line with his assertive character. “I have my reasons.” His tone told me those reasons were not about to be shared. He nodded at the pill in my hand. “Sleep, love. The world can wait until tomorrow.”

He closed the door with a soft click. I slumped onto the bed, wondering why my chest didn’t feel like it was caving in. I was angry, I was hurt, I was tired from crying but I wasn’t broken and I didn’t understand why. I lay there, contemplating the canopy for the longest time until there was a soft knock at the door.

I answered it to find a young man with a phone charger in his hand. I thanked him and he disappeared quickly into the darkness. I put my phone on to charge and stripped down to my underwear.

I looked at myself in the ornate gold mirror. I looked tired, my nose and eyes tinged pink from crying. The rope was still bound in my hair. I pulled it over one shoulder, admiring the intricate braid work wound around my red locks.

I should take it out, but I was too exhausted to unpick the complicated knots. I fell into bed and slid under the covers.

Alfie came to me then and I wondered where he was, if he was okay. Had the doctor seen to his hand yet?

I felt guilty that I cared, and angry that I did. So much waited for me out there. Keira, Natalie, Alfie, Elliot, my work…but Kal was right, the world could wait until tomorrow.

I took the pill and nestled into the sheets, letting the oblivion take me, knowing that even the strongest sedative in the world couldn’t keep Alfie Tell from my dreams.

Forty-Six

Iawoke to the sound of running water. I sat up in bed, the velvet canopy sheltering me from the barely dawning sun. I pulled on the gold tassel hanging from the four poster bed, drawing the canopy back.

I rubbed my eyes, seeking out the gold mantle clock over the fireplace telling me it was almost six o’clock. Who the hell was running the bath at six in the morning?

The water slowed to a stop with the squeak of a tap. I clutched the duvet to my chest. An unknown person was in my bathroom and I was in my underwear. I needed clothes.

I looked around for them and I froze. Instead of strewn across the chaise-lounge where I’d left them, they were now neatly folded, a grey jacket accompanying them over the arm of the chair.

Hewas here.

I’d thought I’d be safe from him here but I should have known I couldn’t trust Kal not to tell him where I was. I was mentally thrashing myself when Alfie entered the room.