Page 165 of Never Tell Secrets

He raised his brows, either in surprise or disapproval I wasn’t sure. “I know you don’t like her and I understand why?—”

“No, I don’t think you do,” I cut him off again. “I don’t like the way you act with Angie and now you can’t blame it on jealousy. I know you aren’t interested in her. I don’t like seeing you allow her to disrespect you and your wishes, no matter the reason. You wouldn’t tolerate that from anyone else, not even me.” I clenched my jaw, refusing to allow myself to get upset.

“I understand the connection between you and maybe I’m being a bitch, but the excuse feels old to me now. You let her walk all over you when it comes to her treatment of me and you refuse to protect me from her bullying. That isn’t a man I ever signed up for.” I turned my gaze out of the window. I was annoyed with myself for my behaviour on the plane, for lowering myself to Angie’s level. I wasn’t going to do it again.

Alfie didn’t respond and his silence surprised me. He’d never once let me have the last word where Angie was concerned.

We were silent for a while, each of us ruminating on our own thoughts. I watched the city fly by us with fascination, my excitement peaking as I realised we were heading for the ocean.

“We’re staying by the sea?”

“Yes and no.” I gave him a questioning look but he just waved me off. “You’ll see. Anyway, my hotel is about twenty minutes from the Miracle Garden, you can visit there everyday if you want.”

“Really?” Enemies aside, this trip was quickly turning into my idea of heaven.

“Of course. I can have them close for you if you want so you can enjoy it in privacy?”

“I’m not the only one that wants to see it, Alfie. But thank you for thinking of me.”

We broke out of the city streets then, nothing but clear blue sea ahead of us. Along the coastline, I noticed a building site surrounded by high fencing, littered with red signs thatI couldn’t read but presumed meant‘Stay Out’or ‘Private Property.’ I stared in awe at the structure.

Now I understood Alfie’s response when I’d asked if we were staying by the sea. The hotel looked like a stretched sphere made out of deep blue glass. It was skyscraper high and situated on a structure stretching away from the mainland and far out into the ocean. It looked like a floating hotel.

The gates were opened by a security guard and we parked up, continuing down the dock on foot.

“You like it?” Alfie asked as we walked.

“Do I like it? This is incredible!” I couldn’t stop staring at it. “Who designed this?”

“The basic design is mine, an architect named Dexter Jonas made it real.”

I wasn’t sure why that surprised me. Suddenly, all reservations I had about this trip went out of my head, at least for now anyway. In their place was pride. Alfie had designed this and it was really fucking cool.

In the hotel, I found myself in a circular lobby, the blue glass making me feel like I was in a lagoon-themed snowglobe.

Angie, Maia and Elliot waited for us, along with a row of hotel staff. I continued my gawping as Alfie was introduced to each staff member by an older man whom I presumed was the manager. I couldn’t remember Alfie ever caring to be introduced to maids and bellboys.

“Lola?” Alfie called me over to him, a young man in a sharp suit with eager eyes was hovering at his side. Alfie offered him his hand and he stepped forward, taking it with a nervous smile. I didn’t blame him, I knew how intimidating Alfie could be. “Lo, this is Ali. He’ll be your shadow whenever you leave your suite.”

“My shadow? Isn’t that Maia’s job?”

“Yes, but some of this structure isn’t finished. He’ll make sure you don’t wander anywhere you shouldn’t. He’ll be your cityguide too. Anywhere you want to go, he’ll make sure you stay safe and see the best of the city.”

So, he was a tour guide? I could jive with that. I smiled at the young man and offered him my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He gave me a respectful nod but didn’t take my hand and backed off altogether when Alfie stepped into my space.

“Would you like a tour or do you want to go straight to your room?”

Before I could answer, Angie stepped forward, cutting in. “Alfie, we have a meeting with Dex soon.” Her hand rested on his arm and I did my best not to scowl at it.

“Dex can wait.” He turned his attention back to me. “You’re welcome to join me for the meeting if you’d like.”

“She should probably change first.” Angie ran her eyes over my old jeans and worn t-shirt. “I’m presuming you bought better clothes with you?”

I looked her square in the eye, biting my tongue to keep from spitting a nasty retort back at her. She was sharp and painful, all harsh edges and barbed wire.

Everyone kept their gaze carefully averted but that didn’t help the humiliation that washed over me. Alfie stayed silent, glaring at Angie. Her throat bobbed, betraying her worry that she’d finally stepped over the line.