Page 86 of Risky Obsession

We were running out of time to get ready for the gala, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Had he run into Gunter? No, Gunter was the guest speaker at the ball, so he would be busy getting ready. Had Kane run into the asshole who’d attacked us?

God, I hoped not. We should have stayed together.

Heaving a sigh, I returned to the massive bathroom and turned on the shower faucets. I had to believe he was coming back, and that we were still on track to go to the gala. As I waited for the water to turn warm, I stripped out of my clothes and damned the massive mirror over the basin.

The horrific bruises on my body were like a painful reminder of the brutal life I’d escaped and the person I used to be. My torso was a potpourri of purples, dark blues, and yellow. At least none of these marks would leave souvenirs of the attacks that instigated them.

Unlike the knife wound in my back.

Thank God Kane hadn’t seen that scar. I was already running out of ways to avoid his questions.

I stepped into the shower, and using the provided bottles, I washed and shampooed my hair, and shaved my legs. Trying to use just one hand made everything take longer, and yet even after I’d finished my shower and dried off, Kane still hadn’t returned.

Standing naked at the basin, despite the injuries that marred my appearance, there was a fire in my eyes that no one could extinguish. As I prepared for the gala ball, using the hotel’s hair dryer and styling wand, I reminded myself that tonight was about doing my job for Aria. I had a role to play in finding this gold, and I was going to do a damn good job of it.

I fluffed my hair so a few loose strands framed my face. With my hair done and looking much better than I’d styled it in years, possibly ever, I added the only makeup I had with me, tinted sunscreen as a foundation, and a touch of lipstick.

I pulled on my underpants, but I didn’t have a bra suitable for the ball gown. Hopefully, the boned corset would be enough to keep my boobs in place. I slipped on the dress, and as I did up the side zipper, the silky fabric contoured my body perfectly. It was like this dress was made for me.

Glancing in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman in the reflection. I smiled. The bruising on my cheek was concealed by the foundation, and the chaos that had been churning through my mind was gone. I felt good, and I looked better.

For some crazy reason, I hoped Kane liked my appearance.

That thought dragged me back ten years, to a time when I was so desperate to have Axel like me that I would have done anything to please him. And I’d done some really stupid things–illegal things, and things that hurt the people who loved me. But the worst part was, I changed who I was to please Axel. I still couldn’t believe how stupid I was.

Kane was different. I wanted to please him. I wanted him to like me.

I had a feeling he already did, but it wasn’t the real me that he liked. It was Tory Parmenter, treasure hunter.

Yanking my gaze from the mirror, I strode to the enormous window, and with each stride, my leg swept out from the flowing skirt, revealing my flesh to the top of my thigh. Thank goodness I didn’t have any bruises on my left leg.

The sound of my breathing filled the silence as I scanned the courtyard below for any sign of Kane. A swift breeze shook the branches on the treeoutside and cast leaves into the air. It looked cold out there, reminding me that I didn’t have a lovely jacket for tonight.

“Where are you, Kane?” I whispered, my breath fogging up the glass.

A drumbeat of uncertainty echoed through me.

What if he doesn’t come back? Oh God, what if he’s planning to go to the ball without me?

Clenching my fists, I glanced at the clock again.

If he’s not back in ten minutes, I’m going to the gala alone.

The door rattled. Steeling myself, I stood with the window as my backdrop, and my damn heart pounded as I waited for his eyes to sweep my way.

The door swung open, and Kane took four steps into the room before his gaze found me. He seemed at a loss for words and his jaw hung open in surprise. “Holy smokes, you look absolutely stunning.”

My heart fluttered. “Thank you.” Warmth spread through my chest.

He strolled toward me. Devouring me with his gaze, he tossed a suit bag and a few other bags onto the bed.

“Turn around,” he said.

Letting out a shaky breath I stepped from the window and did a slow turn. But when I turned back to face him, he frowned.

“What?” I blurted, running my good hand over my bodice.