Page 137 of Sweet Deception

“Anna, please, I... I’m dying.” His voice was weak.

I tensed. “Nate?”

Silence.

“Nate?”

Panic clawed at my chest. He was slipping. Dying. And I was just sitting here.

I shot up from my seat. “Zoya!”

No answer. She was probably in her room.

I rushed outside, spotting one of the guards near the gates. “I need you to drive me to Vale Hotel. Now.”

The guard barely hesitated before nodding. “Got it, ma’am.”

He opened the car door for me, and as soon as I slid in, he got behind the wheel.

I knew this was dangerous. I knew I should wait. But I also knew that if Nate died because I hesitated, I wouldn’t forgive myself.”

As we pulled out onto the road, I noticed two trucks falling into formation behind us.

“We’re being followed,” I said, glancing at the side mirror.

“That’s our security detail,” he said simply.

I exhaled, forcing myself to relax. Gleb was still being careful. His family was still hunting me. This was necessary.

By the time we reached the hotel, my heart was hammering. I climbed out as soon as the door opened and hurried inside, my guard following closely.

“Do you know how to treat a gunshot wound?” I asked him as we approached Room 808.

“Basic first aid.”

I hesitated only briefly before shoving the door open.

The scent of blood hit me first.

I froze.

The floor was soaked in red.

And at the center of it, Nate.

Face-down. Motionless.

“Nate!” I rushed to him, my hands shaking as I turned him over.

His face was pale. His lips were parted. I pressed my fingers to his neck, searching.

No pulse.

My chest constricted. Oh God.

I barely heard the door open behind me.

I turned, expecting the nurse.