Page 97 of The Destruction You Desire

"We've got it covered. All you have to do is relax."

I follow the two of them toward the entrance and listen as they talk to the receptionist in the elaborate building. Everything is purple and gold, and expensive. It's like nothing I've ever seen before.

"We have you booked in for facials first, mani-pedis, then hair and makeup."

"Sounds perfect. Thank you," Ella says.

"The lounge is through there, help yourself to food and drinks. We'll call you through when your estheticians are ready."

Together we walk into a conservatory that looks out over the rolling hills in the distance, the lake at the bottom sparkling in the winter sun.

"Wow."

"I know right. Ella has connections." Letty winks, making me wonder just how honest she’s being about all this.

"Mimosa?" Ella asks, distracting me, and when I turn to look at her, I find her already holding two glasses out to us.

"I hope you are both aware that this is going to knock me on my ass."

"Yep. But here," Ella says, turning to the table of food behind her. "Have this too." She passes me a croissant over before stuffing another into her mouth.

"I don't know why she's so confused that she's still single," Letty mutters, laughing at her unladylike friend.

"Haven't found anyone who can handle me yet," Ella states around a mouthful of buttery pastry.

"Is that Colt's issue? Too much to handle."

"Fuck off," Ella scoffs, dropping down into one of the huge couches with her mimosa and another croissant.

"Ignore her. Lack of D makes her pissy."

"Missing Elijah?" I ask, remembering that the last time I saw her, she was grinding up against him with her tongue down his throat. Guilt sweeps through me that I’ve been too wrapped up in my own life to ask Aunt Fee if he’s shipped back out again.

"Man, he was hot. Knew what he was doing, if you know what I mean." She winks.

"El, even the woman at reception knows what you mean," Letty deadpans.

"Surprising really seeing as he spends almost all his time with dudes."

Ella falls silent as images run around her head for a few seconds. "Imagine more than one of them…" She gets this far off look in her eyes and Letty and I leave her to it.

"You spoken to Lee?" Letty asks.

"Not for a few days no, you?"

She shakes her head. "I don't think he's been sleeping in his own bed either."

"He got a girl?"

"I don't think so. All this shit, it's messed with his head. I'm worried about him."

"Has Luc spoken to him?"

"He hasn't been in any state to stand let alone hold a conversation."

"What?"

"He locked himself in his room and drank and smoked himself into oblivion since he got back from Atlanta. It was only you coming home yesterday that got him out."