Page 18 of The Temptation of Truth

Now they almost feel like butterflies.

4

MABEL

My body acheswith exhaustion as I climb out of the rented SUV and walk into the hotel.

The Heartless jet is as comfortable as they come, but the flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne is always killer. I need a shower and a bed ASAP, and from the look of everyone else, I’d say they’re in the same boat. TheI need at least forty-eight hours to feel human againboat. I’m so grateful we don’t play until Thursday.

My eyes rise to find Hammond’s back as he leads us through the lobby and toward the elevator. My clothes are wrinkled, my hair is mussed, and I’m certain my makeup is smudged despite the touchup I did before deplaning, but Ham looks fresh as a spring daisy. Sixteen hours on a plane and not even his bespoke slacks have creases, let alone his suit jacket. I’m sure his beard is still perfectly manicured as well. Sorcery, I swear.

Then my attention falls to the woman beside him.Aurora. She’s a curious thing, wearing her blue gingham dress and clutching that white porcelain planter. Replace the planter with a small dog, and she’d look like she was on her way to Oz. Fitting, actually, considering the situation.

I remember Ham saying once that she’s his brother’s daughter, and while Aurora’s hair is blonde to his brown, I can still see the family resemblance. Apparently, the family has some good genetics in the appearance department. They have the same hazel green eyes. The same full lips. The same high cheekbones.

But where Ham’s face could be carved from marble for how little his expression changes, Aurora’s plays out like a film reel. I’ve never seen so many emotions pass over a face in such quick succession until our brief interaction on the jet.

Fear. Shock. Excitement. Interest. Embarrassment.

The memory of how pink she turned has my mouth curving up at the corners. If she doesn’t get that under control, teasing her will become Ezra Hawke’s new favorite pastime. He’s a shameless flirt, and I can tell Aurora would be fun to flirt with.

Stepping out of the elevator onto our private floor, Ham starts handing out our room assignments and keycards. Aurora is down the hall in her own room. Jonah, Claire and Teddy are in one. Sav, Levi, Brynn, Zigster, and Red are sharing a suite, and Callie is rooming with Torren despite the rest of Caveat Lover being on a separate floor.

Ham sent the boys ahead of us with their own security guards, and I have a feeling it was to prolong the inevitable introductions with his niece. I laugh to myself at the thought. I hope I’m around when they finally meet. It’s sure to be entertaining.

I’m taking my keycard from Ham when Aurora comes walking back to him with hers, planter clutched to her chest just like it’s been since LA. I let my eyes scan over her. Her dress is rumpled, the curls in her blonde hair have fallen flat, and her makeup has worn off almost entirely, but even in the dimly lit hotel hallway, she’s pretty. Beautiful, even. Softer than before,less tense. Her nerves must have calmed some. Conquered by exhaustion, no doubt.

“Uncle Wade, can I ask you something?”

A ghost of a smile passes over Ham’s face. “What do you need, Aurora?”

“Can I get a new room? East or south facing, preferably? I don’t mind being on a different floor if necessary.”

Ham’s eyebrow lifts, his head tilting to the side slightly. “Care to tell me why?”

She hesitates and flicks her eyes to me. I smile, and she looks quickly back to Hammond.

“I need better lighting. My room is too dark. East or south facing, if possible. Please.”

For her orchid, I realize. She needs better lighting for her orchid. I check the number on my keycard, then scan the hall for my door.

“Mine might work,” I say, glancing back between the two of them. “I haven’t been in it yet, though. Want to come check?”

Her hazel eyes grow wide, and she bounces them to me, then back to Ham. He shrugs.

“Check it out, Roar. If it’s good for your plant, you can swap.”

Roar.

I like that. I also like that Hammond knew her request was plant-related. Every time I learn something new about our manager, it’s like picking at an outer layer of an onion. I know there’s so much more to him—we’ve all seen glimpses of it in the years we’ve been together—but he’s too good at playing a one-dimensional business drone ninety-eight percent of the time. Sometimes I almost forget he’s human.

I look back to Aurora.

“C’mon. I’m over here.”

She flushes pink, the contrast making her eyes sparkle, and she follows me to my room. I push open the door and make a sweeping gesture with my arm.

“After you.”