Page 110 of His Forsaken Alpha

“I won’t rat you out,” Cav joked.

“Oh, I wasn’t suggesting you would,” the concierge said, appearing to force a smile. “You being something of a celebrity and Mr. Jaymes being a fan of your work—I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.”

“I’m sure both Mr. Jaymeses will bethrilledto see me,” Cavanaugh lied. He folded the slip of paper and slid it into his pocket. “I best return to breakfast with my team before they think I ran off.”

“Don’t forget the sites,” the concierge said, handing over a few brochures. “There’s a lovely museum in the northwest corner of the Family Quadrant. You just can’t miss that. And the park across the street is an absolute treasure.”

Cav slapped on the smile again, listening while the man offered a few more suggestions and directions. He pulled a crisp twenty from his pocket and slid it to the man with a grin. “Well, that gives me plenty of ideas. Thank you for all your help.”

“Have a wonderful day, Mr. Cavanaugh—and if there’s anything else I can do for you, please, don’t hesitate,” the concierge said, slipping the bill into his pocket with practiced ease.

“You know I won’t,” Cav joked. As soon as he turned away, he dropped the fake smile again and trudged back toward the restaurant—and nearly slammed into Marlo as he rounded the corner.

“As long as you were gone, I thought you’d left to do something stupid,” Marlo said, appearing relived. “Thank heavens you didn’t.”

“I had to take a dump,” Cav fibbed.

Marlo cringed.“Thanks for sharing.”

“Well, you said I was gone too long. Now you know why,” Cav said as he passed Marlo and slipped back into the booth. His food was waiting for him, though he didn’t want a single bite. Since he knew they were watching, he forced a forkful down. And another. He ate over half, though he wasn’t sure he’d tasted a single bite.

When the thought of another mouthful brought bile up his throat, he gave up. Tossing his napkin to the table, he rose. “I’m going to go pack.”

Marlo and Gregory eyed him suspiciously.

“You’re just going to give up? So easily?” Marlo asked. “That’s not like you.”

“When people show you who they are, believe them.” Cav knew he should take his own advice, but he couldn’t. He had to have more answers. Needed to understand…

Why he hadn’t been enough.

“He apparently faked his death to get away from me. He made his choice, so I should respect it and walk away,” Cav added for good measure. “Plus, if folks find out that my omega isn’t actually dead, it could tarnish my credibility and trash this book’s sales.”

Marlo cocked an eyebrow.

“I know I’ve been a pain in the ass, at best. And I’ve given you shit about that total fabrication of a book—but it’s got my name on it and it’s too late to back out now. It’s best that I put as much distance between me and this place as I can—and fast. Before I end up locked up on top of all that.”

Marlo continued to eye him suspiciously.

“I’m glad to hear you talk with some sense,” Gregory said. “One decent night’s sleep and you already sound better.”

“You were right, as usual. I do need to take better care of myself. Especially out here on the road.” Cav shook his head. “Or I’m going to end up in another asylum.”

“Want me to come help you pack?” Marlo asked, slowly sliding out of the bench seat.

“Nah, I’m good. A little time alone to think might be welcome. I need to get my head straight before the next signing.” He drew in a deep breath and released it slow. “I need to stop the drinking and find a way forward.”

“I likewhere your head is going,” Gregory said, smiling.

Cav glanced at Marlo and knew his editor was a harder sell.

“Yell if you need us. Once we’re packed, I’ll close out the bills and ask for a bellhop to head up to help you,” Marlo said.

The memory of the porter dragging Wynter’s luggage onto the train crossed his mind and he almost refused the help—but he needed them to think he was being agreeable. “Sounds good,” Cav murmured. “See you in about thirty minutes?”

“The jet’s not scheduled for another few hours, so there’s no rush,” Gregory said. “We told them we’d be gone as soon as wecould schedule travel out, so we should hopefully be okay. As long as we’re gone by nightfall…”

“See you in an hour or so, then,” Cav said. He departed and headed for the elevator. Sensing their stares on him, he made a good show of it. He waited for the next car and slipped inside as soon as the doors opened. He hit the button for the second floor instead of the fifteenth, where their rooms were, and the doors closed. Cav waved to them as they did.

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