Page 35 of His to Keep
His name slammed in her chest like a bullet, obliterating any chance of forgetting the unforgettable. The fleeting glimpse into their time together resurfaced and then dissipated, dropping her back down to earth with a thud.
“No, Marcus isn’t married. He owns Verto Veneri and all the hotels it’s based in. In fact, he owns hotels everywhere. Not all of them are privy to the secret club. He’s made an absolute fortune from Verto alone.” Lana rested her chin on her knuckles. “I met him the first, and only, night I went to the club.”
“Did you shag him in the hotel, in some sort of steamy hot sex romp with other guys?”
“No!”
“Oh, come on.”
“No, I didn’t. I swear.”
“Don’t burst my bubble, Lan.”
“I didn’t have sex with anyone,” Lana hissed, feeling a little overwhelmed by the nagging questions. “I was going to have sex with…” She jerked, shaking the unapologetic face of Carl out of her mind. “I met a guy and we sorta got on well but thankfully we didn’t have sex. Someone was looking out for me, I guess, because the guy was Carl Reed.”
Amanda gasped, her eyes swirling like a perfect storm. “You knew that asshole?”
“I asked him to have sex with me. I’d had way too much gin, met Marcus on the way to the hotel room, and then I left before anything happened with Carl.” She crossed her arms, protecting herself from the memories. “So, to reiterate the answer to your question, I didn’t have sex with anyone at the club. Rory, on the other hand, met Jacqueline and continued to see her behind my back, outside of the club. The rest is history.”
Amanda flopped back in the chair. “And Marcus…he just showed up at your door?”
The tea stung her lips as she took small sips. “We had a connection, or I thought we did. Looks like he got what he wanted. No strings.” Her eyes lowered.
Amanda reached forward and patted Lana’s thigh. “It’s pretty obvious you’re crushed, Lan.”
“I’m fine, honestly.”
“You’re so not.”
“Look, he probably just felt guilty that I was abducted by a guy from his club. Maybe he was doing the right thing, so I wouldn’t kick up a fuss and ruin his reputation.”
“You can’t fool me. It’s written all over your face.”
Lana sucked in a gust of air. “I thought we had something. I was kidding myself.”
“He obviously wanted to have things his own way.”
“Seems that way.”
Amanda’s nose scrunched up like she was about to suggest something unthinkable. “Maybe you should call him and get some closure?”
“No way!” Lana’s voice shook.
Amanda’s tight tendrils shook as she leant closer. “What have you got to lose, Lana. You’re already miserable.”
“My self-respect, my dignity, or how about my sanity?”
Amanda perched on the edge of her seat. “Do it, Lana. Woman the hell up and call him.”
Lana gazed longingly at her mobile phone. Her knee bounced up and down. “What if he doesn’t pick up?”
“PHONE him, Lana.”
“But….”
Amanda snatched the phone. She scrolled through the contacts and quickly found Marcus’s number. She selected call and dropped the ringing phone back in Lana’s hand.
Marcus answered after one ring. “Lana, are you okay?” he barked with urgency.
