Page 111 of Seduced By the Mermen
“How could I when you stomped over everything that might have given me any information?”
Zion nods, but he doesn't sell out Delmar or Fenwick. “Well, we’re on our way now. Thanks Fenwick. Anything you want from London?”
“No, there’s nothing there I could ever want or need.” He inclines his head to us, and we’re on our way.
Sterling’s in the front with the driver, making little grandma disapproving noises anytime he thinks the driver’s gone too close to a curb or pushed a yellow light. I’m in the back, Delmar on one side, Zion on the other. I’ve never been to England, and it’s really charming so far from what I’ve seen. But it’s even more fun watching Delmar experience land and human culture for the first time.
He takes my hand and squeezes. “Look at that, Blair.” He points at a cat and leans back for me to see out the window.
The car stops in front of a luxury hotel. The two back doors open at the same time. Doormen in expensive suits helps us out.
“Sterling, this isn’t my apartment,” Zion says, hopping out of the car.
“No, your apartment has been compromised.” Sterling takes all three bags over his shoulder.
I slide out, and Delmar takes my hand.
“Allow me, sir,” a bellman says to him.
Sterling glares.
“Thank you,” Zion says to the man. “What do you mean by ‘compromised?’”
“Blair saw something. That means our plan is known. We need to switch things up. I know you like nice places. This is a nice place.” Sterling waves at the marquee, which reads Saint Redford London.
“This looks like the kind of place that I can’t afford to even look at.” I laugh.
Delmar squeezes my hand. “Its value will go up once you step into the lobby.”
My insides squish around. I’m not used to a guy being that kind to me. Letting go of my self-deprecating behavior is going to be hard. “Thank you.”
Delmar leads me inside the lobby, and while he’s as wide-eyed as I am, I know he’s looking out for me at the same time.
“Go check us in,” Sterling barks at Zion.
There’s a silent warfare going on with their glares. But Zion strides across the lobby and checks us in.
“Ready,” Zion says, back in fewer minutes than it takes me to get my bearings in the room. “Are you doing okay?” he asks in the elevator.
“Yup. It’s not all elevators, only glass ones.”
“Wait here,” Sterling says, leaving us in the hall while he enters the hotel room. “It’s clear.”
“You just booked it. Of course it’s clear.” Zion holds the door for me. “Good job, though. I didn’t think you had it in you, getting something so nice.”
“I have contacts, ones that I trust. The larger bed is to the right. I’ll be sleeping on the sofa close to the door. They’ll be bringing dinner up. And then I’ve arranged for a personal shopper to?—”
“A what?” Delmar asks.
“Why would I need that?” I add.
“Because you can’t just walk around the streets.” Sterling crosses his arms over his chest.
I raise my eyebrows at him. “I don’t know what I saw at the Fenwick’s cottage. But do you really think I need to be sequestered in this room? It’s a lovely room, but . . . even a room this lovely doesn’t compare to walking around a city.” I could say I wouldn’t have come if I’d known this is what would happen, but that’s not true. Going on an adventure is always worth the risk. At least, that’s what my grandmother used to say. I was all in, regardless. But I don’t want anything to happen.
“We’ll be careful,” Zion says.
“I will protect Blair with everything I have. You know that,” Delmar adds.
