Page 20 of Inside the Maelstrom: Part One
He frowned at the building. “I’m going in with you. I won’t encroach, but if this guy is some kind of fucking weirdo, I want to be close by.”
I shrugged, because I didn’t have that much of a death wish. A little extra support would be good.
This was it. Nemo might be in here. I didn’t know if I was happy or sad about the idea, but that was nothing new either. We stepped into the store, and a girl stocking books smiled at us in that pleasant, customer service expression.
“Excuse me. Do you have a section with Jules Verne?”
“Second floor, on the left.”
“Thanks.” I looked over at Otto. “I won’t be long.”
It was insane to think he’d just be here. But maybe he’d left a hint? Like times he visited or where he was going after here. Something. Nemo was clever; he’d leave clues behind, just like he did inTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.I raced up the stairs, gasping at the beautiful painted ceiling. There was a woman here, browsing the shelves, as well as another couple. But no single men, no one who looked like they were waiting for someone. I let out a breath, and walked toward bookshelves that held the letter V. This place was breathtaking; I was half tempted to climb into one of the armchairs and never leave.
Suddenly, my heart stopped as I felt someone pause behind me. “No luck?”
I let out a choked sound as I looked over my shoulder at Otto. “No. I didn’t think he’d just be here waiting, you know? I hoped… but that's pretty stupid.” I skimmed along the book spines until I found what I wanted. “Help me check these?”
Otto nodded, squatting down and grabbing out a small handful of Verne novels. “What am I looking for?”
I shrugged. How the hell would I know? “Notes, maybe? Something between the pages?”
He didn’t ask any more questions, just taking one of the novels and flipping it upside down, giving it a little shake. He thumbed through the pages, but nothing. Then he moved onto the next. I did the same, but still nothing.
When he tipped up a copy of one of the novels with the original French titleLe tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours,my heart pounded when a small sheet of paper slipped out.
Find me at the Iron Nautilus.
I held the crumpled piece of paper and stared. What did that mean? I stood up, continuing to study the paper like it might reveal something more. Otto was still holding the book, though he’d tucked it under his arm so he could pull out his phone.
He frowned. “According to Google, the Iron Nautilus is a bookstore in London. Do you want to go?”
I chewed my lip. I’d known this was coming, knew that it wasn’t going to be easy. Taking a deep breath, I nodded.
He smiled and shrugged. “At least I can give the travel agent some specifics now.” He rested his free hand on my spine. “Come on, I’ll buy you this and we can head back to tell the guys the good news.”
Chapter11
Sampson
When Otto returned with Aviva, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were too bright. She looked wild, and now I kind of saw the appeal. Not in the fiery way she stared at Hendrick, like she was picturing ways to dismember him, or in the doe-eyed way she gazed at Otto. No, that crazed wildness where she looked like she’d run too hard, or been chased by the Wild Hunt—that version of Good Girl made my blood run hot through my veins.
She chewed her lip, and it was something I wouldn’t mind doing too. I remembered the taste of her lips, but the sensation was starting to fade. I wouldn’t mind refreshing my memory.
“Your room is ready.” Reception had actually called up a while ago, but I’d liked watching her tell me about what she found. Hendrick still wasn’t back, and Otto thought something might’ve happened while he was with his dad.
When Otto had left with the girl earlier, I’d spent fifteen minutes researching how much it would cost to kill off a senator. The answer was too much, even for me.
She grabbed her jacket and purse. “Thank you.” I held out the keycard to her room, letting her step forward to grab it. When she stepped closer, I grabbed her fingers and pulled her closer. She let out an adorable squeak, but I didn’t kiss her. I was so close that I could feel the puff of her breath on my face as she froze up before me. I grinned down at her wide-eyed surprise, then stepped back.
“They’ll have put your bags in your room. You should change into something warmer—and nicer—for dinner. We aren’t in Florida anymore.”
I was satisfied with her wince. I knew I was being a fucking asshole, but I liked to see those emotions on her face. Liked to snap her out of that crusty, sarcastic exterior that she seemed to propagate around Hendrick.
She turned on her heel and fled from my suite, and I watched her go with hungry eyes. I’d respect her rules, but IknewI’d have her on her knees, staring up at me with those pretty blue eyes soon enough.
When Otto let out an exasperated sigh, I turned in his direction and raised an eyebrow, waiting. “Am I going to have to watch you guys twenty-four seven to make sure you aren’t dicks to her? Newsflash, Sam, she was in the institution because she tried to kill herself. Hendrick told me. She only just got out, so if you could not push her over the edge, that would be great.”
I tilted my head at him. He was one of the few people in the world who didn’t flinch away from my gaze. “Do you like her?”
