“Should you go talk to them?”
“No,” was all he said as he stepped up to the counter to order. Thankfully, it was quick, and by the time they got their stuff, the rest of their group had found them.
Vincent, Nero, and Maria’s harsh expression told them they knew the other Lucianos were there.
“Let’s go,” Vincent said, this time putting an arm around both Lake and her.
Don’t look, don’t look, don’t look.
Her blood ran cold as they passed the Lucianos on their way into the movie theater.
Shit, I’m gonna look.
She had set out to only give a quick glance, but she just couldn’t look away.
Who seemed to be the youngest Luciano stood in the middle and smiled evilly at her, revealing a golden grill that was faceted in diamonds.
Again, she couldn’t explain it, and she didn’t know how she knew, but one thing was for certain. That golden smile of death was for her and her alone.
Twenty-Three
Hellevator
Holding the elevator doors open once it reached the penthouse floor, Angel let everyone get off first. When Adalyn came out last, he said, “I can take you home whenever you’re ready. Just knock on my door.”
She hesitated, looking at Lake, who was quietly telling her to go on. It didn’t take her a second to get back on the elevator, not wanting to leave Angel just yet. “It’s pretty late. We should go now.”
“Actually, I’ll take you.” Vincent moved to get back on the elevator, but Lake held his hand tightly.
“No, I need you.”
“What for?” he asked sharply, more focused on Angel taking his sister home. But when Lake whispered in his ear and started to drag them toward their room, Vincent no longer fought her.
“Bye!” Adalyn laughed, waving at her now distracted brother while the door started to close.
Okay, maybe Lake dating my brother isn’t so bad after all.
With the door closed, and her and Angel alone, she watched the numbers start to tick down. There was something different between them now. He hadn’t been obligated to go out with her, nor was she just a job today. It had changed things and almost turned their relationship on its head, making her wonder if he had gone only to get the ring back or because he might actually enjoy her company.
All she had to do was … find out.
Unable to keep from smiling, she continued to watch the numbers tick down. “Thank you for coming with us. I had a great time tonight.”
“I di—”
Adalyn shrieked as the elevator went dark and came to an abrupt stop. When she fell into Angel’s arms from the jolt, he caught her and held on. Scared shitless, she wasn’t about to let him go.
“What the hell happened?”
“I have no fucking clue.” Holding on to her in case it started working again, he hit some buttons, but it was pointless. It seemed like no power was getting to the elevator.
He pulled out his cell phone and quickly called a number before putting it to his ear. It rang only a couple of times.
“Lucca, can you hear me? Lucca …? We’re stuck in the elevat—” Hanging up the phone, he cursed, “Shit.”
“Oh God. What is it?”
“There was too much static on the other end. I couldn’t hear him. I’m not sure what happened.”
She shakily pulled out her phone, trying to send a text message to Vincent, but it wasn’t going through.
Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.
“Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.”
“Everything will be fine, Adalyn.” He gave her arms a tight squeeze, trying to make her focus on him. “I think the power has just gone out in the hotel. It should come back on soon.”
She took a long, deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Taking a look around the tight, dark box they were in, however, she only hoped he was right. It isn’t until you’re stuck in a suspended elevator that you realize you might have had a fear of it all along.
“Sit down, sweetness.” Angel helped her down to the floor to help her feel more grounded.
They sat there for several minutes in silence, just waiting for the elevator to start moving again. With each passing minute, the space became smaller. By the time thirty minutes had passed with no movement or help from the outside world, she did the only thing she could do at this point. She put her head down and quickly touched her forehead, chest, and each shoulder, making the sign of the cross.
Dear Lord, this is not what I fucking asked for when I wanted to spend more time with Angel. No man is worth this shi—
“What are you doing?”
“Praying to our Lord and Savior to not let this elevator fall fifteen stories to our death.”
Laughing, Angel wrapped an arm around the back of her shoulders. “I promise you, sweetness, everything will be all right.”