“It’s okay. I’ve got this,” I say, pulling the folds of my jacket close to me.
“I said I would take you back myself and I will,” he says firmly. “You know he will only have a shitfit if he finds out I didn’t,” he huffs at me and despite myself I laugh.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to get you into trouble,” I say and take Cole’s hand in one and Sebastian’s in the other. I feel the fizz as I touch him, and I tighten my grip on Cole as we are Teleported safely back to our suite. “Think about what I said,” Sebastian says as he lets me go and disappears.
“What did he want?” Cole asks shortly.
“A business relationship. I told him the same as I did CK, too much conflict of interest,” I lie and turn away, feeling horrible. “Do you mind if I have a few moments to myself? I want to take a long bath and just clear my head.”
“No, I am not leaving you alone.”
Grr, how am I supposed to try and get to the alternate universe if I am never left alone?
“Please, baby,” I wheedle. “You can join me in a bit. I just need some time to think about things.”
“What things?” he asks suspiciously.
“The Thirteen,” I remind him. “I need to think about how to get rid of it...him.”
“I will help you hash it out,” he insists.
“No, Cole!” I snap at him and he flinches. “I’m sorry, baby. That’s not my process. I need my brain to try and figure it out first. Please.” I touch his arm gently and he sighs.
“I will be in the bedroom. Even if you think you are dreaming, or are actually dreaming, or whatever, just shout for me.”
“Thank you. Give me half an hour and then I will make it up to you. You can take any liberty you so wish,” I lower my voice seductively and his eyes light up, completely distracted.
“Any liberty? I can think of a few,” he says. “But let me run your bath first. Make sure you get settled in first.”
I nod and let him have at least that. I feel awful for doing this behind his back, but everyone made it clear that they were against it yesterday, so it will remain my secret until I can bring Fraser home to me where he belongs.
Chapter 22
Once Cole has run the bath, I usher him out. He is protesting but I remain firm. I close and silently lock the door. Not that it will make much difference. If he wants in, he will get in. I have no idea how to go about doing this. In the heat of the moment, the adrenaline pumping, I just thought where I wanted us to be. Okay, so I got it slightly wrong most of the time but now that I have an anchor, something real and only in the other world to think about, I am hoping it will go without a hitch. That’s what Xane said on the jet, something real to focus on. I sit on the edge of the bath and relax. Breathing slowly and deeply, I think of Fraser. My eyes pop open. Wait! My brain yells at me. I went back to the past in this world (I assume it was this world, it could well have been the other one), I can go back again to my Fraser. I can go back to 1745 and convince him that he needs to let me turn him and then take him away. Away from Culloden, away from Scotland. It will drastically change the course of history though. Who knows what will happen if I do that? Just bringing him here from the other world to fill the gap that should have him in it probably would be less risky. I want Fraser with me, but I don’t want to lose Cole. I don’t want that to happen. Oh, I am torn now. I don’t know what to do and time is ticking away. Make a decision, Liv, I tell myself.
Other world Fraser. If he is different and not the man I love, I will revisit.
I think of him, I think of her, so cold and hard and horrible, I think of him as a Vampire. I want to be with him. Just let me get to him.
That feeling washes over me and I open my eyes. I am still in the bathroom. That’s disappointing. I stand up and sigh but then do a double take. The bath is empty, not full as it was when Cole filled it. I suppose it makes sense that I would have come to the same place, although whose hotel suite this is remains to be seen. I use my super hearing to listen. Nothing. I cautiously open the bathroom door and the bedroom is empty. So is the sitting room. Good. At least I don’t have to explain my presence to anyone, although how I am supposed to find Fraser from here is anyone’s guess. If I am even in the right timeline, that is. I could be in the past or the future for all I know. I peek out the window and see that it looks like 2013 but that doesn’t mean much, now does it.
“You!” her voice rings out behind me, full of disdain. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I spin and take in her vicious sneer as she stands there with her hands on her red leather-clad hips. Actually, they are quite nice pants, I note. Low slung red leather to show off her flat stomach, tight fitting but pleasantly so. The top, however, is a different story, what there is of it, anyway. Red heels complete the look with her long hair straight to her waist and a lighter blonde than mine, her overdone eye make-up pronouncing her very green eyes. They are a Shift if I ever saw any. She casts her eye over me in my bare feet and casual sweats and hoodie. Ah yes, perhaps I should have had the foresight to change into something a bit less comfortable. I hope my Powers still work here as I try to change into my usual attire of black mini and halter-top, Louboutins in place.
“Huh, slightly better,” she says through narrowed eyes. “I ask you again, what are you doing here?”
“Looking for someone,” I say boldly, mimicking her pose of hands on hips.
“Oh?” she cocks her eyebrow. “Got bored with your boys and came to take a go at mine? I assure you, yours are more fun,” she says dryly.
“Erm, maybe,” I say carefully.
“Well, what’s mine is yours. Feel free, although I am sure you won’t find them to your satisfaction. Except maybe Cole.” She shrugs.
Gods, this woman is just mean and horrible. I can’t stand her.
“Do you not care about any of them?” I must ask.