The Monarch Hotel looked like something out of a dream. The valet opened Adrian's door before the car even came to a full stop, and the doorman greeted him like royalty, bowing slightly and stepping aside with practiced reverence. Even the bellboys stood straighter when they saw him.
It was as if the air shifted when Adrian Huntley entered a space, bending around him, making room.
I followed a few steps behind, still in my hoodie and sweats, the very picture of misfit anonymity, watching the world bow to him like he was some kind of untouchable king in his all black slack pants and unbuttoned black shirt.
Then, from the far end of the lobby, a tall man with tousled dark hair and a crooked grin sauntered over. His walk was easy, unbothered, and his eyes were filled with mischief.
"Look what the devil dragged in," he said, voice full of warmth. "Big bro's finally letting someone tag along."
Adrian smirked as the man pulled him into a hug. "Harrington," Adrian said, voice lighter than I'd ever heard it, "you still dress like a delinquent."
Harrington shrugged. "And yet I'm still the better looking brother." Then he turned to me, his gaze sweeping me up and down... curious, not crude. "So this is her. The girl you've been hiding. I get it now. Damn!"
I flushed under the attention.
"She's not a toy, Harry," Adrian muttered with a bored expression... though there was no real bite in it.
"Didn't say she was. I'm just saying," Harrington replied with a playful lift of his brows, "now I understand why you've been walking around like you lost your appetite and your mind."
I stayed quiet and made my way to the velvet couch near the center of the lobby, needing to breathe. I pulled out my phone, fingers trembling just slightly, and dialed Marcus.
"Where are you?" he said without greeting.
"In the lobby," I answered.
"I'm coming down."
Before I could respond, he ended the call.
Across the room, Adrian laughed at something Harrington said, the sound low and unfamiliar. I turned slightly to watch them, Adrian's head tilted back, the sharp line of his jaw more relaxed than I'd ever seen it. In that moment, something shifted. He didn't look dangerous or cold or powerful. He looked... young. Alive.
It was disarming.
And then Marcus blocked my view.
His presence felt like a cold wind blowing through a warm room.
"You came," he said, flat.
"I said I would."
"Alone, though. That was the agreement."
"Plans changed," I said simply.
He looked past me, eyes narrowing as they landed on Adrian. "Of course they did."
"I didn't come here to fight with you, Marcus."
He scoffed. "No? Then why bring him?"
"I didn't bring him. He insisted on coming."
Marcus ran a hand down his face, then took a step closer. "Come upstairs. We need to talk, just us. Away from... this circus."
I hesitated.
And then, Adrian's voice slid in like a blade. "We already booked a table at Celeste."
Marcus turned sharply, his jaw tightening. Adrian moved past him, slow and deliberate, then held his hand out to me. "Come."
I let him help me up, his fingers curling around mine just a second longer than necessary. His touch was warm, steadying.
"We can talk there," Adrian said, voice smooth but unreadable.
Harrington slung an arm around Marcus, all mockery and charm. "Come on, lover boy. Let's not start a soap opera in the lobby. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can all stop pretending to like each other."
Marcus stiffened. "That's my girlfriend."
Harrington let out a laugh. "Was, maybe. But now?" He gestured between Adrian and me. "Now it looks like she's someone else's world."
Marcus's mouth opened, then closed. He had no comeback.
Harrington clapped him on the back. "Relax. Nobody's stealing anyone. It's 2025. People just migrate to better ecosystems."
Inside Celeste, the mood shifted. It was dimly lit, with gold accents and jazz humming low in the background. The table we were escorted to sat in a quiet corner, surrounded by glass and candlelight.
I took my seat beside Adrian, Marcus across from me, and Harrington sprawled comfortably next to him.
"Alright," Harrington said as he picked up a menu, "what are we drinking? Something light for the lady, right? I remember you're pregnant. Congrats, by the way. Whose is it?" Harrington asked with a mischievous smile on his face.
Marcus flinched.
Adrian didn't say a word.
"Never mind," Harrington grinned. "I'll order you the best mint tea they have. You need to glow more. Your skin looks like you've been surviving on toast and bad decisions." Looking between Adrian and Marcus.
I laughed softly, surprising myself.
A waitress appeared, all legs and cleavage, leaning close to Adrian with a smile. "Mr. Huntley. We've missed you."
He didn't look at her. "The usual. And for the lady, mint tea. Ginger juice, too."
"For the gentleman?" she asked, turning to Marcus.
"Vodka. Double. Ice." Marcus said.
"Coming right up."
I picked at the bread basket while Harrington ordered enough food to feed a party. I wasn't even hungry, but once the smells hit the table, my appetite returned. Still, I ate slowly, wary of the tension building like static in the air.
Marcus leaned forward, his voice low. "You're really okay with this? Sitting here like it's normal? Letting him play protector?"
"I'm not letting anyone do anything," I said quietly. "I'm just trying to survive the mess you dropped me in."
"I made mistakes, yes, but you think this..." he gestured at Adrian "...is safer? Better?"
Adrian sipped his cognac, eyes never leaving Marcus.
"If you don't come back with me," Marcus continued, "I'll get the lawyers involved. I'm not letting you take my child away. You remember our heavy phone call and if you leave me no choice, I will act on everything I said to you." Marcus said, seemingly confident at the idea of using his family's group of lawyers against me.
My breath hitched.
"Wooooo!" Harrington said, obviously enjoying the drama before him.
"Marcus," I whispered, "please don't do this. We don't have to fight."
"That's all you ever do," Adrian said flatly, "is fight. Threaten. Whine."
"Stay out of this." Marcus said, voice a little too loud. Adrian raises an eyebrow, maybe a little shocked at Marcus' new confidence.
"She's not yours to command." Adrian said.
Marcus's hands balled into fists.
"The child is mine."
"Even so..." Adrian said to him. "The child is hers too and if she wants to keep the baby, she will."
Adrian turned to me, his hand resting gently on my knee beneath the table. The tension in me melted like wax. I didn't realize how tightly I'd been wound.
"My wife and I can provide a better life for the baby. Unity. Stability. Not a life with criminals in a cramped up apartment! If I have to fight dirty, I will. That is my child!" Marcus said, as if about to throw a tantrum.
Adrian looked back at Marcus, eyes like steel. "You're in my city. Alone. Making threats under my roof. That's brave."
Marcus's laugh was bitter. "Please. We're in public."
"This hotel," Harrington chimed in with a grin, "belongs to Adrian. You're technically threatening her in his living room."
Marcus blinked.
Harrington raised his glass. "To delusion."
Despite the tension, I ate. Something about the food grounded me. It was delicious, expensive, and warm. I didn't realize how hungry I really was.
When I set down my fork, Adrian rose from his chair.
"We're done here," he said.
I stood with him, almost on instinct.
Marcus looked at me like I'd betrayed him again. "Really? Just like that?"
I didn't answer.
Adrian's hand found the small of my back as he guided me out, past the waitress, past the glowing chandeliers and curious eyes. The hotel swallowed us in silence.
His car was waiting, engine already running. He opened the door for me and I climbed in. When he slid behind the wheel, I glanced at him, unsure what to say.
He drove in silence for a while.
Then, without turning his head, he said, "You're mine to protect. You understand that?"
I stared straight ahead, heart thudding.
"I've tried to ignore it," he said, voice low. "Tried to act like I don't care. But you're striking. You make me want to burn the world down and rebuild it just for you."
I swallowed hard.
At a red light, he looked over at me. "What are you doing to me, Gina?"
I didn't have an answer.
Before I could find one, we were pulling up outside my place. Adrian got out, walked around the car, and opened the door. He walked me all the way to the entrance.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.
Leaving me there, shaken, breathless, and completely undone.