Chapter 8
The Main Suite
Adrian moved her into his suite at dawn.
"For optics," he said.
"Your family prepared a bedroom for me months ago and you want to discuss optics?"
"I want you somewhere I know the locks."
That ended the argument less because it convinced her and more because he looked like standing cost him something he refused to count.
The main suite had two rooms, one door to the hall, and a sofa that looked expensive enough to be uncomfortable on principle. Adrian pointed to the bedroom.
"Yours."
"Where will you sleep?"
"Sofa."
"You're recovering from a coma."
"Then I will recover horizontally."
Elena hated that she almost smiled.
He saw the almost and did not comment. That restraint did more damage than a compliment would have.
The suite became awkward at the speed of a closing door. Her suitcase beside his wardrobe. Her toothbrush in a glass next to his. His shirt folded over the chair. The evidence of a marriage they had not chosen taking up space around them.
At eleven, a nurse came. At midnight, Mara checked the windows. At one, the house went quiet.
Elena came out of the bedroom in a sweater and found Adrian on the sofa, awake, one arm over his eyes.
"Are you in pain?"
"Yes."
"Is that an answer or a strategy?"
He moved his arm and looked at her. The lamp made shadows along his face, sharpening the hollows the coma had left. "Both."
She crossed the room and placed the medication bottle on the table.
He looked at the bottle. Then at her hand.
Neither of them moved.
The air tightened around the distance.
Then the lock clicked from the outside.
Elena turned.
Adrian was already on his feet, pain erased by something colder.
The handle did not move.
Someone had locked them in.