Chapter Eleven
“Not bad for the Alaskan wild, right?”
I peel my vacant stare away from the mingling crowd to acknowledge
Rich, the main host from Lux, who has learned how to juggle Henry’s
constant dinner reservation changes like a pro, saving my butt more than
once. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“They needed a slave with fine-dining experience. I fit the bill.” He
scans me from head to toe. “You clean up well.”
I offer him a weak smile. “Thanks. I had help.”
“Right. I heard the Barbie dolls are back together under one roof
again.” A wry smile twists his lips. “Tonight should be interesting.”
I assume he’s talking about Katie and Rachel. Does he know about
them? Does everybody? Probably. I guess I’m naïve about that, too. I hadn’t
even given thought to what might be going on in the bunk next to me with
this unexpected reunion.
I really need to buy myself a pair of earplugs.
“Any guesses on how much tonight is going to cost Wolf?”
“No idea. A lot.” I let my eyes wander over the room again. I listened
to Belinda describe what would be done to the room but somehow I
managed to walk in completely surprised. The room lends itself to a more
rustic theme to begin with, with plenty of rich wood paneling along the
walls and antler-cast candelabras. But the explosion of white flowers and
simple white pillar candles along with Wedgwood china and servers dressed
in old-fashioned butler uniforms turn the space into a high-end romantic
cave.
When we arrived, it was still daylight and the view of the mountains
framed within the glass wall of windows was awe-inspiring. The photo ops
took close to an hour, followed by a few cocktails, followed by the official
ceremony. The Wolf men shared the stage with various political notables for
the idyllic ribbon-cutting ceremony, Scott standing stoically off to the side,
his face unreadable. William, introduced as the owner of Wolf Hotels, gave
a short speech about the history of the Wolf family, and how proud they are
to have brought their legacy back to Alaska in the form of this majestic
hotel.
But he quickly passed the microphone over to his son, applauding
him for his business sense, his bold risk-taking, and his passion for Alaska.
I held my breath as Henry stood up there, enchanting the crowd of
several hundred with his captivating form and his polished words,
enrapturing the women—and some men—in the crowd with his very
presence. There’s just something magnetic about the man. Even though I’ve
spent the night convincing myself that I hate him, I couldn’t help but listen
to him intently. To his genuine love of Alaska and the memories it has held,
for his hopes for the future as president and CEO of the entire company.
That was hours ago. Now the orchestra is finished, the elaborate
candelabras are burning bright, and a steady thrum of electronic music
courses through the air. I’ve never actually been to a club, but I imagine this
is what it is, the steady procession of alcohol sure to guarantee a night of
debauchery. Where earlier women were moving gracefully, standing upright
and sucking everything in, they’re now throwing their heads back with wild
laughter. Where men arrived layered in their tuxes, they’ve now cast away
waistcoats and bow ties dangle from collars.
Except for Henry, of course. He stands statuesque, holding the same
drink he started with after speeches, listening and smiling and occasionally
grazing a woman’s arm or shoulder, or the small of her back.
And every time he does, I see them catch their breath, and fire lights
in their eyes.
And a pang of sorrow stabs me in the chest.
“I’ve heard these Wolf parties go late. Stick around if you want a
good show. Should be fun,” Rich murmurs.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I shift my feet, the heels beginning to hurt.
I’d love to kick them off. I haven’t sat down in hours. I don’t know how
Belinda does it. I’ve watched her strut around all night in her stilettos
without a hint of discomfort.
Scott has been conspicuously absent since the ceremony. At least, I
noticed when the round of applause was over, the string of violins began,
and William Wolf leaned into his ear, sending him off stage and out the door
immediately after.
I can’t say I’m not happy about it.
“Oh, looks like Wolf needs you. See you around.” Richard takes off,
offering a nod toward Henry as they pass each other. Henry merely glares at
him before adjusting his sights on me, something he’s done very little of all
night. I’ve stayed within ten feet of him, a shadow that floats unseen, but
taking in everything he does, aware of his every move, and I’ve barely
caught his attention, even in passing.
Roshana has been watching him intently, too. I’ve found small
consolation in the fact that she hasn’t been attached to him all night, but
she’s been watching. With every hair flip, she takes the opportunity to mark
his location.
Just like most women in here do.
Henry is a prize in their eyes. I guess he was a prize in my eyes, too.
Was being the operative word. Now it just plain hurts.
“I no longer need you tonight. You can go home. Take the morning
off and come to my place at one.” He’s his usual public self—detached,
impersonal.
“Okay.” I steal one last look at his impassive face and then head for
the exit.
~ ~ ~
“Abbi!”
My bunkmate’s voice carries across the narrow corridor by the lobby.
I haven’t talked to Autumn in days. Of all of us, the concierges have been
working the hardest to please guests. I heard they’re understaffed, which
doesn’t help.
She speeds over to meet me by the indoor water fountain—a dazzling
sculpture of stone and logs, intended to represent a natural waterfall. “You
look... incredible!” Her green eyes sparkle as they skate over my features.
“Thanks.”
“Are you done for the night?”
“Yeah. You?”
“I wish. I have another hour to go.” Her angular face, highlighted by
an adorable pixie cut that I could never pull off, scrunches up. “These
media people are awful. My lips have been attached to their asses all day
and night and I’m sick of it. Now they’re drunk and even more demanding.
I just spent fifteen minutes trying to explain to one of them that, no, they
can’t go for a two-mile hike in the middle of the night because there are
animals out there that will eat them! So now we have to alert security to
keep an eye out for any idiots heading toward the trails.” She scoffs,
making her annoyance somehow funny, and I start to laugh. It feels good.
“It’s getting late. Maybe they’ll be too drunk to do anything but
sleep.”
“Yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “After they finish fornicating in public.
You want a good laugh? Grab a drink and talk your way into the security
room. Those guys see the full gamut of things on nights like these. People
in stairwells, in hallways. Sneaking into banquet rooms. Apparently there
were two people getting hot and heavy on this last night.” She points at the
log-carved bench next to us. “The woman was giving the dude a hand job.
Security had to politely escort them to their rooms.”
Oh my God.
“Yeah. Anyway, you should come to the staff lodge tonight. A few of
us are going to de-stress with some drinks.”
“I’ll think about it.” Apparently the staff lodge has become one big
party most nights. There’s always someone who doesn’t have to get up
early in the morning for their next shift, and the Outdoor crew doesn’t care
if they go to work hungover.
“The big bad wolf is running you ragged, isn’t he?” She tsks. “I heard
he’s not easy to work for.”
“No, he’s not.” That’s an understatement.
“But, hey! I heard you had something to do with getting Rachel back
here, so I guess you hold some sway.” Autumn nods to something behind
me. “Speak of the devil. Wow. Look at him.”
My heart stutters of its own accord, simply because I know she’s
talking about Henry. Taking a deep breath, I glance over my shoulder.
Henry strolls toward the lobby doors, flanked on either side by a rosy-
cheeked Roshana and a willowy blonde in a crimson dress, the two women
staggering slightly. His hands are settled on the smalls of their backs.
My stomach drops as I watch him step forward to hold the door for
them. The blonde passes through but Roshana stalls, turning to brazenly
grab hold of his belt buckle and pull him to her. He smiles down at her,
coaxing her through the entrance with a nod toward the covered path.
I watch them walk cozily along until they disappear from view,
heading toward the seclusion of their private cabins.
I don’t think he saw me, but I wonder if he’d even care.
“I guess he’s getting his freak on tonight. Not surprised, given what
I’ve heard about him,” Autumn jokes, oblivious to my anguish.
So I’m not the only one that sensed that’s where the intimate touches
and looks were heading.
It wasn’t bad enough that he screwed her last night. He’s about to
screw her again, tonight, along with another woman. And I have the
pleasure of knowing about it while it’s happening this time. No wonder he
gave me the morning off, again.
“Abbi? You okay?” Autumn frowns. You’re a little pale.”
“I haven’t been feeling well all day.”
She rubs my arm. “Go and get some sleep. We’ll party at the lodge
another night.”
“Sounds good.” All I want to do is put my pajamas on and curl up in
my blankets and wish this awful, sick feeling away. “See you later.” I don’t
hesitate, turning to dash toward the nearest exit.
“Oh, wait, Abbi. Let me get you an umbrella! It’s—”
Her voice disappears behind me as I push through the door and into
the cold rain.
