Michaela
My eyes spring open as the recollection of a disturbing memory stirs me
awake. “I know where I’ve seen Brock before.” I sit bolt upright in bed
as I blurt out those words. I look down at Phoenix. He’s sle eping on his
back, no care in the world. Well, that won’t last. I shake him. “Wake
up.” “Kitten, I fucked you not long ago,” he says in a groggy voice.
“Give me a chance to recharge, woman.” I roll my eyes. “No, that’s not
it. Wake up, Phoenix.” I shake him harder. “I don’t have to be awake for
you to suck my cock. Knock yourself out.” He pulls the sheet off his
body, exposing his morning wood. “For the love of God, this is
serious.” He opens one eye. “What is it?” “Brock. I remember where
I’ve seen him before.” A sle epy Phoenix looks up at me, puzzled.
“Where?” “At the Villiers Grand.” “What?” “Yes.” He sits up, pulling
the sheet to cover up. He’s wide awake now. “When?” “Late afternoon
on the day I was set to leave for N epal.” “You’re sure?” “I am. I
stopped by the hotel to say goodbye to the staff and grab a pair of old
sneakers I k ept in my office to use at the hotel gym that were perfect
for trekking in N epal. I figured I’d grab my shoes first. Then, say my
goodbyes to the staff. As I was leaving my office and rounding the
corner, I heard Thana’s annoying voice. I ducked because I wasn’t in
the mood for a st epmommy-words-of-wisdom moment. I would’ve
ignored her altogether, but she said something along the lines of, ‘I
pride myself in knowing a few ways of dramatically lowering the value
of any company...’ I had no idea what she was talking about, but it
piqued my curiosity, so I peeked out to see who she was talking to. Her
back was facing me, but the man was looking straight at her. Since he
seemed riveted by the conversation, I was able to check him out. Four
things jumped out—he had the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen, his height,
the pronounced scars left behind from severe acne, and that permanent
self-righteous smirk he sports.” “That describes Brock to a T,” Phoenix
says. “Didn’t he see you?” “When he noticed me, he stared right at me.
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze menacing. Every cell in my body was
prickling and not in a good way. Before he was able to alert Thana of
my presence, I fled, running down the stairs of the emergency exit. I
weaved my way through the hotel until I reached the parking lot. I can’t
explain why, but I felt the pressing need to get the hell out of there. Fast.
I jumped into my car and headed back to my father’s house to finish
packing.” “If he was staring right at you, why didn’t he recognize you
last night?” “I was wearing a baseball cap and my long brown hair was
loose.” “Since I didn’t wait around for Thana to turn around and
identify me, she had no idea who was standing there.” “How come you
didn’t recognize him last night?” “The beard.” Phoenix nods. “I guess it
all came to me while I was sle eping. I’m going out on a limb here.” I
pause, unsure I should continue. “I’m listening.” “Given his position,
Brock was most likely scoping out the hotel.” “I wouldn’t put it past
him.” “Ripley had everything he needed to manipulate Daddy to sell the
Villiers Grand for much less than its value. How did Ripley get all that
private info?” “Goddammit.” Phoenix’s eyes grow wide. “Ripley had
leverage. He had Thana... who was probably in cahoots with Brock.”