59

ALAYNA

I knock at the door next to mine in the hotel the next morning, and Brandon answers it immediately. His expression softens when he sees me. The cut on his lip from Cassius’s assault last night is still swollen and red.

“Alayna.”

“I heard you stayed.”

“Yes, would you like to come in?”

Either way, I came here to talk to him. “Yes, please.”

He steps aside and holds the door open. I move into his suite.

His room is just as spacious as his room in the mansion, but it is sunny inside. I slump on the couch in front of the fireplace, leaving ample distance between us.

I watch Brandon walk to the kitchen, pour coffee in two cups, and stroll back toward me. “I already asked for room service. Have this for now.” He hands me the cup.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He sits at the other side of the couch and takes a sip of his coffee.

“I thought you’d left,” I say.

“I couldn’t.” He looks at me sincerely. “You’re here.”

I smile a little and sip my coffee. The warmth calms my senses. “What happen