Page 29 of Ruin

I could feel Claire’s mind racing as emotions crashed through her in overwhelming waves until the space cleared with the sweet serenity of slumber.

Sleep, love. I’ll be here when you wake.

Chapter Ten

Claire

As I laid my eyes on him, electricity bolted through my body from my toes to the tips of my fingers before finally settling in my chest. This feeling had been building inside of me all morning. I tried to fight it off, to distract myself with coffee in the lobby while I worked on emails, a phone call to my parents, and a FaceTime with my sister. But I found myself rushing everything, even when there were hours remaining until his arrival.

Arik stood before the grand fountain of the hotel lobby; his form cast a magnificent, rich shade of crimson from the stained-glass windows that hung from above the entry doors. Per usual, he was dressed in a crisp black suit with his dark hair slicked back, making the strong features of his pale skin pop in contrast. His face lit up as he saw me approaching through the dim corridor that led to the lobby.

“Well, there she is,” he beamed.

“Here I am.” I smiled as I dropped my head, my hands grasping the flowy white cotton dress in a semi-bow.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked as the space between us disappeared.

“It was the best night’s sleep I have had in quite some time.” I smiled as I basked in his firm embrace.

I hate to admit it, but I missed him.

Arik’s head turned to the reception desk, his brow wrinkling as his eyes scanned the figures standing around the dark mahogany. He pulled away from me, straightening his body and clenching his jaw.

“Give me just one second, love,” he whispered, his face twisted.

I watched as Arik approached the desk and appeared to question the half-dozen employees who were mingling. Dressed in matching white dress shirts with gleaming golden name tags, the staff stood there, their faces glossy and fearful as they answered Arik. His arms crossed across his chest as his expression darkened—narrowed eyes, jaw clenched. The staff looked puzzled, shaking their heads in response to him. Arik’s hand rested against his brow in aggravation before he pulled away from the group.

“Is everything okay?” I asked as he walked quickly from the reception desk, approaching me with urgency. He firmly grasped my hand, guiding me out the front door and toward his black SUV that was waiting at the front.

“Nothing for you to be concerned about, love,” he muttered, his expression laced with concern that he was trying his best to conceal behind a forced smile.

As we both settled into the vehicle, it began to move back down the driveway that led to the road, leaving the hotel in the rearview mirror. The silence hung stale in the middle seat between us. Arik’s demeanor was concerning as he stared into the distance. The charming warmth that typically radiated between us was now a thick, dark cloud of unknown.

“You can tell me what’s going on. You look upset,” I whispered to him as I placed my hand on his thigh, the crisp fabric of his black slacks resting under my hand.

Arik’s gaze wandered in all directions, looking into the distance in contemplation. He took a deep breath before finally turning to me.

His words were slow and deliberate. “Jennifer is not in her room.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my back shooting up straight.

“Housekeeping went in this morning, and she was not in her room. The bed is still made from yesterday,” he replied, speaking to me in calm tones.

“Well, knowing Jennifer, she probably found some entertainment for the night and hasn’t come back yet.” I laughed.

Arik did not return my laughter.

He let out a sigh before continuing, “Her bag, phone, and identification are in the room.”

My eyes widened as I remembered our last interaction with her. “Wait, she said she was going out with people from the hotel last night.”

“Yes, I questioned them. They all returned to the hotel together a little past midnight. Some of the staff had too much to drink and decided to take up some vacant rooms. Another fucking issue to deal with,” he said as he stared out the front windshield, his eyes racing.

“But she came back to the hotel? Was she seen going into her room? What about the cameras?” I questioned as concern hitched in my voice.

“Yes. She was seen by multiple people going to her room. There are only cameras in the lobby, and the cameras show that she entered the hotel. The footage confirms the story from the staff.” Arik wrapped his arm around my shoulder as he moved to the middle seat and pulled me into him.

“So…she’s just missing?” My head shook with confusion. “Wait…this isn’t the first time. Jennifer told me about two women going missing earlier in the year.”