Paragon

⊰❉⊱ 25 ⊰❉⊱

I flashed him a black card with fine print and he took it with a smile. Another identity printed into it digitally and physically. It scanned green.

"Welcome again, Ms Demarcus. Is there anything I can do for you during your stay?" He asked calmly, glancing at Quinn with similar warmth.

"Yes. I'd like to know if you have refreshment facilities beyond the bar."

"Ah, no ma'am. But I do have a list of highly recommended hotels for–"

"That would be great. Please send word ahead to The Mandarin I'll be needing a room tonight." I interrupted simply.

He quickly nodded and made a series of types into the keyboard before him.

"Will that be for two rooms, ma'am?" He asked, glancing obviously at Quinn.

I heard Quinn's heart rate increase and resisted the urge to smile. Let her assume I was playing this exactly by the book.

"Yes two separate rooms please. Top floor."

Quinn's gaze shot to me but I continued watching the doorman smile and follow the instructions without delay. 

"They will have that ready for you as soon as you arrive, Ms Demarcus." He smiled again and I mirrored it.

"Thank you for the help." I returned curtly before turning away. Quinn was quickly beside me with a growing look of exasperation.

"I didn't realise we were part of the church group, Ms Demarcus." She muttered dryly, following me towards the exit at the long end of the great ceilinged room. Suits and dresses flitted past us. We were probably the only ones without sunglasses attached to our shirt or head.

I glanced at her with a look of innocence.

"I don't know what to tell you, Quinn. They're quite conservative here–"

"Oh they're damn right archaic here but that doesn't change what goes on behind closed doors." She scoffed, looking openly at a young couple that shared a rather public display in a crowd of people.

I grinned and shook my head.

"Indeed. I'm just trying to keep you alive." I murmured as the final set of glass doors opened and the aircon left the airport behind.

The heat hit us in an unstoppable wave. Quinn almost flinched back into the door. I caught her elbow and steered her away from more people that almost collided into her. Her eyes widened and landed on my hand.

"God, I suddenly appreciate your temperature so much more..."

I laughed loudly and released her. I pulled my phone out and called a private car. Quinn stared up at the open blue sky and devastating feel of dryness. I spoke quickly and confirmed times and locations while she looked back up at the long glass building of the airport behind.

In the end I demanded that the company just leave the car for us so I may do what I wish rather than rely on the driver. It was vaguely an issue for them until I mentioned what credit I was prepared to offer... then it all became very efficient.

"The car will be here in five minutes." I told Quinn as she still tilted her head up at the tall structure. She nodded and cast her hand over her eyes.

"They have glass in London too." I smirked.

She cut me an eye roll before slipping out of her dark hoodie and wrapping it around her waist. Her dark jeans would soon also become a problem in this glare as well.

"Come on, Adams. Before you cook." I murmured, nodding my head over at a shaded area where taxis rushed to pick up travellers.

The sun caught her skin in a way that turned it golden brown like she belonged in the heat. It turned her eyes a brighter green and made her hair take on shine that made the waves of brown–