Darkest Temptation (New York Billionaires Book 4)

23| Safe

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Safe

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Chapter 23: Safe (Stella's POV)

What if he bails on me? What if Rhys decides I'm not worth the risk and refuses to help me? What if he not only refuses to work with me but even goes and tells Dad? 

Gasping for air, I resurfaced from the water, pushing my hair back as I completed yet another lap of the pool. 

It had been two whole days since I last spoke to Rhys. Tonight was his deadline to come up with a solution but I hadn't heard a word from him as of now and it was nearly midnight. I didn't bother reaching out either, too scared to hear his rejection. 

Sighing in frustration, I turned around, leaning against the wall, and threw my head back along the surface, letting the feeling of warm water around me overwhelm me. 

What if I can't trust him? 

Groaning loudly in annoyance, I turned back around again, resting my arms along the edge and dropping my chin on them. 

What if he betrays me? 

I took in a sharp breath, tilting my head to one side and resting my cheek on my arms instead. "Should I just kill him?" I whispered to myself. 

With that lingering thought, I hummed to myself and took a final lap around the pool before getting out and drying myself off. Heading back down to my apartment, I went straight for a shower and took my time with it. 

It must have been past midnight by the time I got dressed and I was leaving my bathroom with a heavy pout, extremely annoyed that Rhys had in fact ditched me. "Prick," I muttered under my breath, closing the bathroom door behind me as I headed to my bed. Feeling exhausted and drained from the day, I couldn't help but whine as my doorbell rang. 

Dropping the covers I so eagerly picked up, my feet dragged me downstairs and to the door. Unlocking it, my eyes widened fleetingly in surprise as they met Rhys's whiskey ones. "Mr. Romanov," I greeted. 

His brows twitched up as he stared back at me. "Did you think I would bail on you?" Strolling in past me with his hands comfortably tucked into his pockets, he said, "I'm no traitor, Ms. Almonte." 

I shut the door behind him. "Well, technically, you are late. It's past midnight. The day is over," I shrugged as he shot me a pointed look. I couldn't help but notice the way he took a quick scan of me, from my damp hair all the way down to my fluffy slippers and the black silk robe I wore over the matching sleepwear slip dress. 

"Did you go swimming?" he asked. 

"How did you know?" My eyes narrowed. 

"I called you. You didn't pick up." 

"I..." I sighed in realization, "I must have left my phone in my room. Is that why you're here?" 

He hummed, stopping before me. "My time's up, isn't it?" 

Folding my arms across my chest, I stared back at him and nodded firmly. I held up a hand before he could open his mouth. "I'm tired, let's just talk in the living room." Leading the way, I collapsed on the couch and he sat beside me. "Tell me," I demanded, "what plan do you have for me?"