9 Chapter 3 - Gabriella (3)

"What time shall we pick you up tomorrow?" Jax asks as the car pulls to a stop in front of a double glass door.

"Keep your lines open. I'll call you." Mariano gets out of the car and motions for me to descend too.

The cold weather hits my lower body as soon as I get out of the car and I quickly head to the entrance, seeking warmth. It's a lot colder here than in New York, that's for sure.

I'm not sure why we're in a hotel, but I'm not about to argue and insist on staying in the car when out of the three of them, I only really know Mariano. Although I hate him right now, I'd rather be with him than be with those two strangers in the car.

I huff as I stride past him and continue walking through the glass doors where a doorman politely greets us. I feel Mariano's stare at the back of my head as I walk ahead and stroll towards the lobby that should be around the corner according to the sign on the wall, but I pay him no mind.

That is until a whistle sounds behind me and I stop in my tracks. Turning around, I gape at him incredulously as he stands there with his hands tucked inside his pants pocket, looking nonchalant as if he's in a park. "Did you…" I grit my teeth. "Did you just whistle at me?"

"Yes," he answered as a matter of factly, not an ounce of shame present on his face.

What the hell? I'm appalled that I can't speak for a few beats, and then I snap, "I'M NOT A DOG!"

He shrugs. "You turned around. It worked, didn't it?"

I catch the doorman behind him stifling a smile and I glare at Mariano for making me look like an idiot. He is such an asshole. Captain Asshole. But I don't give in—at least, not totally, as I lift my chin and fold my arms under my breasts. I don't fail to see his eyes dip lower for a beat, following my movement—or staring at my boobs—before lifting them again. "I have a name."

"You do." He nods to the side, and that's when I notice the elevators. "This way, Ree. Twentieth floor."

Again with the nickname. Oh my god. I'm about to remind him of my real name but he already turns his back on me and heads towards the elevator that opens after he presses the button. He waits for me to get in first and then follows after me. I'm already exhausted, so I just huff and close my mouth.

As we reach the twentieth floor, I'm beginning to feel hesitant. What are we doing here? Is this where he plans to keep me? My only consolation is that the hotel looks at least like a four-star one. Not that I'm picky as I don't mind staying in a lower-end hotel, but I appreciate that he chose comfort. I don't want any creepy crawlies on the wall.

I trudge behind him as he goes straight to the end of the hallway and stops in front of a door, takes out a keycard, and swipes it at the handle. The door clicks open and he pushes it. I peek around his shoulder, scanning the room as far as my eyes can see. It looks clean, tidy, and luxurious.

"It's empty. No one's going to jump you inside," he reassures as he gestures for me to enter.

Taking a deep breath, I cross the threshold and flinch when the door closes behind me. I turn around, my eyes widening as he advances toward me, and I take a step back. He may have said no one's going to jump me here, but does that include him?

I stop when the back of my knees hit the edge of the bed and I froze. He's still walking over, only stopping a foot away, causing my heart to race and telling me to get the fuck out of here.

I must have bumped my head during the ride over because I don't move. No, that's not it. I don't move because I already signed the document. And I'm not one to break an oath that I've bled for. The cut on my thumb throbs as a reminder of the blood contract I signed my life with right next to his name on a paper while we were on the plane.

Mariano flicks his wrist and I look down to see the keycard between his fingers. "Get some sleep."

I tentatively take the keycard and then he turns around and walks to the door. "Uh… W-Where are you going?"

"To get some sleep. I'm right next door if you need anything." He points to the right and I assume he means the adjacent room to my right. He keeps talking as he walks. "Call room service if you're hungry. I'll see you tomorrow."

I try to catch him before he closes the door. "Wait! Can I have my phone back now? I promise… I won't call anyone." I just need it…My gallery.

Mariano glances at me, his expression unreadable as he holds the door handle. "Goodnight, Ree."

He closes the door, leaving me alone with thoughts…of my past, my present, and my future.