“Not bad for the Alaskan wild, right?”
I peel my vacant stare away from the mingling crowd to acknowledge Rich, the main host from Lux, who has learned how to juggle Henry’s constant dinner reservation changes like a pro, saving my butt more than once. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“They needed a slave with fine-dining experience. I fit the bill.” He scans me from head to toe. “You clean up well.”
I offer him a weak smile. “Thanks. I had help.”
“Right. I heard the Barbie dolls are back together under one roof again.” A wry smile twists his lips. “Tonight should be interesting.”
I assume he’s talking about Katie and Rachel. Does he know about them? Does everybody? Probably. I guess I’m naïve about that, too. I hadn’t even given thought to what might be going on in the bunk next to me with this unexpected reunion.
I really need to buy myself a pair of earplugs.
“Any guesses on how much tonight is going to cost Wolf?”
“No idea. A lot.” I let my eyes wander over the room again. I listened to Belinda describe what would be done to the room but somehow I managed to walk in completely surprised. The room lends itself to a more rustic theme to begin with, with plenty of rich wood paneling along the walls and antler-cast candelabras. But the explosion of white flowers and simple white pillar candles along with Wedgwood china and servers dressed in old-fashioned butler uniforms turn the space into a high-end romantic cave.
When we arrived, it was still daylight and the view of the mountains framed within the glass wall of windows was awe-inspiring. The photo ops took close to an hour, followed by a few cocktails, followed by the official ceremony. The Wolf men shared the stage with various political notables for the idyllic ribbon-cutting ceremony, Scott standing stoically off to the side, his face unreadable. William, introduced as the owner of Wolf Hotels, gave a short speech about the history of the Wolf family, and how proud they are to have brought their legacy back to Alaska in the form of this majestic hotel.
But he quickly passed the microphone over to his son, applauding him for his business sense, his bold risk-taking, and his passion for Alaska.
I held my breath as Henry stood up there, enchanting the crowd of several hundred with his captivating form and his polished words, enrapturing the women—and some men—in the crowd with his very presence. There’s just something magnetic about the man. Even though I’ve spent the night convincing myself that I hate him, I couldn’t help but listen to him intently. To his genuine love of Alaska and the memories it has held, for his hopes for the future as president and CEO of the entire company.
That was hours ago. Now the orchestra is finished, the elaborate candelabras are burning bright, and a steady thrum of electronic music courses through the air. I’ve never actually been to a club, but I imagine this is what it is, the steady procession of alcohol sure to guarantee a night of debauchery. Where earlier women were moving gracefully, standing upright and sucking everything in, they’re now throwing their heads back with wild laughter. Where men arrived layered in their tuxes, they’ve now cast away waistcoats and bow ties dangle from collars.
Except for Henry, of course. He stands statuesque, holding the same drink he started with after speeches, listening and smiling and occasionally grazing a woman’s arm or shoulder, or the small of her back.
And every time he does, I see them catch their breath, and fire lights in their eyes.
And a pang of sorrow stabs me in the chest.
“I’ve heard these Wolf parties go late. Stick around if you want a good show. Should be fun,” Rich murmurs.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I shift my feet, the heels beginning to hurt. I’d love to kick them off. I haven’t sat down in hours. I don’t know how Belinda does it. I’ve watched her strut around all night in her stilettos without a hint of discomfort.
Scott has been conspicuously absent since the ceremony. At least, I noticed when the round of applause was over, the string of violins began, and William Wolf leaned into his ear, sending him off stage and out the door immediately after.
I can’t say I’m not happy about it.
“Oh, looks like Wolf needs you. See you around.” Richard takes off, offering a nod toward Henry as they pass each other. Henry merely glares at him before adjusting his sights on me, something he’s done very little of all night. I’ve stayed within ten feet of him, a shadow that floats unseen, but taking in everything he does, aware of his every move, and I’ve barely caught his attention, even in passing.
Roshana has been watching him intently, too. I’ve found small consolation in the fact that she hasn’t been attached to him all night, but she’s been watching. With every hair flip, she takes the opportunity to mark his location.
Just like most women in here do.
Henry is a prize in their eyes. I guess he was a prize in my eyes, too. Was being the operative word. Now it just plain hurts.
“I no longer need you tonight. You can go home. Take the morning off and come to my place at one.” He’s his usual public self—detached, impersonal.
“Okay.” I steal one last look at his impassive face and then head for the exit.
~ ~ ~
“Abbi!”
My bunkmate’s voice carries across the narrow corridor by the lobby. I haven’t talked to Autumn in days. Of all of us, the concierges have been working the hardest to please guests. I heard they’re understaffed, which doesn’t help.
She speeds over to meet me by the indoor water fountain—a dazzling sculpture of stone and logs, intended to represent a natural waterfall. “You look… incredible!” Her green eyes sparkle as they skate over my features.
“Thanks.”
“Are you done for the night?”
“Yeah. You?”
“I wish. I have another hour to go.” Her angular face, highlighted by an adorable pixie cut that I could never pull off, scrunches up. “These media people are awful. My lips have been attached to their asses all day and night and I’m sick of it. Now they’re drunk and even more demanding. I just spent fifteen minutes trying to explain to one of them that, no, they can’t go for a two-mile hike in the middle of the night because there are animals out there that will eat them! So now we have to alert security to keep an eye out for any idiots heading toward the trails.” She scoffs, making her annoyance somehow funny, and I start to laugh. It feels good.
“It’s getting late. Maybe they’ll be too drunk to do anything but sleep.”
“Yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “After they finish fornicating in public. You want a good laugh? Grab a drink and talk your way into the security room. Those guys see the full gamut of things on nights like these. People in stairwells, in hallways. Sneaking into banquet rooms. Apparently there were two people getting hot and heavy on this last night.” She points at the log-carved bench next to us. “The woman was giving the dude a hand job. Security had to politely escort them to their rooms.”
Oh my God.
“Yeah. Anyway, you should come to the staff lodge tonight. A few of us are going to de-stress with some drinks.”
“I’ll think about it.” Apparently the staff lodge has become one big party most nights. There’s always someone who doesn’t have to get up early in the morning for their next shift, and the Outdoor crew doesn’t care if they go to work hungover.
“The big bad wolf is running you ragged, isn’t he?” She tsks. “I heard he’s not easy to work for.”
“No, he’s not.” That’s an understatement.
“But, hey! I heard you had something to do with getting Rachel back here, so I guess you hold some sway.” Autumn nods to something behind me. “Speak of the devil. Wow. Look at him.”
My heart stutters of its own accord, simply because I know she’s talking about Henry. Taking a deep breath, I glance over my shoulder. Henry strolls toward the lobby doors, flanked on either side by a rosy-cheeked Roshana and a willowy blonde in a crimson dress, the two women staggering slightly. His hands are settled on the smalls of their backs.
My stomach drops as I watch him step forward to hold the door for them. The blonde passes through but Roshana stalls, turning to brazenly grab hold of his belt buckle and pull him to her. He smiles down at her, coaxing her through the entrance with a nod toward the covered path.
I watch them walk cozily along until they disappear from view, heading toward the seclusion of their private cabins.
I don’t think he saw me, but I wonder if he’d even care.
“I guess he’s getting his freak on tonight. Not surprised, given what I’ve heard about him,” Autumn jokes, oblivious to my anguish.
So I’m not the only one that sensed that’s where the intimate touches and looks were heading.
It wasn’t bad enough that he screwed her last night. He’s about to screw her again, tonight, along with another woman. And I have the pleasure of knowing about it while it’s happening this time. No wonder he gave me the morning off, again.
“Abbi? You okay?” Autumn frowns. You’re a little pale.”
“I haven’t been feeling well all day.”
She rubs my arm. “Go and get some sleep. We’ll party at the lodge another night.”
“Sounds good.” All I want to do is put my pajamas on and curl up in my blankets and wish this awful, sick feeling away. “See you later.” I don’t hesitate, turning to dash toward the nearest exit.
“Oh, wait, Abbi. Let me get you an umbrella! It’s—”
Her voice disappears behind me as I push through the door and into the cold rain.
