Rissa lowered her head, her voice was soft, almost a whisper, "I don’t have you."
She had no idea if he heard her, as he’d turned and stomped out of their room. She felt Hyde put his arm around her shoulder and lead her back toward the bedroom. As they got to the door, she pushed him away. She couldn’t stand to look at him. "Even you. Even you’ve fallen under his ridiculous charms. If you care at all about me, you’d just take me home."
Rissa walked inside the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Hyde stood at the door, questioning whether to follow. He was worried about her and what she might do alone. He tapped on the door and waited, but the only sounds he heard were her sobs. He knew she was hurting, but she kept bringing it on herself.
Hyde laid his forehead on the door. How in the hell did he get into this mess? It was like dealing with a child. He was getting tired of this as well.
67
Rissa was, once again, stuck in a hotel room alone, as her mind started working in overdrive. Alec had forgotten to take her cell phone this time, and that was her ticket for payback. She immediately blocked Alec from her thoughts. What’s good for the goose was good for the gander. He’d find out her plans soon enough. She wasn’t about to go down without a fight. After all, she was still the Darling of G-town and her connections were worldwide.
The winter fashions were coming out, and she began dialing as fast as she could. She ordered every new line from every designer and requested they ship everything to their home in Georgetown. She engaged the stylists to select coordinating shoes and bags to go with the new clothes, and to have them shipped as well. She was spending money like it was water. Everyone who was anyone wanted her as their client, after all, she was going to be the First Lady and getting her to promote and wear their clothing was money in their pocket.
Then she began to call for Alec's new wardrobe as well, including only the best designer suits, silk shirts, ties, cufflinks, and shoes. She had no doubt someone would leak this expensive little shopping venture to the press.
When she was finished with her shopping spree, she tossed her phone aside, already calculating her next move. She rinsed her face in cold water and touched up her make-up. There would be no more tears today. She’d been on the phone for hours, and she knew Hyde would be antsy for a smoke break. She was sure he hadn’t left his post outside her door. Picking up her phone, she made one last call to a reporter.
Going to the door, she opened it slightly to find Hyde leaning against the wall.
Hyde jumped to attention when she peeped out, and he was relieved she appeared to be calm. He’d heard her talking all morning, and knew she was on her phone. "Rissa, is everything all right?"
Displaying her trademark pout, she inquired, "Hyde, do you have any cigarettes? I could seriously use a smoke."
Hyde was immediately suspicious of her motives, but he could sure use a smoke break. "I’m not taking you outside to smoke, Rissa, so don’t even think about it."
Rissa had anticipated that response. She knew he wouldn’t let her leave the hotel. She sidled up close to him, her head down and laid her hand on his broad chest. "Hyde, I know I can’t leave, but we can go outside on the balcony and have a quick smoke." She lifted her face to his, her eyes sad, and she knew instantly he was considering it.
"Okay, but you better behave, or I swear I’ll do something I might regret."
Rissa smiled and turned to re-enter the bedroom as Hyde followed her. “It’s a balcony, Hyde. There’s not much I can do on a balcony.”
He looked at her cautiously. “Okay, well, here’s the deal. I want you to stand behind me. The press knows we’re here, but they have no idea which room. We can’t take any chances of them seeing you, are we clear?"
Rissa had to control her sense of glee. She’d alerted the press, letting them know where they were staying, and which room they occupied, and if they were discreet and paid attention, there might be a great photo op.
Hyde opened the sliding doors and steps outside, checking in every direction. He quickly pulled out his smokes and lit up, taking a long, deep drag on the cigarette. It felt good to get some fresh air and sun after standing in the hotel suite all day. He didn’t notice any unusual activity around the hotel, so he beckoned for Rissa to join him. "Stand directly behind me. If I say move it, then back your ass back into the room.”
Rissa bit her lip and agreed, as he handed her the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. She stood directly behind him. "It really is a beautiful day outside, isn’t it? I wish I was riding Biondo, this would be a perfect day for it.”
Hyde stood with his back to her, keeping his eyes and ears peeled. "Well, that’s not going to happen. Alec has begged you to do as he asks, and you keep refusing him, so I think you best get used to being alone in hotel suites if you don’t start to listen."
Rissa stared at his strong, broad back. He’d taken off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, but still had on his tie. Even dressed like this, he looked rugged and all male. Rissa leaned her weight against his back, gently resting her head on his shoulder. "I wish I had a drink, a nice Midnight. I’m sure there’s still some left."
Hyde was used to Rissa using her body to try and manipulate him and ignored her closeness. "Are you finished with your smoke? I’ll get us both a Midnight if you want. But move back inside."
She did as he requested and returned to the bedroom. He left the balcony and closed the door, pulling the drapes closed behind him. He left her there while he went to pour the Midnight and returned with the filled glasses.
She curled up on the couch, tucking her feet under her, as she accepted the glass, and sipped her Midnight. "Thank you, Hyde. That was kind of you. I know I haven’t made this easy, but without you, I’d be lost. I just want to get the hell out of this room. Can I make a suggestion?"
Hyde stood eyeing her, wondering what she was up to. "Rissa, you aren’t going anywhere, so don’t even think about it."
She sighed heavily. "They have a beautiful spa downstairs. I won’t have to leave the hotel. You can escort me there, and I could at least get a massage, get my nails done, just something to help me relax. You can stay with me. It’s not like I can escape."
Hyde sat down beside her and looked directly at her, trying to think if there were any ulterior motives to her request. He knew she wouldn’t be able to leave if he went with her and decided to cut her some slack. "Here’s the deal, Rissa, I’ll go along, but you make one false move, and it’s over! Your ass will be coming right back to this suite. Understood?"
Rissa gave him a hug, as her face broke into a smile. "Oh Hyde, I promise I won’t make any trouble. I just want to relax and look good for Alec when he returns tonight."
Standing up, she grabbed her purse. She’d already perused the spa treatments, and planned on getting the 24K gold-leaf facial, for the nominal fee of $10,000, along with every other expensive treatment they could work in before Alec returned. It would be hours before she walked out, and she couldn’t wait to see Alec’s face when they checked out of the hotel and he saw the spa bill. She’d have to wait for the pleasure of seeing his face over the credit card charges from her earlier shopping spree.