Chapter 67 Ice and Fire

"You held up your end of the deal." Isabella nodded at the box. "It’s all yours."

Eira stood, but the room shifted under her feet.

One glass of wine should not have hit her this hard.

She picked up the box and held it tightly against her chest.

Behind her, Isabella texted Serena.

[Done.]

[You didn’t make her drink it right away, did you?]

[No. I made her eat first, just like you said. She finished the whole glass.]

[Good. My guy’s on his way up. Get her into the room and get out.]

Isabella slipped her phone into her purse and followed Eira toward the elevator.

Eira’s vision blurred. She missed the elevator button twice before steadying herself against the wall.

Isabella laughed. "One glass took you out? That’s just sad."

Eira’s legs were weak, and heat was spreading through her body.

This was not alcohol.

She turned to Isabella. "What did you put in my drink?"

For a second, panic flashed across Isabella’s face.

Then she rolled her eyes. "Nothing. You’re just a lightweight."

"Give me my phone."

"You have it."

Eira reached into her purse and found both her phone and Mrs. Black’s business card. Her fingers shook as she entered the number.

Isabella saw the card and lunged for her.

"Who are you calling?"

Eira had just entered the last digit when Isabella ripped the phone from her hand.

"You’re drunk. Quit making a scene."

Isabella shoved the phone into her purse before Eira could place the call.

Eira tried to grab it back, but her knees gave out. She dropped to the carpet and curled around the box.

"Give it back."

"I’m trying to help you." Isabella raised her voice for the hallway cameras. "Come on. Let’s get you to bed."

She hauled Eira up and dragged her into the elevator.

Eira bit the inside of her cheek, fighting to stay conscious. She could barely stand, but she refused to let go of the box.

Isabella took her down a quiet private hallway and stopped outside a room near the end.

"I told you to slow down," she said loudly. "You never listen."

She swiped the key card and pushed Eira inside.

Eira fell to her knees.

"Help," she whispered.

Isabella shut the door. By then, Eira’s grip had weakened enough for her to pull the box away.

She snapped a picture and sent it to Serena.

[She passed out. Is that supposed to happen?]

[Did you give her too much?]

[No. I did exactly what you told me. She’s burning up.]

[Then stick to the plan. Get out now.]

Isabella looked down at Eira.

For the first time that night, she felt a flicker of fear.

Then she grabbed her purse and left, checking the door behind her to make sure it had locked.

A man was walking down the hall as she headed for the elevator.

He passed her without a word and continued toward Eira’s room.

Isabella stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, a grin spread across her face.

Step two was done.

---

Inside the room, Eira heard the lock click behind Isabella.

She forced her eyes open. Her vision blurred, and her legs could barely hold her weight. Cold sweat covered her skin, yet her body burned from the inside.

This was no ordinary alcohol.

She did not have time to figure out Isabella’s plan. She had to stay awake.

Eira bit hard into the skin between her thumb and forefinger. Pain cut through the fog, giving her a few seconds of clarity.

She stumbled toward the bathroom, hitting the wall twice before reaching it. Once inside, she locked the door and turned the shower as cold as it would go.

The icy water hit her fully clothed body.

She shivered, but the heat did not fade.

Still, the cold kept her conscious.

For now, that was enough.

--

A black Maybach pulled up outside Sterling House.

Alpha Killian stepped out with Miles and another assistant. He looked exhausted. Eira had packed a week of meetings into three days, leaving him barely enough time to sleep.

Mrs. Black, the hotel’s general manager, came downstairs to welcome him.

At the same moment, Isabella crossed the lobby on her way out.

She froze when she recognized Alpha Killian.

After the way he and Lila had embarrassed her at Eden Garden, seeing him was the last thing she wanted. She quickly turned away and headed for the doors.

"Welcome back, Mr. Sterling," Mrs. Black said. "We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow."

Alpha Killian loosened his tie. "Neither was I. You can thank Miss Crawford and her schedule."

"Miss Crawford is here tonight, actually."

Alpha Killian stopped.

"She’s here again?"

The last time Eira had come to Sterling House, she had arrived with a handprint on her face and tears in her eyes.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Not that I know of," Mrs. Black said. "She came to meet someone in the Observatory Lounge."

Alpha Killian’s concern eased, replaced by annoyance.

"Good to know she’s having a night out while I work the schedule from hell."

Mrs. Black hid a smile.

Alpha Killian turned to Miles. "Call her. I want an update on everything that happened while I was gone."

Miles paused. "You said no one was to bother you tonight."

"I changed my mind."

Miles reached for his phone, but Alpha Killian held out his hand.

"You’re taking too long. Give me that."

He called Eira himself.

A ringtone began to play across the lobby.

Alpha Killian looked toward the sound.

Near the entrance, Isabella stopped dead.

The ringing was coming from inside her purse.