Page 51 of Silk Shadow

It might be wrong, it might be unprofessional, but he didn’t let it go. Phoenix shot him an inquisitive look as they strode up the beach. He shrugged and kept walking, enjoying the feel of her soft hand in his big, calloused one.

They walked through the hotel's landscaped gardens. Toward the east, far beyond the hotel, the black sky was dissolving into indigo. Viper reckoned sunrise was still an hour off.

They rounded an azure-blue swimming pool, lit up by underwater lights. It looked warm and inviting. There was no breeze and the humidity clung to them like a blanket.

Izzy eyed it longingly.

"Let's get settled in first.” Viper didn't think he could stand to see her floating in the pool right now. Not without taking her into his arms and kissing the fear and anxiety away. The memory of her breasts bobbing on the water hadn’t left him, nor the sight of her perfectly rounded behind, or those endless legs.

The night manager gaped when they walked in. Viper couldn't blame him. They must look a sight. Their clothes were wet, and covered with dirty and grime, while he had the addition of a faint spray of red mist.

Phoenix was far worse. He had a cut on his neck from where one of the kidnappers had nicked him with a knife, and his T-shirt and the side of his neck were splattered with dried clots of blood that had turned a dark brown. Izzy, in her jeans and his sweatshirt, looked the most normal, even if it was several sizes too big for her.

"You are hurt!" cried the night manager, rushing forward to tend to Phoenix.

"It's not my blood," muttered Phoenix, which caused even more consternation.

Viper elbowed him in the ribs.

Izzy let go of his hand. "Good evening," she said in her poshest voice.

Immediately the night manager stood up straight and turned to face her.

"Good evening, Ma'am."

"I'm sorry for arriving in this disheveled state," she began. "We encountered some trouble in the jungle and were robbed. We're okay," she said hurriedly, holding up a hand as his face showed concern. "We managed to get away. But could we please have two rooms? We'll contact the authorities in the morning."

Two rooms.

Viper avoided Phoenix's gaze.

She was right. He needed to stay close to her. The people who’d tried to kidnap her might try again. It wouldn’t take long to figure out that they must have gone north along the coast. There wasn’t anywhere else to go. While she was a target, it was his job to keep her safe. If that meant sleeping in her room, so be it.

"Of course, ma'am. I'll see to it immediately." He darted back behind the desk and began typing into the computer. "Your names?" he asked, gazing from Izzy to them and back again.

She hesitated, then said, "Victoria Granger."

Viper arched a brow, impressed by her fast thinking. Phoenix was nodding too. It was smart not checking in under her own name. "My husband is going to pay for it," she smiled, and gestured to Viper.

Phoenix made a coughing noise in the back of his throat.

Viper stepped forward. "Viper Morgan." He handed over the credit card he kept for emergencies. It was always zipped into the side pocket of his cargo pants. Nothing would shake it loose, not even a dip in the ocean.

Two minutes later they were handed keycards to their rooms.

"202 and 204," the night manager said. "They're adjacent to each other on the second floor. Breakfast is served from seven to nine a.m." He glanced tiredly at his watch. "In two hours' time."

Izzy gave a curt nod. "Thank you."

"Nicely done." Phoenix grinned at Izzy as they walked toward the elevator.

She flushed. "The accent comes in handy sometimes."

Phoenix glanced between the two of them. "Husband and wife, huh?"

Izzy shrugged. "I thought it best. I don't want anyone to think I'm alone. Not here, not anymore." She glanced at Viper. "You don't mind, do you? After what's happened, I?—"

"I don't mind," he said gruffly. "It's a good idea."