Page 13 of Reverence

Three days.

I could survive three days with Amala Rivera.

At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I stood there wondering whether I’d just dug myself into a hole—or willingly buried myself in it.

Five

Amala

Ares dropped his suitcase off and disappeared almost as quickly as he’d arrived, like a phantom.

Not that I was complaining.

Beige, cream, and gold hues adorned the luxury suite, giving the space an elegant, almost dreamlike quality.

A plush couch sat at the foot of the bed, while sheer curtains framed the sliding glass doors, allowing the afternoon sunlight to spill effortlessly into the room.

I dropped my bag onto the floor and took in the view.

The kitchenette occupied the left side of the suite, while the bathroom sat to the right, concealed behind a large cream-colored door.

Inside were all the essentials—a spacious shower, toilet, and sleek marble vanity topped with an enormous circular mirror.

Fresh towels hung neatly from a silver railing beside two pristine white cotton robes, while complimentary toiletries were arranged along the counter.

The bedroom itself was just as luxurious.

A large flat-screen television was mounted opposite the bed, flanked by bedside tables and lamps that cast the room in a warm, inviting glow.

Needless to say, Kehlani had done her big one because this place was everything my dreams were made of.

Then my nightmare walked in.

Ares casually entered the suite, completely engrossed in a phone conversation with God knew who.

The sound of his Spanish nearly made me forget that I loathed him.

Nearly.

It rolled effortlessly off his tongue, smooth as honey, and I hated how much I noticed.

“No voy a tener esta conversación contigo, Rafaela.”

I immediately decided I had no interest in hearing the rest of the conversation and turned to make my exit.

“Tengo que ir,” he said to whoever was on the other end of the line.

Then—

“Amala.”

Hearing my name in that deep voice made me freeze.

Slowly, I turned to face him.

“Yes?” I grimaced, already wanting the interaction to end as quickly as it had begun.

He stepped closer, reaching into his pocket before pulling out a card. I glanced down at it as he extended it toward me.