Con

CHAPTER 107

Elijah’s POV

As I stepped into the hotel lobby with Sophia, the exhaustion of the day hit me. I knew she was tired too, so I suggested, “” don’t have to get involved. Why don’t you go up and get some rest? I’ll take care of this quickly and send Julia up to the room.”

Sophia yawned, nodding in agreement. “Okay. I hope she’s okay.”

“I’m sure she will be,” I reassured her, grateful for her understanding. “Thank you for dinner. I had fun. We should do it again soon.”

She smiled warmly before heading toward the elevator, leaving me to make my way to the bar. As I scanned the area, everything seemed normal at first. But then, in a corner booth, I spotted Julia, her eyes red from crying.

I approached her, and as soon as she saw me, she rushed into my arms, sobbing. I felt awkward at first, not knowing how to react. But then, instinctively, I wrapped my arms around her, stroking her hair soothingly.

“It’s okay, Julia,” I whispered, my voice gentle. “Everything will be okay. You’re safe now.”

She clung to me, seeking comfort, and I held her close, trying to be the pillar of strength she needed in that moment.

“I was just dancing by myself at first, enjoying the music…” she explained between sobs. “Then… Then these three guys surrounded me, dancing around me and taunting me, telling me I should go back to their hotel room with them.”

She started crying hard again. “I was just so scared that I ran to the bathroom and called you. And I didn’t come out for a long time…”

I looked around warily. “Where are they now?”

“I don’t know.”

Her sobs quieted slightly, but she clung to me as if I was her lifeline. I looked over at the bartender, a grizzled man in his late forties, wiping down a glass with a rag.

“Hey, can you tell me what happened here? Who were those guys?” I asked.

The bartender glanced around before leaning in closer. “They’re regulars. Always causing trouble. I’m sorry she had to go through that. I’ve told ‘em off before, but they don’t listen.”

I nodded, my jaw tightening. “I’ll file a police report. They can’t get away with this.”

He gave a curt nod. “Good. Someone needs to put them in their place.”

turned my attention back to Julia. “Let’s get out of here,” I said softly.

As we made our way to the elevator, I kept an arm around her shoulders, trying to provide some semblance of comfort. She was still shaken, her breath hitching occasionally as she tried to compose

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herself.

When we reached the floor of our rooms, I paused. “Julia, do you want to go to your room? Sophia’s there.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No, Elijah. Please. I want to stay with you longer.”

There was a desperation in her eyes that broke my heart. I sighed and nodded.

Inside my suite, I guided her to the couch and sat down beside her. “I’ll just try to get a separate room for you. Sophia might be fast asleep now, and I don’t want to disturb her.”

“No, Elijah,” she insisted, clutching my arm. “I’d rather stay here. It’s been a frightening evening, and I… I feel safer with you.”

I hesitated, looking into her pleading eyes. Finally, I relented. “Okay. You can stay here.”

I stood up and grabbed a blanket from the closet. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep out here in the living area.”

Julia shook her head. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“It’s okay,” I assured her, unfolding the blanket. “You need rest, and the bed is more comfortable.”

She bit her lip, but didn’t argue further. I was so tired that I instantly fell into a deep slumber.

But some time in the middle of the night, I stirred from my light sleep, feeling a warm presence snuggle into my side. My mind, foggy with dreams, registered the sensation of soft curls tickling my cheek and a familiar scent wrapping around me. Lsighed contentedly, subconsciously tightening my arm around her. It felt too real to be a dream, yet my tired mind refused to fully wake.

“Elijah,” a whisper brushed against my ear, and I felt her breath warm my skin.

“Sophia,” I mumbled, still caught between the realms of sleep and consciousness.

She nestled closer, her head finding the crook of my shoulder, and I relaxed, surrendering to the

warmth and comfort of the moment.

When the morning light filtered through the curtains, I blinked my eyes open. As I moved to stretch, I felt a body next to mine. My heart skipped a beat. Sophia? I thought, my mind racing with confusion and a hint of hope. But when I turned to look, my eyes widened in surprise. It’s Julia! She was here, next to me on the couch, her face serene and peaceful.

My phone buzzed loudly, pulling me further from my drowsiness. I reached for it, careful not to disturb Julia.

“Hello?” I croaked, my voice rough from sleep.

“Elijah! Where are you, man? Sophia and I are waiting for you downstairs,” Trevis’s voice boomed through the speaker, too loud for my morning ears. “Let’s eat breakfast before we start the day.”

I glanced down at Julia, her eyes fluttering open at the sound of Trevis’s voice.

“Good morning,” she murmured, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips.

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Trevis’s voice cut through my confusion. “Wait, did I just hear a woman’s voice? Are you with Julia in your hotel room?!”

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