Page 45 of Claiming His Throne
“I’m aware of that. But right now, when we get to the hotel, do you need to work or are you using work as a distraction?” I repeat, slower this time.
“I need to get some things done,” she replies.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Molly opens both eyes to glare at me. “What does that mean?Okay?”
“It means:Okay, I’ll leave you to work.I should go and find Hudson. Make sure he hasn’t already landed himself in trouble.”
“It’s Portland. How much trouble could he possibly get into?” Molly asks.
“Hudson? Anything could happen.” I laugh.
“Are you always looking out for your siblings?”
“It’s my job as the oldest child. I have to,” I tell her. “But family is important. I’ll do anything for them.”
“There’s that heart of yours showing itself again, Alfie,” Molly teases.
I smirk. “Or it’s just the family loyalty that has been drilled into me since birth.”
After checking into the hotel, I leave Molly at the door to her suite with a kiss on her forehead. Something I really like fucking doing. Then I head down to the lobby and walk out onto the street, bringing my phone to my ear after pressing Hudson’s number.
“Yeah?”
“Where are you?”
“I found a bar,” he says.
“I’m not surprised. Send me the location. I’ll meet you there.”
Ten minutes later, I’m walking into the bar. I spot Hudson right away, sitting in a booth towards the back. He peers behind me, and I turn and look as well.
“What are you looking at?”
“Just wondering where your little friend is?” he says.
Sliding into the booth, I swipe the glass from his hand and down the amber contents in one swig. “She went to the hotel to get some work done.”
“So, you met the parents.”
“Fuck off. It’s not like that,” I grunt.
“You sure about that?”
“We’ve got rooms for the night. There’s a decent gym in the hotel. You wanna come with me?” I ask, needing to do something other than sit here and get shit-faced.
“Sure.” He shrugs. “Always love outdoing you in the gym.”
“Pfft, you can try.”
I slide out of the booth and head for the door with Hudson right behind me.
“I’ve had your bag taken to your room.” I hand my brother a key when we reach the hotel. “Room three-five-two.”
“Thanks. See you in the gym, old man,” Hudson says.
Walking up to the counter, I give the woman behind it my flirtiest smile. “Good afternoon…” My eyes drop to her name badge. “…Roxanne. I left my card upstairs. Any chance you can give me a new one?”
