Chapter 12
ROSALYN
The ball at the back of my throat burns. But it’s not nearly as painful as the stinging behind my eyes as I make my way, like hell on wheels, down the hotel’s narrow staircase.
I try not to look back.
I can’t.
I just need to have enough of a head start that Christopher Onasis can’t catch me.
I keep my gaze trained on my feet as the two floors between us seem to go by as fast as you could blink until—
“Rosalyn. Don’t.”
It’s me.
And it’s him.
Christopher.
I gasp as I catch sight of his arm across the door to the staircase exit, and I stop in place, staring at him.
“Please,” he adds, wiping his brow with one hand. “Just let me talk to you for five minutes. It’s—”
“I can’t,” I start, swallowing the rest of my words.
“Yes, you can.” He steps closer, removing the
