Roses

Chapter 16

Zoey

Girlfriend.

One word. Yet it has the power to make my poor heart gallop like a racing horse. I shouldn't be surprised though. I was prepared for him to be introducing me as his date. Why should this be any different? Yet it is.

The man's raised eyebrow at Adam's words remind me I should probably say something. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Bruno."

"Please, call me Viktor." He extends his hand for a handshake but the moment I touch it he pulls up my hand and kisses the back of it. And I most definitely hear Adam hiss under his breath.

I smile at Viktor as he releases my hand. His smile gives him a boyish charm when without it he would be all man with his tall, lean but well-built body.

"So what do you think?" He asks both of us, spreading both his arms and gesturing to the space around us. That's when I realize that he's the host of this party. He owns the resort.

"Impressive" Adam rasps out in the most unimpressed tone. I bite back a smile and decide to make up for his in general grumpiness.

"I think it's beautiful."

"Really? How nice of you, Zoey," he says, his eyes smiling with something akin to mischief. "How about I give you a tour of the property?"

Before I can respond, Adam pulls his hand away from mine and wraps it around my waist instead. Is that to stop me if I take Viktor up on his offer? I wiggle to check and just as I thought he tightens his grip on me.

"Don't you have guests to tend to?" Adam drawls out his question, raising his eyebrow, daring him to deny.

"Right," Viktor replies as he looks between Adam and I. Then, as if right on cue, Chief Michael joins the three of us.

"The open bar was a bad idea, Viktor. Who's gonna drive us home now?" I see Frankie behind him talking to another woman.

"You're welcome to stay the night at one of the suites, Chief," Viktor nods in respect, as if he and his resort are at the man's beck and call. What a sweet talker. And it works too as the Chief looks visibly flattered, though he denies the gracious offer.

"Alright, I'll go make sure no one's passing out at the bar," our host nods politely and takes a step back. But before turning away and leaving he winks at me and says, "I haven't forgotten that tour."

Adam's fingers dig into my skin and I swear he looks like he's about to punch him so I wrap an arm around him. He gets startled at the contact but quickly shuffles even closer to me.

The Chief seems to be studying the two of us with curious eyes and I don't want him to ask anything about our relationship status. Thankfully, Adam asks him, "Do we know anything yet, about Martha?"

"Just what her body told us. I mean the wounds-"

He stops speaking and looks at me. He probably doesn't want to talk about the details of a gruesome murder in front of me. "You were there at the crime scene too when it happened, weren't you? I'm sorry no one's reached out to you yet. The day has been crazy." He looks up at the ceiling and sighs loudly like he can't take it anymore. "We already have Sam and Adam's statements but we'll get yours too."

"Right," I mutter, suddenly remembering the one thing I know for sure would make my statement stand out. I saw the silhouette of a man shoot Martha dead.

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Adam