His Untamed Rose novel Chapter 123

He’d hurriedly patched himself up at the airport clinic, then went right back to keeping a watchful eye on Lumina, never shirking his duty.

Lumina was flanked on both sides by three men as they shepherded her into the elevator and up to their rooms.

She watched as Cedric and Hilton each disappeared into separate rooms.

Without so much as a flicker of emotion, Lumina turned and headed straight for Hilton’s door. “Hilton, I’m staying with you tonight.”

Cedric glanced over with a cool indifference.

Hilton was so startled that his keycard slipped right out of his hand. “Oh, Ms. Jardin, you don’t want to do that. I grind my teeth, I snore, I talk in my sleep—I’m terrible company at night!”

Lumina gave a soft huff, gently pushed him aside, and strode right into his room.

She took a slow circuit around the place, then walked straight back out.

Next, she entered Cedric’s room, scanning the space with quick, appraising eyes.

She turned to see Cedric by the sofa, shrugging off his jacket. Relenting, Lumina said, “You take the couch, I’ll take the bed.”

Cedric acted as if he hadn’t heard a word. He grabbed his things and headed into the bathroom without so much as a glance her way.

Soon, the sound of water faded. He emerged, toweling his hair dry, a black bathrobe draped loosely over his shoulders, the belt lazily knotted and leaving a broad stretch of pale, cold skin exposed across his chest.

Lumina took one look and quickly turned away.

Cedric didn’t say another word to her—he climbed into bed, picked up a book, and began to read.

Lumina let out a short, impatient sigh and patted the soft cushions. “Fine. The couch it is.”

She rummaged through her suitcase for a change of clothes, slipping her passport, wallet, and phone under the pile, all under the pretense of heading in for a shower.

In truth, her little excursions earlier had been reconnaissance—she’d already scoped out the layout of both rooms.

Hilton’s was a standard single with a windowless bathroom.

Cedric’s, on the other hand, was a bit more upscale. The bathroom had a window—not a big one, but just large enough that, if she curled up tight, she could probably squeeze through.

Better yet, the room was on the second floor, with nothing but a stretch of soft grass beneath the window. Perfect for a quick escape.

Once inside the bathroom, Lumina locked the door, dragged a stool over, and clambered quietly up to the window, doing her best not to make a sound.

Just as she’d guessed, she managed to curl her body and slip through the opening.

Her heart leapt—she was just about to jump down when, from out of the darkness, a shadowy figure materialized, blocking her way.

When Lumina saw who it was, she bit out every word through gritted teeth. “Casper!”

Grumbling under her breath, she yanked a blanket off his bed, wrapped herself up on the couch, and turned her back to sleep.

Cedric kept reading for a long while, the turning pages the only sound in the room. Eventually, he switched off the main light, leaving only the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

He glanced over at Lumina curled up on the couch—then, after a quiet rustle, she heard footsteps approaching.

The sofa dipped beside her. Suddenly, Cedric’s weight was pressing down, his hand turning her face toward him, moving in for a kiss.

But Lumina’s eyes shot open, and she slapped him hard across the face.

Cedric had anticipated her move. He caught her wrist, pinning it cruelly above her head.

His expression was calm, almost indifferent, but his fingers dug into her wrist with a merciless strength, tightening until pain shot through her bones.

Lumina could feel the violence in his grip, the threat of her bones shattering. The pain curled her in on herself, tears springing to her eyes.

She couldn’t stand it. Sobbing, she begged, “Cedric, you’re hurting me.”

He hovered over her, eyes cold and unreadable—his calm surface belying the turbulence underneath.

“Now you know what pain feels like?”

His grip didn’t loosen; he held her with a freezing, relentless strength. “Ever since I realized you were planning to run, I’ve felt this pain too. Do you understand?”