Free Strife: Part Three (The Strife Series Book 3) by Sky Corgan

 
     
     
     
     
     
    DMITRI
     
     
    I pace back and forth in my hotel room, wondering if I made a mistake. I have no business calling to request Alexis' presence again. She didn't seem to enjoy herself last night, and the last thing I need is to get involved with an escort.
    Just friends. You're doing this to be friendly. For the company, nothing more. There's no harm in it as long as you don't get caught.
    How long will that be though? Paparazzi swarm around me like flies on shit now that I'm in Hollywood. I wouldn't doubt it if they snapped a picture of me bringing Alexis into the hotel yesterday. Now I wish I wouldn't have stayed at the Chateau Silverbridge—the place of Hollywood royalty.
    When I came here, I wanted to be seen. Now I just want to disappear, be a normal guy and do normal things without the worry of someone watching every move that I make. I'm not a normal guy though—haven't been for a long time. And if thrusting myself further into the spotlight is what I want, then this is just something I'll have to deal with.
    It's harrowing to think that one mistake could damage my career so significantly. The tabloids wouldn't know the truth, and so they'd twist it in the worst way possible. If I was lucky, the headlines would read Dmitri Strife seen with unknown beauty . If I was unlucky, Dmirtri Strife seen taking prostitute to his hotel room .
    No. I definitely shouldn't have called for her again.
    I frown at my feet, crossing my arms over my chest. It's been a long time since I felt this nervous about anything. But it's not just one thing, it's many. Actually being excited to see Alexis again. Worrying about getting caught with her. Concern over what would have happened to her had I not requested her services. I hate the conflict I'm feeling inside.
    There's a knock on the door, and I take a deep breath as I approach it and peer out the peephole. Somehow, a few fans found out I was staying on this floor and showed up at random. I never open the door to strangers. Hopefully, I won't have to speak to the front desk about putting security on my floor. It has happened before in the past.
    Thankfully, it's Alexis. I feel my heart thrum in my chest as I lay eyes on her golden curls. She's wearing that lost expression again, and I can't help but grin. So out of practice for this.
    I summon my confidence and open the door, smiling down at her. She looks like a starlet tonight, so beautiful that it takes my breath away.
    For a moment, we just stare at each other. Her eyes are wide, the dark eyeliner surrounding them making them seem almost larger than life. Then her gaze softens, and her cheeks take on the slightest shade of pink as she lowers her head.
    “Good evening, Alexis.” I lean against the door frame.
    “Good evening, Mister Strife.” Her lips curl into a knowing smirk.
    “I see you've discovered my secret identity.” I step aside so that she can enter.
    “Mhm.” She keeps her head bowed as she walks past me. Once she's inside, her eyes explore as if it's the first time she's seen the place.
    I close the door, admiring her from behind. Her dress appears to be expensive, and it's far too nice on her for me to want to keep her hidden away. While there's a risk of leaving the hotel with her, I think I'm willing to take it. Spending all night here will probably get boring quickly. Not only that, but it will also lead my mind to wander in impure directions.
    “You look lovely.” I flank her side, resisting the urge to touch her. Hell, I can barely look at her without getting turned on.
    “And you're more handsome in person than I would have thought. I guess it wasn't all Photoshop after all.” She casts a sideways glance at me, highly amused.
    “Oh really?” I quirk an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. “You didn't even recognize me yesterday.”
    “I didn't know who to expect.” She shrugs, the smirk finally leaving her lips. I'm sad to see it go. In the past few minutes, she has seemed happier than