The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 176

**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 176**

**Chapter 176**

Her voice barely escapes her lips as she grips her suitcase, her fingers tightening around the handle until her knuckles turn a ghostly shade of white.

“I really hate to be an imposition, but—”

“Oh good,” Zina interjects, her tone bright and cheerful, as if she’s just solved a complex puzzle. “Then it solves both our problems!”

With a mischievous smirk, she turns to Reyna, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief. “Besides, you’re a senior executive at Blackwell Industries, right? Surely you can manage on your own?”

Cassian, ever the wise observer, chooses to remain silent, his expression unreadable. I can’t help but watch as Reyna’s face flickers, a brief flash of irritation crossing her features before she composes herself into a mask of neutrality. I can only imagine the thoughts racing through her mind, a storm of frustration and resignation brewing beneath her calm exterior.

This isn’t just any hotel; it’s a lavish resort Cassian has meticulously selected, reflecting his refined taste. It’s an ultra-exclusive haven nestled in the heart of the Nassau Islands, a destination revered by tourists from around the globe. Even the least expensive rooms here are the kind of luxury that most people only dare to dream about, and poor Reyna finds herself trapped in a situation with no escape.

“I’ll, uh… I’ll take a basic room, please,” she finally manages to say, her voice steady but laced with uncertainty.

The receptionist beams with a bright smile, her professionalism unwavering.

“Of course, ma’am. The most affordable option available this evening is our Deluxe Standard Oceanview on the lower floor. That’ll be $100,000 for one night. Will you be paying with Amex or another card?”

I blink in disbelief, wondering if my eyes are deceiving me. I could have sworn I saw Reyna flinch as she reluctantly pulls out her credit card, the weight of her financial situation pressing down on her like a heavy fog.

She slumps her shoulders, her voice barely above a whisper, tinged with resignation. “Okay, then… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow—”

“Great!” Zina exclaims, her enthusiasm palpable as she loops her arm through mine, pulling me toward the elevators. “We’ll be on the top floor if you need anything, but honestly, I wouldn’t count on it!”

Cassian strides quickly to keep pace with us as Zina leads me into the glass elevator, leaving behind Reyna and her unfinished, pitiful farewell.

As the elevator doors glide open on the top floor, Zina steps out first, strutting down the corridor with an air of ownership. She swipes her key card, leaning toward me with a playful grin.

“If there are bedbugs in your room, babe, come over anytime. I’ll be waiting!”

I squeeze her hand, a wave of gratitude washing over me for her unwavering support, even though we’ve only been here for a couple of hours.

Without another word, she slips inside her room, and I make my way across the hallway where the staff are just finishing up with our luggage in the honeymoon suite.

The suite is expansive, boasting high ceilings and an awe-inspiring view of the ocean, the skyline twinkling like a field of stars.

But there’s one glaring issue—the single bed positioned in the center of the room. I really don’t want to think about that right now. So, I grab my toiletries and head straight for the bathroom.

I indulge in a long, soothing bath, scrubbing away the remnants of the flight and the frustration that clings to me like a second skin. By the time I slip into my pajamas and step out onto the balcony, I feel rejuvenated. The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the sea, making the water shimmer like diamonds.

Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door.

I catch a glimpse of Cassian’s silhouette approaching, a towel in hand, rubbing through his damp hair. Did he already order room service? Good! My stomach growls at the thought, reminding me that I’m ravenous.

The moment I slide the door open, relief washes over me. “Oh, Cassian, thank god you’re still awake!”

Zina flops onto the bed, popping open the pizza lid. “Flatter me later! First, tell me, do you want to talk about it?”

I glance at the cursor blinking on the code terminal before I kick off my shoes and sit beside her. “No, you’ve got my perfect distraction sorted out for the night.”

“That’s what I thought!”

We dive into work, shoulder to shoulder, the atmosphere thick with focus. This project isn’t just lucrative; it’s serious and carries risks that could spiral out of control.

A contact from the Nassau Island Mafia expects us to penetrate the encrypted layers of a foreign country’s defense system and implant a specific, unreleased virus.

The task isn’t overly complicated, but one wrong move could expose us, leading to Moonlight’s reputation going up in flames or, worse, landing us in jail before dawn… or perhaps both.

For the next two hours, we probe the firewall, searching for a weak point, a vulnerability… but the system proves to be tightly fortified, and we hit yet another wall.

Zina groans in frustration. “This thing’s built like a goddamn bunker.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples in exasperation. “I think we should call it a day. The way in might be simpler than we’re expecting, but we’re probably too tired to crack it tonight.”

She leans back against the headboard, her expression one of agreement. “Exactly! We’ll sleep now and conquer this tomorrow.”

The moment I place the laptop aside, my eyelids grow heavy, and I find myself collapsing beside her.

Just as silence envelops us and I’m on the verge of drifting off to sleep, my phone rings, shattering the tranquility. The screen lights up with a single name: Cassian.