2. Caden
Caden
I had the security camera installation plan to check, resumes to peruse, and several emails from other Langston Hotels security heads that needed my attention.
Crossing the lobby, I headed for the concierge desk. As I walked, it was habit to check the camera locations, take note of all the people milling in the lobby and the vehicles pulling up in front of the glass doors.
Nothing tripped my internal radar. No troublemakers or possible threats.
Okay, one thing pinged on my radar.
My gaze locked on the Langston Windward’s concierge. He was talking with a young couple in hiking gear, handing them a trail map. He had a wide, white smile and handsome looks that made him popular.
His name was Enzo Rossi. The background check I’d run on him was as clean as a fresh damn fall of snow, but my radar was pinging. Loudly. There was more to Rossi and I would find out who the hell he was. Eventually.
Thankfully, he appeared dedicated to the hotel and staff, so for now, he wasn’t a problem.
He caught my gaze, and I stared back steadily.
He shot me an amused smile. “Castro.”
“Rossi.” I circled the concierge desk and strode through the security room door.
The sound of hammers and power tools assailed me. I glanced around at the construction, and nodded to myself. It was coming along nicely.
The old security room had been tiny, but now the walls had been blown out to four times the size. Once everything was finished and the new technology installed, it would be state-of-the-art.
The previous head of security for the Langston Windward had happily retired. Deem hadn’t been bad, just the kind of guy who put in the bare minimum and thought that was enough. It was never enough. I knew it paid to stay on top of things before trouble brewed.
The new security room would help us do that. For now, the security guards were monitoring the hotel’s CCTV feeds in the conference room. It wasn’t ideal, but we’d manage until the space was finished.
I stalked out. I’d oversee the installation of the new cameras and sensors myself.
The current system was woefully outdated, and had more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese.
I’d already done up a detailed plan, but it still needed some tweaking.
I’d also hired some good locals to add to the security team.
They all had military experience and were great additions.
However, I still needed to find the right person to lead the team once the renovations were completed and I left.
I liked my job. Traveling around the world to different Langston hotels and upgrading the security was interesting and kept me busy. I never imagined I’d be running security for a hotel empire.
All I’d wanted growing up was to be a soldier. Like my grandfather. I’d been good at it.
Too good. Eventually, I’d gone into special forces. A muscle ticked in my jaw. I had no regrets. I’d done a hard job. I’d protected. I’d fought.
But I’d also seen things no man should see. Done things…
My steps slowed and I closed my eyes. For a second, I felt the humidity of the jungle, heard mud squelch underfoot, felt the trickle of sweat down the back of my neck. And I heard my friends screaming, moaning in pain…
Choking that thought off, I opened my eyes and continued across the lobby. My right hand clenched. It had been a different man who’d giddily signed up for the Army. A man following in his grandfather’s footsteps, with dreams of making a difference.
The man who’d come home…
I didn’t believe in dreams anymore. I didn’t believe in anything.
Lifting my ID card to the reader on the staff door, I waited for the lock to beep, then I entered the staff office area.
Ahead, I spotted a tall, lean brunette and stopped. She was talking with one of her housekeeping staff. I kept my face blank.
I was known as cold and hard to read, mostly because it was second nature for me to keep what I was feeling off my face. But what was usually very easy for me seemed to be hard around her.
I had no idea what it was about Allie Ford, but whenever she was near, I wanted to get closer, I wanted to look, I wanted to touch.
My fingers curled into my palm. She turned her head and looked my way. Gray eyes—almost silver, and always churning like a storm—locked on me. I knew she worked hard, was a loyal friend, and was also a single mother to her orphaned nephew.
I’d thumbed through her background report so many times the pages were smudged. Previously, she’d lived in New York, and had a fancy job and a nice apartment.
Until she’d left it all behind to come home to Windward and take care of her nephew.
She held my gaze and her chin lifted. Like she was challenging me. Or telling me to fuck off.
My fingers curled some more.
I couldn’t get Allie Ford out of my damn head.
She turned away and I released a breath.
She had attitude, that was for sure. She wasn’t the kind of woman to keep her thoughts to herself. Case in point, the fact that she called me by that ridiculous nickname.
And those legs…
Allie was slim and tall, and while her legs were currently covered by her sensible work pants, I’d seen her a couple of times in tiny jean shorts. My gut clenched. I bet Allie wouldn’t want to know how many times I’d taken my hand to my cock in the shower, thinking of her long, smooth legs.
One of the security team stepped out of the conference room and spotted me. “Caden, there you are. We’re ready.”
Shoving thoughts of Allie away hastily, I managed to give Paul a brief nod. Get your mind on your work, Castro.
Paul was a new hire. He was ex-Army and working out well. Clean-cut, and married with two kids, he’d been working construction and barely making ends meet. He’d jumped at the chance to take the job I offered him.
Following him, I strode into the conference room, but as I passed through the doorway, I shot one more glance down the hall over my shoulder. Allie was watching me, but quickly looked away.
Yes, I was attracted to her, but I didn’t get involved with women. I had zero to offer. I was also well-aware I wouldn’t be in Windward forever. She had a kid and she deserved better.
I focused on the man sitting slumped in the chair at the long shiny conference table.
He was scowling at the floor. Hastily erected flatscreen monitors covering the back wall showed security feeds from around the hotel.
Gretchen was leaning against the wall. Another new hire, the forty-five-year-old former Marine was straight down the line and good in a fight.
She was medium height, with gray-streaked, blonde-brown hair, and all packed muscle.
Just the other week, I’d seen her take down an enraged man a foot taller than her.
The guy had been trying to beat his wife in their suite, and Gretchen wasn’t about to let that happen.
I circled the table and let my gaze lock on Morgan Brown.
He was older than me, in his late forties, and worked in the hotel’s busy Bluff Bar and did some shifts as a server in the great room and restaurant.
He also liked to help himself to guests’ handbags and wallets.
I sat in the chair. “Mr. Brown, I’m Caden Castro.”
The man sniffed. “I know who you are. Langston’s attack dog.” His voice was belligerent.
I leaned forward. “Do you know why you’re here?”
“Nope.”
“I have you on camera stealing from the handbags of several of our guests.”
The man stiffened.
“My team is also currently conducting a search of your locker.”
A muscle ticked in his jaw.
“Stealing isn’t tolerated at the Langston Windward.”
Brown lifted a shoulder. “Whatever.”
“Your employment is terminated. Effective immediately.”
The conference room door opened, and another member of my team walked in. Hugh was a tall man, with the build of a football player, and sandy-blond hair. He set some items on the table. I saw credit cards, a diamond bracelet, two watches, a wad of cash, and a pair of ruby earrings.
“These are from his locker,” Hugh said.
“Never seen any of that before,” Brown sneered. “It’s?—”
“Shut up.” I lowered my tone and Brown’s mouth snapped shut. “If I see you in the Langston Windward again, or any Langston hotel, there’ll be consequences.”
Brown stiffened, as did my security staff. I knew my tone was enough to scare most people.
But Brown rallied. “Fuck you. These people can afford it. They’re off having fun vacations in fancy hotels?—”
I slammed my fist down on the table and he flinched.
I lowered my voice to Arctic levels. “Some can’t.
Some scrimp and save for a special trip.
And even if the wealthiest person in the world was staying here, you have no right to violate them and take something that isn’t yours.
” He couldn’t hold my gaze and looked away.
“And now, I get to make your day even worse.” I waved a hand.
Gretchen opened the door, and Officer Melissa Sanchez from the Windward Police Department stepped inside. The young woman was fit and wore her dark-blue uniform well. Her glossy, black hair was in a no-nonsense braid. She nodded at me. “Good morning, Castro.”
“Officer Sanchez. He’s all yours.”
Brown’s face drained of color. “The police? No .”
“You thought you’d get to walk out of here?” I rose and tugged my suit jacket into place. “This is the evidence from the locker.”
Sanchez nodded. “Thanks. We’re also executing a search warrant at his condo.”
The man made a choked noise.
“And thank you for giving us the name of his fence,” she added.
I inclined my head. It hadn’t taken me long to dig up dirt on Brown. “Langston Hotels appreciates your help.”
I watched dispassionately as Officer Sanchez cuffed the man and led him out. Then I nodded at Hugh to escort them out of the hotel. Just in case Brown got any stupid ideas.
“Thanks, Paul, Gretchen.”
“Sure thing, boss,” Gretchen said. “I’m off to do a walk around.”
“I’ve got the monitors,” Paul added.