2. Caden #2
I headed into the corridor and strode toward the owner’s office at the end of the hall. The door was open. As I entered, I saw my boss sitting behind his desk and one of the executive team perched on the corner of it.
“He graces us with his presence,” Piper said.
Piper Ellis was a workaholic blonde who liked high heels and things running smoothly. She was the COO for Langston Hotels.
I nodded at her, then at my friend and boss, Ambrose “Ro” Langston.
He had his hands steepled under his chin.
He had thick, dark hair, brown eyes, and bronze skin.
The Greek heritage he’d inherited from his socialite mother was evident.
Photos of him were always plastered all over the pages of glossy magazines.
“I was busy firing a thief.” I sat in a chair in front of the desk.
“Busy morning,” Piper noted.
“Any other security concerns?” Ro asked.
“Nothing to report yet. I’m collating and checking out any suspicious behavior and activities around the hotel.” I shrugged. “Most of those turn out to be nothing.”
“God, you’re paranoid.” Piper crossed her legs.
“It pays to catch problems early.”
“You’re good at that,” Ro said. “How are the security office renovations coming?”
“On schedule. It’s going to be fit for purpose. I’ve made several new hires for the team. I’m still searching for a new head of security for the Langston Windward. I have a few feelers out.”
Ro nodded. “Piper?”
“The renovations to the guest rooms are on schedule. We’re doing as many as we can before the winter season. The rest will be after. The new paint and minor updates are going well.”
Ro rested his hands on the desk and smiled. “Great work.”
“Oh, and I’m working with Tessa on the final details for the Halloween Spooktacular next week.” Piper arched a brow at our boss. “I hear that this was your idea.”
Ro’s smile widened. “I thought a second event, in addition to the Mountain Masquerade, to raise money for the Windward Valley Children’s Charity was an excellent idea.”
I grunted. “Send me the details so I can work up the security plan.”
Piper smiled. “Oh, I will. You’ll love to hear that it’s going to be outside.”
Dammit . Outside events were always harder to secure. “Fine.”
Glee entered Piper’s face, which should have given me a warning.
“And Tessa is making it mandatory that everyone wears costumes. Including hotel staff.”
A muscle ticked in my jaw. “I’m not wearing a fucking costume.”
“It’s mandatory,” Ro said. The asshole wasn’t even trying to hide his grin.
I crossed my arms and scowled.
“I’m busy recruiting a new chef.” Ro’s brows drew together. “If I can lure him away from the restaurant in London.”
“Who?” Piper asked.
“Jasper Harvey.”
“Oh.” Piper pressed a hand to her chest. “I had a meal at his restaurant, Noir, once. Divine . His desserts are some of the best things I’ve ever tasted.” Then she frowned. “I hear that he’s a bear to work with.”
“Yes. He says less than Caden does and roars when he’s unhappy. He can be… temperamental, and grumpy as hell. Luckily, his food is beyond good.” Ro rose from his chair. “We’ll have to leave it there. I have a call scheduled with Kavner Fury and Tristan shortly.”
“How are the plans for the Langston New Orleans going?” Piper asked.
“Coming along, but slowly. We’ve hit a few snags, but just the usual things. Tristan is working his magic.”
Tristan Banks was CFO for Langston. The man loved numbers almost as much as he loved his closet of expensive suits.
Ro smiled. “Oh, and I need you both back here this afternoon at 2:30.”
“Why?” I asked warily. If there were costumes involved, I wasn’t interested.
“Tessa has samples for the planned great room and restaurant renovation to show. Paint colors, fabrics, furniture. She wants everyone’s opinions.”
“Not my area.” I didn’t care what color the restaurant was.
Ro raised a brow. “You don’t show, she’ll track you down.”
I frowned. This was true. Tessa was all smiles and professionalism, but it covered a determined and surprisingly stubborn personality.
“She’s roped Jazz, Sierra, and Allie into it as well.”
Allie would be there. I kept my face blank. Jazz was Tessa’s assistant, and Sierra was a bubbly blonde in charge of outdoor activities. Allie being there meant I shouldn’t attend.
My mouth moved of its own accord. “Fine. I’ll be there.”
“Good.” Ro slipped into his jacket. “Now, I might check on my hotel manager before my call.”
Piper rolled her eyes.
My lips quirked. Ro was cross-eyed in love with Tessa. Watching the two of them together made me…
I mentally shook my head. I was happy for them. Despite being a billionaire, things hadn’t always been easy for Ro. He deserved a good woman like Tessa.
“I hope ‘check on’ isn’t an euphemism for something.” Piper rose. “Don’t cause an HR issue.”
Ro’s grin widened. “I’ll do my best.”
Shaking my head, I strode out. I had resumes to go over and I had no doubt my emails were piling up by now. I had more than enough work to keep me busy. Like I’d said to Piper and Ro, being focused on stopping trouble before it started was what made me good at my job.
I needed to focus on work, not on distractions that weren’t for me.
And definitely not storm-gray eyes and legs that went on forever.