Chapter 4
four
. . .
Brynnlee
“I didn’t order this,”I tell Jade trying to give her back the whiskey she’s placed before me.
“Nope,” she smiles knowingly, “but some really hot guy at the bar did and told me to bring it to you.”
“Um, what guy?” Marco stretches up looking over the mass of people as if trying to get a clear view of the bar.
“He’s gone now but he was tall and had dark eyes, dark hair, and a killer smile. Not to mention his body was very taken care of too,” Jade offers in explanation with a waggle of her brows. I try not to react as I think back to the man that I’d had a very brief interaction with when ordering drinks. He fits her description to a T.
“Apparently you managed to knock him on his ass without even trying and from what Drew says, he didn’t flinch when he gave him the lecture.”
“What lecture?” I ask curiously.
“The she is untouchable, has a brother and daddy that will not hesitate to ward off all the villains. Plus he even tossed in the idea of the crazy BFF that would cut a guy if he ever hurt you. You know, the normal stuff.” She walks off and I glance over at Taylor. Immediately we both burst out laughing. Because come on, that shit is hilarious.
“That poor guy probably bought this as a pity drink because after that speech he’s got to feel sorry for you.”
“I’ll take it,” I say, lifting it to my lips, still ignoring the fact that I kind of wish he would have brought it over himself before disappearing.
We ended up closing the place down, taking a cab back to our little corner, before going our separate ways.
But as I climb into bed and close my eyes, my thoughts float back to the stranger with the alluring smile.
“So my jobis basically to go around to different clubs, hotels and restaurants, ensuring that the staff is doing as they should, the guests are happy and handling any issues that may arise.”
“Pretty much,” I tell her. “It’s our job to make sure everything is operating smoothly. To keep any issues hidden and handled without word getting out. Dad likes to remain hidden, not deal with the public. If a problem gets too big then yes either he or Sebastian will make an appearance but you and I, my friend, are the peacekeepers.”
“I love this job already.” She smiles happily, leaning back in the passenger seat of my Audi, sipping her latte like she doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Sooo.” She stretches out the word and my stomach immediately tenses. I know the tone well, she was fishing and she can be relentless. “Any idea who the hottie was at the club the other night?”
“Not a clue.” I focus on the traffic but I can feel her staring at me from the side.
“I bet we can find out.” And there it is. “He had a charge account, I’m sure and he paid with a credit card.”
“Yeah,” I say, not really sure I even want to know.
Thankfully the phone rings, filtering through my speakers and interrupting her thought process. Reaching out eagerly I tap the screen and accept my father’s call.
“Where are you at?” His voice is clipped, and I know without asking that he is in full business mode.
“On our way to Forge to approve the new menu layout and join the staff meeting.”
I glance at Taylor realizing that this will be the first time she witnesses this side of my father.
“Change of plans.” His voice is short. “I need you at Terrace Suites.”
“Okay.” I switch lanes, preparing to turn around.
“It’s swarming with cops and Sebastian is in New York with Gregory going over some potential investment opportunities.”
“Why are there cops?”
“I’m on my way but I’m more than an hour out,” he states and I hear the rustling on the other end of the line.
“Do you have any information you can offer me in preparation for what I’m walking into?”
He lets out a big sigh, and I glance at Taylor who is no longer smiling.
“Housekeeping found a body in one of the suites.” My chest grows tight. And Taylor”s eyes widen. “Detectives have the entire floor blocked off, they are combing through the footage. I gave them full access. But I need one of us there, to maintain control. That is what you girls do, so go keep the peace and ensure our remaining guests there is no need for concern.”
“And are we confident there isn’t?”
“No, but your job is to make them believe that regardless.” He ends the call and I lean back in my seat, gripping my steering wheel tightly.
“Dude,” Taylor finally says after several minutes. “What the fuck?”
“Are you ready for this?”
“Does one ever truly get ready for something like this?”
I don’t answer her question as I round the corner and the front of the hotel comes into view. Flashing lights and undercover cars line the street, and just outside the entrance there are several policemen, both in uniform and in regular clothing. All wearing badges and guns strapped to their hips.
“If the circumstances were different I would so make a cuff me to the bed joke right now.” I smile, because Taylor is so out of her element right now and I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a moment like it before.
Together we climb out of the car and start walking toward the front entrance when two officers step out to block us.
“Unfortunately ma’am?—”
“Not ma’am.” I’m twenty-four years old and this guy looks like he could be my father or even my grandfather. “My name is Brynnlee Webster and my family owns this hotel.” I pull out my card. “I understand that my father has already given you clearance to gather any information that may be needed, but we do have the right to be present. I’m here until he can arrive.”
He passes the card off to the other officer who then turns and steps just inside. I’m about to speak up again when a familiar face steps out through the glass doors and into the light of the morning. My mouth suddenly feels dry, as I fist my hands, my fingernails biting into the flesh.
“No freaking way,” Taylor says at my side.
I didn’t expect to see him, unaware that he worked in this district. It’d been more than a year since Wesley and I ended things. Or more when I found out he’d been screwing around with an old acquaintance of his behind my back. It took all I had to keep Seb from showing up on his doorstep to teach him a lesson for hurting his sister. The thing is, I wasn’t that hurt, more relieved that it was over.
“Well, look at you.” Wes walks out holding my card in his hand as his eyes roam over me from head to toe. “Let her through,” he says to the two officers but continues to stare at me.
“Would I get arrested if I kicked him in the balls?” Taylor asks, not even trying to keep her voice low. “I’d love to see him on the ground crying in pain with his pencil dick in hand.”
“It’s good to see you too, Tay.” He chuckles and she glares. The two of them never got along. She called him a snake from the start.
“Pig.” She glares. “It has several meanings in reference to the current situation but for you it”s the dirty little snorting creature that smells like ass, and eats any piece of sloppy garbage you place at its feet. How’s Fiona doing these days anyway?”
I bite my inner cheek when Taylor tosses out the name of the girl he was screwing.
“Wouldn’t know,” he adds.
“Hmm, seems she figured out she was wasting her time too.”
“I need to talk to the lead on this investigation,” I interrupt their battle.
“What, no catching up?” I hold his stare, my mouth pressed in a tight line. “Still pissed I see.” He has the nerve to smile. “Detective Steele is leading the case.” He steps aside and holds his hand out for me to start walking. When I don’t he proceeds and I follow behind.
“Steele,” I hear him say just as he pauses, moving out of the way and for the second time in the last five minutes I stumble. What in the fuck did I do to wake up to a day like this?