24. Ro
Chapter 24
Ro
I paced my office in front of the windows.
I hadn’t wanted to leave Tessa today, but I’d had calls scheduled, and I needed to talk with Caden about finding the person who’d almost killed her.
Yesterday, after our brunch with her family, we’d had a lazy afternoon of napping and watching movies. I’d spent the night at her cottage.
Now, it was the afternoon, and I wondered what she was doing. One of Caden’s team was sitting in a car out in front of her house. But still, I wanted to see her with my own eyes.
“So we have nothing?” I said.
Caden sighed. “I’m checking out all the locals with potential problems with you or the Windward. Nothing’s jumping out.”
“What about Clyde Parker? The grouchy restaurant owner.”
“I checked him out. He has alibis for several of the incidents, and he seemed genuinely shocked to hear Tessa was poisoned.”
Piper sailed into my office wearing a fitted dress the color of rust. “How’s Tessa?”
“Better,” I told her.
“Good. Every staff member has asked me how she is.” Piper perched on my desk. “They’re worried about her.”
“The doctor said she needs to have a few days off. And I’d prefer we find whoever was responsible before she comes back to work.”
Caden straightened. “I have an image of the perpetrator entering the penthouse.”
I froze. “You should have led with that, Castro. I want to see it.”
Caden nodded and pulled out a tablet. “The guy was good. He hacked the system and shut off the cameras on the penthouse floor. But the system’s old and needs an upgrade, so a talented teenager could breach it. I’m working to plug the gaps until the new system gets installed. Luckily, I had one camera set up that’s mine and he missed it.”
I was not surprised Caden had set up a bunch of his own cameras around the property. The guy didn’t trust anyone.
He slid the tablet across my desk.
I watched the video feed of a man entering the penthouse. I growled. “He’s wearing a hoodie. He doesn’t look up.”
The man was being very careful. And it was definitely a man. He’d entered after room service had dropped off the dinner I’d ordered. I thought back. I’d been on a fucking call and hadn’t even noticed him.
Then he’d slipped out again. Not once did he give us a good look at his face.
“I know we don’t have a clear view, but it narrows down the suspect pool,” Caden said. “He’s about five foot ten, slim build, male. It gives us more than we had.”
“Tessa almost died .” Again, I relived those moments carrying her limp body, holding her in the car, not knowing if she’d make it.
“I know. I’m sorry.”
I knew Caden would take this hard. I sliced a hand through the air. “It’s not your fault.”
“I’m the head of security.”
Piper made a noise. “You aren’t Batman, Caden. You aren’t responsible for everything.”
There was a ding from my laptop and I quickly touched the screen. I saw an email from Tristan and scanned it. “ Dammit .”
Caden cocked a brow.
Piper pulled a face. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“The Maldives deal is turning into a major headache. The primaries want to meet face-to-face with me. He’s bringing them to Denver.” It was bad timing. I didn’t want to leave Tessa or the hotel with everything going on.
“I’ll look after her,” Caden said.
I knew he would, but I didn’t want her out of my sight.
“Tessa is an adult,” a tart voice said. “She can look after herself.”
My head jerked up. Tessa stood in the doorway in slim navy pants, gray sweater, and flat shoes.
I scowled. “What are you doing here? You’re meant to be resting.”
She strode across my office and circled the desk.
“I rested. I feel fine. I’m tired of lying around.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re supposed to be at home in bed.”
“Don’t worry, the bodyguard you sicced onto me escorted me to the hotel.” She wrapped her arms around me.
I did have to admit that she looked good. Her color was back to normal and her eyes were bright.
“People are worried about me. I wanted to reassure everyone.”
Pure Tessa. Thinking of others.
“Glad you’re feeling better, Tessa,” Piper said.
“Thanks.”
Tessa glanced at my laptop, then at Caden and Piper. “What’s going on?”
I cupped her shoulders. “I need to attend a meeting. In Denver.”
I saw dismay across her face before she hid it.
“We’ll just… get going.” Piper grabbed Caden’s arm and tugged. I barely paid any attention to them going.
Tessa didn’t want me to go. That caused a little burst of warmth in my chest. “It’s only one day and one night, then I’ll be back.”
She nodded. “You’re busy. I get it.”
I cupped her cheek. “Come with me.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Come to Denver.” This was the perfect solution. She’d be with me, and away from whoever was targeting me and the Windward Resort. “You aren’t working tomorrow, so you can get away.”
She opened her mouth.
“No, doctor’s orders. You have another day of rest, Tessa. Come and look around the Langston Denver.” I stroked her cheek. “Check out the spa, order room service, ask questions. You might get some ideas.”
Now I saw she was tempted.
“I can’t just leave.”
“Why not?”
Her brow furrowed. “Because.”
I lowered my head and nibbled on her lips. “Because isn’t a reason. Please . Come with me. Make my boring, annoying trip enjoyable.”
She leaned into me, and I deepened the kiss until she whimpered.
Then she sighed. “Okay.”
I grinned. “Good. We’ll fly in the morning.”
“Fly?”
“In the helicopter.”
Her eyes widened. “I’ve never been in a helicopter.”
“A first I get to give you.”
She lowered her voice. “You’re giving me a few of those.”
“You’ll have fun, I promise. We’ll spend the night in the penthouse at the Langston Denver, and be back the next day.”
She smoothed her hands over the front of my shirt. “All right.”
Then I pressed my mouth to hers and kissed her properly.