Chapter 26
Harrison
I arrive at New York’s most photographed hotel with a knot already tightening in my gut.
The building hums with the low-grade electricity of a perpetual after-party. No perimeter defense. No crowd control to speak of.
Just money, ego, and the delusion that a three-tiered fountain in the right lighting makes anyone look good. Valets jog instead of walk and, as always, no security in sight.
Across the street, two rows of lower-tier paparazzi have staked their claim, living on dreams and caffeine.
The promise of someone else’s downfall is just a camera click away.
One that will end up on Page Six by morning.
My hand closes around the door handle. I’ll be damned if Pix is staying here.
The car barely slows before I’m out. Between the celebrities and the staff, I’m the odd man out. Clearly underdressed.
The doorman squares up, ready to funnel me toward the DoorDash entrance, when security cuts in fast.
I’d like to say it’s the first time someone’s mistaken me for not being worthy of the front door.
It isn’t.
“He’s good,” the head of security says, already reaching for my hand.
I shake it. “Thanks, Tony.”
One corner of his mouth twitches. “Figured they might’ve called you in.”
I slow. “What do you mean?”
Tony doesn’t answer. He steps aside and tips his chin toward the doors. “Take a look for yourself.”
I get one foot inside before the noise hits.
Utter chaos.
The lobby is packed wall to wall. Bodies layered on bodies. Flashbulbs stuttering. Paparazzi clawing for position. And easily three times the number of people permitted by law.
“Isn’t this a fire hazard?” I ask flatly.
Tony shrugs. “My team’s shorthanded. Flu’s going around.” He coughs into his hand.
The same one I shook.
I wipe my palm on my jeans as he continues. “We tried clearing everyone out in an orderly fashion, but some nimrod insisted they could all stay.”
“Who said that?”
He points, exasperated. “That idiot.”
And then I see him.
Pierce Maddox. Soaking in the spotlight like the sun in Cancún.
Tonight, the dipshit chose leather. Not a jacket. A full three-piece suit. So either he lost a bet or his stylist is holding a grudge.
He’s planted in the center of the lobby, mid-meltdown, finger jabbing toward the front desk as he barks demands.
I move closer to hear him over the noise.
“You have no right to keep me from my room or my fiancé. And these fine members of the press are recording your actions,” he warns.
He poses for the cameras as he points.
I roll my eyes.
I’m pretty sure the man at the front desk is about to flag security. Then the cameras close in, and he hesitates before handing the prick a key.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Pierce snatches it, skips the thank-you, and shoves through the crowd toward the elevator.
In three steps, I’m in his path.
He looks up, sneer locked and loaded until recognition hits. “You again.” His gaze drags over me. “At least you’re dressed this time.”
He flicks his hand, a dismissive little gesture meant to move me aside.
I don’t.
I hold his stare. “Going somewhere, Mr. Maddox?”
He lifts the keycard between two fingers, a magician about to reveal the trick.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’m headed upstairs. To see my fiancée.” He lingers on the word, savoring it. “That’s how engagements work. I give her a five-carat ring. She gives me access. To everything. Her room. Her body.”
The image detonates in my head. A runaway train I have to wrestle back onto the tracks.
Breathe.
He wants a reaction.
I don’t move.
“I’m fucking her in our next movie,” he continues lightly. “By the time it premieres, she won’t even remember your name.”
I fold my arms, every muscle rigid as stone. I knew they’d be working together. It was all over my doomscroll of all things Ava.
But… there’s a love scene?
Of course, there’s a love scene.
I stay where I am, reminding myself that homicide in a hotel lobby is a very bad look.
Especially for the multinational corporation you often represent.
And this is Pix’s job.
It’s not like she enjoys it.
Does she?
He steps closer, adding, “I’ll let you in on a little secret,” he says, voice low and conspiratorial.
“During that love scene, I’m going to slip it in.
For real. Right in front of everyone. With the cameras rolling and the director watching, she can’t exactly stop me.
” He straightens his sleeve. “She hates when I do it. When I fuck her in front of everyone.”
That’s it.
He’s dead.
I’m already gauging exactly how much force it takes to break a pretty-boy nose permanently when a streak of blonde and blue dive in between us.
She plants herself firmly, heels braced, practically breathing fire in every direction.
Her voice cuts through the lobby in an octave meant for shattering glass.
“I am the personal assistant to Miss Alvarez,” she announces, loud enough for the front desk and every camera in the room to hear. “And I am telling you, this man is not her fiancé.”
Pierce sneers. “I was yesterday.”
“Well,” she huffs, flustered, “you’re not today. In fact, I have something for you.”
She unwinds her middle finger and flips him off. The enormous diamond on it catches the light like a weapon.
I laugh. Out loud.
Pierce lunges, yanking it from her hand. “Shut up, Kali. Or I’ll make your life miserable.”
“You’re already making my life miserable,” she screams. “By breathing.”
That’s when Tony and another guard move in. Tony takes Kali by the arm, steady but gentle. While the other guy grabs Dipshit.
I catch Tony before he can step away, keeping my voice low.
“Give me your keycard.”
His brow furrows. “Why?”
“Because I need it.”
He hands it over with barely a pause. Which both reassures and unsettles me, considering it opens every door in the building. Including the vault.
Then I switch gears. Full command mode. Military ops.
“First, get the press out of here. All of them.”
Tony hesitates. “How?”
“Tell them we’re beyond capacity. Fire code.”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, that might work.”
Then, without breaking stride, I order, “Walk Mr. Maddox to the bar. Keep the drinks flowing. Tell him it’ll be ten minutes before you escort him upstairs.”
Tony nods once. “And then what?”
“Then you take him up.”
His brow creases. “I don’t get it.”
“Miss Alvarez won’t be staying tonight. I’ll grab her things and clear out,” I say. “But if Mr. Maddox believes she’s still upstairs, he’s exactly where I want him. Waiting for her and out of my hair.”
He nods. “No problem.”
Kali looks between us. “What do I do?”
“Come with me.”
We head to the elevators as Tony blows out a breath, then spreads his arms wide, voice raised.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are officially beyond capacity. Anyone not registered as a guest needs to exit immediately.”
For a moment, no one cares.
Then, louder, he adds, “And if we can avoid trespassers being arrested tonight, that’d be a win-win.”
That does it.
The room loosens. The press peels back in reluctant waves.
One pap lunges for a final shot. Kali slips neatly between us as the elevator opens, and we duck inside.
The doors close.
“Camera-shy?” she asks.
“Something like that.”
“You must be the lumberjack,” she says, flashing a wide, nosy grin.
I have no idea how much Pix told her, so I stick with “Family friend.” It’s what I always say when I don’t feel like fielding follow-ups. “And you’re Kali, Miss Alvarez’s PA.”
She beams. “I didn’t have time to grab my luggage before everything went sideways. Thanks for handling Pierce.”
“Not a problem.”
We step off on the floor, and Kali leads the way. “Ava’s room is right here.” She swipes a keycard and lets us in.
“You have a key to her room?” I ask.
She nods. “It can be lonely at the top. So, we’re sharing.”
Kali tips her chin toward the bedroom. “When Ava wants privacy, she shuts the door. Which almost never happens.” She considers that for a moment. “When she wants company because some dickwad won’t leave her alone, she has me.” Her smile is faint. “Best friend duty.”
I step inside.
Pix’s suitcase sits on one side of the bed. Impossible to miss. Bright purple, loud, with skulls and marigolds. The other side is already turned down, sheets folded back the way hotels do it when they expect someone to sleep there.
I don’t share that she didn’t sleep there.
Or, that she didn’t sleep.
The pullout couch is made tight. Crisp corners. Pillows stacked neatly. No signs of use.
I take it all in.
The suite is expansive. Vaulted ceilings. Enough square footage to park a few cars.
Habit has me checking the closets. The doors. A place like this usually connects to adjacent rooms.
Every one of them is bolted shut.
“They couldn’t get her the penthouse?” I joke.
Kali shrugs. “Her manager took that one. Otherwise, they spare no expense. Anything she wants. At her fingertips.”
I take it in and run through the timeline. Maid service early afternoon. Butler turn-down service.
The room makes sense. The layout tracks. Nothing jumps out.
And yet, something feels… off.
“Everything okay?” she asks. “You look worried.”
I force a grin. “All good. Just curious. Anyone else been in and out today? Besides housekeeping and the butler?”
She considers it. “I don’t know. Her manager, Almyra Crowne, maybe. Or one of her lackeys. Pretty much anyone Myra snaps her fingers at. I was running late, and the room had to be checked to make sure everything was in order.”
Great. So that narrows it down to pretty much everyone.
“Will Ava be back tomorrow?” she asks, hopeful. “I’ll need to stock the fridge for when she returns.”
“Yep,” I say.
Definitely not.
But that’s not something I’m saying out loud. Not yet. Not without talking to Pix first.
“Good.” Kali exhales, tension draining from her shoulders. Then she reaches into her back pocket and produces a tube of lipstick pepper spray. “I’m ready for any asshole who wants to tango. Pierce or her creepy stalker. They get too close, they’re eating a face full of pepper spray.”
I glance at the tube in her hand.
Unassuming. Nonthreatening.
Just like her.
I take it from her and angle the nozzle outward. “If it comes to that, make sure the nozzle is pointed away from your face.”
She lets out a small, embarrassed laugh. “Right. Good tip.”
I’m ready to go when I reach for her suitcase.
The lock is broken.
“What happened here?” I ask.
Kali steps closer. “Probably TSA. If they can’t open it, they break the lock.” She shrugs. “It’s been that way for a while.”
I fiddle with it and see the misaligned lock. “I think I can fix that.”
My phone buzzes.
“Evans.”
“Hey, it’s Tony. Maddox is headed up. We tried to stop him, but—”
“It’s fine. I’ve got what I need.” I look around and glance at Kali. “But her PA needs a different room. Can you make sure she gets one?”
“As soon as she comes down, I’ll get her a new keycard.”
I turn back to Kali. “Grab your things.”
She does. I grab Ava’s suitcase, and we head out.
We reach the elevator just as the doors are about to open. I guide her aside, keeping us out of sight.
The doors slide open. Pierce storms out, and we step in as I hit L.
The doors close.
“That was close.” Kali exhales and stumbles back against the wall. “Tell Ava that if she needs anything, I’m just a text away.”
“I will.”