Chapter 17
Everett
Bundled up in my boots, scarf, and fleece-lined jacket, I stood in the snow, watching the surveyors hammer in the last pegs. Ro had paid extra for them to come in on Sunday.
Once they were done, the contractor would start first thing tomorrow erecting the construction tenting. An excavator and other gear would then start getting delivered.
It was snowing steadily today. Nothing too dramatic, but enough that Piper had refused to step foot outside. She’d said she’d check the progress from the great room windows.
I was grateful for the snow. It would keep her sweet ass inside the hotel.
Keep her safe.
I was still mad that she and the other women had ventured out yesterday.
How she’d thought a ridiculous wig would keep her safe was beyond me.
Still, I was worried about her. Worried she’d try something else dangerous to find her brother, uncaring that she was putting herself in the firing line.
I knew now she wasn’t just a big sister, she was the head of her family.
Her father hadn’t been around to help, and she loved her mom and grandmother.
She couldn’t help but take care of them, shield them.
Even at her own expense.
I waved a hand at the surveyors and headed back inside. After I’d hung up my jacket and cleaned my boots, I headed back to the offices. I heard her brisk voice before I saw her. She was on the phone, giving orders.
I stopped in the doorway to watch her for a minute.
“I won’t accept those terms, Peter. Do better.” She made a sound. “Flattery, even in that charming British accent of yours, will get you nowhere. You know that.” She turned a little in her chair, spotted me, and pulled a face. She covered the phone with her palm and mouthed stop checking on me.
“No.”
She pulled another face.
With a smile, I turned and left. All day, I’d walked past her office or anywhere she’d been—checking the painters in the east wing, pondering upgrades to the great room with Kate, dealing with Chef Harden. She knew I was checking up on her, but I didn’t care.
I headed to Ro’s office. I was due for a meeting.
“Hi,” I announced.
“Everett, come in.” A suit-clad Ro sat behind his glossy desk. The floor-to-ceiling windows gave a hell of a view of the snow-covered mountain. I watched a young snowboarder whizzing past several slower skiers.
Caden was standing by the desk, arms crossed over his chest. And Enzo was sprawled in one of the cozy armchairs.
“Have you got any news on Piper’s brother?” I sank into the empty chair beside Enzo.
Ro shook his head. “We’re still digging. Caden’s taking point on this.”
Caden had the skills, but I was pretty sure he was more motivated now since Allie had been caught up in it.
“Chance Ellis was in Las Vegas. That’s where he racked up this debt,” Caden said. “Enzo has contacts there, so I asked him to help us out.”
The dark-haired man nodded. “Happy to help. And I have good contacts in Vegas.”
He’d come from there before Windward, and I was sure whatever work he’d done, it hadn’t been as a hotel concierge. He’d never shared his story, but he was a good man, and he’d earned my respect over the last few years.
“Do you know where he was gambling?” Enzo asked.
I shook my head. “No, but he likes cards. That’s all I’ve got.”
The other man lifted his chin. “Give me a day or so. I’ll see what I can dig up.”
“Thanks, Enzo.”
Ro leaned back in his hair. “Until then, we keep Piper inside the hotel.”
“I’ve already had Gunnar get a few extra security guys in,” Caden said. “They’ll be keeping a closer eye on the security feeds.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “We’re also asking around Windward. We’ll find him. Sooner we do, and keep the women from striking out on their own, the better.”
“Piper will not leave the hotel,” I said.
The men traded glances.
Ro cleared his throat. “Maybe use different words when you talk to her about it.”
“And a different tone,” Enzo added.
“I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep her safe.”
The men looked me and then nodded.
“I’ll start a group chat,” Ro said. “If anyone sees Chance Ellis or gets information on where he is, share straight away.”
I strode out, slowing as I passed the conference room. Piper was typing away on her laptop. When she saw me, she shot me a narrow look.
I just smiled.
But by the time I reached the maintenance area, my smile was gone. I had a really bad feeling about this entire situation, and I fucking hated that Piper was stuck in the middle of it.
Whatever happened, I was keeping her safe.
Work kept me busy for the rest of the afternoon. I kept Piper annoyed with regular checks on her whereabouts. Finally, I grabbed my keys and jacket, and headed toward her conference room office.
She was still hunched over her laptop. When she turned her head and saw me, she rolled her eyes. I watched her massage her neck.
“Come on.”
She swiveled her chair. “What?”
“We’re leaving. I’m cooking dinner at my place.”
“I have work to do.”
I strode over and closed the laptop.
“Murray! I was in the middle of an email.”
“Anyone going to die if you don’t send it tonight?”
Her nose wrinkled. “No.”
“You’ve been working all day, and no doubt worrying about your brother.”
“I believe you ordered me to stay in the hotel.”
“You’ll be with me, so you’ll be safe. This is your chance to get out of here, switch off, and relax.”
Her gaze moved over my face. “Okay, but only because I want to get out of the hotel.”
“Good. Grab a coat, it’s cold outside.” My gaze dropped to her heels “You got any boots?”
“Only boots with heels.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
Thirty minutes later, we were at my place. I’d poured Piper a glass of red wine, and was pulling everything out of the fridge to make my signature dish.
“What are you making?”
“Chicken Piccata with lemon caper sauce, orzo, and grilled asparagus.”
Her eyes went wide.
“You don’t cook?”
“Not really. I live out of hotels with excellent room service.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Growing up, I made a hell of a grilled cheese sandwich. I often had to feed myself and my brother if Mom was working.”
I felt a spurt of anger at the father who’d abandoned them. Leaving Piper to take on too much responsibility too young.
“My mom liked to cook,” I told her. “I was an only child, so she had plenty of time to teach me. Plus, she said everyone, male or female, should be able to cook at least a few dishes.” I started chopping the vegetables.
“Can I help?”
“Nope. I want you to relax and drink your wine.”
Soon, the chicken was cooked, the sauce was simmering, the orzo was ready, and I just had to grill the asparagus.
There was a knock at the front door, and I saw Piper tense.
“It’s all right.” I dried my hands on a towel and headed over. I recognized the shape of the man on my front stoop straight away. I opened the door. “You just couldn’t stay away.”
My dad smiled at me. “I could smell dinner.”
I opened the door. I knew my dad had contained his curiosity as long as he could.
Bear bounded in after him. The dog butted my leg, looking for some love. I gave him a rub down.
“Hello, there,” Dad said, eyeing Piper.
“Hi.” She set her glass down.
“Dad, this is Piper Ellis. Piper, my father, Dale Murray. Piper is the chief operating officer for Langston Hotels.”
“Wow, you must be a busy lady.” He held out a hand.
“Busy is my middle name.” She shook Dad’s hand with a smile.
“Heard all about the improvements and upgrades you’re making at the Windward. Sounds exciting.”
“We started with good bones, but the upgrades will really add to the hotel. To the benefit of our guests and the town.”
Dad sat on the stool beside her. “I’m sure.”
Bear leaped up on Piper, and she gasped.
“Bear, down.” I couldn’t imagine Piper was a fan of dogs.
“Who’s this handsome fellow?” She slid off the stool and bent down to pet an ever-grateful Bear. He did a few hops like he was a small puppy and not a large dog.
I watched, mesmerized as she lavished love on my father’s animal.
“He’s gorgeous.”
“You like dogs,” I said, slowly.
“I always wanted a pet growing up. It was going to be a golden retriever called Maple.” She lifted a shoulder. “Unfortunately, I never got my Maple, and I travel too much now for a pet.”
I dragged my gaze off her. “Dad, a beer?”
“That would be great, son.” My dad was watching me steadily. “I shouldn’t horn in on your dinner…” His gaze swung between me and Piper.
“No, please stay,” Piper said. “Your son is taking pity on me and saving me from another room service meal. Not that the food at the Langston Windward isn’t good, especially since our new chef just started.
It’s just living in a hotel, you start to crave a little variety, and definitely a home-cooked meal. ”
Dad took his beer and relaxed. “If you’re sure.” He took a swig as I washed my hands and got back to finishing the dinner.
“So, you’re a city girl, Piper.”
“Busted.” Her smile was rueful. “I grew up in Chicago.”
“Your parents must me proud.”
“My mom and grandmother are. They raised me.”
I saw my Dad’s mouth pinch. “You lost your dad?”
“Well, he lost us. Decided family life wasn’t for him.”
Oh yeah, Dad did not look happy. He was big on providing and taking care of your family.
“We were better off without him.” Piper sipped her wine, still rubbing Bear’s head. “Luckily, I have an amazing mom, and then we moved in with Gram a few years later. I have two wonderful role models.”
I served up dinner and we moved to the table. Dad and Piper kept chatting. I enjoyed listening to her, hearing her laugh. And it was clear she’d charmed Dad.
“You like Windward, Piper?” Dad asked.
“Well…there are some lovely boutiques. And the internet is high speed.”
He laughed.
She glanced at the window. “I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the snow.”
“Especially when you’re wearing your ankle breakers,” I added.
She sniffed. “I choose my footwear for how it looks, not dependent on the weather.”
I’d seen Dad eye her still-grazed hands a few times, but he didn’t ask any questions.
Once we’d had coffee, Piper rose. “I think I’d better head back to the hotel. I have a few more emails to send before I call it a night.”
I rose too. “I’ll drop you back.”
She smiled at Dad. “It’s been a pleasure, Dale.”
“Same, Piper. Take care of yourself.”
It was a quiet drive back to the hotel, but it was a comfortable quiet. I pulled up at the front entrance, idling as I waited for Enzo to come out and escort her inside.
She turned in the seat. “I liked your Chicken Piccata.”
“I’m glad.”
“And I liked your dad, and his dog, too.”
“They both liked you back.”
She smiled. “Thanks for dinner, Murray.”
I cupped her cheek. “You’re very welcome, big city.”
Enzo appeared and opened her door. With a nod, she slid out. I waited until they were safely inside before I drove out.
Unsurprisingly, Dad was waiting for me when I returned. Bear had collapsed in front of the fire.
“I like her.”
I set my keys down. “I could tell.”
“She’s a keeper. Smart, beautiful, hard working.”
“Dad.” I tossed my jacket over the back of the couch. “You heard her, hell, you can tell with one look. She’s a city girl. A workaholic city girl.”
“You’re spending a lot of time with her.”
“I’m helping her out.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Her brother is in some trouble.”
My dad frowned. “What kind of trouble?”
“The kind where he gambles and owes money to someone happy to hurt Piper to get it back.”
“Jesus.” Anger suffused Dad’s face. “That girl works her butt off so her mom and grandmother can live a good, quiet life. And her own brother does this?”
“Yep.”
“You’ll keep that from touching her.”
“That’s the plan. She’s already been attacked.”
Dad’s face darkened. “You keep her safe, Everett.”
“I will, but Dad…when the hotel is done, she’ll move on. She won’t stay in Windward.”
“She won’t if she doesn’t have any reason to.”
“I remember you warning me off fancy city girls who come up to Windward to ski and break hearts.”
“No, I warned you off shallow, selfish women.” He rose. “Don’t be an idiot, son.” Then he whistled for Bear.
The dog bounded after Dad and followed him out the front door.
I tidied the kitchen, then still felt too wired to sleep. I sat on my couch, staring at the flames. Piper would never stay in Windward. She’d never be happy here.
I had feelings for her. Ones that had grown and changed a lot over the last week. I wanted her happy and safe, and I wanted the best for her.
That wasn’t me and it wasn’t Windward.
But for now, I was taking care of her.
I thought of her with Bear and smiled. I imagined a gangly blonde girl praying for a dog called Maple.
My carving kit was sitting on the coffee table. I grabbed it and unrolled it, then selected a knife. Rising, I chose a hunk of wood from the neatly stacked pile beside my fireplace. Then I started to carve.