Chapter 27
Everett
Reality hit way too soon in the morning.
After I’d checked in with my team and assigned all their maintenance jobs for the day, I headed to the security room. I dodged guests in the lobby, part of me wishing I was still back at the cabin with Piper.
Neither of us had wanted to leave. Piper had even reluctantly admitted she thought the snow up there was pretty. She was showered, back in a tight skirt and sky-high heels, and ensconced in the conference room. When I’d left her, she was already on a call to…somewhere.
I entered the security room and instantly saw Caden, Ro, Gunnar, Enzo, and Alessio. Enzo’s cousin was leaning against a desk, cellphone pressed to his ear. Even just standing still, the man radiated danger.
“Hi,” Ro said. “How’s Piper?”
“Fine. She’s in the conference room, on a call. I don’t think anything slows her down.”
“Alessio’s talking to his friends back in Las Vegas,” Enzo said. “Getting an update.”
“Any sign of Corvo?” I asked Caden.
With a scowl, he shook his head. “No sign of the fucker. He’s a ghost.”
“We’ve already fixed the kinks out in the cameras,” Gunnar said. “We missed him and Chance Ellis coming in because a few cameras were on the blink on that side of the hotel.”
“It won’t happen again,” Caden said darkly.
Alessio ended his call. His dark eyes showed nothing. “Things are not looking good for Chance Ellis.”
My gut knotted. Whatever Chance’s fuckups, I knew Piper loved her brother. She didn’t want him hurt.
“Elias Rocha wants him brought in…and made an example of,” Alessio added.
“Killed?” Ro prompted.
Alessio shrugged a shoulder. “He likes them roughed up first. Spreads more fear, but leaves some hope. Although, if things went south and he was killed, Rocha won’t lose sleep over it.”
“And Piper?” I asked.
Alessio’s mouth tightened. “Rocha’s man Corvo likes to inflict fear and pain, any way possible. He’ll use anything necessary to make Chance pay.”
My chest locked. “So Piper is still in danger.”
The other man nodded.
“Then we stay on her,” Caden says. “Gunnar has a member of security in the office next to hers. Someone will tail her all day.”
And I’d be staying with her here at the hotel at night.
No one was touching her again.
“I just spoke with Bastian and Nash in Vegas,” Alessio said. “Bastian owns the Avernus Casino and Nash runs casino security. They’re going to have a sit down with Rocha, and tell him that Piper is off limits and has protection.”
My shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you. And tell your friends thanks as well.”
Alessio lifted his chin.
Suddenly, the security room door was flung open and Piper strode in. I took a second to admire her damn legs and hips in today’s skirt. It was tight, finished past her knee, and light brown. Her shirt was black, as were her heels.
“I want an update.”
No one said anything. I glanced at Ro and Caden.
Piper stomped one foot. “This is my life. I get you guys are overburdened with testosterone that makes you think you need to go to war and protect the little woman, but I will not be in the dark on this. I’ll take the help, and I appreciate everything you’re doing, but I’m a part of this.”
“Hey.” I crossed the room and cupped her cheek. “Take a breath.”
She did. It was a jerky one. I slid an arm around her and turned her to face the others.
“Alessio,” I said.
The man straightened. “Elias Rocha is not a good guy. He has orders out for his men to hurt your brother.”
She closed her eyes, and I felt her tremble.
“And Hugo Corvo is about as nice as a junkyard dog,” Alessio added. “My friends are meeting with Rocha to tell him you are not a part of this, and to call Corvo off.”
She nodded. “Thank you.” She swallowed. “And the local guy? Fowler?”
“I’ve already spoken with him,” Ro said. “He’s a little shady but not a bad guy. He’s definitely not interested in being a part of hurting an innocent woman.”
She looked at Caden, then me. “How are we going to find Chance? We have to get to him before this Corvo does.”
She was holding it together. That was Piper. Whatever the crisis, she charged on and tried to fix things.
“We’re looking for him,” Caden said. “But he’s understandably laying very low.”
She sagged against me. “I don’t know him anymore. I don’t know where the young man who was my friend and my partner in crime went. He’s my brother but I feel like he’s a stranger. How can this be the life he wants to lead?”
“Gambling is an addiction, babe,” I said quietly.
“I know, but he can get help. I’ve offered so many times. He doesn’t want help. He wants this.” She sighed. Then her phone pinged. She pulled it out and dragged in a breath. “I need to go. I have tiles for the pool that I need to approve.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
As we crossed the lobby, I scanned around, looking for Chance or anyone watching Piper. I didn’t relax until we scanned our ID cards and stepped into the office area.
“Piper…”
She set her shoulders back. “I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t have to be.” I pulled her into my arms.
She pressed her face to my chest and sighed. “I hate when I can’t fix a problem. And I hate knowing he might not be safe.”
Of course, she worried about Chance first, and not herself.
“The day started so well,” she murmured. “I didn’t even mind the snow, but now that orgasm in the shower has well and truly worn off.”
I pressed my lips to her cheek. “How about we have lunch in your suite, and I can top you up?”
That got a smile out of her. She tipped her head back. God, she was beautiful.
“Unfortunately, I can’t. I have a lunch meeting.”
“Of course you do.” I pressed a quick, hard kiss to her lips. “Later, then.”