Chapter 34 Piper
Piper
Irushed back into the hotel, my heels beating out a quick tap-tap-tap, my large Prada tote over my shoulder.
“Thanks, Caden.”
He followed me in and gave me a chin lift. He’d driven me to the hospital this morning to check on Chance. I really knew he was playing bodyguard, but I didn’t complain. I was well aware he, Ro, and Everett were coordinating on being overprotective. They had reason, so I wasn’t pushing back.
Corvo was still out there. Anger flashed through me at what he’d done to my brother.
Everett had definitely put on a mountain-man display of protectiveness today, with orders that I wasn’t to go to the hospital alone. Until he had confirmation Corvo was long gone, he wasn’t taking any chances.
I would have been a little annoyed at the orders, but he’d looked hot doing it. Butterflies winged around in my stomach. Plus, the way he’d taken care of me yesterday… More butterflies joined the others.
Anyway, the short story was, since Everett had some maintenance job he had to do, I’d ended up with Caden as my big, hulking babysitter.
Chance was still unconscious, but his color had looked better today. I felt bright hope in my chest.
Caden detoured to the security office and I crossed the lobby. I saw Tessa, Allie, and Sierra heading my way.
“Hi.” Tessa pulled me in a for a hug. Her hugs no longer surprised me anymore, and I hugged her back. “How’s Chance?”
“Better. Not awake yet, but the doctors say he’s responding to stimuli. They’ll call me as soon as he regains consciousness.”
“That’s great news,” Allie said.
Sierra patted my arm.
Suddenly, I heard a crash from the restaurant, followed by the low boom of a male voice shouting.
Tessa winced. “Um…I think I need to go and check on Chef Harden. You sure you’re doing okay?”
I nodded.
“Of course she is.” Sierra smiled. “Everett is taking very good care of her.”
I fought back a smile. “I’m a big girl who’s always taken care of herself.”
Tessa cocked her head. “But it sure is nice for a strong woman to have a strong man at her back sometimes.” More shouting from the kitchen. Tessa’s mouth flattened. “It’s lucky that man’s food is so good. I need to run. I’ll see you later.”
She hurried off to the restaurant.
“If you need anything, let us know,” Allie said.
“Thanks.”
“Right, I need to go and check out some new ski equipment.” Sierra headed off with a wave.
“And I have to check in with the laundry on some linen issues.” Allie followed her.
I aimed for the offices. I needed to call my mom and tell her about Chance. My stomach roiled. I knew she’d be upset, and I didn’t want Gram to regress, but they needed to know.
Ahead, I spotted a cloud of gray hair heading in my direction, and my steps slowed. Crap, Coral. I made a hard right and headed for the classy seating near the windows. I sat down and looked out the window. The snow outside looked rather picturesque.
Damn, I think even the snow was growing on me.
I clutched my bag and smiled. I had one of Everett’s flannel shirts inside. The red one. I had plans to call him up to my suite later and seduce him while wearing it and my sexy Gucci Bombshell heels.
“Ms. Ellis?”
With a start, I turned to find a well-dressed, older man in a suit standing nearby. He had an overcoat draped over his arm. His suit was Brioni, by the look of it. His dark hair was streaked with gray at his temples. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Tobias Fowler.”
Recognizing the name, I stiffened and shot to my feet. I glanced around to see if Caden or any of the security team was nearby.
Fowler held up a hand. “I mean you no harm.”
“My brother owes you money, and your goon drew a gun on me the other day.”
He looked contrite. “I’m very sorry about that. Mac can be…overeager sometimes. It was an unfortunate situation. I’ve spoken with him.”
He was talking like we’d just had a small misunderstanding. I glanced around again.
“I wanted to apologize. That’s why I came.”
I looked back at him, studying his face. He actually seemed sincere. “That’s unnecessary. If you’re looking for your money—”
He shook his head. “I—”
“Back away from her now.”
My head jerked up and I saw Everett storming in our direction. He was always so laid back, but right now, his face was set like stone, and he looked ready to do violence.
“Everett, I’m okay—”
He stepped between me and Fowler. That’s when I saw Caden and Gunnar looming a few steps away.
Tobias Fowler took them all in and lifted a hand. “It seems you have plenty of protectors, Ms. Ellis.”
“I have good friends.”
“I’m not here to do Ms. Ellis harm. I wanted to apologize for the situation the other day. I’m a businessman and I want no problems with the Langston Windward.”
Caden made a low noise like he wasn’t buying it.
“He did apologize,” I said.
“I also intervened. When my men discovered Hugo Corvo attacking your brother.”
I gasped and swayed. Everett grabbed my arm.
“I believe Corvo intended to kill your brother. It appears your brother owes a great deal more to the man holding Corvo’s strings than he does to me. My men got your brother to you.”
I pressed my lips together, wanting to complain that they’d thrown Chance out of a moving car, but if what he was saying was true, he might have saved my brother’s life. I grabbed Everett’s hand and held on tight.
“I also wanted to come here to give you a warning,” Fowler continued.
Both Everett and I stiffened. Caden and Gunnar both took a step closer.
“Corvo is not giving up. He’ll come for your brother again, and if he can’t get to Chance, he’s coming for you, Ms. Ellis.”