“She told you about it?”
“She mentioned as much when we were shopping. Not directly, but I caught her meaning.”
Aiden takes a deep breath. “Yeah.” He draws the word out long and low. “I’ve had to dismiss a few of them over the years. Looks like I’ll be ditching another one today.”
“For screwing with the client?”
“No, for not informing us that she is safe. I don’t police Sylvie, not now she’s legally an adult. God knows she’s bored as shit at the house and has no interest in becoming part of Dax’s agenda to clean up the city. The girl needs to let off steam where she can. I just prefer to know she’s doing it safely. I don’t condone my boys getting involved with their clients on a personal level, but currently I’d be a hypocrite to stop them, wouldn’t I? I just ask that they keep the job as their priority. Check in. Though after today that will have to change.”
I watch the numbers flash by across the top of the gold, shimmering door. “And I’m betting you don’t pay them a king’s salary, so he’s not paying for the suite either.”
“No, Connor’s not paid enough to afford this, but he’sabout to pay for it.”
We ride the elevator to the top floor, and I use the time to clear my head and expression of anything resembling the awe I’m feeling. This is going to be embarrassing for all of us, and I’d rather not barge in on Sylvie like I’m her mother, but I doubt Aiden is going to let me out of his sight.
The elevator opens onto a beautifully presented reception hallway and faces a pair of floor-to-ceiling double doors. Aiden strides confidently straight at them and knocks twice.
“Your champagne and fruit, Miss,” he calls out in a plummy accent.
My brow kicks up into my hairline. Does he really think she’ll fall for that? Doesn’t he have a key card or something?
Aiden grins at my expression. “They put the order in two minutes before we arrived,” he explains.
“You have her room service hacked?”
Aiden shakes his head but doesn’t take his eyes off the door. “Nothing so dastardly. The hotel was very amenable once we told them we’re her legal guardians and her cards have been cut off.”
“I thought you said nothing so dastardly?”
“Trust me, we could have come down harder. I guess it all depends on what we discover inside.”
The door cracks open. A careless young man, who doesn’t bother to look at Aiden or me, saunters back to the sofa wearing nothing but a towel and casually mumbles, “Bring it in then.”
Aiden remains silent and walks in behind him, so I do the same, slowing to hover discreetly between the wide-open suite door and the sofa. I ready myself for what is sure to be a dressing down for the stupidly overconfident Connor.
What I’m not expecting is the gun Aiden pulls out of a holster inside his jacket, or the semi-crouched stance he takes as he backs toward me again.
The young man still hasn’t looked in our direction.
Aiden shoots a split-second glance at me to ensure he has my attention, then nods at the exit. He wants me out. I’m not going to argue. I sneak out and press myself against the wall, near enough to see through the open door. I get my phone out of my pocket as soon as I can, and I shoot a text to Dax.
Aiden needs backup now. Strange guy in the penthouse. Aiden pulled his gun. Hurry!
“Your tip is on the table by the door.” The sheer arrogance of the man rivals his stupidity. With his back to the door, he sinks into the sofa and slides his arms along the backrest. He continues to ignore Aiden entirely while instructing him to “Just put the food on the table.”
“Now, now, I’m sure your mother didn’t raise you to be so rude,” Aiden mocks coldly. The man’s head whips around. The shock on his face is fast replaced by a sense of dread as he withdraws into the corner of the couch. The split-second shift is unsettling. It’s like watching two different men. Only seconds before, he had lounged with such cocky confidence.
“Who the—?”
“—fuck, am I? Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing,” Aiden quips.
“You’ve—”
“Listen. I’m going to ask you a question, and if I think you’re lying, I’m going to shoot you in the knee. Then I’ll ask again and keep shooting until you tell me what I need to know. If you shout for help, I’ll shoot you in the head. Nod if you understand.”
The man nods.
“Good. Don’t talk unless you’re answering me. Don’t waste words, and I won’t waste bullets. Understand?” Again, the man nods.
