Flynn stayed close to me, going as far as putting his arm on the back of my chair when we sat down. Brad wisely didn’t comment on it, and I was too tired to care about Flynn’s public show. It took all of my effort not to lean into him.
“We have the guy on camera,” Brad said, fiddling with a few buttons on the computer keyboard. A photo of the hotel’s front came into focus. It was a still of me collapsing against a man. I was blurry, but there was a clear shot of the guy’s face.
“Alia said his name was Eric, but we haven’t been able to confirm if that’s his real name or not,” Brad said. “Barrett, what do you remember about him?”
“Not a lot,” I admitted, shame permeating my voice. I’d lived in New York for years and never had a problem. And now? One night in the place I should’ve been safe, and I wasn’t.
“Hey,” Flynn said softly. “Look at me.” When I met his eyes, he went on, “This is not your fault. Women should be able to go to bars and clubs and not have to worry about this sort of thing. It’s part of the reason I’m so adamant about keeping drugs out of my hotel.”
I let out a breath and nodded. His words lightened my embarrassment. “The girls and I got off stage and mingled with the crowd. I’d tossed my pearls out into the audience and Eric was the one who returned them. He got me a drink because my champagne spilled.” I shrugged. “We really didn’t talk about anything serious. That’s it.”
“And then you went outside with him,” Brad stated.
“I began to feel warm after I drank the glass of scotch Eric brought me. We got outside, and then I blacked out.” I directed my apology to Brad. “I’m sorry, there’s nothing really distinguishing about him. He was handsome but—”
“He was handsome?” Flynn asked.
I looked at him. “Really?”
Brad nodded. “Thanks, Barrett.”
“I want more security. And for God’s sake, tell the girls not to drink at the club. Not until we have all this resolved,” Flynn commanded. “I think we’re done for now.”
Flynn stood and then held out a hand to me. He escorted me to the private elevator and once the doors closed giving us privacy, he pulled me into his side. I pressed my head against him, wanting to burrow into his warmth and steal a bit of his strength.
“Why didn’t you tell him about Chelsea?” I asked.
“I’ll tell him later. After I put you to bed.”
“I feel like shit,” I muttered.
He didn’t reply. The doors opened, and we walked in silence into his suite. I kicked off my shoes and my eyes flitted closed even as I tried to keep them open.
“Bed.” Flynn took my hand and led me to the bedroom. He pulled back the coverlet and gestured for me to get in. I unbuttoned my jeans and slid them off, nearly falling in the process.
Once my head hit the pillow, I struggled to stay awake. Flynn tugged up the covers and tucked me in. “You’re not getting angry at me for being authoritative.”
“You’re being solicitous,” I murmured. “And all women want to be taken care of, though a lot of them refuse to admit it.”
“You’re welcome,” he whispered, kissing my cheek. “Sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”
Chapter 16
My vibrating phone pulled me from a deep sleep. “Hello?” I croaked.
“Barrett?” Jack asked.
I cleared my throat. “It’s me.”
“You sound weird. You okay?”
“I have the flu.” The lie peeled off my tongue easily. Too easily.
“Oh, sorry to hear that. Do you want me to come hang out with you? We can watch movies.”
He was such a good guy. He was everything a brother should be. It made me resent my own brother that much more.
“No,” I said. “Thanks for the offer.”
