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Chapter 7
Maria allowed the door to slam shut behind her. She stormed around her hotel room, tossing her radio onto the desk, and flinging her suit jacket over the chair. The only thing she took care with was her service weapon, which she un-holstered, checked, and placed gently on her nightstand.
She had no idea what to do with the burning jealously that swirled in her gut. Hands on hips, she forced herself to take a few deep breaths. Right now, Teagan was in his room with two ridiculously hot women. He’d charmed the small crowd gathered after the show, and when the party dispersed, he’d thrown his arms around his “special” guests and led them off to his room.
It was her own fault, of course. Rationally, Maria could admit this. She’d told Teag in no uncertain terms that he’d never have a chance with her. She’d practically shoved him into someone else’s arms. All right, that might be a bit melodramatic, but whatever. He was off screwing other women while she wore a hole in the carpet with her angry pacing.
Couldn’t he have waited more than a day before moving on? But again, the rational part of Maria’s brain wagged a finger at her. He’d been waiting around for her since the beginning of the tour. Longer than that if she counted his proposition at Jake and Fiona’s house. It was only when she unequivocally set him straight last night that he’d finally given up.
Regardless of what logic suggested, her jealously and anger boiled over. Just underneath the heated emotions, a wave of sadness threatened to surface, but instead of examining that feeling too closely, she hung on to the hostility. It was easier to tell herself she’d been right all along about Teag than to admit she might have made a mistake and blew her chance with the sexy drummer.
The shrill ring of the telephone snapped her from her silent ranting. Half-dressed, she scowled at the phone. It wouldn’t be someone from her team or the band. They had her cell number. Pulling on a pair of sweatpants, she answered.
“Ms. Ruiz, this is Jay Avers with hotel security.”
“How can I help you?” Maria asked.
The man gave a long-suffering sigh. “I’ve had a complaint of a female screaming in room 1510.”
Teagan’s room. Great. Maria cleared her throat. “One of the band members has female guests in his room.” Her voice trailed off. Point made, hopefully.
“I suspected as much, but I can’t ignore the call. I thought you might like to join me.”
She definitely would not like to join him. “Of course. Shall I meet you at the elevator on the 15th floor?”
“Please,” he answered curtly and disconnected the call.
It was Maria’s turn to let out an exasperated sigh. Interrupting Teagan’s sexual exploits was not how she wanted to end her evening. It was one thing to imagine what might be happening, another thing entirely to get an up close and personal view.
After tugging on her running sneakers, she tucked her gun into the back of her sweatpants and pulled on an old Marine Corps sweatshirt. With her cell phone and room key in hand, Maria hustled out the door. At the elevator, she punched the “up” button with excessive vigor.
Jay Avers was a stocky fifty-something ex-cop, with a high and tight that sported more salt than pepper. He greeted her professionally but wore an annoyed expression.
“Celebrities and rock stars. Bunch of pains in the asses,” he complained.
Maria found herself wanting to defend Teag, but honestly, if he and his lady friends were making enough noise to disturb other hotel guests, she really had nothing to offer on his behalf. The security guard inserted his key into the elevator’s card reader to give them access to the concierge floor. Maria had the same access, but she stood back and allowed him to lead. This was his permanent gig, after all.
They made their way down the quiet, well-lit corridor, stopping in front of room 1510. Maria tilted her head, listening for any sound from the other side. Nothing.
“Wanna do the honors?” Avers asked with a wry smile on his face.
“Not particularly,” she mumbled, and he barked out a laugh.
Maria knocked softly, considering the hour. “Teag, it’s Maria. Please open the door.”
Nothing.
Maria knocked again, louder this time, her frustration building. “Come on, Teag,” she said between gritted teeth. When there was still no sound from the other side, she tugged the cell phone from her pocket and dialed the front desk.
“This is Maria Ruiz, head of security for Madison Grace. Please put me through to room 1510.”
When the phone rang in her ear, she heard it inside the room as well. No one answered. Maria’s brow creased with concern.
“Maybe they left the room and went out,” Avers said.
Maria shook her head. “Teag wouldn’t leave without his bodyguard. He knows the drill and he isn’t reckless.”
Her pulse picked up and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Her gut told her something was off.
