Page 20 of Staff Only

I stood up beside him, adrenaline pushing through the dread to take center stage. “I have a plan… sort of…” It was flimsy at best and would very likely fail, but I couldn’t just stand around and do nothing. “Spread the word. Staff meeting tomorrow morning, we’ll meet in the kitchen before the dining room opens. Don’t tell Monsieur Holland.”

14

Emerson

I got out of my car and smoothed a hand over my tie. It was black satin, with the same luster as Roland’s eyes. I’d actually showered this morning, which was a step up from yesterday. Halfway down the street to the hotel, I was shocked to find myself whistling. And I was even more pleased when Sandy actually stepped forward and held the door open for me.

Roland was back at work, and all was forgiven with the staff.

I probably shouldn’t have been so happy that Roland was back. It put him right where Eva would notice him, but it soothed me to know I could keep an eye on him this way. I was fully aware how selfish I was being, but I couldn’t seem to stay away from him, not even for a full week. Even though he wasn’t technically mine, he was still my responsibility, and I took that job very seriously. I had made it my goal to keep him safe no matter the cost—in this case, rearranging the staff schedule. Even if he hadn’t demanded to be put on day shift, I would’ve done it anyway. I had zero chance of sleeping at night knowing he was at work and unprotected. I really wished I had the budget to add security to the payroll to watch those cameras. For now, this would have to do.

Roland hadn’t started work yet, but I stopped by the desk to say good morning to Mercy. She nodded wordlessly in reply.

I looked around the lobby. Although it would be quiet until after breakfast, Mercy shouldn’t have been by herself. “Emily didn’t leave already, did she?” I knew she wouldn’t be happy about being put back on the night shift, but she hadn’t said a word to me in complaint.

Mercy’s brow furrowed, and she nibbled on her bottom lip, her eyes skittering away. “No,” she said softly, refusing to meet my gaze. Why did it feel like she was lying?

“Mercy?” I drawled, stepping to the left to catch her eye. “Where’s Emily?”

She hummed and looked back the other way. “Um, on break?”

“For the last 15 minutes of her shift?”

Mercy shrugged. While she may have been a horrible liar, she was loyal to a fault. I would just have to track down Emily on my own.

This felt like déjà vu. The laundry was quiet, housekeeping empty, and sure enough, when I approached the kitchen, there was a buzz of voices.

I approached slowly, trying to catch what was being said. I immediately recognized Roland’s voice, and it set my body on fire. “…to spread the word. Call around to see who’s on board and get back to me right away. We have to move fast. We don’t have much time.”

My breath caught. What was he talking about? I shoved through the door, determined to demand answers, and every person in the room turned to look at me. Caught in the act of something, obviously… but what?

Why did it feel like they were having a staff meeting without me? Wasn’t I the boss?! Oh gods, I couldn’t believe this was happening again. Roland was back; what more did they want? What worried me more was that Roland seemed to be the leader of this little meeting. What the hell was he trying to do?

“Am I interrupting something?” I asked suspiciously, trying to act casual.

“Nope, not a thing,” Roland said without missing a beat. “I was just grabbing a cup of coffee before work.”

“Uh, me too,” Patrick said before sidling past me out the door.

“Yeah, what they said,” Emily agreed, lying smoothly, “except at the end of my shift. Have a good day, everybody. I’m off to bed.” She waved over her shoulder on her way out.

The kitchen staff all turned their backs on me and started getting breakfast prep started as if nothing had happened, and the employees who didn’t belong in the kitchen scattered like the roaches in my apartment when I turned on the light. Roland tried to walk past me, his scent overwhelming my senses and clouding my judgment.

Before I could stop myself, I snapped a hand out and grabbed Roland’s arm. “What the hell are you up to, Roland?” I hissed.

He rounded on me, his eyes like fire as he ripped his arm out of my grip. “No touching, remember? You wouldn’t want me to quit again, would you?”

“No, no!” I sighed, closing my eyes and forcing myself to calm down. “It’s just… whatever it is you think you’re doing, you have to stop. Please.”

He shifted awkwardly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We were just having coffee and—”

“Roland,” I hissed sharply. “Cut the bullshit.” I was far too aware of all the eyes on us right now. The entire staff seemed to think they had a right to butt into our lives. Instead of dragging Roland out of the kitchen like I so very badly wanted to, I simply nodded toward the door with my chin. He followed me warily out into the hallway.

As soon as the door swung closed behind us, he took a step back to put some distance between us. “What do you want, Emerson? This had better be work related. I said we should never be alone together.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. Making you uncomfortable is the last thing I want. It’s just…” I blew out a long breath. I could feel a headache coming on—there would probably be plenty more in my future. “I’ve done everything I could to protect what’s mine… I mean, the hotel, of course,” I said, my words stilted. “But there are outside factors at play… dangerous factors. It would be best for everyone if you stayed out of it. Do you understand?” I would never tell him the full story, but he had to get it. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to him. “Please, Roland.”

The angry mask he’d been wearing slipped a little, and he took just one step closer, a softness sneaking into his voice. “I know you truly believe that, but you’re wrong.”

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