Page 13 of Devil's Deal

Unknown Number:Front parlor. 10 am tomorrow.

Fuck.No please. No conversation. It wasn’t a choice. The Buccellis had seen me, and now I was being called to task. I’d hoped to make it out of town before I received this summons, but I hadn’t. I’d known better than to come to this damn town.

Chapter

Five

CORY

“Cory,the fella in Gangster’s Paradise wants to see you.”

“Applesauce,” I muttered into the phone. “Did he say what he needs, Harlow?”

“No, but he didn’t sound happy.”

They rarely were if they asked to see the owner. “Okay, Harlow. I’ll head up there now. Thanks.”

I was right by the staircase, so I considered jogging up them, but instead, I made my way over to the elevator. A small ride with Everest up to the second floor would calm my nerves.

“Hello, Mr. Letterman. How was your day?”

Forcing a smile, I shook my head. “It was fine, but…”

He hummed. “More break-ins, sir?”

I sighed. “I’m not sure, but the guest wants to see me in his room, so…”

The door opened on my floor, and I gave the old man a smile. “Thank you, Everest.”

He patted my shoulder. “It’ll all work out, Mr. Letterman. You’ll see.”

As I made my way down the hall, I hoped that he was right. Maybe he was spouting some sage wisdom that he gained from his years on this planet. Groaning, I stopped in front of Gangster’s, Paradise and knocked. I’d been hoping to see Bosley again, but not like this.

He opened the door with a surly scowl on his face. Even unhappy, he was a handsome man. “How can I…” I cleared my throat. “Hello. Harlow said you needed to speak with me?”

Arms crossed over his chest, he stepped back and inclined his head for me to enter. The friendliness from this morning was gone.

Nervously, I passed him and walked into his room. Other than his duffel bag and the clothing scattered across his bed, everything looked in order. Clasping my hands behind my back, I spun, lifted my chin and asked, “Is there a problem, sir?”

He stepped past me, pointing at the disarray on the bedding. “That’s the problem. When I left here, my bag was sitting next to the vanity, with all the contentsinside.”

He put emphasis oninside, and I swallowed nervously. “Was there anything missing?”

One eyebrow arched up inquisitively. “You don’t look shocked.”

I cleared my throat. “Of course, I’m shocked. No one should’ve been in your room, not even housekeeping. Are you sure that?—”

His narrowed eyes cut me off. Of course, he was sure. Hell, at this point, I knew someone had broken into his room.Applesauce.How was I going to handle this?

I licked my lips. “I’m so sorry, sir. I cannot apologize enough. Was anything missing?” I asked again. “Did you have anything in the safe?”

With a frown on his face, he leaned back against the wall next to the vanity and continued studying me. “Why aren’t you surprised?” he asked in a low, silky voice that caused tremors down my spine. He was annoyed, for sure, but not angry. I wasn’t scared, exactly, but there was a hint of something dangerous in the way he stared at me.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a few break-ins.”

“Robberies?” he asked, tone hard.

Yep. The muscles I was admiring earlier now seemed intimidating. This man pissed off could go very badly for me. I shook my head frantically. “No, no. It’s been only break-ins. Although, yours is the most obvious so far. Up until now, it was little things moved around or drawers that had had been rifled in.” Pausing, I blew out a breath. “I don’t know what to say.”

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