Page 35 of Devil's Deal

I held myself still. Bosley hadn’t gone into details last night other than to say he’d rescued her before some asshole raped her. I didn’t ask for details. He’d been worried about the girl. Hell, we both were, so we’d fussed over her and made sure she had everything she needed before going up to my room.

I hadn’t been sure what to expect from him. But he’d been Bosley, acting normally, like I’d come to expect from him. A little intense, a lot attentive. We hadn’t had sex, though. He’d taken a shower while I’d made him a BLT since I could handle at least that much in the kitchen, and then we’d gone to sleep. He’d kissed me awake this morning, but he’d already been dressed, so after assuring me that he’d send up food for Charity, he’d left. I still had no idea where he went when he left here, and I was more scared to ask now than ever.

I’d had a killer in my bed. Was I really that surprised? No, I realized I really wasn’t. “I’m glad he was there,” I finally said in response.

“Me, too. He said I’d be safe with him. He promised. And he didn’t lie.” She said it with such wonder that it broke my heart. How many people had let this young girl down in her life?

“He’s a good man.” I stood up. “I have to get back to work, but like I told you last night, if you need anything, pick up the phone and dial zero. One of my guys will come get me.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll get out of your hair today.”

I shook my head. “No, you’re fine. Let’s wait until we speak with Bosley before you make any decisions. Okay?”

“Are you sure?”

Applesauce. She looked so young and insecure. I hoped Bosley didn’t intend to make a habit of bringing home people who he’d rescued. I’d end up keeping them all. “I’m positive. Please. Stay.”

She smiled slowly, tentatively. “Thank you again.”

“It’s my pleasure.” I made it to the door before saying, “I’ll see you later, Charity. I mean it. We want you here.”

Outside her room, I slumped back against the wall. That poor girl. Bosley had told me that there was a crew of them. The blondies was what he’d nicknamed them. Were they all as small and young as her? I rubbed a hand over my chest. I hated the thought of what might’ve happened to her if he hadn’t come across her. What had he been doing out there?

As I made my way down the hall, I realized I should really be more bothered by the fact Charity had just told me that she’d witnessed Bosley slitting her attacker’s throat. That she’d seen Bosley murder someone. But I couldn’t find it in myself to care. Maybe I’d care later after Charity’s eye was healed or she’d moved on, but I couldn’t think about that right now. I needed to focus on my hotel.

After watching Huey all day yesterday, I’d decided I needed to have a chat with him as soon as he came in today. Harlow had been right; he wasn’t holding up his end. As much as I could use a dose of Everest’s kindness right now, I ran down the stairs, formulating how exactly I should approach Huey. Before I made it halfway through the lobby, Dante appeared in front of me. “Hey, Cory.”

My heart began beating erratically. “Please, please, please don’t tell me we had another break-in.”

“Oh, no. I’m sorry. Bosley just asked me to check in with you today and make sure you were all right.”

“He did?” I asked. I didn’t know why I was surprised. That sounded totally like the man I was coming to know.

But he was more than the person who’d slept in my bed the last two nights, wasn’t he? He was also the person who made deals with the mob and played judge, jury, and executioner with rapists. What had I gotten myself into? Life had been so easy with Mac, simple and uncomplicated. The only drama in our lives had been what my sister’s situation brought into it.

“Cory? Mr. Letterman?”

I rolled my eyes at Dante. “Don’t start that Mr. Letterman crap. I told you to call me Cory, and I meant it. The only one who calls me Mr. Letterman is Everest, and I’ve given up on arguing with him.”

Dante barked out a laugh. “Yeah, I can’t see anyone winning an argument with him. He’s cool for an old guy, though.”

“I can’t argue with you there. If Bosley checks in with you, tell him everything’s fine.”

“Okay, I will. That’s good to hear.”

I went to pass him when a thought occurred to me. Dante had been around observing everything and everyone. Maybe it wasn’t okay to ask, but… “Have you noticed anything weird with Huey? I wouldn’t ask, but?—”

He held up his hand, cutting me off. “I heard what Harlow said, and I have to tell you, I thought all the same things. That Huey guy doesn’t get it, and he’s too old to be so oblivious at how much his actions put more work on Harlow. Like, seriously. No work ethic or pride in his job.”

Applesauce. That was what I’d been thinking, too. I smiled tightly. “Yeah, thanks, Dante.”

Changing course, I headed over to the concierge desk. “Amy, do you have any appointments this afternoon?”

The thirty-something-year-old woman who was working today glanced at her computer screen, then nodded. “I do, but not until three-thirty. Did you need something?”

“Do you think you can help Harlow out over at the main desk? You’d still be able to see this one and run over if someone stops for help.”

“Sure. That’s no problem.” She reached down and grabbed her purse from under the counter.

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