Page 106 of Release Me

I keep going down the list. My attention snags on another familiar name. “Are you kidding me? Brock too?”

Ronan leans forward to read his screen, bringing him closer to me. “Where?”

“There.” I tap the name. “He works my rentals with the other guys.” A crew that is dwindling quickly.But we have Rolland now, I remind myself. A scrawny kid who will have to work twice as hard to keep up and will likely quit by the end of the weekend.

Ronan slips his index fingertip over the mouse pad, guiding the cursor to the approval column and ticks offnonext to Brock.

“Just like that.”

“See this list here?” He flips to another tab. “These are all alternates. We can pull from there. We have options.”

“But then you won’t have the best people for the job.”

“They’re outdoor crew. There’s leeway with that job. Trust me, I know.” He smirks. “Losing these people won’t hurt Wolf, but it will hurt you.” His eyes drift over my lips before meeting my gaze again. “I’m not going to let that happen.”

My pulse races. Does he realize the effect he has on me when he says things like that? When he looks at me likethat?

Ronan breaks the eye lock first, returning his focus to his computer. He opens his email and clicks on a link to another spreadsheet. “This is Lena’s side. She’s responsible for all the restaurants, housekeeping, and entertainment.”

“That’s a lot.”

“It is, but she’s a pro.” He stalls on a tab that readsAquarius. “I’m assuming none of your staff moonlight as mermaids?”

My eyebrows arch. I saw the giant tropical tank featured on the Wolf’s website. “That was real? You’re actually going to have people swimming around in mermaid costumes?”

“Apparently. But they’re not hired through this process. They train.”

I frown. “Where do you train for that?”

“The fuck if I know. Mermaid school.” He clicks over to a tab markedSeraphina’s.

My heart sinks when I see Jeremy’s name at the top. There’s a note in the comments section next to his name. “Part time, two days a week, evenings only?” I read out loud.

“I got Lena to agree to that. The hours shouldn’t conflict. That way he can keep doing what he does for you?—”

“But I told you to leave himoffthe hit list.” I can’t help my sharp tone.

“He’ll get his foot in the door, make some good cash, andthen he’ll get hired full time in the fall. But you still have him for the next few months.” He pauses. “It’s my choice, Sloane, not yours.”

He’s only doing it for me, and we both know it.Buthis choicemeans I only have to hire two new captains, rather than three. As much as I don’t like it, I need this right now. I skim the page, noting Cody’s name. “Heisa cockroach,” I scoff, but then I note theXin the “not approved” box.

“Told you it’s handy having me as a friend.”

I can’t stifle my smile of satisfaction, even as I counter, “He’s a thief. You did that for the hotel, not for me.”

“I did it for the hotelandfor you.”

“Why?” I’m close enough that I can pick out the flecks of gold in his irises.

He studies me as acutely. “Because that’s what friends do.” He taps the counter with his finger. “Anyone else?”

I skim the rest of the list and stall on another name. “Amanda Seymour.”

“One of yours?”

“Yeah, she works in the coffee shop. Frankjustfinished training her.”

“I’ll tell Lena to cut her when I get back.” Ronan’s hand moves for the laptop cursor.

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