Page 54 of Sapphire Sunset

True, some stormed out the front doors lugging theirsuitcases, preparing to unleash all manner of verbal hell against Sapphire Coveas soon as the cameras reached them.

But a surprising number of them were lining up at the frontdesk. Probably so they could demand refunds and other special requests, whichGloria Alvarez was granting pretty much across the board. So long as theydidn’t involve stealing furniture from the guest rooms.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized heshouldn’t have been surprised by this unexpected formality. These were, afterall, guests who’d stayed through the night, so it wasn’t the FBI raid that haddriven them off. It was the constant presence of the media just outside theentrance to the motor court. Maybe they figured the cameras would leave aftertwenty-four hours, but so far, no sign of it. And with Rodney’s arraignment notscheduled until Monday morning, he doubted they’d be gone anytime soon.

Whatever the case, the result was a logjam at the front deskunlike any he’d ever seen.

The drinks, both hard and soft, and hors d’oeuvres beingpassed through the crowd by the restaurant staff were definitely making thingseasier, a perk made possible by the restaurant’s complete absence of customers.

“So does this gig come with a gun?” a familiar voice saidinto his ear.

When he saw Donnie had gone to the trouble of wearing a blueblazer like the one Logan had stolen from the locker of an arrested coworker,Logan practically threw his arms around the guy. But his best friend hadn’tgone completely formal. His sandy blond hair was still rumpled from the baseballcap he’d probably torn off his head right before he walked in. His light scruffmatched his hair, and against his tan skin, carefree attitude, and blue bedroomeyes, it always made him look like a sun-kissed beach bum who’d just woken upfrom a nap in a hammock, cradling a Corona on his stomach.

Standing a few feet away were three good-looking guys.Familiar-looking guys. Instead of blazers, they each wore different types ofdress pants. But the pants fit. That was all Logan cared about. Their polo shirtsweren’t exactly formal, but they’d each tucked them in, which not onlyhighlighted their muscular physiques, but made them look like tough guys who’dbeen strong-armed into attending their fancy little sister’s birthday tea.

“Man, I am glad to see you,” Logan said.

“And don’t forget my backup dancers here.” He gestured forhis three friends to step forward. “Logan, this is Brandon, Scott, and J.T.,and yes, those are their real names.”

Each one stepped forward in turn and gave Logan a firmshake, as if they’d practiced.

Brandon was taller than Logan, which was saying something.Olive skinned, with a chiseled face and a Caesar cut of jet black hair andgiant arms. Next to him was Scott, with a gymnast’s compact body and a bleachedhigh-top fade that contrasted with his dark skin. He came up to about Logan’sstomach but looked like he could probably do a triple backflip across the lobbyon a moment’s notice. Logan wasn’t worried about the guy’s height. He’d metenough Navy SEALS over the years who could kill a man in three quick moves despitebeing five foot, four inches. And then there was J.T., with corn silk blondhair in a conservative side part, big chestnut eyes that made him look eager toplease, and milky skin the same shade as the sunscreen he probably needed tokeep from burning to a crisp the second he stepped outside.

“Nice to meet you, gents, and I appreciate you stepping uptoday,” Logan said.

“Seriously, though,” Scott said. “Do we get guns?”

“Yeah, no, we don’t do guns here. Too much liability.”

“Okay, good,’causeI don’t havefirearms training,” Scott answered.

“I do,” J.T. said in an adorable Southern accent Loganfigured was either Tennessee or one of the Carolinas. “I can shoot a beer canoff a rock at fifty feet.”

“Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind. But yeah, we don’t havemany shootings here at Sapphire Cove.”

“Just blackmail, right?” Donnie landed an affectionate punchon Logan’s shoulder.

Logan grabbed Donnie’s hand and drove it down to his sidewith enough force to make his wrist hurt. “Not funny, dude,” he growled.

“Come on, man. It’s a little funny.” Donnie’s winning smilehad melted hearts as hard as Logan’s over the years. Not this time.

Logan heard a familiar voice shout his name from across thelobby. It was Gloria. She rarely raised her voice, even when she was angry.Working her way up from the front desk through the events office to one of theassistant general manager positions had given her an encyclopedic knowledge ofthe hotel that kept her calm under the worst of circumstances. This one wastesting her. And even though she’d been awake for almost twenty-four hours, herthick black mane was neatly held in place by a barrette tie-back. She eyed thegaggle of handsome new arrivals as she approached, gave them polite nods andsmiles, then she pulled Logan away from the group by one arm.

“Could I have a moment?”

Logan knew it wasn’t a question. He followed her away fromthe group.

“We have a news bulletin from our friends at the bank.They’re on their way over with our new GM. And it’s Connor Harcourt.”

“Holy shit.”

Gloria turned, startled by his reaction. “You’ve met? Hehasn’t been here in five years.”

“No, I mean, I was worried you’d be upset,” Logan lied.

“Why would I be upset?”

“Makes sense to promote you, doesn’t it?”

---