Page 69 of Sapphire Sunset

“As many as we can house. We lost one hundred guests totalsince the story broke, and fifty since this morning, and it’s not showing anysigns of slowing down. Pretty soon we’re going to be empty.”

Connor could sense a struggle in Logan’s silence.

“Obviously, this is about PR as much as it’s about helpingpeople,” Logan finally said.

“Absolutely. And clearly you have some concerns, so let’shear ’em.”

“It’s more about the security side of things. We’re reallylow on manpower right now.”

“Well, maybe it’s themanpart that’s the problem.Should we recruit some women?” Connor asked.

“I’m down, as long as they’re comfortable going into tensesituations alone. We don’t have the heads to buddy people up. And to be honest,the guys Donnie brought seem solid, but they’re former sex workers, and thatcould be an issue.”

“Not with me it won’t.”

At first, Connor wasn’t sure why Logan was smiling andchewing his bottom lip. Then it hit him—not with me you won’t.Withone exception, they were the same words he’d whispered to Logan in the sea cavesthat long-ago night, right after Logan expressed fear he’d get in trouble formaking out with Connor.

Connor’s cheeks got as hot as they had the first time Logancalled him Baby Blues.

“Sorry. That was unintentional,” Connor said.

“It’s fine.” But Logan, it seemed, was blushing too, andthat made Connor’s heart race. “Anyway, I’m worried about what happens if somereporter figures out we’ve got three former porn performers working for us.”

Or Sylvia Milton, Connor thought.

“I wouldn’t fire them,” Connor said. “The blackmail palacehas no right to take a puritanical attitude toward perfectly legal sex work.”

“I appreciate that, and I’m sure they would too. But ifthey’re being harassed, they might quit, and then we’d be down three guys.”

“A valid point,” Connor said.

“But I’m only bringing this up because in a normalsituation, if we’re talking about housing a bunch of evacuees who might beboozing pretty hard to deal with the stress, I’d recommend we double the numberof guys on the graveyard shift in case someone has a late-night freak-out.Right now we can’t. We don’t have the people. So basically, my response is,it’s a lot of unknowns when we don’t have a lot of security.”

“We’d be prioritizing at-risk evacuees they’re worried abouthousing in county shelters. Apparently that’s a lot of elderly women who livealone.”

“Anyone who doesn’t think a bunch of old women can get rowdyshould visit a bingo hall.”

“Are you a bingo hall regular, Mr. Murdoch?”

“Volunteer with my dad at least once a month.”

“Well, aren’t you a good boy,” Connor said.

“I try. I’m getting better.”

There it was. Logan’s signature smile. Wide-eyed and directand inviting, and impossible to look away from. The fact that he was also leaningcasually against the closed office door, as if trying to seductively barConnor’s escape, only made it harder for Connor to look away.

Dear God, it’s me, Connor. Please tell me why you’veinvented a man who can make my butt clench with his smile.

“Are we talking about bingo because you think I shouldn’t dothis?” Connor asked.

“No. But I think we need to beef up our security staffpronto. When are you thinking of starting?”

“Tonight.” Connor punctuated this announcement with abrusque nod.

“Tonight?” Logan stood up straight. “Woah, okay. Well, Iwon’t be able to hire a bunch of new people by then.”

“And you don’t think I should do it until you can.”

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