Page 5 of Sir Avery's Wish
“That’s why I’m here.” Avery leaned against some shelves, hoping his relaxed demeanor might calm Eli. “I’d like to understand your situation.”
Eli’s breathing quickened. He glanced toward the door, then back at Avery. “I... I just needed somewhere to stay temporarily. I didn’t damage or take anything, I swear.” He winced. “Are you firing me?”
The question hung in the air between them, and Avery’s stomach clenched at the raw fear in Eli’s voice. His hands trembled as he clutched the towel like a lifeline, and Avery found himself wanting to smooth away the panic etched across Eli’s delicate features.
“No.” Avery kept his voice steady, though the sight of Eli’s obvious terror stirred something protective in him. “But I am concerned about your welfare. Living in a storage room can’t be comfortable or safe.”
Eli’s laugh came out bitter and shaky. “It’s better than the alternative.”
The words sparked Avery’s curiosity, but he sensed pushing too hard would only make Eli retreat further. He’d dealt with enough employees over the years to recognize the signs of someone who’d been backed into a corner.
“What alternative?”
Avery inched closer to Eli, who seemed wobbly on his feet. Eli took a step backward, bumping into one of the washing machines. The vibration seemed to jolt him into action.
“I—I have to go.” Eli dropped the towel and scurried toward the door with jerky, panicked movements. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any problems.”
“Wait.” Avery straightened, alarmed by the young man’s reaction. “Eli, you don’t have to—”
But Eli was already pushing past him, his shoulder brushing against Avery’s chest as he fled. The brief contact sent an unexpected buzz through Avery, something that had nothing to do with static electricity and everything to do with the desperate vulnerability he’d glimpsed in those hazel eyes.
“Eli!” Avery called out, rushing to follow him, hoping to convince him that all he wanted to do was help. But the kid was small and swift. “You’re not in any trouble!”
By the time Avery reached the main room, Eli was nowhere to be seen. The staff members folding linens had stopped their work, watching with wide eyes as their boss stood in their midst, out of breath and undoubtedly disheveled. Fewer nights sitting at his desk and more time spent in the gym seemed like a good plan going forward.
“Did you see which way he went?” Avery straightened his tie, then ran a hand across the top of his head.
One of the older women pointed toward the service corridor. “That way, sir. Like the devil himself was on his heels.”
Avery nodded his thanks and strode toward the exit, his mind racing. What had pushed Eli to such desperate measures? The fear in his eyes hadn’t been merely about losing a job. His reaction was deeper, more primal. The kind of fear that came from genuine danger.
He hurried along the service corridor, his dress shoes clicking against the concrete floor. By the time he reached the service elevator, the doors were closing, a glimpse of auburn hair disappearing inside. Avery pressed the call button repeatedly, but the elevator had already begun its ascent.
“Dammit,” he muttered, glancing at the stairwell door nearby.
He jogged over to it, yanking the door open before taking the stairs two at a time, his breath coming in short bursts. The stairwell was stuffy and dimly lit, and he made a mental note to improve the lighting for safety reasons. His restrictive jacket fought his frame as he climbed, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He loosened his tie further, cursing himself for not taking a moment to think this through.
When he reached the ground floor, he paused, hands on his knees, catching his breath. His heart pounded as he scanned the hallway, checking both sides, hoping to catch a glimpse of Eli. Avery straightened with a groan, reaching into his suit pocket to retrieve his cell. He hit the button for security.
“This is Lockwood. I need you to locate an employee, Eli Newman. Medium height, auburn hair in a ponytail, wearing a laundry staff uniform. He may be trying to leave the building.”
“Should we notify the police, sir?”
“No, no, it’s nothing like that. He thinks he’s in trouble, but he’s not. I…” Avery rubbed his forehead. “Just see if you can find him, please.”
“Sure. Should we detain him in the office if we do?”
“What? No…” Avery heaved a sigh. Nope. He wasn’t thinking things through at all. It wasn’t as if he could force Eli to stay on the property. “Never mind. I’ll handle this another way.”
“Are you sure?” The gruff voice of his head man, Benny, further cemented his decision. Eli would freak out, which was the last thing the poor guy needed. “Because Pedro just clocked in,” Benny continued. “I can send him to the lobby right now.”
“No, that’s all right. If you should happen to run across him, let him know I’m saving his belongings for him.”
If they still handed out paper checks, he could’ve used that as a carrot to entice Avery back to the hotel.
“Whatever you say, sir. I’ll let you know if we run across him.”
“Thanks.”
