Scarlett Red: A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 2 (In the Shadows) Read Online Free Page A

right over. If you’ll excuse me.”
    “Of course. Thank you. And I promise to always keep you in the loop in the future.”
    “Wonderful!” Smiling, he walks away, putting his phone to his ear.
    While I wait for the bellhop to finish helping three women, each with two pieces of luggage, I check my phone for a text message from Cass. Sure enough, she’d sent one.
     
    Cass: Mr. Sexy-Voiced Pilot must be hot as hell for you to hang up on me like you did.
     
    Me: You’ll never know since you’re NOT here. Traitor! You’re the only reason I came.
     
    Once I hit send, someone lifts the handle on my suitcase. Turning to address the bellhop, I stiffen. “Where’s Donald?”
    Bash tilts his chin toward the closing elevator doors with Donald and six pieces of luggage squished inside. “He’s going to be busy for a bit. I’ll help you with your luggage. You’re in the Executive suite, right?”
    I push my shoulders back. “Thanks, but I’ll just wait for him.”
    He acts like I haven’t spoken, walking across the lobby with my suitcase in tow as he heads toward a long hallway leading to the West wing.
    “Hey!” I call out, striding after him when it becomes obvious he’s not stopping. “I can take my luggage to my room myself.”
    “Then why did you need Donald?” he says over his shoulder without breaking his stride.
    The hall is too narrow for me to pull up beside him and the suitcase, so I just follow behind, fuming. “Because I want to talk to him about a guest who stayed here before.”
    He glances over his shoulder, blue eyes flashing at me before he opens a door at the end of the hall. “Who was it? I might know the answer.”
    What floor is the Executive suite on? I wonder, following him into the stairwell. “You said you’re only here to fill in for Trevor while he’s on vacation, so no, you won’t know since this pre-dates your time here.”
    Shrugging his agreement, he lifts my suitcase and starts up the stairs. I climb behind him, silently counting to a hundred to keep my temper in check as we clear several flights. So far we’ve climbed past the forth floor. Normally I wouldn’t mind, but I’m in heels and I’m pretty sure he’s taken the stairs on purpose to pay me back for calling him an ass.
    Finally he stops at the fifth floor door. I bite my tongue to keep from making a snarky remark about bypassing a whole bank of elevators earlier.
    We emerge in a quiet alcove and then walk all the way to the end of the plush, carpeted hall.
    “I need to check if your room’s ready, Miss Lone.”
    When he holds his hand out for my keycard, I hesitate. “Isn’t that the maid’s job?” I say, but hand him my key anyway.
    “Stay here.”
    After he shuts the door in my face, I stand outside, getting more annoyed by the second.
    A minute later, he opens the door wide and pulls my suitcase inside, handing me the card back. “You’re all good.”
    “Okaaaaay then.” When he doesn’t say anything, it hits me why he’s still standing there. “Oh, sorry. Just a sec.” I lift my purse and pull out my wallet to give him a tip.
    Bash ignores the cash I try to hand him, his mouth tightening. “Listen, I think we got off on the wrong foot.”
    I slide the money back into my wallet. “No, you were pretty loud and clear in your assumptions about me. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a bellhop to track down.”
    He glances at the clock on the wall next to the door. “Donald has already clocked out and left by now. He’s a waiter over at the Bayside Bar & Grill during his off hours. Your questions will have to wait until tomorrow.”
    Like hell they will. I’ll track the kid down myself. My thoughts must’ve shown in my expression because he folds his arms. “If you can wait a couple hours, I’ll take you.”
    “I’m perfectly capable of taking a cab.”
    He frowns. “Some of the bars and pubs near the Bayside restaurant attract a rough crowd. It’s better if you don’t go alone.”
    When