Page 6 of Before We Were Us

“Okay.” I switch lanes, preparing to turn around.

“It’s swarming with cops and Sebastian is in New York with Gregory going over some potential investment opportunities.”

“Why are there cops?”

“I’m on my way but I’m more than an hour out,” he states and I hear the rustling on the other end of the line.

“Do you have any information you can offer me in preparation for what I’m walking into?”

He lets out a big sigh, and I glance at Taylor who is no longer smiling.

“Housekeeping found a body in one of the suites.” My chest grows tight. And Taylor's eyes widen. “Detectives have the entire floor blocked off, they are combing through the footage. I gave them full access. But I need one of us there, to maintain control. That is what you girls do, so go keep the peace and ensure our remaining guests there is no need for concern.”

“And are we confident there isn’t?”

“No, but your job is to make them believe that regardless.” He ends the call and I lean back in my seat, gripping my steering wheel tightly.

“Dude,” Taylor finally says after several minutes. “What the fuck?”

“Are you ready for this?”

“Does one ever truly get ready for something like this?”

I don’t answer her question as I round the corner and the front of the hotel comes into view. Flashing lights and undercover cars line the street, and just outside the entrance there are several policemen, both in uniform and in regular clothing. All wearing badges and guns strapped to their hips.

“If the circumstances were different I would so make a cuff me to the bed joke right now.” I smile, because Taylor is so out of her element right now and I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a moment like it before.

Together we climb out of the car and start walking toward the front entrance when two officers step out to block us.

“Unfortunately ma’am?—”

“Not ma’am.” I’m twenty-four years old and this guy looks like he could be my father or even my grandfather. “My name is Brynnlee Webster and my family owns this hotel.” I pull out my card. “I understand that my father has already given you clearance to gather any information that may be needed, but we do have the right to be present. I’m here until he can arrive.”

He passes the card off to the other officer who then turns and steps just inside. I’m about to speak up again when a familiar face steps out through the glass doors and into the light of the morning. My mouth suddenly feels dry, as I fist my hands, my fingernails biting into the flesh.

“No freaking way,” Taylor says at my side.

I didn’t expect to see him, unaware that he worked in this district. It’d been more than a year since Wesley and I ended things. Or more when I found out he’d been screwing around with an old acquaintance of his behind my back. It took all I had to keep Seb from showing up on his doorstep to teach him a lesson for hurting his sister. The thing is, I wasn’t that hurt, more relieved that it was over.

“Well, look at you.” Wes walks out holding my card in his hand as his eyes roam over me from head to toe. “Let her through,” he says to the two officers but continues to stare at me.

“Would I get arrested if I kicked him in the balls?” Taylor asks, not even trying to keep her voice low. “I’d love to see him on the ground crying in pain with his pencil dick in hand.”

“It’s good to see you too, Tay.” He chuckles and she glares. The two of them never got along. She called him a snake from the start.

“Pig.” She glares. “It has several meanings in reference to the current situation but for you it's the dirty little snorting creature that smells like ass, and eats any piece of sloppy garbage you place at its feet. How’s Fiona doing these days anyway?”

I bite my inner cheek when Taylor tosses out the name of the girl he was screwing.

“Wouldn’t know,” he adds.

“Hmm, seems she figured out she was wasting her time too.”

“I need to talk to the lead on this investigation,” I interrupt their battle.

“What, no catching up?” I hold his stare, my mouth pressed in a tight line. “Still pissed I see.” He has the nerve to smile. “Detective Steele is leading the case.” He steps aside and holds his hand out for me to start walking. When I don’t he proceeds and I follow behind.

“Steele,” I hear him say just as he pauses, moving out of the way and for the second time in the last five minutes I stumble. What in the fuck did I do to wake up to a day like this?

---