Page 22 of Savage Romance
“One of our guests tried to commit suicide.” Her face was so pale, she looked almost translucent.
Ben returned the phone to his ear. “Lenny, change of plans. You need to get Zoe to the hotel ASAP.”
He disconnected the call and took Zoe by the elbow. “Do I need to come with you?”
“No, no.” She shook her head vehemently. “You have work to do. Speaking of, how are you going to get to the casino?”
“I’m going to take the Audi.”
After escorting Zoe to the Bentley and imploring Lenny to keep an eye out for her, Ben took the flights of stairs two steps at the time. Taking a double-quick shower, he headed into the walk-in closet to get dressed, once again extremely thankful for the color-coordinated arrangement. Remembering Zoe’s remark about the suits, he grabbed the first he encountered. If he was quick, he could settle the casino and afterward go and see what a mess the hotel was in. Tie fluttering around his neck and still buttoning his shirt, Ben descended the stairs.
Chapter Sixteen
Safely tucked away in the Bentley, shielded from outside behind the blackout glass and from the driver by the privacy divider, Zoe let go of the firm hold she kept on her emotions. She shuddered. Suicide. It was heartbreaking to learn a person had taken their own life. Knowing survival is one of the most basic urges humankind has, to be so desperate to let go of life is difficult to comprehend. She couldn’t wrap her mind around it. It was also heart-crushing for the people they left behind. Loved ones would never stop wondering, “Why…”
And he is so young.
Just a kid.
Successful.
What drove him?
Her mind was spinning, and Zoe curled in on herself, huddling against the back seat of the car. She’d met Leal Cox briefly on the day the seventeen-year-old singer and actor checked into the hotel with his entourage. He’d seemed happy, carefree even—laughing, joking, and lapping up the attention.
Could I have prevented his decision?
Did I miss the signs?
Did I miss them with Michael?
Oh, God.
If I had been more available.
A better sister.
How could she have missed all the signs? Not once but twice already!
Zoe cricked her neck and tried to pull herself out of the vortex of negative emotions and thoughts. She needed to be professional, deal with the situation, and be on her A-game. Later she could deal with her own reaction, maybe talk with Ben. Oh, Ben. She wished she’d taken him up on his offer and accepted his help. I need you. But no, she couldn’t. He had his own responsibilities and she had hers.
Her stomach lurched and she swallowed as excess saliva gathered in her mouth. Zoe concentrated on her breathing.
“We’re here, Mrs. Dennehy.”
She jumped and blinked. Lenny had opened the door, and with an odd expression on his face, was waiting for her to exit the car. Zoe winced and wondered how long she’d zoned out?
“… Leal Cox.”
“… suicide attempt.”
“… drugs…”
“… too much pressure, the poor kid.”
The buzzing of whisper-shouted words came from the crowd gathered around the hotel entrance. A crowd. Her stomach tightened. She needed to do damage control. This is an outright PR disaster. Straightening her spine, she accepted Lenny’s outstretched hand, and exited the vehicle.
An ambulance, back doors open, blocked the view to the entrance of the hotel. Zoe frowned. Several people had cell phones out. Pride swelled in her chest as she noticed how many of her staff members were trying to control the crowd and how they managed to keep them at a distance.
