Levi gets out, then comes and opens my door. I slid out, then helped Nyah. Hand in hand, we walk to the entrance like the power couple we are, being greeted by valet and security as Levi follows behind us. I smile seeing guests laughing and talking while occupying the seats in the lobby. Several are at the front counter either checking in or out. Through the windows of the café, I see the majority of the tables are filled. It’s apparent the staff has been handling things accordingly in our absence.

As we stroll towards the elevator, Lisa leaves the counter and approaches us.

“Excuse me, Mr. Hillard,” she starts but gets interrupted.

“It’s about time you finally fucking show up,” a female says behind us.

We turn around and see Fonda and Hanna standing there. Where the Hell did they come from?

“This is what I was trying to warn you about,” Lisa whispers, rolling her eyes.

“It’s fine, Lisa. You can return to your area,” I tell her.

“Yes, sir,” she returns before leaving.

I don’t know why these two are here but Nyah’s energy of agitation from their presence filters through me.

Keeping things professional, I ask, “Fonda and Hanna why are you here? You are no longer employees of the Hillard Hotel.”

Hanna, the one with all the mouth steps forward, holding out a manilla envelope. “We’re here to serve you a case of wrongful termination.”

“Is that right?” I questioned.

“Yes, it is,” she answers. “The way I see it, this situation can go one of two different ways, and the latter will not be a good look for you and your business.”

Nyah holds up her hand, stopping her. “Before we get into that, let’s take this into the conference room, away from the guests.”

“Fine,” Hanna smirks.

Levi waves over two more guards to join us. I don’t think Fonda and Hanna will try anything stupid, but he’s doing his job just in case.

On the ride up to the conference room in the elevator, Fonda and Hanna whisper amongst themselves, unbeknownst to them Nyah, Levi, and I can hear everything they are saying.

“He knows we have him by the balls,” Hanna tells Fonda. “I told you he would rather pay us off than having us go public and destroy his business.”

Fonda laughs. “You did and I’m ready to collect my money.”

“And we will. Just stick to the plan,” Hanna returns.

Nyah cuts her eyes at me with a sly smile when we reach our floor. As the door opens, she says, “I need to run to my office. I’ll join you all in a few minutes.”

“Somehow, I knew these two would eventually show back up, so have something for them that will slap these heifers in the face,” she communicates through our bond.

Ecstatic that we still have that link, I say,“Do what you need to, love. These two think they are about to get over on us. I can’t wait to see what you have.”

Acting normal, I tell Nyah, “Understood.” Call me petty but I couldn’t stop myself from putting on an open display of PDA by locking her in my arms and passionately kissing her.

Fonda sucks her teeth. “So, I got fired because I was attracted to you but...” she points to Nyah, “she gets away with doing the same thing?”

Nyah’s eyes roam over the woman before she steps out of the elevator and goes towards her office.

Ignoring Fonda’s question and not even turning around to address her, I instruct her and Hanna to follow me to the conference room.

As we enter, I take the seat at the head of the conference table with Levi standing behind me, Fonda, and Hanna sitting in the chairs on the right.

I know they didn’t have shit, but I chose to play along with their shenanigans. Steepling my hands, I ask, “Please tell me why we are here today. Hanna, you said there were only two ways this situation could go. What did you mean about that? From my standpoint, you two were let go for legitimate reasons.”

Hanna shakes her head. “No, you let us go because you fell under the spell of Nyah Lightfeather, who felt we were her competition to move up in the business.”