Page 116 of Release Me

Yeah, sorry for being MIA. I’m basically living in my office. We’re opening next weekend.

I happen to be free. Corporate discount?

Itoss my phone onto my desk with a chuckle and rub the tiredness from my eyes. Hell, it’s already almost ten. I’ve been here before the lights come on in the pit and I’ve been the last to leave every night for the past two weeks.

Heels click in the hallway, warning me of Belinda’s approach. True to her word, she has donated hours of her time each day for the past two weeks, pulling up a chair to walk methrough systems, explaining reports and even basic details like the company hierarchy lists and operating principles—things that mean nothing for an outdoor crew grunt but are supposed to drive every call I make as a director. She’s walked me through decisions I’m pressed for, talking through various scenarios until I can see the best answer at the end of it.

For everything else the woman may be, she’s brilliant. She could probably rival Henry himself for running Wolf Hotels. Also, she doesn’t seem to think I’m a complete waste of air anymore.

Belinda knocks and a split second later she strolls in, not waiting for my answer. “Update on the course?”

“They finished it this afternoon.” Dorian admitted that the pools of water on the ninth hole were an issue, and then I had the displeasure of dealing with the construction company’s president. After three days of playing a game of we-followed-the-architect’s-plans and we’ll-send-you-a-quote-for-the-new-work, I ran out of patience. That’s when I learned about the company that lost the original bid. So I contacted them. They were more than happy to send a small army the next morning—engineers, man power, heavy machinery—to tear up the hole and correct the problem.

“Good.” She nods with satisfaction.

“I doubt head office will feel that way at our next budget meeting.”

“They’ll whine for a bit and then they’ll release the money from their reserves. We had no choice. It had to be fixed before we opened.” She shrugs. “I’m heading out now. You should think about leaving too. It’s Saturday night. I’m sure you have better things to do than be here.” She carries a soft brown leather computer bag over one shoulder, with her pink blazer draped over it. Even on a quiet weekend, she’s dressed to impress, her hourglass figure on display in a pencil skirt and a fitted silk sleeveless shirt. I wonder if she owns sweatpants.

“Soon. I have a few things left to sort out ahead of themedia open.” Everyone seems to need my approval before they can sneeze. And with Henry coming in on Monday, people are extra antsy.

“You know you can bring your computer home, right?”

Leaning back in my chair, I stretch. “I live with Connor. I get more done here.” And surprisingly, I’m not hating the four walls of my office as much as I expected to, but that could be because I’m too busy figuring things out to notice that I haven’t felt the sun in days. “But I’m taking tomorrow off. Gonna rot by the pool andnotthink.” Grow a pair and swing by Mermaid Beach to see how Sloane’s doing.

“Good.” Her gaze drags over my torso. “You deserve it.”

I mock frown. “Wait, sorry, what? Did I hear that correctly?”

Belinda rolls her eyes but then her full lips stretch with a rare, genuine smile. “Oh! I almost forgot.” She pulls a manila envelope out of her bag and takes the three steps to drop it on my desk.

“What’s this?” I dig out a stack of papers. They’re letters to “valuable guests,” each with the gold Wolf Hotel logo embossed on the top.

“These are what we call golden tickets.” Belinda perches her ass on the corner of my desk, the slit in her skirt parting. “In addition to our list of various media, political, and corporate parties, we like to extend invitations to suitable guests for two nights to enjoy all the facilities. They get free spa treatments, meals, drinks within reason. It’s a good way to help fill lounge chairs and dining tables, especially for the cameras. Call it a perk for your position.”

I leaf through the sheets. There are eight of them in total, each invitation good for two adults. “Can I invite my mom?”

“Does she look hot in a bikini?”

I cringe at the suggestion.

“We can talk about comping a room for dear mom later, but for now, I’d think about any acquaintances you might have,preferably female, who would photograph well in the hotel setting. The cabanas, the pool, the bars. Think influencer type. People who haven’t been featured on People of Walmart.”

Acquaintances … a perk … “So, you want me to find sixteen hot women I’ve probably fucked at some point to help sell Wolf’s image.”

Her eyes flash. “You’re finally catching on.”

“Why didn’t you say that.” I chuckle. “I may know a few.”

“I figured as much. These are good for Thursday and Friday night. Don’t waste them.” Her clicking heels move away at a clipped rate.

I groan. In addition to everything else, now I have to play this game? Hell no, I don’t have time for this.

A thought strikes me. I grab my phone.

How’s Carrie’s bachelorette party planning going?

47.Ronan

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