Page 6 of Confused AF
“Which we didn’t ask for,” Vaden interrupted smoothly. “Nor did we ask for you to lose the packages that were entrusted to you.”
She licked her lips and brushed her hair over her shoulder, a small but visible crack in her armor. “We’re searching for your shipment. I’m sure it will be located soon.”
“Oh, I have no doubt.” Rather than reassurance, it sounded a hell of a lot like a threat. “Still, the fact remains that you managed to lose both our packages and our room. Surely that deserves some kind of compensation.”
A person I assumed to be the manager arrived then—a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair and a plastic smile—and ushered the brunette away from the computer. Dressed in a crisp suit with a blood-red tie, he sort of looked like a banker.
I instantly disliked him.
“Gentlemen, I apologize for the confusion. Your packages were transferred to the convention center for your convenience.” His eyes slid to mine, his smile wide enough to show off every one of his abnormally white teeth. “I’m happy to have them returned to the hotel for your inspection.”
I practically fell against the counter, my entire body weightless with relief. “No, that’s okay. I’ll go pick them up myself.”
Less chance for any more mishaps that way.
“Of course, sir.” His attention turned to the computer screen. “I see the reservation is under a Mr. Stillwater?” He clacked his fingers over the keyboard, then glanced up, his gaze landing on Vaden first before coming back to me.
“I’m Mr. Stillwater.”
His smile brightened another degree. “Are you employed with Arcana Resorts?”
My eyebrows drew together, and I cocked my head, pretty sure I had missed something. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m just checking for available discounts.”
I perked up at the mention of a discount, then deflated almost as quickly when I realized I definitely didn’t qualify. Still, it couldn’t hurt to try.
“Um, do I have to prove it?”
“No.” His pale blue eyes twinkled. “Just a verbal confirmation is fine.”
“In that case—” I stood up straighter and dipped my head firmly. “—yes. I absolutely work for Arcana Resorts.”
He mirrored my nod and returned his attention to the screen in front of him. “It appears we just had a cancellation.”
Bullshit.
“Another suite.”
Double bullshit.
“Would you be interested, or would you prefer to stick with the standard room?”
“How much?” I asked, bracing myself for some astronomical markup.
He rattled off a number nearly half of what I’d been quoted for the sad, left-over room.
“The suite is fine,” Vaden answered in a tone that suggested this had been the expected outcome the entire time.
“Very good.”
It took approximately two minutes after that for him to finish checking us in, run my credit card, and pass a couple of electronic room keys across the counter. As I thanked him, I tried to match Vaden’s nonchalance, but I didn’t think I quite pulled it off.
When Vaden arched an eyebrow at me, IknewI hadn’t.
“I think I just committed a crime,” I told him while we crossed the vast lobby to find the elevators.
“You didn’t commit a crime.”
