Page 46 of Reckless Chance
The door opens slowly. I slide inside, kicking it closed behind me for privacy.
“Did they hurt you?”
“What?” she asks.
I do a quick perusal of her from head to toe. Her eyes are red and swollen, and streaks of black mascara are running down her cheeks. At least her clothes are intact, and there’s no sign of bruising other than from the mugging.
Pulling her into my arms, I softly ask again, “Are you hurt?”
“I’m upset, but why would I be hurt?”
“Daniel called Emily, and Emily found me. She said you had been attacked.”
“My room was attacked. Thankfully, I wasn’t here.”
“Thank fuck. I panicked, thinking you’d been assaulted.”
“I’ll be okay. Sorry I’m such a mess. It was a massive shock to walk in and find that someone had ransacked my suite. They threw all my clothes, including my underwear, onto the floor. My laptop and work papers are gone.”
“Stop apologizing. Anyone would be upset. Do you know if anything else is missing?”
“I’m not sure. I’d already moved my jewelry and a bunch of my clothes upstairs. If I had worked in your apartment after the interviews yesterday, my laptop would have been there instead of here. This is a disaster.”
“We’ll figure out who did this. Until then, a guard is going to stay near you when I can’t be.”
“How many rooms were robbed?”
“I don’t know the extent of the thefts yet. Daniel is going to brief me in a minute.”
“I’m going to be in mega trouble with my law firm for losing the laptop.”
“All that matters is that you’re not hurt. Jenny will move the rest of your stuff up to my apartment and coordinate with Walter. I don’t want you returning to this suite again. Security will disable the elevator as an extra precaution. As for your laptop, we can replace it.”
“I feel violated. I’ve never been the victim of theft before and within twenty-four hours, I’ve been robbed twice. It’s unsettling and creepy to know a stranger invaded my space. They touched my underwear and went through all my personal items. It’s too much.”
“Let’s get you out of here. We’ll make use of the elevator one last time to access my apartment. Then it will be locked off.”
“Okay. Let me wipe my face first. Could you give me a minute?”
“Sure. I’ll tell Daniel to meet us upstairs when he’s through with his investigation here.”
29
LOWRI
Sean wanted me to cancel my lunch appointment with Cassie, particularly after we learned no other rooms were robbed andonlymy laptop and work papers were stolen. He’s worried that I’m being targeted for some unknown reason.
Despite Sean’s concerns, I insisted on going forward with my plans. It’s been several hours since I discovered the robbery, and without a laptop, I can’t work. There’s no reason not to enjoy lunch with my bestie.
This day needs a restart, so I freshen my makeup, pull my casual burgundy dress out of the closet, and find my matching lace bra and panties. There’s something about sprucing up my makeup and pulling on luxury underwear that gives my confidence a boost.
With a guard in tow at Sean’s insistence, I go to meet Cassie. Normally, I would have fought Sean about the security guy but not this time. Considering the events of the last twenty-four hours and the potential threats, I’ll admit my fear level has risen several notches. Sean would prefer to lock me safely inside his apartment, but that’s a no-go for me. I won’t cower in a corner.
Besides, catching up with Cassie and taste testing her new recipes will greatly improve my day.
Climbing the Grand Staircase on the far side of the casino, we walk past the Olympic Torch Bar and find the door to Pinot & Pie. It’s the restaurant Cassie will call her own for the next month. This has been her secret dream for as long as I can remember, and it’s finally coming true.
Testing the door, it’s unlocked as promised. I wander inside and gasp in awe.
