Page 178 of Positively Pricked
Zane's mouth tightened. "Not for long."
I wasn't even sure what that meant. Before I could even think to ask, Zane returned his attention to Bob. "You heard me," Zane told him. "Now, find somewhere else to go."
"Like where?" Bob's shoulders slumped. "I was kicked out of my suite."
"Notyoursuite," Zane corrected. "Mysuite."
I'd heard this sort of logic before. The last time, I'd found it funny and charming. Now, I was only appalled.
In front of me, Bob was saying, "It wassupposedto be mine."
"But it's not," Zane said. "So fuck off."
And there it was – Zane's favorite phrase.
Bob lowered his voice to a pathetic whisper. "Then how about a loan? Or maybe an advance? You know, to tide me over?"
Zane gave Bob a long, cold look. "No. But Icangive you some advice."
With obvious reluctance, Bob asked, "What?"
"Get out before I drag you out."
I gave Zane a worried glance. Normally, I would've assumed this was merely a figure of speech. But Zanedidhave that history.
First the senator, now Bob?
I spoke up. "You know what? I might have a little something."
Both guys turned to look. Bob's expression grew hopeful. "Oh yeah?"
As for Zane, he looked more irritated than ever. "Isaidto stay out of this."
I glared up at him. "AndIsaid it's fine. Remember?" I looked to Bob and said, "Hang on, okay?"
With the door still open, I turned and dashed into my hotel room. I yanked my purse off the nightstand, dug out my wallet, and pulled out all of my cash.
It wasn't a ton of money, but it would surely be enough for a decent hotel room and maybe even dinner.
I hustled back to Bob and thrust out the bills in his direction. He gave the money a worried look, but made no move to take it.
It was easy to see why. Next to him, Zane loomed large and hostile.
Ignoring Zane, I thrust the bills closer to Bob. "Go on," I urged. "We'll just consider it a loan or something."
Anything to preserve the guy's dignity.
Finally, with a mumbled thanks, Bob took the money, turned, and trudged silently away. Watching him go, I felt a wave of sympathy wash over me. Everything about this felt so incredibly wrong.
I turned angry eyes to Zane. And of course, the look inhiseyes was all too familiar. It was the same look I usually saw right before he told someone to fuck off.
Already, he'd said this to Bob. And the way it looked, he was getting ready to say it again.
To me.
