Page 7 of The Mark (The Players 2)

The clerk interrupted her again. “They sounded desperate. They asked that youhurry.”

“Of course they did.” She blew out a breath. “Well, I wish you luck.” She pointed to Drew, who was peeking over the old woman’s shoulder while she triedtoread.

“Dammit. Thanks. You too. Sounds like you’re going to need it.” Ifrowned.

“Oh, I think it will take more than luck.” Kate studied me a moment. “I really am glad you’re here.” Then she exited through the door behindthedesk.

It seemed like a strangely familiar thing to say, but I had bigger concerns. The older woman had clearly had enough. While I walked over to intercede, she rolled up her magazine and whacked Drew in the head with it. “Scoot! Go! Get awayfromme!”

“Hey! You don’t need to yell,” Drew complained while rubbing his eye. “I think you gave me a papercut on myeyeball.”

“Serves you right,” she hissed. Then, probably since he hadn’t moved away, she began to roll up the magazineagain.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry. I’ll take care of him.” I held out a hand to Drew. “Come on. Our rooms areready.”

“I can’t see. I think she broke my eye.” He sat there facing me with hislidsshut.

“Have you tried opening them?” I rubbed myforehead.

Drew shook his head. “Hurts.”

“Know what you need?” I murmured while I hauled him off thecouch.

“A drink?” he askedhopefully.

I laughed. “No, that would be the last thing you need. Dinner is at eight this evening. Why don’t you take a nice napuntilthen?”

“Good idea. Thank you, Harry.” He laid a hand on my shoulder. “Okay. I’m ready. Let’s go. Take it niceandslow.”

“Right. This should be…fun.” With a sigh, I steered us toward the elevator, which seemed to be the only way anything in my life would belookingup.

4

Laney

“Look.Her eyelids are fluttering. I think she’s coming to,” Kate murmured. “One problem solved. Now, to figure out how to solve the restofit.”

“Did you know Marie was pregnant?” Mr. Georgewhispered.

“News to me. In fact, this is the first I was made aware of it.” She groaned. “Okay, has housekeeping beencalled?”

“I think Janet is on it.” He exhaled, then sucked in a breath. “Try breathing through your mouth. It’s easierthatway.”

“Poor Laney.” Kate’s voice was incredibly close and had me working harder at rousingmyself.

As I grew more aware, I discovered my blouse was stuck to my skin. What had once been hot and damp had now turned into cold and wet. I inhaled deeply and gagged. “I smell.” I coughed a few times. “I smellalot.”

Kate laid a hand on my arm. Her frown deepened. “I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I…” Then she hiccupped and I suspected shemightcry.

Mr. George pulled her into his arms. “Oh, Kate. Ms. Jenner can’t possibly blame you for this. Right, Ms. Jenner?” He looked at me, his eyes wide andinsistent.

I clicked my tongue. “Right. Not your fault.” At the moment, the fact that Kate was getting all the attention and comforting while I was covered in vomit was truly beginning to irritate me. “I’ll just get up all by myself. Don’t worry about me,” I grumbled, while I struggled to sit up. Everywhere I touched felt moist. And even though they had apparently attempted to clean around me while I was unconscious, they’d done a poor job of it. I lifted my hand from the commercial carpet to find a chunk of something soft and gooey on my palm. “Dear God,” I groaned. “I should’ve stayedunconscious.”

Moving in a pencil skirt was challenging enough. Now, I was trying to figure out how to stand without ripping it. After all, it’s not like I had other clothes laying around. I didn’t pack spare outfits in my purse. I tilted my head. From now on, I’d pack a tote. I’d have clothes and shower supplies. No way was I going to be caught unprepared again. Frustrated, I rolled onto my knees. They immediately sank into the smelly carpet. “I’m so sorry I took this job. Why would anyone put themselves through this? Oh, that stupid promotion they’ve been dangling in front of me like a carrot for the better part of six months,” I muttered under my breath. Then I pushed up on my hands, hoping I’d end up in a standingposition.

“Oh, let me help you.” Mr. George moved closer, but I knew he was having hard time trying to figure out how to help, where to grab. My arms were holding me up and the highest part of me was my butt. “Um,Kate?”

“I’ll grab one arm, you get the other?” Her shoes whispered on the ugly brown carpet as she walked over to stand atmyside.

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