Stroke of Luck - Opal Carew Page 0,6
all sink in. Why not stay with us for a few days while you figure things out? We’ve got a huge penthouse suite, so there’s plenty of room.”
Her gaze flickered to Quinn. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Nonsense,” Quinn said. “It’s a great idea.”
He didn’t know what the hell he was thinking. Other than his cock hoping for a chance to finally sink into her.
“Your luggage is already at our place, so why not?” he continued.
“At least stay tonight, and you can keep us company at the casino,” Austin insisted. “I have a feeling you’re going to bring us luck.”
* * *
April didn’t know what to say. She had no money and no one to call for help, so having one more night to defer having to figure it out would be a godsend.
“Thank you. I appreciate your generosity.”
“Good,” Austin said. “Now that that’s settled, I’m going back to the penthouse to check on some business. Are you two coming?”
They all stood up, and she walked with the two men to the entrance.
“Actually,” Quinn said, “I think now is as good a time as any to return the ring.” His eyebrow arched. “Right, April?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll leave you to it,” Austin said. “A pleasure meeting you, April. I look forward to seeing you later.”
Austin turned and walked toward the elevator. Quinn grasped her elbow firmly and guided her to the lobby. When he talked to the concierge, the man spoke with someone on the phone, then directed them to the manager’s office, telling them the manager would handle their needs personally. Quinn led her down the elegant hallway paneled in contoured mahogany, then to an imposing office.
A large, very tall man stood up from behind the desk and walked toward them.
“Ah, Mr. Taylor.” He offered his hand, and they shook. “So nice to see you again.”
Then he turned to her, and her chest tightened.
“Ms. Smith, I’m Adrian Gunter, the hotel manager.” He offered his hand, and she shook it gingerly. Then he gestured to three leather armchairs arranged around a glass table. “May I get you some coffee? A drink?”
“No, thank you. We just had lunch,” Quinn said as they sat down.
“Very well.” Mr. Gunter sat across from them. “First, may I say, Ms. Smith, how sorry I am about the unfortunate cancellation of your wedding.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
As polite as he might be, this man intimidated her. Especially since she knew he was the one who had arranged to have security pound on her door this morning, demand to know how she was going to pay her bill, then hustle her out of the room while they packed up her belongings.
“I understand that you would like us to arrange the safe return of the engagement ring to your ex-fiancé.”
“Yes, that’s right,” she said.
He leaned forward, folding his hands on the tabletop. “It is most fortunate that you came in, Ms. Smith. I didn’t relish putting you into another embarrassing situation.”
“What do you mean?” Quinn asked, a slight edge to his voice.
Mr. Gunter leaned back in his chair. “Nothing to worry about. Mr. Dubois called me to say you have some things that belong to him. The engagement ring is one of them.”
Quinn’s eyebrow arched. “And the others?”
“Yes, he mentioned some jewelry, designer gowns, expensive shoes…” He waved his hand. “He sent a list.”
Of course he had. Maurice’s father and the owner of this hotel were old buddies. They would be happy to help Maurice humiliate her and, hopefully, put her in jail. They couldn’t allow her to get away with rejecting him. The money wasn’t of great concern to either of them, and she had no doubt that if they hadn’t gotten the money from her, they would have worked it out behind the scenes.
“And what proof does he have that these are his and don’t belong to April?” Quinn demanded.
She couldn’t believe that Quinn was defending her. But then, he’d always been a good man.
“It’s okay, Quinn,” she said, resting her hand on his arm.
As soon as her fingers came in contact with him, an explosion of sensation rushed through her.
He glanced at her, and she could swear he felt it, too.
She took a calming breath. “I don’t want anything from him. If he wants to take these things back, it makes it easier.”
Quinn frowned, but nodded.
“Fine. You may send some of your staff to collect the items in an hour, but they will be under April’s supervision. And if there’s