hated the position his family — and more specifically, Marlon — had put him in.
Groveling went against everything he stood for as a man. As a wolf.
The beast inside him was already thrashing like a wild animal at the thought of asking Jeremy for the merger. It didn’t matter that it was the smartest move. It didn’t matter that above all else, Rush wanted to protect and provide for his family.
What mattered was that he already knew the outcome.
Jeremy Winslow would send him packing. Probably while he laughed Rush out of the party.
But Rush had to, in the very least, try or live with the regret that he had not done everything he could.
With the car parked, Marlon grabbed his overnight bag from the car and threw the second piece of luggage toward Rush. He slung the black duffel bag over his head, not caring that it would leave wrinkles in his tux. He was not at the New Year’s Eve masquerade to make a fashion statement or score a bedfellow.
He was a man on a mission.
Following Marlon up the ornate stone steps, they made their way into the vast entryway. The expansive room’s focal point was a large spiral staircase. One branch went to the left, the other to the right, with a sparkling crystal chandelier illuminating all of it. The room's left side had been outfitted with an ornate oak desk where a thin, pinched-face woman was checking people in.
Rush immediately recognized her as a Winslow. He was surprised that the family still worked in the hotels. They were multi-millionaires twenty-thousand times over. Surely, this woman didn’t need to work. It was probably the Winslow way of ensuring every hotel guest was also a guest at the masquerade. There would be no party crashers.
Not for one of the most prestigious shifter parties of the year, if not the century.
Rush could only hope that whatever Marlon had up his sleeve would not actually get them in trouble with the family they so desperately needed to make nice with.
Marlon leaned against the counter. His signature grin aimed at the woman behind the desk. Her name tag read Carlie, and Marlon spoke the name in a singsong voice.
“Good afternoon, Carlie. My brother and I are checking in. Marlon and Rush Jensen. I believe we have adjoining rooms.”
Carlie worked on the computer for a few drawn-out minutes that had Rush sweating. “Perfect. Welcome to the Winslow Hotel, Mr. Jensen.” She slid two keycards onto the desk. “Enjoy your stay.” She took a thick white envelope from a small wooden box and dropped it onto the surface of the counter. “Here are your invitations to tonight’s masquerade, courtesy of Ella Birch.” Carlie kept her finger on the envelope for one beat too long. “I trust you Jensens will behave yourselves.”
Rush bristled at her words. Of course, Carlie would be suspicious of the Jensen brothers, but the Winslows were not the hosts of the evening. The Birchs were, and Marlon was a close friend to both Ella and Dax Birch. Now, at least, Rush understood how Marlon had been able to score invites to the party.
“We will be the very height of well-behaved shifters.” He winked at her before turning on his heels and heading up the staircase.
Rush followed after him. He didn’t say anything, seeing the tension on his brother’s face. Marlon was an optimist and a bit of a dreamer. He preferred it when people all got along. He certainly didn’t like the animosity thrown his way just because of his last name. Carlie’s jab had poked a hole in his good time’s attitude, Rush was sure of it.
Once they got to their rooms, Rush took his keycard from Marlon, whose face was red and splotchy. “Don’t let it get to you.” He tried to sound comforting and kind, but it came out rough and judgmental.
Marlon flinched and opened his door before quickly tossing his bag inside. “I’m going to pop in on Ella. Maybe I will even get to meet Dax’s mate. I believe her name is Willow, and she’s quite captivated Dax.”
“You good?”
“Who knows,” Marlon continued, ignoring Rush’s question, “maybe tonight will be fruitful in more ways than one. You could meet your mate. I could meet my mate. Dare to dream.”
“Say hey to Ella for me,” Rush grumbled before locking himself into this hotel room.
There was no way he wanted to meet his mate. Not then, maybe not ever, but especially not just then. He had a failing family