The Mercenary Next Door (Rogues and Rescuers #2) - Lucy Leroux Page 0,11

merc groupie, who went from man to man in the organization—with her brother’s blessing. Mason had always thought that was kind of gross, but if one of the guys said something to him, Dusty would shrug and say Angie was her own woman who could do what she wanted.

The latter, Mason could understand. He wasn’t a hypocrite. Angie could run through all the Auric teams if that were what she wanted, but Mason had too much small-town Tennessee in him to approve of Dusty’s laissez-faire attitude. Mason didn’t have a sister, but he had female cousins he had been close to growing up, and he knew he wouldn’t be that blasé.

Ransom was still talking. “So, if you don’t come back, I can lock up.”

“Lock up?” Mason echoed.

Ransom gestured around them. “Leave me your spare set.”

The dots connected. “You don’t need my keys. I’m coming right back.”

“Sure, you are, buddy. Sure you are.” With a flick of his fingers, Ransom dismissed him.

Chapter Six

Laila tugged on Mason’s sleeve. “This has to be some mistake,” she said in a hushed tone.

It was instinct as if she were in a Cathedral instead of the lobby of a hotel. But this was like no hotel she’d ever been in.

The outside of the building was fairly nondescript. Mason had driven them in his red Corvette a mere ten minutes before stopping at a building with a sleek granite facade. At first, she’d thought they’d arrived at a bank, but Mason didn’t exit to take out cash. Instead, he tossed his keys to a valet who had materialized out of thin air. Then he’d opened her door and ushered her inside.

Laila nearly tripped on the marble tile because she was too busy gawking to watch her step. The interior was the most opulent space she’d ever been in.

Her first impression was of sparking golden-brown marble and elegant brass. A Chevron design in the art-deco style was embedded into each pillar at the edge of the wide lobby. Lush green plants dotted the room.

With subtle pressure on her lower back, Mason guided her to a wooden reception counter where a male employee in a navy suit waited.

“I never expected you to put me up in a place like this,” she whispered as Mason handed his credit card to the man.

“That’s why I’m enjoying this so much.” Mason grinned, transforming his face from handsome to ungodly beautiful. It was like a blast of sunlight appearing from behind a dark cloud. The contrast to his typical stoic expression was like night and day. “And this place is close to campus. You can walk to your test tomorrow.”

Lord have mercy. Laila gripped the polished counter, needing the support after being blindsided by his smile. She glanced at the man checking her in, but the hotel employee didn’t react to the display of absolute masculine perfection.

“Where are we again?”

“The Caislean.”

Laila had never heard of the hotel, but their locations were displayed on the wall behind the counter in raised brass lettering. Boston, Miami, Las Vegas, New York, Milan, Sydney… She stopped reading after Paris.

“It’s too expensive,” she protested. Laila had no idea what this place cost, but she could tell from the heavy stationary behind the desk and the shine of the counter that it was too much.

“Don’t worry about it.” Turning to the man, Mason leaned toward him. “She didn’t get a chance to eat dinner. Will you please send up something up? Whatever the chef’s specialty is. Oh, and she’s a baker, so please add something special for dessert.”

“What are you doing?” Laila squeaked, grabbing his arm. “Dinner must be more than my entire paycheck.”

Another quirk of his lip. “I said, don’t worry about it.”

“Would you prefer a king-sized bed for two or a double room?” the attendant asked with a polite smile.

“She only needs one bed. I won’t be joining. I also have this,” he said, handing over a second card.

The attendant’s demeanor changed subtly. His expression had been welcoming and polite, but when he took the card, it became downright deferential. “Ah. Thank you, Mr. Lang. Why don’t you give me a minute? Let me see if I can upgrade you to a suite.”

He tapped on the keyboard, then looked up with a smile. “Good news. We’ve had a cancellation, so there is one available.”

“Make sure to bill all expenses to that credit card,” Mason added.

“Wait.” Laila tugged him away from the desk. She held up the small paper bag she’d packed in a rush. “At least cancel