Page 54

Eamon told me he conducts a lot of his Syndicate business here—that behind the elegant facade, this hotel is as much a stronghold as it is a sanctuary.But so far, I’ve seen nothing out of the ordinary.Just business people, tourists, and whispered conversations in the bar.Everything feels normal.

At least, it does until I sense the shift.

From the corner of my eye, movement draws my attention—deliberate, confident.I glance up just as Eamon strides across the lobby, every step precise, purposeful.His dark suit fits him too well.His mere presence turns heads.Including mine.My stomach flips in that infuriating way it always does when he’s near.

“Ms.Quigley,” he says as he stops in front of the desk, his tone smooth and teasing.His gaze locks onto mine, his smile lazy but deliberate, like he knows exactly how much attention he’s drawing.

“Mr.O’Sullivan,” I reply, a hint of a smile playing on my lips.“Is this a professional visit, or are you here to cause trouble?”

His smile deepens as he leans casually against the counter, his eyes never leaving mine.“Can’t it be both?”

From the corner of my eye, I catch the two women working beside me freeze in place.They’re watching us, their wide-eyed stares bouncing between Eamon and me like they can’t believe what they’re seeing.

Eamon doesn’t seem to notice, or maybe he doesn’t care.His full attention stays locked on me.The air between us hums with something that feels far too private despite the public setting.

I arch a brow, playing along.“You’d better be careful.Trouble has a way of backfiring when you least expect it.”

“Backfiring, huh?”he says, his tone laced with amusement.“I think I’ll take my chances.”

“You always do,” I shoot back, my voice light but pointed.

He chuckles a low sound that draws even more attention from the women.I can feel their stares and practically hear what they’re whispering to each other.

“I was actually here to check on you,” he says, leaning in, his voice dropping just enough to make the moment feel private despite the public setting.“How’s the shift going?”

“Fine,” I say, shrugging as I glance at the line of guests waiting to check in.“Busy.”

He studies me for a long minute.“And here I thought I hired you to keep things under control.Surely you can handle it?”

I smile, folding my arms.“Oh, I can handle it.Question is, can you handle not micromanaging for once?”

His grin sharpens, his eyes gleaming with challenge.“Fair point.But I’m not here to micromanage.I’m here to tell you you’re not working late tonight.”

I blink at him.“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he says, his confidence maddening.“You’re not working late.I’m taking you out tonight.”

“Some of us have responsibilities,” I counter, lifting my chin.“One of the girls called off.I’m covering for her.”

“There are plenty of people here who can take over,” he replies smoothly.“And besides, I’m the boss.That means you have to listen to me.”

I narrow my eyes, fighting the urge to laugh.“Pulling rank, are we?”

“Absolutely,” he says, leaning back with a satisfied smirk.“Wrap things up.I’ll expect you upstairs shortly.”

I shake my head, biting back a smile.“Fine, but only because I don’t want to hear you whine about it later.”

Behind me, my coworkers whisper in clipped, hushed voices.It’s the unmistakable sound of scandal being shaped.Of women deciding I didn’t earn this job, I fucked my way into it.

“Of course she’s sleeping with him,” one of them mutters.“She wouldn’t have gotten the job otherwise.”

“She probably thinks she’s untouchable now,” the other adds, her voice dripping with venom.

I turn slowly, my lips curving into a sweet, yet dangerous smile.“If you’ve got something to say, ladies, go ahead and spit it out.I’d hate to think you didn’t have the backbone to say it to my face.”My tone is calm, almost pleasant, but the edge beneath it is unmistakable.

They both blanch, stammering some excuse about getting back to work.I turn back to the desk, spine straight, their words falling off me like rain on glass.

After making sure the last guests are checked in and that my coworkers aren’t left juggling a line, I finally step away from the desk.The polished professionalism I wore all afternoon slips the moment I’m alone in the elevator.