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“Why don’t you have a key card?” he asked, watching her lock up. “Wouldn’t that be more secure?”

She laughed. “Hardly. Guests frequently get turned around up here. After a few weeks of folks trying to open my door, I had a regular lock installed and the card reader disabled. It’s been a perfect solution. Now, even if someone tries the card reader, it doesn’t light up or make any noise so they return to the lobby immediately. I’ll make sure you get a copy of the key.”

“Great, thanks.”

“You don’t have that problem at the Cove?” she asked.

He punched the call button for the elevator. “Not at all. Then again, my suite is well-removed from public access. A guest would have to be pretty lost to stumble across my door.” He caught the way her eyes lit up. “Have you considered moving off-property?”

“No.”

The reply, flat and firm, left him wondering about the story behind it. Someday, when she trusted him more, he hoped she’d explain. He wouldn’t push her for answers now.

The elevator opened and she turned toward the lobby rather than the employee parking area. “I just want to speak with Jacob for a second.”

“Lead the way.”

She hurried down the hallway and around the corner, stopping so suddenly he nearly plowed her over.

“Finally!Grazie, Jacob.Grazie!”

Rhett swore under his breath, moving to block Gallo as he stormed toward Trina. “I’ve got this.”

She gave a squeak and reached for his hand. “This is unexpected,” Rhett said. “I thought I’d made myself clear.”

From the front desk he heard Jacob apologizing to Trina. “He asked me to call, but I wouldn’t. I told him you weren’t available.”

“It’s fine.” Still gripping him as if her life depended on it, she pressed herself to Rhett’s side, keeping him and the suitcase between her and the “good” Italian boy. “I’ll call you from the car, Jacob.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We’re on our way out,” Rhett said to the man blocking their path.

“No, no. I’m here now. The plan must change.” He aimeda pleading look at Trina. “Your mother, she is so happy. She asked me to take a picture.”

Happy over what?The man was a well-dressed, deluded pain in the ass. It was tempting to tell him they were engaged. Rhett barely remembered that he wanted to control the narrative, not let this guy spread the news.

He didn’t dare look at her, but he was sure Trina was on the brink of either a breakdown or a furious outburst. Neither option appealed. As a professional, he understood that she’d view either outcome as a failure. They were in a public area of the hotel. Awelcomeguest might pass by at any moment.

“We have a plane to catch,” Rhett snapped. “You’ll excuse us.” He turned, tucking her in front of him and ushering her in the other direction. “Keep moving.” He pressed the car keys into her hand. “Straight to the car. Get in, lock the doors.”

“Sir!” Gallo chased them. Because that’s just what Rhett needed. “I must speak with Trina.”

At the exit, Trina rushed out into the night and Rhett turned abruptly to put a stop to this. “You’re embarrassing yourself,” he said, his voice lethal and low. “Don’t care much about that. But you’re making her uncomfortable and that I won’t tolerate.”

“We are friends. Destined for?—”

No way. He wasnotgoing to listen to some sappy and inaccurate declaration. “Tonight you are friends, full stop.” Rhett would clear up that misunderstanding later. “Right now, we have a schedule to keep. You showed up early. Your problem. Her professional schedule was set and cannot be changed at the last minute.” He crooked his finger, inviting Gallo closer. “If I could make a suggestion?”

“Yes?”

“Enjoy the town. Take a walk on the beach.” Rhett barely resisted a sucker punch. “And go home. Her career is the priority, not you.”

Gallo reared back, and maybe he sensed the violence Rhett was ready to unleash. “You do not understand. I’ll wait. Arrangements have been made. Trina and I will speak when she returns from… Where are you going, Mr. Ellington?”

“Continuing education,” he replied. It wasn’t even much of a lie if he factored in Ilsa. “Good night.”

He jogged to the car, pleased to see Trina waiting in the passenger seat, buckled up and ready to go. Her suitcase was in the back seat. When he reached the driver’s door, the lock clicked open and he quickly settled in behind the wheel.