Page 28 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"Or ruining the best suite in the resort," he suggested. "Maybe there was damage done to other rooms that we don't know about."

"Did security tell you that?"

"No, but they're sending up the director of security, Martin Demora."

I knew Martin. He'd worked at the hotel in Newport Beach for the past year before being assigned here. He was a smart man, and he had years of experience in hotel security, having worked for other chains before coming to the Carrington Group. "Even if he figures out who did this, it won't change what happened. We can't get this night back."

"This night isn't over. We'll talk to Martin and then we'll move to another suite. There are plenty of open rooms. We'll catch our breath and regroup. It doesn't have to be ruined, Lauren."

I usually appreciated his positive outlook, but I was too exhausted to buy into it now. "It is ruined, Andrew. And whoever did this was probably hoping that would be the result."

"Well, we can choose to not let them win."

"What are you talking about? We've already lost."

"With that attitude, yes."

"Sorry if you don't like my attitude, but it is what it is. And I still think this looks like the work of a scorned woman."

He frowned but before he could say anything, the doorbell rang. I followed him into the living room. He opened the door to Martin Demora, a stocky, weathered Italian man in his late forties. To my surprise, Martin was followed into the suite by Ethan Stark.

"This is Mr. Stark," Martin said. "He's overseeing the security of Victor's personal property, and he was with me when you called, so I thought he might help."

"Whatever works," Andrew said. "Let me show you the bedroom."

As Andrew took Martin into the bedroom, Ethan gave the room a long look and then turned to me. I crossed my arms in front of me, always feeling defensive around Ethan, even when I was the victim, which I was now. Just like I'd been in the fire.

"Any idea who might have done this?" Ethan asked.

"Not a clue."

"Someone was angry. They wanted to make a point. Martin said there's a message on the wall of the bedroom."

"You can look at it yourself. But all it says isYou'll be sorry."

"Sorry for what?"

"I have no idea."

"It could be referencing your wedding. In fact, it looks like it could be the work of a scorned ex-girlfriend."

"Andrew doesn't believe Allison is upset about our wedding. He says they are friends, and they work together, and whatever was between them was over a year ago."

"You talked to him about it?"

"Yes. I talked to him," I snapped. "He's my husband."

"Hell of a thing to happen on your wedding night."

"There must be security footage in the hallway, on the elevator, right?"

"The security system was being worked on before the grand opening. Martin doesn’t believe any of the cameras in this area were online."

"Great. So there might not be any footage?"

"We'll find out. I'm going to check the bedroom."

"You don't really need to be here, do you?"