Page 23 of Nothing to Beat (Nothing to… #13)

THEY DIDN’T GET MUCH time to relax before their assigned butler came into the suite to announce a guest.

“A guest?” she asked as the butler went to fetch them. “Who knows we’re here?”

“Since Roxie landed?” Tripp inhaled. “Everyone.”

Huh, maybe it wasn’t such a great idea to travel with a celebrity when attempting to go under the radar. Especially when visiting a city that was all about fame, faces, and who’s who. Everyone was paying attention there. Many people would want to get near Roxie, especially so close to the wedding.

Except when their guest came striding in, he wasn’t any autograph hunter.

“Bastian,” she breathed.

Uh oh.

Something she hadn’t mentioned? Breck had more than one close friend. He had two. Men he’d entrust with his life, or hers, brothers in every way that counted: Caspian Collier and Bastian Hunt.

Maybe “brothers” wasn’t the right descriptor.

Part of the appeal was them being out of the Breckenridge stratosphere.

Yes, the three families interacted, but each of the three men understood what it was to be relied on heavily.

Being the eldest of their generation, they assumed the responsibility of sustaining their families and perpetuating the legacy.

It was no wonder they had such an affinity.

While she’d been busy worrying about workaholic Caspian Collier, she hadn’t considered the other guy living in town.

Not just living in town, he owned the hotel they were standing in, this one and the rest of them.

She’d stayed in Grand Hotels plenty and never come across him.

Of course it would be the one time she wanted privacy that he’d pop up right where she was.

“Seq,” Bastian said, his welcoming smile so bright she couldn’t regret him being there.

When he opened his arms, she went into them. It was an odd relief to have them close around her. Nothing would go wrong now. Not until she stepped out of the hug anyway.

He and Tripp shook hands. “Good to see you, man.” When their hands dropped, Roxie got everyone’s attention. “Have you met Roxie?”

“No, which is a wonder, given you’re getting married here soon.”

“Do you have a rule about meeting every couple marrying in your hotels?” Roxie asked.

“When they’re booking out the entire hotel, and all our sister hotels in the area, I should,” Bastian said. “You’re single-handedly funding our expansion.” He offered a hand. “Bastian Hunt.”

“Roxanna Kyst.” Though apparently dubious, Roxie gave him her hand to shake. “I know your mother.”

“Yes, and she speaks highly of you. Incredibly highly. No Zairn?”

“Not yet. I’m sure he’ll show up before the big day. If not, we’ll draw another guy’s name from a hat. Someone will stand up with me. Our deposits are non-refundable anyway, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Bastian’s a good guy,” Tripp said, bumping Roxie’s arm with his. “Stop busting his balls.”

“Are you married, Mr. Hunt?” Roxie asked him, seeming reluctant to trust Tripp’s claim, if she’d even heard it.

“No.”

“Girlfriend?”

“No. Are you interested in the role? I thought you were getting married. I may have to refund the deposits if we run away together, Ms. Kyst.”

The tease was meant to ease the mood. Tripp was right, Bastian was a good guy.

“No girlfriend?” Tripp made a sound. “Put Robyn back on the market?”

“Yes, feel free to take a swing.”

“Oh, no thank you, man, I like my balls where they are. How’d that go down?”

“Mutually. We finished it.”

“Wow, that was overdue.”

Bastian laughed. “Thanks.”

“No offense, man, but she’s a praying mantis.”

“And I made it out alive, can’t ask for anything more.” He landed his gaze on her. “Seq, you have a minute to talk?”

Oh, this wouldn’t be good. Was the riot act by proxy heading her way?

“Sure.”

She hadn’t done anything reckless or dangerous. Okay, maybe swanning into Chicago without a SWAT team could be deemed reckless—depending on the onlooker’s perspective—but Roxie had security, that was enough.

They went into the master bedroom and Bastian actually closed the door. Oh, yeah, whatever was coming, she’d have to brace for impact.

“Breck didn’t mention you were coming into town.”

“He didn’t know.” Probably did now, because it was unlikely Bastian hadn’t called him. “You didn’t have to come all the way over here—”

“I was in the building already,” he said, concern etched on his brow. “Why wouldn’t you want me to visit?”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t want you to visit. I’m happy to see you, I just… was hoping to slip in quietly.”

“Because you’re here to do something Breck doesn’t approve of?”

“Have you heard…?” Of course he had. “Breck quit the company.”

“Yeah. Haven’t got to the bottom of it yet.”

Surrendering, she went to sit in one of the soft seats by the window. “He’s doing it for me—for us.”

He came to join her, taking the angled armchair beside hers. “You asked him to quit?”

“No! Why would I ask him to do that? I knew nothing about it. Not until after the fact. I had to hunt him down to learn what he’d done.” Yeah, on that note, she’d have to ask Breck exactly when he’d planned to tell her. “He says he’s doing it for us.”

“Because you were always worried your father would take advantage of the Breckenridge connection. So Breck severed it.” With an exhale, his concern relaxed. “Well that makes more sense of it.”

“No, it does not!” She stopped just short of punching the side of her fist against the chair’s arm. “It’s ridiculous. I never wanted him to walk away from Breckenridge. This whole damn mess is my fault. Why didn’t he talk to me about it first? Before doing something so crazy?”

“Probably because he knew he’d give in when you asked him to stay. He always gives in to you.”

“Not this time. This time he’s adamant he’s getting a minimum wage job. He’ll end up a smiling barista, small talking it up with the shiny, happy customers.”

He laughed. “Do you really see that?”

“No, but I… I don’t know how—he’ll never be happy in this life. Breckenridge is everything to him, the job, his family, it’s his identity. It’s who he is. He lives to be relied upon. Has huge pride in… The money isn’t what matters, it’s the belonging. He needs to belong.”

“You matter to him more than anything else.”

Did he have to be so sentimental? “Do you know what it’s like to have something done in your name without ever having a say in how it came about?”

“Is that why you’re here? Putting distance between you? Did you finish it?”

“We finish every other week, you know that. We weren’t even together when he did this. We didn’t talk or… I can’t let his life spiral. I can’t.”

“So what’s your plan? Stay away from New York until he gives up on you and moves on?

” His brow moved a fraction. “Because you know he won’t.

He won’t move on. You’ve got to know how he feels about you—I know you know it.

Every guy who’s ever seen you two together knows it and hates you both for making it look so easy. ”

When his smile returned, she managed a feeble response. Okay, maybe a tiny smidge of sentimentality was allowed.

“I love him.”

“And he loves you. What happened to having a baby?”

“Oh, God,” she groaned. “He told you too? What does that man not understand about private? He’s the most private guy there is, but this he blabs everywhere?”

“Because he’s proud of you,” Bastian said on a snicker, “and the future he wants with you. Why should he keep that a secret?”

“Future. Future. Future. Everything’s always about the future.

Meanwhile, there’s my father, looming large, just waiting for me to take the Breckenridge name.

I know it. I know him. That’s what he’s waiting for.

It feels like everyone’s just holding their breath.

This whole space, distance, thing is a con.

He wants us to believe he’s forgotten about me and Breck, that he doesn’t care.

I guarantee he does. About himself, yes, and his interests.

When it comes to either of those things, he’s all about the caring and paying attention. ”

“Breck wouldn’t let him hurt you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about. I’ve lived with it, I know how to handle it. I’d never visit that on the Breckenridges. Can you imagine anything worse? They’re such a good, kind family.”

Why did she have any right to be a part of something so pure and virtuous? More of that Gambatto selfishness shone through. Her blood shouldn’t poison theirs. It wouldn’t be right. Why couldn’t she help herself?

“The Breckenridges care about you, they love you. They wouldn’t want you to think you’re alone in this. You’re not alone in this. It’s okay to rely on others, to take help when it’s offered. Wouldn’t you help someone you cared about?”

Yes, and he knew that. Giving was so much easier than taking. This wasn’t as simple as helping someone move to a new apartment. This situation could actually come with physical harm. Others were ignorant to that; it was on her to defuse the risk. Or walk away.

“I’m the only one who can fix it,” she said, “who can make a difference and protect them from being exploited.”

“How? How do you plan to do that?”

Oh, she could fib, she could hide and cower, but this was Bastian. Not trusting him was impossible. She’d seen him with his sister, with his mother, with the Breckenridges. His consideration was so genuine, it was intoxicating.

And, as anticipated, this was where the need to brace kicked in. “I spoke to the prosecutor in Chicago.”

There. It was out.

Instantly, he starched his spine and furrowed that brow. “You’re going to testify?”

“No! No. I was very clear about that. I just gave him… a nudge or two.”

“What did Breck say when you—you haven’t told him, have you?”

Yeah, he probably got that from her wincing cringe. “I need him to be safe.”

“He thinks the same thing about you. Jesus, Seq, what if something had happened to you?”

No need to overreact. “We were in Chicago one night. I’m here. I’m fine.”

“Everything I heard about Roxanna suggested—I can’t believe Tripp let you do this.”

When he grabbed for the arms of the chair as though he intended to get up, she lunged over to snatch his hand and stop him.

“He didn’t know, doesn’t know, neither of them do. Not that I gave the ADA anything. They were there when I met the prosecutor at first, they thought I just wanted to ask questions about the chances of success.”

“Of imprisoning your father. Because you believe if he’s in jail, you’re free to be with Breck.” When she shrugged, he sighed. “You went and saw this ADA again? Alone?”

“He lives in the same building we stayed in, he’s Roxie’s ex. I didn’t go to his office, I wasn’t seen with him. I was safe. But, yeah, I went down there to…”

“Nudge him.” Hmm, disapproval, but not exactly judgment. “What’s done is done. But you’re not finished, are you? You think there’s more to do here? What’s LA got to do with it?”

“My brother Joey killed Dayah Lynn, the actress.” According to Trish and that was enough for her. “Murdered her.” That was such shock news, he deserved a beat or two to process it. “The DA here is invested. Heavily invested.”

“Ackley, I know him, he’s dedicated.” Hopefully to the truth. “You want to nudge him too? Where? Nudge him toward what? Your father is a Chicago problem, is he not?”

“The plan with him is slightly different… It’s complicated though, Ackley and Roxie have history.”

“Yes. Given the way Zairn was treated after Dayah’s death, it doesn’t surprise me there’s acrimony there.”

“That was long before he and Roxie got together…” Long? Maybe not so long. Memory could teach valuable lessons. “Roxie’s not Ackley’s biggest fan and the feeling is mutual.” From what she could gather. “So I need to figure out a way I can get to him without Roxie thinking she has to come along.”

“Because if you show up with her, Ackley won’t be receptive to what you have to say.”

Bingo. “I don’t want to insult Roxie. She’s been incredible, kind, generous, she’s supported me, even when we were practically strangers.”

The woman had been with her when she read the negative pregnancy test, one of the most profound moments of her life.

“And she can support you in this too, from the sidelines.”

That would be the hope, but she didn’t want to tell the woman she wasn’t welcome when she’d done so much.

Bastian sighed. “I’ll make a call; we’ll go see him tomorrow.”

Uh, hold up. “We?” That hadn’t been her intention at all. “You don’t need to come. Breck doesn’t know about any of this, and I don’t want to put you in the middle. You shouldn’t have to lie to him for me.”

“Do you have any idea what he would do to me if he discovered I’d walked away from you?

What my mother would do?” That last question came with a smile that quickly faded.

“Ackley’s paranoid about his own safety.

He travels with security who won’t let you near him.

I can get you in without any fuss, without an explanation.

Do you want to explain to security and assistants why it’s important you talk to him?

Remembering, of course, we’re in one of the most paparazzi-infested cities in the world. ”

And there it was. Nuts. “The price for your help is your attendance?”

“Yep.”

She knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t budge. “Okay, but you can’t tell Breck. He’ll talk you out of it.” He nodded once. “Will Ackley meet us on a Sunday?”

“I can make it Monday, if you’d prefer.”

“No, it can’t be Monday, it has to be this weekend. I have to work on Monday.”

“Benedict Breckenridge won’t deny you some personal time. He’d never deny you anything.” Bastian stood up. “Either way, Sunday or Monday, Ackley may want a follow up meeting. I’d plan on being in LA for a few days at least.”

“I can’t take advantage of Ben’s kindness.”

“You never ask that family for anything. I promise you he won’t mind. Give him a call before I take you to dinner.”

A call? No, a text would need less explanation… Tripp would need a phone charger.

Bastian offered a hand and she took it, allowing him to help her to her feet. “I don’t want to leave Roxie and Tripp—”

“I’m taking all of you out for a meal. And you can repay the favor by getting me into Roxanna’s good graces. My mother may disown me if I don’t have her approval.”

“Why is she giving you a hard time?”

“No idea, but I’d like it to stop.”

“Okay. Is there somewhere in town that does good deep dish?”

Dinner was dinner, and she was hungry. The least she could do was help him out with Roxie. Ben would give her time off, of course, but it would raise questions. Her boss may not press for details, but his wife, his son…? Could be she’d face her own hard time in the not-too-distant future.