Page 37 of Save Me (The Wolf Hotel Mermaid Beach #2)

“ W ell … fuck.” Connor smooths his palms over Darla’s steering wheel as we wait for Britt and Dani to emerge from the airport’s front doors. One positive to my newly unemployed status is that my calendar is suddenly wide open.

It took me the drive to the airport to fill him in on everything that’s been going on. I got to this morning’s grand finale as we were pulling in.

“So, like, you’re finished here, at Mermaid Beach?” he asks.

“I’m guessing all Wolf Hotels.” I can’t see how going back to Miami’s Outdoor Crew is an option anymore.

“This sucks!” he explodes. So far, Connor is showing more emotion than I have.

“Yeah. It was a good run while it lasted.”

“What am I supposed to do? I came here with you.” The wheels are churning in his brain. “Dude, we live in his fucking house!”

“Sloane has a trailer you can use. ”

His flat look makes me chuckle.

“Hey, we slept in bunk beds in a cabin with four other guys for an entire summer. It was basically camp. Don’t get all bougie on me now.”

“Of course I could handle that. There were hot women sleeping all around us up there.”

“Well, perfect, then, because there will be two smoking hot women in trailers next door and the ocean fifty steps away.”

“Huh.” Connor tips his head with renewed consideration. “Okay, that could work.”

“Yeah, I thought so.” No need to mention Frank yet. “Look, I’m sorry if this fucks up things for you. I had to do something, though. What Wolf is about to do to Sloane isn’t right.”

“Yeah, I hear ya, man.” Connor drags his tongue over the fading bruise on his lip.

I’m about to ask what Belinda did to him when the glass doors slide open and Britt steps out, wheeling her too-large suitcase behind her as she scans the area, looking for a red Bronco.

“There they are.” I hop out and jog forward.

Britt’s chocolate-brown eyes light up with her squeal. “I didn’t think you were going to make it!”

“My schedule freed up.” I collect her in my arms, lifting her small body off the ground and spinning her in the air, like I used to when she was little. She’s still wearing the same braids as she did back then.

“Stop! You’re gonna make me barf.”

“Just do it before you get in his car,” I joke, setting her back down .

A familiar freckled face is behind her. “Hey, Ronan!”

“Dani.” I pull her into my chest in a hug, resting my chin on the top of her head. “Damn, how long has it been?”

“Three years, I think?”

“You haven’t changed a bit. Still pale-ass. You’re gonna burn in this sun.” I yank on her strawberry blond ponytail, earning her giggle as she pulls away.

“Your hair is longer.”

“Yeah.” I reach up to push a hand through it. “Might shave it again. It’s hot here.”

But Dani’s head is shaking fervently as she peers up at me. “No, this suits you. It looks good.” Her cheeks flush.

It seems her crush has not faded yet.

“Finally, Little Lyle.” Connor’s deep voice booms behind me

“Connor, this is my sister, Britt, and her best friend, Dani, who is like a sister to me.” Even if she’s looking at me in a very non-sibling way.

“I’ve heard so much about you.” Britt holds a hand out.

Connor cringes at it. “What? No.”

Before Britt can register his words, he has her in a bear hug, rocking back and forth like a child squeezing its favorite stuffed animal.

When she peels away from him, she’s laughing.

Dani gets the same treatment.

“All right, all right. Greetings are over.” I know Connor too well to be comfortable with his hands all over them .

“Welcome to Mermaid Beach.” Connor throws a meaty arm around each of their shoulders and leads them toward Darla. “Gosh, we’re gonna have so much fun.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get the bags.” I shake my head at his back. He’s trying to get under my skin; that’s all this is. He wouldn’t try anything on either of them.

Fuck.

Would he?

“Ronan!” a familiar voice calls out.

I turn around, and there she is: Tasha, my first love, the woman who crushed my heart.

Holy shit. She’s actually here.

She looks the same and yet different. Still tall and willowy, her crop top showing off a hard stomach. That featherlight brunette hair I used to love fisting is cut to her chin. It suits her.

With a wide grin, she leaves her spot by the limousine that her friends are climbing into—I recognize some of their faces—and rushes over, plowing into my body.

It’s a beat before I return the hug, shocked to be seeing her again.

“It’s so good to see you,” she purrs in my ear.

“You too,” I manage. I used to know this body so thoroughly. She doesn’t feel the same, though. She doesn’t feel right.

Not like Sloane’s body feels right.

With one last tight squeeze, she pulls back but stays well within my personal space, her hands landing on my biceps. “You look amazing. You’ve been working out.”

“Yeah, I needed another addiction since I quit smoking.” I’ve been slacking a bit lately, but now that I’ve got more time, I can get back to the gym and running.

“You quit? Good for you.” Her hazel-green eyes sparkle. “So, you came to greet me?”

“Giving Britt and Dani a ride.” I toss a thumb behind me.

“Oh, right. Of course. I’m so dumb.” She laughs at herself. “Well, come and say hi to everyone!” Her hand slides down, fitting into mine as she attempts to tug me toward the limo.

“Actually, how about I meet you at the front of the hotel. I’m heading that way anyway, and these parking attendants are eyeing us.” I slip my hand out of hers and move backward toward Darla. “It’s a fifteen-minute drive. Twenty, tops.”

“Okay? See you there.” With a lightning-fast scan of my body, she strolls back to the limo, her hips swinging with each stride of her lengthy legs.

I climb into the passenger side of the Bronco. And groan.

“You, my friend, have a Valkyrie sitch right there.” Connor points to the limo.

“Yeah. I’m gettin’ that.” And the sooner I shut it down, the better, but in front of the airport didn’t seem like the right place.

Britt leans in, her arm draped over Connor’s seat. “What’s a Valkyrie sitch?”

“It means she’s making moves to ride your brother’s dick?—”

“Con!” I bellow at the same time that Britt yells, “Gross! ”

With a grin, Connor shifts into gear. “Buckle up, Little Lyle.”

“Get moving!” A security officer slaps our hood.

“I’m movin ’! Don’t fucking touch her!” Connor roars before pulling away from the curb, his glower aimed at the skinny man as we pass. Thankfully, his anger fades as quickly as it came. “What are you gonna do about the ex this weekend? Obviously, she can’t stay at the house now.”

“The fuck if I know.”

“Why can’t Tasha stay there?” Britt asks.

Connor’s eyes flicker to the rearview mirror. “’Cause your bro just got fired, and we have to move out, stat.”

Synchronized squeals of “ What ?” erupt from the back seat.

The front entrance to the hotel is buzzing with activity—cars pulling in and out, bellhops loading luggage onto carts, servers carrying trays with mimosas.

No expense has been spared for these next two days while Wolf wines and dines a slew of who’s who, reporters, and pretty people who will look good on camera.

And in the thick of it all is Belinda, greeting people with her fake but convincing smile. She’s swapped her hot pink golfing outfit from this morning for a sultry coral suit.

“Don’t worry. I’ll have things sorted by Saturday, one way or another,” I promise Britt as Connor pulls up to the door.

We hop out as a flock of attendants moves in.

“Welcome to Mermaid Beach!”

“Will you be needing help with your bags?”

“Can I offer you a refreshment?”

Britt and Dani fumble over their words, making me laugh. Neither of them has stayed in a luxury hotel before, but they smoothly accept the flutes and cheers each other with a giggle.

I could warn the staff that they’re not legal yet, but I won’t.

I don’t fucking work here anymore.

Belinda’s heels click as she approaches.

My shoulders stiffen as I prepare for a confrontation. I haven’t talked to her since we squared off last night.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?” She peers down her nose at Connor, which is a skill, considering he’s a good six inches taller than she is.

“Lunch break.” His blue gaze dips down into her displayed cleavage. “You’re looking well.”

With a sharp warning glare, Belinda turns her attention back to me. “These are guests of yours?”

“My sister and her friend.” If she even thinks of revoking these golden tickets?—

“Welcome to the Wolf Hotel. Please, follow Sammy inside, and he’ll make sure you get all checked in.” She gestures toward the bellhop.

“Call me later?” Britt moves in for a hug.

“Yup. Have fun and stay out of trouble.” I jut my chin toward Dani. “You too.” It’s a moot warning. Dani lives her life on the straight and narrow.

With excited grins, they skip inside.

“What, you thought I would bar their entry?” Belinda muses.

“The thought did cross my mind.”

“Why? To give you a reason to cause another scene? You’re becoming so good at it. No, that wouldn’t reflect well on the hotel, and some of us care about this place.”

“ That’s all some of you care about,” I throw back.

“Shouldn’t you be getting back to work, Connor?” She scans his uniform.

He takes the hint. “Guess so. Ronan?” He holds up his keys, waggling them once in the air before tossing them to me. “Treat Darla nice.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll come get you after work.”

“See you in your office later, B.” With a wink and an air-kiss, Connor strolls away.

Belinda checks around us to see if anyone overheard. “To think, you had it all, and you threw everything away.”

“I didn’t throw anything away. I know where my priorities are. You should reevaluate yours. When was the last time you saw family? Or went out with a friend?” I drop my voice. “Or didn’t choose your fucks based on who’s most convenient?”

Her eyes flash with anger.

But I didn’t come here to argue with her. “My other golden ticket guests are on their way. I hope you’ll show them the same courtesy.” I slide on my sunglasses.

Belinda hums. “The ex-girlfriend. ”