I side-eyed him since the yells coming from down the hall made clear the direction we needed to proceed. Hoisting my Steve Madden bag high on my shoulder, I looked at the hotel employee, dressed in his dark grey uniform.
“How long has this been going on?”
Peering over his shoulder, he responded, “Since they arrived a few hours ago.”
Sighing, I followed behind him. The closer we reached to suite 1134, the louder the screams grew. I ran my free hand across my forehead and massaged my temples. It was too late for this shit. I should’ve been sleeping peacefully in my bed, minding my own business. Yet, I was at a hotel on the other side of the city, intervening in another lovers’ quarrel.
“Open it,” I nodded at the door and stepped aside for the concierge to do as I requested. “I’ve got it from here,” I told him as soon as the light on the door’s lock flashed green. Stepping in front of the concierge, I turned the knob, pushing the door open.
I sighed heavily, as the yelling intensified between the couple, and the two women to the side continued giggling. The two people arguing in the center of it all didn’t notice my existence.
My main concern, however, were the two women in skimpy dresses filming the nonsense.
“Damn video phones,” I groaned under my breathe.
I hiked my bag up higher, and stepped off the entranceway step, down into the main area of the suite. Quickly, I made my way over to the couch, swiping the phones from the women before they could ask who I was.
“Gimme my phone,” One demanded.
“What the hell?” The other screeched.
Frowning as I glared at the women as I tossed their phones into my purse and removed my keychain which held a canister of pepper spray at the other end.
“I’m going to give both of you messy hyenas until the count of three to gather your belongings and hightail your asses out of here and into the Uber I so graciously ordered for you. If I make it to four and you’re still standing here, you’re going to know what it’s like to get a shot of mace to the face.” And possibly a throat punch solely due to my irritation with having to deal with them and my client.
“Gimme my phone,” the one with long black hair cascading over her shoulder protested.
I shook my head. “You’ll get your phones backafterthe shit you recorded is deleted.” I hoped they hadn’t posted the drama live to any of their social media accounts. That would be the last thing I needed.
“I don’t know who the hell you think—” the second one’s tirade broke off when I pressed my arm out in front of me, holding the pepper spray with my finger on the button, directly in her face. “Ain’t nobody scared of a little mace.”
“Try me,” I growled in a voice so full of ire it surprised me. I was sick of the shit.
She blinked, and though both of the women continued to glare at me, I noticed they both backed up.
“Look, I’ve got bigger shit to deal with than you two. You’ll get your phones when the videos are deleted.” I quickly glanced over my shoulder at the still fighting couple. “Lena will know where to find you. Now get the hell out.”
I wanted to turn and focus on the situation behind me, but I knew better than to turn my back on two bitter Betty’s. It was bad enough I had to be out, well past two in the morning, dealing with this drama. The last thing I needed was for Thing One and Thing Two to try and jump me. Neither one of them could take me, but still. I wasn’t in the mood.
Slowly, I let my gaze follow them as they started for the door. The women tossed angry glances over their shoulders, at me, but they weren’t foolish. They exited, and I knew the concierge who’d walked me up here, would be on the other side, escorting them to the awaiting Uber, downstairs.
I placed my bag on the coffee table and set my keys next to them.
“Lena,” I shouted to get her attention. The girl was still so damned involved in this ridiculous argument with her fiancé that she yet hadn’t noticed my entrance, or that her twofriendsleft.
“Who was she, Nate? Who’s the bitch you were with?”
“Man, I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. You’re trippin’,” he countered.
A part of me wanted to let them continue aguing until they tired themselves out. Then I remembered they’d been at it for two hours already. A hotel guest already made a complaint at the front desk. The one saving grace was that the guest had no idea who the couple was since he hadn’t seen their faces. The complaint is what led to my connect within the hotel calling and informing me that one of my firm’s clients was up in the hotel, causing a scene.
“Lena Jade Clarkson,” I shouted at the top of my lungs.
Finally, that got her attention. She blinked, looking surprised.
“Jodi?”
I frowned at how hoarse her voice sounded. “Where’s Rayven?” Rayven was Lena’s bodyguard and cousin. She should’ve kicked those two leeches out long before I got here.
