He opened his mouth to ask what she meant by that, but she straightened and started to stand.Tristan got up, and after watching Schumacher take two steps, could see the guy was wasted.“I’ll take him up.”No way he was letting him anywhere near Cassie right now.
He stepped toward him before Cassie could move.“Ready to call it a night?”
Bleary blue eyes focused on him for a moment, then slid to Cassie.And any pretense of politeness he might have had before was long gone.His gaze raked over her in an overtly sexual way, practically stripping her naked.“I want her to take me up.”
Not fucking happening.“I’m taking you up.”
Schumacher’s eyebrows snapped together.“No.I want her to—”
“I was hoping she could drive me to my hotel,” his friend said, shooting her and Tristan an apologetic look and trying to give her an easy way out.“If that’s okay.”
Schumacher wove on his feet for a second, blinking at him.“I...yeah, okay.Yeah.She’s the best, right?The best driver they’ve got.”He looked at Cassie, gave her a drunken smile that he probably thought oozed charm and charisma.“You mind?”
“Not at all.”She aimed a polite smile at his friend.“Right this way.”She shot a brief look at Tristan.
“Text me once you’re back,” he said, respecting what Schumacher’s friend had done.
She nodded and walked out of the bar with the other man.
“Man, she’s a total fuckin’ smoke show,” Schumacher slurred.“How do you work with her and not be turned on all—”
“This way.”Tristan spun him around, marched him to the elevator, and tried to keep the anger from showing on his face on the way up to the top floor.With a firm grip on Schumacher’s upper arm, he steered him down the hall and into his room, had to walk him over to the bed.
Schumacher practically sprawled across it on his face.Mentally rolling his eyes, Tristan took off his shoes and peeled off his tie before it strangled him, then turned him onto his side.If he puked in the middle of the night, at least he wouldn’t aspirate in this position.
For a moment he wondered if he should stay put to make sure Schumacher didn’t wind up choking on his own vomit, then dismissed it.Playing babysitter and mother wasn’t part of the job.“I’ll be across the hall.Text if you need anything.”But he hoped he wouldn’t.
Schumacher grunted something but didn’t stir.Tristan left the bathroom light on and went to his own room.After changing into a T-shirt and jeans he stood by the window, staring down at the lights of the city until his phone chimed with a message from Cassie.
Just parked.On my way up now.He in his room?
Left him passed out on his bed twenty minutes ago.
Nope.He’s been texting me.
He frowned, not liking the direction this was taking.Texting you about what?
You don’t wanna know.
Jesus Christ.Yeah, hedidwanna know.And then he would handle it himself.What did he say?
I’ll handle it.
Not alone, she wouldn’t.
He stepped out into the hall, waited until she came out of the elevator.She didn’t look upset, but then, she wouldn’t show it even if she were.His anger rose again.After all she’d been through lately, the last thing she needed was a piece of shit like Schumacher coming onto her.
“It’s okay,” she said softly, apparently sensing his mood.“I got this.”
The words were barely out of her mouth before Schumacher’s door opened, and he appeared wearing just his underwear.He seemed surprised to find Tristan standing there, but then his gaze shot to Cassie.“You got my messages.”
Yeah, fuck this.
Tristan stalked forward and planted a hand in the middle of Schumacher’s bony chest.“That’s enough.Go back inside and go to bed.”
Schumacher wove on his feet, glared up at him.“You can’t order me around—”
“Now.”He gave him a little shove.Waylighter than he wanted to.
