“At least Marie isn’t here to see what this did to her masterpiece.”Bryn peered into the mirror.His hair was a disaster, plastered to his head with sweat.
“You should rest,” Giles said.“Take a shower.We’ll head to the hotel in an hour.You’ll want to be fully recovered before we check in.”
Bryn nodded, too drained to argue.“Next time you create a back door in a security system, maybe consider one that doesn’t feel like dying?”
“I’ll add it to my list of design improvements,” Giles replied.“Right after ‘make it impossible to detect’ and ‘don’t get caught in the first place’.”
Chapter Six
Bryn walked two steps behind Giles’ left shoulder as they approached the front desk of the Four Seasons.If I were a dog, I’d be walking to heel.Fuck my life.His new clothes were constricting enough to be a suit of armor and the lingering effects from the capsule made his collar way too tight.Or maybe it’s because I can’t remember the last time I wore a tie.Damn strangulation device.
“Good evening and welcome to the Four Seasons.”The receptionist gave a professional smile.“How may I assist you?”
“Delacourt,” Giles said, his entire demeanor that of a man who expected the world to bend to his wishes.“I believe you have the presidential suite reserved.”
“Of course, Mr.Delacourt.”She tapped her keyboard.“And will Mr.Reid-Cobb be joining you this evening?”
“That’s me,” Bryn said, keeping his tone polite but distant, suggesting he dealt with such matters a hundred times a month.“Mr.Delacourt’s executive assistant.”
The receptionist’s smile never wavered.“My apologies.I have you both right here.”
Giles stepped away as if any future engagement with menial tasks was beneath him.Bryn dealt with the rigmarole of identification checks, getting a credit card on file and listening to the spiel about the facilities, which got on his last nerve but he managed to smile through it.It wasn’t the receptionist’s fault that his life sucked.
“And would you like assistance with your luggage?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Bryn answered.“I can manage.”
“Of course, sir.Here are your key cards.You should take the elevator to your right which requires the card for access to the upper floors.Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you.”Bryn pocketed both cards then picked up their bags.
In the elevator, Giles maintained his aloof expression until the doors closed.“Not bad.”
“I loathe Bryan already,” Bryn said, fighting the urge to loosen his tie.The capsule’s aftereffects were making everything feel too warm.Being in a confined space with Giles was not where Bryn wanted to be.
Giles grinned.“Learn to love him.”
“I hate you so much right now.”
“I know.”
The presidential suite’s foyer opened into a vast living area with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing Boston’s glittering skyline.Everything was cream and gold and understated luxury.Bryn went to check the two bedrooms.
“Very nice.Master bedroom is on the left so I left your bag in there,” he reported.“Emmett arranged a sweep for surveillance devices.”
“Yes, Gunnar’s team also did a thorough check this afternoon.Try to get some rest.Tomorrow will be…”
“Challenging?”
“That’s one word for it.”Giles glanced at his watch.“You should order dinner in an hour.I’d suggest a shower and change before then.”
Bryn nodded, heading toward his room.He paused at the door.“What do you want to eat?”
“Beef tenderloin, rare, with roasted vegetables and a 2015 Bordeaux.”Giles smiled.“Which you would know if you’d memorized the brief on my dining preferences in the file.”
“There was a brief on your dining preferences?”
“Page seventeen.After the section on my preferred meeting protocols but before the notes on my travel requirements.”
