Chapter Fifteen
Russ stormed through the Black Cherry Resort lobby and pounded the elevator button with his right hand; his left crushed the newspaper, causing it to squeak in protest. “Come on!” he demanded as he pressed the button again. There was a happy little ding, and the doors slid open. He jumped inside and hit the top floor, tapping his foot as the doors slowly closed and the elevator jolted to a start.
When they opened again, Russ came face-to-face with Tyrell. His bulging shoulders and crossed arms as clear to read as a “do not disturb” sign. Russ had come this far, and he wasn’t about to back down. “I need to talk to Gabriella—please,” he added, hoping a little politeness would earn him points.
It didn’t. “She’s busy.”
“Doing what?”Another massage? A pedicure?
“That’s none of your business.”
The door to the suite opened and Gabriella asked, “Tyrell, what’s going on?”
“Unannounced visitor,” growled Tyrell.
“Gabriella!” Russ tried to dodge around Tyrell and ended up smashed into the wall. “Gabriella,” he croaked against the arm at his throat. Russ struggled against Tyrell’s hold. “You’re bigger than you look, ya know that?”
Tyrell glared.
“Let him in.” Gabriella disappeared into the room but left the door open.
Tyrell lowered his arm, and Russ didn’t have to stand on his tiptoes to breathe. He patted the still-glaring man on the shoulder. “No hard feelings.”
“I’m right outside this door,” growled Gabriella’s favorite pet.
Russ nodded. “Got it. You’re right there.” He pointed to the door. “And I’m in here.” He slipped into the room. “It was good to see you again,” he said before shutting the door on Tyrell’s ugly mug. He thought about flipping the dead bolt, but that probably wouldn’t stop the guy who was more determined than Hades’s hound with the three heads.
Feeling like he’d escaped a beatdown on the playground, Russ took a fortifying breath. The newspaper crinkled in his hand, reminding him of the reason he’d busted into the forbidden palace in the first place. “Have you seen this?” He shook the paper at Gabriella, who’d taken up position on the love seat.
She wrapped a snow leopard print Minky Couture blanket over her shoulders to ward off the chill that the weatherman said meant trouble was headed their way. Trouble was right. If Gabriella didn’t get this fixed, everything Russ had worked so hard for over the last few years would be torn to bits.
“Isn’t it wonderful, darling? I’ve already had requests for interviews based on that little gem.” She lifted a dainty coffee cup off the table and stirred the contents.
Russ looked over his shoulder before saying, “None of it’s true.”
She lifted an eyebrow but continued to stir. “Of course it is.”
Russ wanted to shake her by the shoulders and make her see the world without her Hollywood filters. “They’ve quoted me saying that I’m stifled in Harvest Ranch. Ineversaid that!” He threw the paper on the coffee table. “I’m calling first thing tomorrow and demanding a retraction. Their anonymous source lied.”
“You may not have said those exact words.” She blew lightly on the coffee. “But your desire to shake off this town is evident in your eagerness to leave.”
He glared. “I’m not the one who’s eager. You’ve been pushing me into this since I got here.”
Gabriella’s eyebrows pulled together.
“You’re the unnamed source for the article,” Russ blurted. “You’re burning bridges here, so Ihaveto leave.”
Gabriella tipped her head back and laughed. “Darling, are you listening to yourself? You’ve thought up a whole plotline and cast me as the villain.” Gliding to her feet, Gabriella let the blanket fall from her shoulders, revealing her tiny tank top and the shape she was famous for. “Sweetheart, you’re a star.” Russ’s mouth went dry as she slid her arms around his middle and kissed his neck. “I’m not a bad guy, but I don’t always have to be the good girl.”
Russ jumped out of her reach and bolted to the door. “I, um, I need to get back to work.” He yanked on the door, twice, and couldn’t get it open.
Gabriella advanced, giggling. “You go be a good little writer, and we’ll talk again soon.” Pressing her squishy lips against his cheek, she lifted the handle, and the door opened.
Tyrell jerked his hands up, ready to swing.
“I was just leaving.” Russ glared at him.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. They shut behind him, sealing his fate and doom with one ironically happy little ding.
