Page 27 of Better Watch Out
“Sir.” Andrew turned to Doug. “I’d like to get back to the 1911 and check on Frannie. I’ll need to get in touch with the hotel’s security team there and—”
“They don’t have a security team,” Mr. Malone cut in with a sniff. They all looked at him. He lifted his shoulders. “My head of security, Isaac Lawson, runs one of the country’s biggest security firms. He’s assessed multiple hotel chains’ security risks and I can assure you the 1911 has never made his list. It’s a boutique hotel and doesn’t have the funding to support more than a four-man team monitoring security cameras.”
That news churned Andrew’s stomach. He needed to get back to Frannie ASAP.
“Move her here,” Mr. Malone said. “I’ll pay.”
“We have a discretionary fund,” Doug said. “We can take care of it.”
“No.” Mr. Malone squared his shoulders in a face-off with Doug that had Andrew and Joey exchanging a look. They were close in height but Doug had at least twenty pounds on the businessman in the Armani suit. And as often as he’d caught Doug coming in from a training session at Joe’s Boxing, that extra weight was likely all muscle.
Mr. Malone’s posture remained unmoving. The fact that he wasn’t backing down told Andrew he probably didn’t get refused often.
“This is non-negotiable. Get that young lady into the hotel here where at least I know the security is top-notch.”
“If you insist on moving Ms. Frost to another hotel,” Doug started, “then I must insist we move her to a different hotel. She cannot stay here where you and your daughter are staying.”
Realization dawned in Mr. Malone’s gray eyes. “Oh. Yes, I hadn’t thought about that. Fine. Then The Peninsula.”
Andrew’s jaw dropped. The Peninsula was a five-star luxury hotel and it wasn’t cheap, especially this time of the year.
“That’s very generous of you,” Doug started but stopped when Mr. Malone held up his hand.
At that moment, the door to the bedroom opened up and Valentina Malone stood there in a red dress that left nothing to the imagination. She tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, and her blue eyes, beneath lashes too long to be real, surveyed them.
Andrew did the same to her, trying not to be obvious. The hair and eye color were similar but the build—Valentina’s thin and angular one was different from Frannie’s soft, feminine curves. However, it wasn’t hard to see why someone might confuse the two women on first glance.
“Hi, Daddy.” She took a step in heels so tall Andrew didn’t know how she could stay up on them. “Everything okay?”
“Hi, pumpkin.” Mr. Malone circled the couch and pecked his daughter on her temple. “I think we’re going to order in for dinner tonight.”
“Daddy, I wanted to go out tonight.”
Andrew sent a sidelong look to Joey at Valentina’s childish whine. Dipping his chin, Joey hid his eye roll.
“Not tonight.” Mr. Malone smiled. “Chef Léandre is delivering a six-course meal.”
Expecting a tantrum, Andrew was mildly surprised when Valentina only exhaled loudly before turning to head back into her room. “Fine, I guess I’ll change.”
Andrew hoped Mr. Malone’s influence would prove helpful when it came to convincing his daughter to stay in her hotel for the remainder of their trip. He was already trying to figure out what he could do to convince Frannie of the same thing.
Doug caught his attention and tipped his head in the direction of the door. When they arrived there, he paused. “Head over to the 1911. I’ll send you the details once we secure Ms. Frost’s room at The Peninsula.” He exhaled. “You said Ms. Frost is the sister of an FBI agent?”
“Yes, Ryan Frost.”
“You’re going to need to let him know what’s happened.”
Andrew clenched his teeth. He knew he had to but it didn’t mean it was going to be an easy conversation.
Doug looked empathetic. “Maybe the two of you can figure out how to get her back home safely. I’m not sure how long it’ll be before someone realizes the mistaken identity but when that happens, I’m going to need you here.”
Andrew flicked a quick look to where Joey stood off to the side, almost invisible. Probably had plenty of practice blending in as a Secret Service agent but he would quickly make his presence known if required.
As if reading his thoughts, Doug added, “Caruso can handle Ms. Malone but something in my gut tells me this could go south real quick and I’d like to have a full team on this.”
“Yes, sir.” Andrew quietly exited the hotel suite and headed toward the elevator. Doug wasn’t one to exaggerate and it made him curious if he knew something more from his conversation with the FBI.
If it was important to the safety of their clients, Doug would’ve shared whatever he knew, but it was still unsettling that Andrew was facing a faceless threat.
