“Checking in?” the guy asked me.

I almost laughed. This place was so out of my league. I shook my head. “No. But I’m bringing that luggage to my cousin. She’s staying the night with a guest . . . or guests here. They’re in the penthouse.” I looked around. “She was supposed to meet me down here.”

The surprise in his eyes was obvious. He must know who was in the penthouse. “I can’t allow you up there. It takes a special key to get to that floor. Is there a way you can call your cousin?”

I checked the lobby again for any sign of Sonya. She wasn’t there. I didn’t want to think about what had gotten her sidetracked. “I, uh, could you maybe call up there and ask them about what I need to do with the luggage? I don’t mind leaving it, but I want to make sure she knows it’s here and she can come get it.”

The guy’s gaze had drifted lower over my body but snapped back up to look at my face when I spoke. “Yes, of course. Wait right here,” he said. I nodded, standing beside the luggage as he went to the concierge desk.

If Sonya wanted her luggage so bad, she at least could have been waiting for me. Then the fact that I was out of cash sank in. Crap. I had to get money from her, or I would be stuck here. I looked over at the bellhop and wondered if he’d mind asking my cousin to come down. Before I could decide how to handle the situation, the guy was hanging up the phone and coming toward me.

He looked amused as he walked up to take the luggage cart. “I’ve been instructed to bring you and the luggage up,” he informed me, then waved his hand for me to walk in front of him. “Private elevator for the penthouse floor is this way.”

Why was I supposed to go up? I needed money, but I didn’t want to see Kiro again. Would he remember me from last night? Would Trac? No, probably not. They would be sober now, and I wouldn’t be someone who stood out last night. There had been so many. And they’d more than likely slept with several girls after I left.

I didn’t argue. I went to the elevator. If Sonya needed me to come up, I would. I was surprised she wanted me to. She had sounded so disgusted with me on the phone.

The bellhop swiped a card, and the elevator opened. I stepped inside, and he followed me. The massive size of the elevator surprised me. It was also very elegant and didn’t feel like an elevator at all.

“What part of the South are you from?” the bellhop asked.

“South Carolina,” I replied.

“I like the accent,” he said, smiling.

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say to that. He didn’t sound like someone from Chicago. But I didn’t want to ask where he was from in case he was from here.

The elevator opened onto a small landing with two large double doors in front of us. That was it. The whole top floor of this hotel was the penthouse. Wow. He let me lead the way, but I didn’t walk up to the door. He was staring at me, so I glanced over at him. He was waiting for me. To do what? Knock?

Oh, heck no. “Uh, they don’t know me. I probably shouldn’t be the one to knock.” The idea of a shirtless Kiro Manning opening the door was terrifying.

The guy cleared his throat. “Mr. Manning answered the phone, and he seemed to know who you were. He described you perfectly.”

What? That couldn’t be right. How did he know who I was? Even if he remembered from last night, he didn’t know Sonya was my cousin. Trac knew we were together, but he was so high he wouldn’t have remembered enough to tell Kiro.

“You still want me to ring?” the bellhop asked when I didn’t move.

“Please,” I said.

He smiled and nodded, then stepped up and rang the doorbell. No need to knock—of course, this place had a doorbell.

One of the large doors swung open, and I held my breath, hoping to see Sonya standing there. Instead, it was Dean. I sighed in relief. I knew he wouldn’t recognize me.

“I was asked to bring up the luggage and the lady from downstairs,” the bellhop said.

Dean nodded, and his eyes locked on me. One side of his mouth curved up in a half smile, and he shook his head and muttered “Shit” before stepping back to let the bellhop in with the luggage.

“You first,” the bellhop said.

“I’m sure they don’t want me in there. I just need to see Sonya for a moment. Then I’ll be gone,” I explained quickly.

Dean’s eyebrows rose, and he chuckled. “Well, fuck,” he muttered this time. “Darling, if you don’t come in here, I’m afraid we’ll have a problem on our hands. And I ain’t in the mood for that kind of shit today.”

What did he mean? Was Sonya causing problems? I hoped they didn’t think I could handle her. I had no control over her. This right here was proof of that.

“Come on in and save me the hassle,” he said, motioning for me to go inside.

I wasn’t afraid of Dean. He didn’t make me nervous, although his eyes had given me a once-over that made me feel a little exposed. I moved toward him and hoped this wasn’t going to be a problem.

Dean leaned in and inhaled as I walked by him. I didn’t look at him. I just kept walking through the foyer. The bellhop’s eyes were on me. He seemed concerned, like he wasn’t sure he should leave me here. I didn’t want him to. I would much prefer that he wait.

“That will be all,” Dean said, with his hand still on the door. He wanted the bellhop to leave. “She’s fine. But if you don’t leave, you may not be.”

The bellhop tensed, and he gave me a nod before taking the cart and leaving.

Once he had closed the door, Dean turned to me. “Did you fuck Kiro last night?”

I hadn’t been expecting that question. I just stood there, staring at him. Why would he ask me that?

“Fuck. You didn’t.” He shook his head. “Damn, darling, this shit cannot end well.”

“Huh?” I finally asked, trying to figure out what he was talking about.

“What if I told you that I’d like to take off those jeans you’re wearing and spread your legs open and lick that pussy?”

Ohmygod. He did not just say that! I had to get out of here. I needed my bellhop back. This was not good. They thought I was here to do what Sonya did. I shook my head and mentally tried to pull together an escape plan.

“It’s not a fucking act.” Dean hissed as if he was pissed. “Dammit, sweetheart! What were you doing anywhere near that party last night? You look ready to pass the fuck out because I talked about eating your pussy. Girl like you don’t belong around this world.”

Dean was confusing me. I found my voice. “I just need some money from my cousin. If you could get her, I’ll leave. I can’t get back to the hotel without a cab. It’s a thirty-minute drive, and I don’t think I can walk that far. If she’s, uh . . . busy . . . I just need a second of her time. That’s all.”

Dean stared at me as I spoke, then rubbed his temples before letting out a sigh. “You don’t get it,” he finally said.

“Don’t get what?” I asked.

“How old are you?” he asked, studying my face closely.

“Twenty,” I told him, not sure why that had anything to do with this.

He started to say something else but then closed his mouth. I watched him walk toward the large, arched opening to the left. “Follow me.”