Fraud

“Also declined.”

“What?” Another shrieked question and Ivy is drawing attention as her panic attack ratchets higher.

I should be filming this for posterity’s sake. It’s almost too perfect to believe.

They go through three more cards, Ivy’s panic at full volume when all are declined.

Given she was staying in a suite that costs one thousand dollars per night, two weeks is a hell of a lot of nights to pay for when you have no money to your name.

After ru

She spins my direction, her face a lovely shade of red while those aqua blue eyes narrow on my face with pure hatred.

“What did you do?”

If I were a cartoon, light would flash off my halo with the i

“Me? I’ve done nothing.”

Huffing out her rabid disbelief, she spins back to the clerk.

“I just need to make a quick phone call to settle this problem. I’m sure it’s all a giant misunderstanding.”

Oh, this should be fun. The grand finale is always the best part of the show.

Ivy marches off with her phone in hand.

I’m sure she’s calling her father and is seconds away from finding out just how alone she is in this fight. And while I’d love to follow after her and listen to the conversation, I decide to head to the front desk instead to smooth over the problem I created.

Resting my forearms against the counter, I lean down so I can level my eyes with the woman who has unexpectedly become my best friend in this part of the game.

“There has to be a way to work this out. Fourteen days is a lot of money when, clearly, she can’t pay. Can we just pay for the one night and be done with it?”

She cuts her stare to Ivy and back to me.

“Why should I give her that courtesy?” Her eyes tear up. “I can’t believe she turned you down.”

I frown. “Yes, it was extremely disappointing, but I’ll move on. There has to be true love for me out there somewhere.”

Reaching over, she touches my arm.

“Oh, you’re so brave. There’s a woman out there that’s perfect for you, I’m sure.”

“Thanks for that. So, about the bill.”

I pull out my wallet and open it.

“Ivy never should have stayed here. She obviously can’t pay for it, but it’s like I told you earlier. She has mental issues. I don’t have a lot of money. You know how it is. The Army doesn’t pay very well. But I can manage one night, if we can settle for that?”

From behind me, Ivy’s voice blares across the lobby. “Dad! You can’t do this to me! I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Intentionally dropping my expression so I look pained at the outburst, I wait until the clerk looks at me again.

“See what I mean? Her dad died over three years ago. I have no idea who she’s talking to. Nobody has been able to convince her he’s not still alive.”

The clerk’s shoulders wither, and her eyes round with understanding. “You’re such a good man for helping her.”

“Thanks. But about the bill. Can I just -“

Her hand squeezes my forearm.

“One night is fine. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. If I could give it to you for free, I would.”

“Thanks for that,” I say on a sad smile. “I appreciate it.”

I hand her my card, and she runs it with no problem. Not that I expected one. Unlike Ivy, my finances aren’t tied entirely to my family. I sign the receipt and hand it over, my eyes locking on the clerk’s once again.

“I have one more issue. Ivy apparently brought all her possessions with her. Don’t ask me why. Crazy and all. But can we have a valet bring those down? It’s just too much to carry.”

Blinking at me, the clerk darts her eyes between Ivy, who is still frantically arguing with her dad, and me. “The valets expect to be tipped. Can you afford that?”

I sigh. “Not really. I mean, I can. I’ll just have to pay my utility bill a little late, but that’s fine.”

She nods.

“Actually, I can get them. It’ll only take a few trips. I’m just worried because my war injury I told you about-“

Another nod.

“It was to the leg, and it acts up with a lot of walking. But that’s fine. I’ll just-“

“No,” she says, cutting me off. “You’ve already done so much. I’ll have someone get her bags and bring them down.”

“I appreciate it.”

She turns to call a valet, and I twist around to see Ivy marching my direction. Judging by the thin line of her lips and the clipped sound of her strappy heels against the floor, I’m about to be in a hell of a lot of trouble.

Honestly, I can’t wait. Ivy is the most fun to screw with when she’s angry.

Stepping away from the counter to intercept her before she’s close enough for the clerk to overhear our conversation, I wrap my hands over her shoulders and stop her in place.

Lowering my mouth to her ear, I don’t miss the angry heat of her body, waves of it crashing against me.

“I suggest you dial down whatever it is you plan to say or do at the moment so this situation doesn’t become worse for you. The bill has been paid, and a valet is bringing down your bags. I’d hate for you to ruin it.”

“I’m going to kill you,” she hisses, “and chop you up in tiny, tiny pieces.”

It’s wrong that my cock twitches at the barely restrained rage in her voice. Apparently, I am the type of bastard who gets off on this.

Still, I won’t admit fault.

“I have no idea why you’d do that. I’m here to rescue you, after all. You should be more appreciative.”

When I pull away from her, Ivy’s eyes lock on my face. I see my death being pla

“Be smart, Ivy. You can either go along with what’s happening right now, or fight and fuck it up. Your choice.”

Her voice is a razor’s edge when she narrows her eyes on mine and says, “I have no idea what you’ve done, but I’ve never hated you more than I do at this moment.”

Smiling at that, I answer. “I’ve done nothing.”

“You are a fucking liar. And when I figure this out, I will get even.”

I’ve never heard more beautiful words in my life.

Winking at her, I squeeze her shoulders.

“I’m looking forward to it.”