The man smiled suddenly. “Mr. Fiori. I think perhaps you need to teach your staff the principle of the customer is always right. I booked the Primrose Room months ago, and now I’m being put in some third-rate room.”
Mari spoke for the first time. She lifted her chin and willed her voice to come out without the wobble she felt inside. “I moved Mr. Reilly to the suites on the third floor.”
“The Fiori Cascade is very sorry for the inconvenience, as I’m sure our manager, Ms. Ross, communicated to you.” Reilly started to open his mouth, but Luca cut him off. “However, we do not tolerate abuse of any kind towards our staff. She has generously booked you in one of our most exclusive suites. I’m sure you’ll find it more than satisfactory.”
“I assure you I won’t.” He turned his head and glared at Mari.
Mari dropped her eyes to the floor. She didn’t want to challenge him in any way. Luca was letting him stay. It was smart business-wise, but she couldn’t help being disappointed. She refused to look up. If he had to think he’d won, fine. It was better than the alternative.
Luca saw Mari’s eyes drop and stay focused on the floor. She was still afraid. For the tiniest flash, he remembered her vibrancy, her laughter, on the night that they danced together. No man—client or not—had the right to frighten her, to intimidate her. To use force against her. He held his temper, but only just.
“Come to think of it, Mr. Reilly, we’re terribly sorry. The Cascade has no vacancies at this time. I’m certain you’ll be able to find lodging at one of Banff’s other fine establishments. Please leave.”
“Like hell! I intend to let head office know of this!”
His attempts to defuse the situation had failed and Luca knew that he couldn’t have such a person staying at the hotel under any circumstances. This scene had to end and end now. If Reilly would do this in a public lobby, what would happen if housekeeping upset him in some way? He had a duty to protect his staff. He had a duty to Mari. Luca knew Reilly would follow through and lodge a complaint, even if it meant he would only make a fool of himself.
“Please do. I’m sure my assistant will forward your complaint to me with the utmost expediency.”
“You bast—”
Luca interrupted, any pretense of amicability gone. His words were clipped and final. “I am sure the local authorities would be happy to provide transportation, if you can’t leave under your own power.” Luca flicked a finger by his thigh, knowing two of the hotel security staff would join them within seconds. He would have preferred not to get police involved, but there was a line and Mr. Reilly had crossed it.
Reilly squared his shoulders, gathered his bags, and strode out of the lobby, cursing the whole way.
Mari looked up at him, her cheeks still devoid of heal
thy color. “I’m sorry, Luca, I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t apologize. Come with me.”
She followed meekly. He didn’t touch her anywhere, but she felt pulled along just the same. “Where are we going?”
“To my suite, so you can get yourself together.”
He opened the door with his key, and she went inside ahead of him. He went to the cabinet and poured a small amount of brandy in a glass. He handed it to her. “Drink this. It will put the roses back in your cheeks.”
Mari sipped, opening her mouth wide and gasping as the liquor burned.
He was angry. She’d handled everything wrong, and he was angry at her. At least he was going to have the grace to call her to the carpet in private.
“Luca, I’m sorry.” She took another fortifying sip of the brandy and handed him back the glass.
“Sorry for what?”
“It’s my job to deal with our guests and I failed today.”
“For God’s sake, quit apologizing for that ape’s behavior!”
She stepped back at his outburst.
He tempered his tone at her reaction. “I’m the one that’s sorry, Mariella. When I saw him grab you…you looked like you were about to collapse in a heap. It made me insensible.”
“You’re not angry with me?”
He stepped forward and crushed her into his arms. “No, darling,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m not angry.”
Tears stung the backs of her eyelids as they slid closed. His wide hand cradled the back of her head as she leaned against him.