Escape With Me (Love With Me 1)

“I need to get to work,” Cassie said, shaking herself from her thoughts. “Thank you so much for breakfast.”

“My pleasure. It gave me an excuse to have bagels instead of a protein bar for breakfast. Just don't tell Ian. I made him have a Pop-tart in the car on the way to school. He'd kill me if he knew I'd had breakfast sandwiches without him,” Brianna replied with a laugh. She crumpled up her sandwich

wrapper and dropped it into the bag. “I'll walk out with you.”

Together Brianna and Cassie cleaned up their breakfast and headed out the door. Cassie waved goodbye to Brianna as they each got into their cars. As she turned on the engine, a smile started to bloom on her face.

She was going to see Wyatt.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cassie

Cassie had to struggle to get past the reporters crowding the lobby. Men and women with phones and cameras of various sizes were all camped out and waiting for Wyatt to come downstairs. One of Wyatt's bodyguards from yesterday currently guarded the elevator and was checking key-cards.

That was definitely against Corporate Rule Twenty-Five: No guarding the elevator and checking key-cards unless there is a specific event in progress. Guests and their guests must feel welcome at all time. Cassie didn't even care, though.

The hotel was in chaos.

The poor girl running the front desk looked like she was ready to cry and two bellhops were cowering in the storage closet, occasionally peeking out and gawking at the reporters.

“Thank god you're here,” Lenny announced as soon as he saw her. He grabbed her arm and nearly hauled her into Cassie's office. He shut the door and then sagged against it, like the escape from the lobby had exhausted him.

“What's going on?” She looked around, trying to get her bearings.

“Your big guest,” Lenny replied tersely. “Apparently, it's bigger news than we thought. The lost billionaire returned. And, of course, the fact that he has a mystery woman.”

Lenny fixed her with his stare. He knew it was her, and he wasn't happy about it.

“Lenny, I can explain--”

“You don't have to. At least I know why he chose this hotel now.” Lenny crossed his arms.

“I'm sorry. I promise that it won't affect my work and--”

“I don't care,” Lenny cut her off. “What I do care about is that other guests can't get into the hotel right now. There have been six cancellations this morning alone. Corporate has called three times. We're in violation of at least seven policies.”

“We need to ask the reporters to leave.” Cassie started a mental list of all the ways to fix the problem.

“Corporate policy says we can't since they haven't technically done anything wrong,” Lenny informed her. “Rule number twenty-three. Also, some of them are also members of our Rewards program and are asking for access to the lounge. I've got it currently closed for cleaning, but policy states they must have access.”

Cassie didn't even bother asking if they could go against policy. Lenny worshiped corporate policy like it was his religion. Most of the upper members of the StarTree Hotel group did. To even suggest it was heresy.

“Unfortunately, as much as we appreciate Mr. Landers choosing the Phoenix StarTree Hotel for his travel needs, he needs to leave,” Lenny informed her.

Cassie nodded. He was right. If they couldn't go against corporate policy to make things work, then the hotel wasn't a good place for Wyatt to stay. “Of course, sir. I'll tell him right away.”

“We just aren't equipped to handle this kind of publicity,” Lenny told her. He tried to give her a gentle smile like he was doing her a favor for telling her this. “Next time you have a gentleman caller like this, have him pick a hotel that can handle this kind of attention.”

“Of course, sir,” Cassie promised. She had no intention of ever dating another billionaire again.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Lenny stepped closer, leaning forward so that only Cassie would hear him if there had been anyone else in the room. “I've kept the extent of broken rules quiet from corporate for now. You've been a good employee. I don't want to see you get fired for breaking policy.”

Cassie's mouth hung open for a moment. She shook herself at the absurdity of it. She was the one who always followed the rules. This was none of her doing.

“Of course,” she managed to stutter after a moment. “Thank you, sir.”

Lenny patted her shoulder and left the office. She peeked out the door and watched him go back to the check-in desk. Several reporters came to speak to him, and he beamed at them. It was obvious he was enjoying the attention, even if he wanted Wyatt out of the hotel.