Stroke of Luck

Mr. Gunter leaned back in his chair. “Nothing to worry about. Mr. Dubois called me to say you have some things that belong to him. The engagement ring is one of them.”

Quinn’s eyebrow arched. “And the others?”

“Yes, he mentioned some jewelry, designer gowns, expensive shoes…” He waved his hand. “He sent a list.”

Of course he had. Maurice’s father and the owner of this hotel were old buddies. They would be happy to help Maurice humiliate her and, hopefully, put her in jail. They couldn’t allow her to get away with rejecting him. The money wasn’t of great concern to either of them, and she had no doubt that if they hadn’t gotten the money from her, they would have worked it out behind the scenes.

“And what proof does he have that these are his and don’t belong to April?” Quinn demanded.

She couldn’t believe that Quinn was defending her. But then, he’d always been a good man.

“It’s okay, Quinn,” she said, resting her hand on his arm.

As soon as her fingers came in contact with him, an explosion of sensation rushed through her.

He glanced at her, and she could swear he felt it, too.

She took a calming breath. “I don’t want anything from him. If he wants to take these things back, it makes it easier.”

Quinn frowned, but nodded.

“Fine. You may send some of your staff to collect the items in an hour, but they will be under April’s supervision. And if there’s a single thing they try to take that April doesn’t agree to,” he glowered, “they’ll have me to deal with.”

“Of course, Mr. Taylor,” Mr. Gunter said. “That’s perfectly reasonable.” He glanced at April, and a chill ran down her spine at his cool gaze. “Now. The ring, please.”

Quinn reached into his pocket and pulled it out, then gave it to the man. Quinn then stood up and offered April his hand.

She rested her fingers on his and could barely breathe at the electricity surging through her at the contact.

She stood up, and he took her elbow and escorted her to the door. Having him so close, knowing she could lean on him if she had to, made it easier to hold her head up as she walked from the office.

Once the door closed behind her, her knees went weak and she slumped against him.

His arm slid around her. ?

?Steady. You’re okay.”

“Thank you for standing up for me, Quinn.”

When she gazed up at him, his midnight-blue eyes seemed to soften.

“I don’t like to see anyone being bullied.”

Even though his answer was designed to make her think he hadn’t done it for her, the gruffness in his voice and the fact he kept his arm around her as they walked made her feel cared for.

As they stepped into the hallway with the column of elevators, one of them opened, and she noticed Sarah Piner step out with her husband, Jon. They were friends of Maurice’s who had come to Vegas for the wedding. Sarah’s finely plucked eyebrow arched high at the sight of April with a man’s arm around her.

Luckily, another elevator arrived, and Quinn guided her into it. April could see Sarah whispering in her husband’s ear, staring at April with piercing disapproval as the door closed.

She leaned against Quinn. His arm tightened around her, and he didn’t say a word as the elevator ascended.

She knew this wouldn’t last long, but right now, she needed it. To feel supported. And cared for. It’s all she’d ever wanted. Deep down in her soul.

And her heart ached as she realized she’d probably never find it.

* * *

As April walked from the elevator with Quinn toward his penthouse suite, she kept her gaze away from the door to the suite she’d been evicted from this morning.