Chapter 243
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Chapter 243:
“Two hours?” she screeched into the receiver. “Are you serious? I’m in heels on a highway p>
She hung up, resisting the urge to hurl the phone into oncoming traffic.
A black SUV pulled onto the shoulder behind her, its hazard lights blinking in a steady, authoritative rhythm.
Carmen stiffened. Her hand moved into her purse and closed around her pepper spray. She had read enough true crime to know how this could go.
The driver’s door opened.
Justin Collins stepped out.
He wasn’t in a suit. He was wearing a navy polo shirt that fitted his arms well and dark slacks. He walked toward her with the unhurried confidence of someone who had never once doubted his welcome.
“Need a lift, or are you starting a bonfire?” he called out over the roar of traffic.
ոo𝗏𝘦l𝘴 𝘪𝗻 𝗍𝗿е𝗻𝖽 о𝗇
Carmen lowered the pepper spray but kept it in her hand. “My radiator exploded p>
Justin walked to the front of the car without asking permission. He popped the hood, waved away the steam, and looked at the engine with the calm competence of a man who understood how things worked.
“Yeah, she’s cooked,” he said, producing a rag from his back pocket and wiping his hands. “Hose is busted p>
“I have a board meeting,” Carmen said, panic rising in her voice. “I can’t be late. I’m the one who called it p>
“Hop in.” He jerked his thumb toward the SUV. “My security detail can handle this p>
Carmen blinked. “Your what p>
“Contingency planning,” he said, opening the passenger door for her with unnerving calm. “A woman of your importance shouldn’t be stranded p>
He winked. It was a devastating wink.
Carmen rolled her eyes — but she got in. The interior smelled of leather and mint.
“Don’t make me regret this,” she said.
Justin climbed into the driver’s seat and dialed a number through the bluetooth.
“It’s Collins,” he said. “I have a disabled Audi on I-95 South, mile marker 14. My ETA to the Wolfe Hotel is twenty minutes. Have the car retrieved, delivered to the dealer, and a loaner sent to Ms. Golden’s office by noon. Bill my account p>
He hung up and merged into traffic with practiced ease.
“I can pay for my own tow,” Carmen protested, gripping the door handle.
“Consider it a public service,” Justin said, his eyes on the road. “Keeping the city’s best hotelier on schedule is good for the economy p>
Carmen studied his profile. His jaw was set, his focus absolute. He drove with one hand on the wheel — relaxed, deliberate, entirely in control.
He’s too smooth, she thought. And he’s trying too hard.
But as the city rushed toward them through the windshield, she couldn’t deny the relief quietly washing over her.
Carmen made it to the meeting with three minutes to spare. Justin had dropped her off at the service entrance, flashing a badge at the security guard that made the man salute.
The meeting went well. She was ruthless and efficient, and by the time it was over, the housekeeping budget was balanced and the restructuring was approved.