The signal changes, and she steps off the curb. “Let’s get you inside first.”
I follow her across the street, hope flickering in my chest. Not a yes, but not a no, either. My feet grow lighter despite the ache that pulses through my entire body, and for the first time since Derek’s fist connected with my face, I think maybe something good can come from this situation.
The Fairwind Hotel’s revolving door spins us into the marble-floored lobby, and heads turn in our direction, conversations dropping to whispers.
The concierge behind the reception desk freezes mid-sentence with a guest, his eyes widening at the sight of my taped nose and bruised face.
Self-conscious of the stares, I step closer toEmily. “Elevators are to the left. I’m on the fourth floor.”
Before we can cross the distance, though, the hotel manager materializes from a side office to intercept us. His name tag, which reads Marcus, catches the overhead light as he squares his shoulders.
“Mr. Masterson.” He acknowledges Emily with a quick dip of his head before turning his attention back to me. “I was hoping to catch you before you went upstairs.”
My stomach clenches. “Is something wrong?”
“I’m afraid so.” He gestures toward a secluded corner of the lobby. “Perhaps we could speak in private?”
Emily’s hand settles on my shoulder. “Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of me.”
Marcus’s mouth thins to a disapproving line. “Very well. Mr. Masterson, in light of tonight’s events, we can no longer accommodate you at the Fairwind.”
The words don’t register at first, and I blink, certain I misheard. “Excuse me?”
“Your belongings need to be removed immediately.” His voice drops lower, though not enough to prevent nearby guests from hearing. “We have a strict policy regarding guest conduct,especially when it comes to the safety of our Omega clientele.”
Heat rushes to my face, pulsing beneath the bruises. “There’s been a misunderstanding. I didn’t?—”
“We’re well aware of what happened.” Marcus slides a tablet from under his arm, tapping the screen before turning it toward us. “This was posted less than an hour ago.”
The shaky video footage plays on silent, showing Derek’s fist connecting with my face and the chaos that followed. He scrolls to the caption beneath.
Alpha water taxi captain for Misty Pines Resort attacks Omega passenger in Heat. Arrested in Pinecrest.
“That’s not what happened,” Emily interjects, her expression like granite.
Marcus swipes to another video, this one from a different angle, showing Derek shielding Mia while security leads me away in handcuffs. The comments beneath are vicious, calling for my arrest, my firing, or worse.
“Two hundred thousand views already.” Marcus tucks the tablet away. “We’ve received seventeen calls from concerned guests in the past thirty minutes, and our corporate office has been notified.”
The floor tilts beneath my feet, and I grab the edge of a nearby chair, steadying myself as the reality crashes down. “But I was released. They determined I didn’t?—”
“The Fairwind has a reputation to maintain.” His face hardens. “We advertise our hotel as a safe space for Omegas. Having you here breaks our policy.”
A woman at the concierge desk whispers to her companion, neither trying to hide how they stare at me. Near the bar, a group of business travelers huddle over phones pointed in my direction, and I can already see the next videos that will go viral of me being kicked out of the hotel.
“Please,” I say, hating my desperation but unable to hide it. “I’ll stay in my room. No one will see me. I just need a place to sleep tonight.”
Marcus shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. We’ve already refunded the remainder of your stay.”
Emily shifts her weight, body angling to block the recording of me. “This is discrimination. He was released without charges. You can’t punish him based on social media rumors.”
“Our policies are quite clear?—”
“Your policies can’t override basic fairness,” Emily cuts in, dropping to the same dangerousregister I heard in the security office. “He needs a place to stay tonight.”
Guests edge closer, hunger for drama evident in their faces, and bile crawls up my throat. I can’t have her dragged into this any further. No need for both of our reputations to be ruined.
I touch her arm, her muscles coiled tight with tension. “It’s okay. Don’t fight this.”