My shoulders tightened. First, someone tampered with the basement lock, now this. I was feeling very unwanted. My jaw worked. “Clearly someone isn’t happy with the Windward becoming a part of Langston Hotels.”

Tessa stiffened. “You think I had something to do with this?”

I studied her face. There was no way someone as…good and proper as Tessa Ashford would stoop to dirty tricks like this. “You’ve made no secret of the fact that you don’t want me here.”

Her cheeks filled with color. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“If you think she has anything to do with this, you’re an idiot,” Everett bit out.

I let out a breath. “We don’t have any proof of anything yet. I’ll have Caden look into it.”

“Ro, I am not the kind of person who would resort to… to…” She waved a hand at the railing.

“I know that.”

Her mouth opened, no doubt to blast me, but she snapped it shut. “You do?”

“Having spent most of the day with you, I can tell you’re one of those rare people who don’t lie and like to follow the rules.”

Everett snorted. “He has you pegged.”

Tessa shot him a short look.

“Look, let’s end the tour for today. Go and finish up, then go home. I’ll meet you first thing in the morning to see the rest of the hotel.”

She toyed with the end of her braid. “Okay.”

Everett opened his toolbox. “I’ll fix this railing and get my guys to check all the railings around the hotel.”

Tessa nodded, then her gaze focused on me. “We’ll get started at seven tomorrow.” Her gaze drifted down my suit. “I recommend you wear something more…casual.”

“Planning to lock me in the basement again?”

She pulled a face. “No. I’ll see you in the morning.” She took two steps and looked back. “And Ro, leave your phone behind.”

My brows snapped together. “My phone?”

“It rings too damn much. I want you focused.”

I watched her descend the stairs. In the lobby, she was instantly mobbed by several hotel employees. She spoke with everyone, clearly answering questions and soothing problems. She didn’t look anything like the rattled woman I’d held in my arms earlier.

Those horrible seconds when I thought she was going to fall blasted through my head.

“She isn’t some fancy model or socialite.”

I glanced back at Everett. “What?”

“I’m assuming that’s the type you usually play with. Tessa is way too good for the likes of you.”

I stiffened. “She’s my manager, that’s it.”

The other man arched a brow. “Really?”

“Just fix the railing.” I pulled out my phone and messaged Caden. He appeared just as Everett was leaving.

“Busy day?” my head of security asked.