Thorne looked back at the doorman. “We need to discuss employees and how they handle their jobs.”

Mr. Garnet looked like he’d be happy to forget he’d ever seen Thorne or the doorman. “Did something happen?”

“Something hasn’t happened. I don’t have breakfast or coffee because this man would not let my—” Thorne paused there, obviously not at all sure how to describe Dash.

Dash wondered what he’d come up with.

“Personal chef into the building.”

Dash pressed his lips together in an effort not to laugh.

“I was following policy,” the doorman protested. “And the young man didn’t say he was here to see Mr. Shipton.”

Mr. Garnet looked at Dash and then at the doorman. “I’m confused.”

“Don’t be,” Thorne said, taking over again. “I sent Mr. Dashwood out for…”

Dash didn’t hear the rest of what Thorne said because he was stuck on the fact that Thorne knew his real name. Sheila never revealed anything personal about the men and women who worked for her. Thorne had stalked him; fucking stalked him. And yet, here he was defending Dash, angry at the doorman’s treatment of him. Thorne had always treated him with respect, even apologizing when he joked about paying him.

“I’m going to leave you to handle this now,” Thorne said to Mr. Garnet. “I hope I won’t have to get involved in such matters again.”

“Thank you for calling this to my attention, sir. I’ll make sure you never have this problem again.”

“I sincerely hope so. I’d hate to have to call my realtor.”

“No sir,” Mr. Garnet said. “I will brief all our employees on this issue of guests with keys.”

Thorne smiled. “Thank you.”

Angry as he was, Dash had to stifle a laugh when he saw the expression on the doorman’s face. Thorne was so delightfully officious. No wonder he was good at his job.

THORNE TURNED WITHOUT another word and started toward the elevators. After a few steps, he realized Dash wasn’t following him. “I’m ready for breakfast now,” he called over his shoulder.

“Oh, right.” Dash unfroze and followed him to the elevators. Thorne keyed into the one for the upper floors.

When the doors shut, Thorne turned to face Dash. “I’m very sorry about that. There have been some incidents recently in the adjacent building. I know Garnet wanted to up security, but he’s taken it too far.”

Dash didn’t say a word. Was he pissed off that Thorne had rescued him?

“What’s wrong?” Thorne asked.

“How the fuck did you know my name?”

Oh, right. He’d let that little secret out. “Do you honestly think I’d give my key to someone I hadn’t vetted?”

“And here I thought you respected me.”

Thorne frowned. Where was this going? “I do.”