Ethan shifted Lily again. His shoulder was going numb, but he did not set her down. There were some things a father carried until the child was safe.
Within three minutes, Robert Sterling appeared from the hallway behind the lobby.
He was a handsome man in his fifties with silver hair, an expensive suit, and the kind of smile hotel executives practiced in mirrors. His tie was perfectly centered. His cuff links were gold. His shoes made no sound on the marble.
The moment he saw Ethan, his smile died.
“Mr. Vance.”
Ethan watched him take in the scene.
The roses.
The sleeping child.
Patricia’s white face.
Karla’s stiff posture.
Lupita standing near the service door with towels still in her arms.
“I had no idea you were arriving tonight,” Robert said.
“That was the point.”
Robert cleared his throat. “Of course. I’m sure there’s been an unfortunate administrative confusion.”
