Page 78 of The Money Shot
We cruised along the quiet, palm-lined road, the vintage BMW purring beneath us. Liam sat beside me, his fingers trailing along the edge of his seat like he couldn’t wait to jump out of the car and explore. Monfils handled the wheel with a calm precision that matched his demeanor—elegant, composed, and just a little enigmatic.
“Why does it feel like the island is deserted?” I asked, glancing out the window. The road stretched ahead of us, empty except for a smattering of cars that looked like they were moving in slow motion compared to the chaos of Manhattan traffic. “There was barely anyone on the plane, and we haven’t passed many cars.”
Monfils chuckled softly. “Ah, yes. A hurricane was forecast to hit the island two days ago. We were lucky; it turned away into the Atlantic. Many canceled their plans in anticipation, but as you can see, we are untouched.”
Liam leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “Have you had hurricanes hit here before? Like bad ones? What happens then?”
“Many times,” Monfils replied, his tone conversational. “The Caribbean is no stranger to storms. We prepare as best we can, but when one is determined to strike, there is little we can do butrebuild. Some have been devastating, but we endure. This is our home, after all.”
As Monfils and Liam chatted, I found myself watching Liam more than listening to the conversation. He was animated, full of energy and questions, the exact opposite of the weary silence that hung over the rest of the island. He had a way of bringing life into every space he entered, even a quiet BMW with a stranger at the wheel.
When we pulled into the circular driveway of La Majesté Royale, it was like stepping into another world. The hotel rose like a palace against the backdrop of the sea, its grand facade shimmering in the afternoon sun. Beyond it, the ocean stretched out endlessly, a dazzling blue that seemed almost unreal. Everything about this place screamed luxury—the marble columns, the sprawling infinity pool, and the attentive staff waiting at the entrance.
Monfils parked the car and got out to help with our luggage. “Here we are, gentlemen. I trust you’ll find the accommodations to your liking. I will leave you to settle in. Call me in a few hours, and we can begin our work.”
“Thanks, Mr. Monfils,” I said, shaking his hand. Liam waved cheerfully as Monfils got back into his car and drove off. We turned toward the entrance, where a receptionist stood behind an imposing desk, her expression cool and aloof.
“Welcome to La Majesté Royale,” she said, her voice clipped. Her perfectly manicured hands hovered over a sleek tablet. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes,” I replied, giving her the details. Her eyes flicked over us, clearly unimpressed, but she nodded and tapped away. Liam leaned close and whispered, “La-di-da. This place is so fancy, I’m half-expecting a butler to appear and offer us caviar.”
I smirked, keeping my voice low. “Don’t jinx it. And by the way, we’re only taking one room, not both.”
The receptionist looked up, arching a perfectly shaped brow. “You’re sure? Both rooms are included in your reservation.”
“Just the one,” I confirmed. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she made the adjustment without comment.
Before she could hand over the key cards, a bellhop appeared, his uniform crisp but his tie slightly askew. He was young, with a mischievous grin that made him look like he was perpetually in on a joke no one else knew.
The receptionist frowned. “Is there anything else…”
“I’ll take those bags,” he said, cutting off the receptionist with a pointed look at her shoes. “Nice heels. Bet they’re great for standing all day.”
Liam stifled a laugh, and I couldn’t help but grin. The receptionist’s eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, sliding the key cards across the desk with a frosty, “Enjoy your stay.”
The bellhop grabbed our luggage and gestured for us to follow him. “Right this way, gentlemen. You’re in the Royale Suite. Real fancy digs. Try not to track in too much sand.”
“Great!” Liam chirped, as we followed the guy. When we reached the room, the bellhop pushed the door open with a flourish. The suite was breathtaking—floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony overlooking the ocean, and a bed so massive it looked like it could fit a small army.
The bellhop lingered for a moment, his eyes darting between Liam and me. Then he said, “You guys look familiar. Have I seen you somewhere before?”
My stomach flipped. “Familiar how?” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
He shrugged, his grin widening. “Dunno. Just a feeling.”
I told myself there was no way he’d seen our FantasyFans page. The odds were astronomical. Still, a sliver of panic crept in. Liam, of course, was unfazed. He tipped the bellhop generously and waved him off with a cheerful, “Thanks, man!”
When the door clicked shut, I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Liam flopped onto the bed, stretching out with a contented sigh. “This is going to be amazing,” he said. “Jack, look at this! A private balcony, a sitting area, a bed that could probably sleep four people—I mean, this is luxury.”
“It’s nice,” I admitted, running a hand over the smooth wood of the dresser. “But I’m not here on vacation. Monfils will be back soon, and I need to prepare.”
Liam dropped onto the bed dramatically, stretching his arms over his head. “You’re so responsible, Jack. Can’t we just…I don’t know, enjoy this for an hour? Put your feet up, have a drink, maybe...” He grinned mischievously. “See if the bed’s as comfortable as it looks?”
Tempting. But I shook my head. “Liam, you know I can’t. Evelyn is already making this project a nightmare from afar. If I don’t stay on top of things here, it could all fall apart.”
Liam sat up, his expression softening. “You’re going to do great,” he said, crossing the room to stand in front of me. “You always do. And if Evelyn tries to mess with you, you’ve got me in your corner.” He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “Now, can I at least convince you to come down to the beach and dip your feet in the water before Monfils gets back?”
I hesitated, but the hopeful look in his eyes was impossible to resist. “Fine,” I said. “But just for a few minutes.”