Free Bet on Ecstasy by Stacey Kennedy Page B

office.
    Kyra stared at the empty hallway as a memory rushed into her mind.
    A young Kyra skipped down the hallway, then leaped into her father’s arms. “Daddy, it’s my birthday.”
    “Happy birthday, baby.” Her father smiled, pieces of his dark gelled hair broke free and hung over his forehead. “Seven years old, you’re such a big girl.”
    Kyra pushed out of her father’s arms as he lowered her to the hardwood floor. “Mommy said we’re leaving soon for my pizza party.”
    “I know.” Her father cupped her cheek. “But, darling, I’m sorry to say I can’t make it.”
    A slow disappointment slid over her, making her chin quiver. “Why?”
    Her father’s brown eyes were shadowed, his brows drawn together, and his lips pressed into a thin line. “An important meeting has come up at work. You know Daddy can’t miss these things.”
    Tears welled in her eyes. “But it’s my birthday.”
    “I’ll make it up to you. Next year I won’t miss it.” Her father smiled. “I promise, Kyra.”
    Kyra blinked out of the memory, staring at the office door Smith and Brock had entered, a cold shiver sliding through her.
    Her father never kept his promise.

Chapter Seven
    One month had passed in a blur of exciting nights of hot sex. Thirty long days went by with Kyra daydreaming about those erotic adventures during her workday. The passing weeks had left her body happy and her smile genuine.
    The hum of the limousine’s engine slowing drew Kyra away from the memory of her wicked nights spent between two delicious men. She looked out her window, noticing the driver stopping in front of the Hotel Monaco Baltimore.
    Only a moment later, her door whisked open, and she stepped out into a warm, dry night. The driver shut the door behind her, and tipped his hat. “Have a wonderful evening, miss.”
    “Thank you.” She smiled.
    It’d been a while since she’d been driven anywhere in a limousine. Her father had enjoyed the luxury of such things, but Kyra preferred a car she could drive herself. Furthermore, no matter how nice the limo was, it would’ve been nicer if Brock and Smith were in the car as they had planned.
    She’d seen the empty seats and experienced the slow slide of disappointment before she’d received the phone call from Smith. He told her that they would have to meet her at the charity event tonight because a meeting held them up.
    In the month she’d spent with them, she couldn’t even count on two hands how many times they were late or had to rearrange a dinner date because of work. The tension in her chest that had developed the first night she’d slept at their place hadn’t left her. In fact, it’d become worse.
    With a heavy feeling forming in her stomach, she pushed the thoughts from her mind, knowing tonight wasn’t about her. Standing on the sidewalk, she inhaled the scents of stale air mixed with car exhaust.
    The hotel, which was located in the Ohio Railroad headquarters of Baltimore, had been the annual spot for the charity gala hosted by both MDR Software and the hotel, which benefited Baltimore’s foster families. The silent and live auctions, as well as the three-hundred-a-plate dinners, helped foster kids attend camp and join sports teams, and some even received scholarships to go to college.
    Kyra noted that carved into the stone was 1906 indicating the hotel’s age. She'd been in this hotel before, and it was five stars all the way.
    The greeter standing at the revolving door with the earpiece and clipboard in his hand told her enough that tonight the hotel was completely off-limits to the public and had been rented out for the evening. She approached, and when she reached the young man, he said, “Name, please.”
    “Kyra Garner,” she replied.
    Holding a piece of paper in his hands, he read for only a split second, indicating Smith and Brock put her name at the top of the list. “Enjoy your night, Ms. Garner.”
    She entered and stepped into the three-story lobby with