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Sensing his irritation, Tenaya stroked his forearm soothingly until he unclenched his fist.
“You flatter me, Alan.” She kept her tone professional. “Just doing my job.”
Tai shifted subtly, inserting his broader frame between Tenaya and the creep. Time to end this conversation.
He grasped Beal’s hand again, squeezing just shy of too hard. “It’s been a pleasure. Enjoy your evening.”
Beal flushed even darker. “You, too.” He backed away, scowling down at the hand Tai had mashed.
“Sorry,” Tai bit out once the man disappeared into the crowd. “What a snake.”
Tenaya smothered a smile. “Alan’s okay. I did divorces two and three for him. Now he sends us a million dollars’ worth of clients a year. He’s really harmless.” She shook her head ruefully. “But thank you for the chivalrous impulse.”
Tai grunted, unconvinced. Harmless was not the vibe he was getting.
Tenaya gazed out over the shimmering lights of the city below, shoulders tense beneath his hand.
He leaned close to murmur in her ear. “You doing okay?”
“I was just thinking about Paige’s report.” She shivered lightly. “Knowing Zhezhnov was so close when he sent that text last night...it’s unnerving.”
“It’s good news,” he countered gently. “It means he took the bait. We’re getting to him.”
Tenaya’s delicate jaw tightened. “I get that’s the plan, but what happens when he finally snaps?”
Tai turned her to face him, hands firm on her bare shoulders. “Listen to me. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. We’ve got this under control.”
He willed her to believe his words. After a taut moment, the rigid set of her posture eased slightly.
“You’re right. I know the team would never let him get close.” A wan smile crossed her lips. “Just nerves getting to me.”
He pulled her into a loose embrace, relieved when she relaxed into him. “No need for nerves. Not on my watch.”
He felt her smile against his shoulder. They swayed gently on the spot, the string ensemble’s melodic strains wrapping around them. For a fleeting moment, he wished the orchestra would play all night.
Too soon, the music drifted into silence followed by polite applause from the guests. He and Tenaya retreated behind their professional facades.
The rest of the shindig passed in a quick whirl. Before he knew it, the main program had been completed and the servers, Mason included, were starting to clean up.
All without a hint of her stalker’s presence.
Tenaya stifled a yawn behind one elegant hand.
“What do you say we blow this joint?” Tai murmured over the comlink. “I think Cinderella’s ready to lose the glass slippers.”
Tenaya shot him a grateful look. “My feet are definitely screaming for mercy.” She glanced around the ballroom. “No sign of Zhezhnov tonight anyway.”
Tai tapped his earpiece. “Ugly Step sisters, this is Prince. You picking up anything promising?”
“Negative,” Mason responded. “All’s quiet far as we can tell.”
“Copy that. We’re going to make our exit then.”
“Roger that,” Bridger confirmed. “We’ll start collapsing the perimeter.”
Excellent. He could count the minutes until he could ditch the tux. But first, one last order of business. No way he was going to waste the opportunity.
He offered Tenaya his arm. “May I have one last dance before we depart, milady?”
