“It may have been, but his companion swears Mr. Champion’s Rolex watch is missing. If so, it may have been a robbery gone bad,” the guard explains.
I shudder at the thought.
“Bloody hell! I’ve only been here a few days, and we’ve had two pieces of jewelry disappear and a possible murder,” Stuart says.
“Do you think this is related to my missing pearl necklace?”
Stuart shakes his head. “I doubt it, but itisstrange. José, what about the afterparty? Should we cancel it?”
“Jason recommends the party continue as planned. A number of guests have already arrived. However, he asks that you skip it because you don’t have personal security. He doesn’t want to risk someone targeting you.”
Stuart nods. “Very well. Brooke and I won’t attend. I want to speak with Jason though. We need to increase security for the gala.”
“He’s already called a team meeting for tomorrow. You should receive a text shortly with the details.”
“Thank you. I’ve texted my driver to meet us at the back exit. Could you show us the way to it?”
“Of course, sir. Follow me,” José says.
Stuart sneaks an arm around my back as he leans in. “We’ll be out of here in a minute. I’ll need to call my dad to let him know what’s happened. You should be on the call with me in case he has questions about the legal implications.”
I nod as we’re rushed to the back exit, surrounded by additional security who magically appear at our sides. A couple of minutes later, we’re hustled into the back seat of the black limo.
“Stuart, I’m so sorry about Mr. Champion. Were you close?” I ask.
“I’d only met him a few times. But Dad knew him well and will be quite upset. Dad will also have questions about how this impacts the Foundation and the remaining charity events this week. I’m not sure how he’ll want to proceed.”
“You said that your dad has been ill. Is he well enough to handle this additional stress?”
“He’s on the mend. The doctor just forbade him from travel until he’s fully recovered, but he’s resumed a few of his lighter duties.”
“Okay. We can call him from my office. That will give us some privacy.”
“My suite would be even more private.”
“For this, the office is a better choice. There will be fewer ... umm ... distractions. And we’ll have access to more resources if we need to review the Foundation’s documents or look into any legal issues.”
“I know, business first, but I could use a gooddistractionright now.”
I laugh. “You can be such a bad boy.”
“Oh, love, I’m no boy. I’m all man and can be very bad if you’d like.”
A blush heats my cheeks at the thought of all thebadthings I’d like him to do to me. Damn, he knows how to light my fire.
“This is a totally inappropriate conversation. A man just died,” I say.
“I know. That’s one reason my mind went elsewhere. It’s a bloody mess.”
“It is,” I say, touching his arm.
His lips draw into a line as he entwines his fingers with mine, squeezing tightly. The touch is comforting and personal. It’s the kind a couple would share when faced with a difficult situation. That makes it all the more terrifying.
We can’t be a couple. As an entertainment lawyer, my work is in LA or maybe New York. I can’t move to England, and a viscount can’t abandon his country. Besides, the last time I got involved with a guy related to work, he not only broke my heart but also almost cost me my job. No, I can’t go there.
Stuart can’t be part of my life no matter how right he feels.
23
