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She laughed. “I’ve been twenty-nine for thirty-one years. And Larry is turning sixty-five. Hopefully that means he’s retiring this year.”
Roger looked Larry in the eyes and could tell that wasn’t happening any time soon. The only way he was stepping down as Director of the DEA would be if it was forced upon him.
“I don’t know about that. He’s never been good at playing golf or fishing,” Roger joked.
Larry nodded. “I see your sarcastic wit hasn’t changed. But I agree with my wife; it’s nice to see you here. Although I didn’t see you on the guest list.”
“You know me. I always have a favor or two I can call in.” That’s exactly what Roger had done. This event was by invitation only. Since he had always declined, they stopped inviting him a few years back.
“Although we would like to stay and catch up, we were about to head to the podium. It’s time to acknowledge our benefactors. In the meantime, why don’t you say hello to some of the other members of your old team.”
You mean the ones who weren’t killed.A few had been on vacation, and one had been on leave, spending time with his newborn son. Every time he looked them in the eye, he felt guilty for surviving when the others hadn’t. Not that he wanted to die, but he didn’t need the reminder that the only reason he was alive, was because some piece of shit had decided to make a run for it.
“Maybe another time.” He pulled Gia closer to him. “I promised Gia a dance.”
Her green eyes widened, but she smiled at him and replied, “And you’re not getting out of it either.”
As they walked to dance floor, Roger wished he’d come up with something not so physical, but it worked. Mrs. Chamblee seemed tickled to see how he and Gia connected. It was funny, because she had forgotten that, as a DEA agent, Roger had done more undercover work than he could recall and acting was a required skill. Gia, on the other hand, didn’t know that.
The music was already playing, and she said, “I think you’re supposed to put your arms around me and smile if you want them to believe it.”
He looked at her and did as she said, pulling her so close he could feel her firm breasts pressed against him through his tuxedo jacket. As they moved to the rhythm, he said, “I’m not sure what a compliance auditor actually does, but you’re full of surprises.”
“I research information. And that’s what I did about this fundraiser.” She grinned at him and asked, “Did you really think I was going to attend, knowing it was black tie?”
“I had hoped so.”
“While my friend Vickie was over, we did some digging. It really wasn’t difficult, only one thing was taking place at Gold Crown Plaza. I take it Director Chamblee is your boss?”
He glared at her. Roger didn’t like his life being looked into, even by her. “Former boss. I work for myself now.”
“So you were DEA before?”
“I was.” There was no point denying it.
“Why did you leave?” Gia asked.
Looking into her eyes, he stopped dancing and said, “You’re hired to find out who is in the photo, not to get to know me better.”
“Or at all,” Gia said. He nodded. “Well then, I guess I don’t feel like dancing any longer. Should we try the appetizers or mingle some more?”
He wasn’t about to let her go. “I say we finish what we started.” Pulling her back into his arms, he added, “Then after the dance, we eat.”
Gia didn’t resist but the rest of the evening was pleasantries only. He knew his lack of communication was as good as telling her he wasn’t interested. She was spending the next day with Lena. There wasn’t anything more Gia needed from him.
And the faster she’s out of my hair, the better.
