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“Who?”
“Caruso,” he said through grittedteeth.
“Grayson is here?” No, he couldn’t be. It was even more difficult, knowing that’s who he had spotted, to not glance around to try and findhim.
“Yes.”
“Are you sure it’s him?” I demanded. “Maybe it’s someoneelse.”
He looked down at me. “Did you tell him where you would betonight?”
I blinked, shocked. “How could I?” I snapped. “I didn’t even knowyet.”
Marv glared down at me, his gray eyes flashing with confusion and anger. I raised my chin and hoped that I didn’t trip in the midst of this stare-off. Finally, he sighed and broke mygaze.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to accuseyou.”
Something squawked in my ear and I jumped, almost head-butting Marv in the chin. Texas’ smooth voice came through the ear device that I had almost forgottenabout.
“What’s goingon?”
I looked across the grand ballroom as though I could see him through the walls. Before I could open my mouth though, Marv nudged my face back tohis.
“If you’re going to talk to them, look at me,” he advised. “Make it look like you’re talking to me and not to some creeper in the basement listening in.” Hesmiled.
“I’m in the fucking security room, asshole!” Texas snapped. “Oh, wait. He can’t hear me. Tell him he’s an asshole, Harlow.” His voice grew slightly muffled as he spoke to someone else – likely Knix. “No. I will not stop being childish. Marv called me a creeper. If I’m a creeper, you’re acreeper.”
I grinned. “Texas wants me to tell you–” Marv pressed a finger to my lips, his eyes squinting inamusement.
“–fine!” Texas’ tone cleared. “You still there,Harlow?”
“Yup.”
“Okay, so we’ve got a list of guests here. We need you and Marv to check out and talk to a few of the couples who have been to this resort and haven’t been targeted. Then you can check out the family members of the board members of SwerattInc.”
“Is Caruso on the list?” Marv asked. I looked up at him, biting my lip. Would they be angrytoo?
“What the fuck?!” Texas’ curse made me flinch. He was completely different on the job than he had been on his own, or maybe he was coming out of his shell now that he felt I was more a part of their team rather than someone they just hung out with. “Who is this kid? Hold on, Harlow, Knix wantsyou.”
I listened to the sound of a speaker of some sort on the other end being moved. I heard the intake of breath as a new person took over my direct line. Before Knix could speak though, I gritted my teeth and snappedback.
“I did not invite him or tell him where I wouldbe.”
There was a pause, a brief moment of breathing. “Good to know. Look to your left and you’ll see Bellamy. Do so very slowly as though you’re just checking out the room around you. Actually–” His voice quieted, becoming slightly farther away as he spoke to someone else. “Tell Marv to spinher.”
Seconds later, Marv twirled me and I scanned the room while still trying to keep my footing. Broad shoulders in a black dress shirt and pair of slacks matching the rest of the waiters caught myeye.
“In a few minutes, Marv is going to take you over to greet a few people closer to the windows on the far-left side of the ballroom. When he does, Bellamy is going to stop you and offer you a drink. Take it. The glass he offers you has a small bug in the stem. I want you to place it on the table next to the group as close as you can without being conspicuous. Can you dothat?”
I started to nod before I stopped myself. I guessed he had cameras watching, otherwise he wouldn’t know where to send me. “Yes,” Ianswered.
“Good.” My heart pounded. “And Caruso would have been here whether or not you had agreed,” he said. “His father is one of the Sweratt’s executivedirectors.”
Marv led me off the dance floor as the song ended and we made our way across the ballroom towards a group of three people, all older than forty. A shadow crossed the corner of my eye and I turned as Bellamy pulled up next tous.
“Can I offer you a drink, Ma’am?” He held his tray out with one hand and I grinned. His balancing skill was astronomical. He turned the tray with his opposite hand, nodding toward the glass on theedge.
“Thank you.” I picked it up. He nodded once to me before sharing a look with Marv that would have taken me much longer than it lasted tounpack.
