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I wasn’t expecting that, though I should have. I did chastise Dallas minutes ago. “You can handle it. We aren’t going to ask you to do anything dangerous, and I’ll be by your side at all times.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.” She bites her glossy lip. “I don’t belong here. This isn’t me. Look at these people!”
“I have, and I’m not impressed.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Would it help if I said you’re the most beautiful woman on this red carpet?”
Her nose wrinkles as if she smells something bad. “No.”
She has the unique ability to make me laugh at the least likely times. “Too bad. You are. And you’re brave. Think you can be brave for me tonight?”
“I think so.” She gulps, and her wide eyes reflect the glowing lights we pass on our way beneath a marble archway leading inside. “It really is incredible, isn’t it?”
It’s not fair for her to be this gorgeous and alluring. It’s not fair I can’t spend my evening drinking in her presence and her simple joy.
But there are plenty of reasons I can’t. Not only because I need to keep her safe—which means I can’t afford to ogle her like a teenager with a crush—I need to cover my own ass, as well, and somehow deal with the people talking and drinking in clusters around the interior of a large, marble-floored lobby. Once the ballroom opens, there will be a little more room to breathe.
“Be natural.” I lean down to speak into her ear and regret it when the scent of her shampoo threatens to knock me on my ass. “Enjoy yourself if you can. At least make it look like you are.”
“I’ll try.” When a uniformed server approaches with a tray full of champagne flutes, she accepts one with a bright smile. This time, when she gazes around the room, she doesn’t look quite so much like her eyes are going to pop out.
I take a flute of my own but treat it as a prop rather than a beverage. I can’t let myself get fuzzy. It’s bad enough I’m so distracted by the beautiful girl at my side. Dallas stands at the wall to my left, scanning the room. I catch his eye, and he shakes his head slightly. Griffin is posted near the entry, where I know he’s in contact with our people on the outside of the building. He, too, shakes his head when our eyes meet.
“This is amazing!” Teagan can’t help but be awestruck by our impressive surroundings. I wish I could share her amazement. The best I can do is smile down at her, then lift my hand to acknowledge a vaguely familiar-looking guy by the bar.
“Wow,” Teagan breathes. It’s only when she nudges me that I realize she is trying to get my attention. She’s been muttering things like that since we walked in.
I follow the direction of her gaze, and it lands on the man I just acknowledged. “You actually looked friendly for a second there.”
“I can put on a show when I need to.”
She giggles, but I can’t allow myself to indulge in her. There could be eyes watching me right now—watching her.
“I think it’s time for a selfie.” I hold her flute while she takes her phone from her purse, then hand it back so she can include the champagne in the shot. “Do me a favor and don’t pout your lips like a duck.”
“I wasn’t going to, but now I think I might. You’ve inspired me.” She doesn’t, but does manage to capture a large group of well-dressed people behind her in a wide shot while she raises her glass and smiles brilliantly.
“Don’t forget to tag the organization,” I remind her as she types up a post.
“Done.” She blows out a shaky breath before draining her flute. “No biggie. Now, I think I saw a tray of stuffed mushrooms I’d like to become acquainted with.” We make our way over to the food table. If she’s eating, she isn’t wandering off and getting into trouble. I go through the motions of sampling a few dishes while we explore the items up for grabs in the silent auction, but I’m always checking out the people nearby.
It’s another half hour before the ballroom opens, and the lobby clears out a little. I make a point of lingering near the displays set up for the event, keeping an eye on Teagan as she heads back for another puff pastry filled with something that made her moan when she tasted it.
In front of me are images of vets and their families, some of whom suffered permanent injuries in combat. A woman dripping with diamonds clicks her tongue as she walks past and shakes her head in sympathy. I wonder if she has any idea how many more vets walk through life with invisible wounds. Unfortunally, those are the ones who are often forgotten even though they need the most help.
It’s safer to linger near the bar, pretending to nurse my champagne while Teagan delicately sips more of her own. She’s playing it safe, I’m glad to see.
Dallas slows in passing. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
Was this a waste of time? I was so sure we would flush them out here. It could be all I did was force myself to be surrounded by people with nothing to show for it.
“Do you want to go inside and find our seats?” Teagan eyes the open doors leading to the ballroom. Dallas raises an eyebrow, waiting for my decision.
I’m not sure I could stand it, especially if there hasn’t been a hint of a threat in close to two hours. Dallas has a nose for things like that. He would’ve sniffed out if there was any trouble here. It seems like it’s time to cut our losses.
“Let me check in with Griffin and get the car back here,” Dallas says before crossing the cavernous room.
