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Beau actually had the grace to look apologetic. Ike imagined it was all an act. He didn’t know the guy, but he seemed pretty easy to peg—the type who thought the world revolved around him. For Beau Alexander, it kind of did.
Yet Beau was a conundrum in some ways. Ike hadn’t seen him drunk yet, and that was when the guy always got in trouble. He had seen him flirt with and touch Myra and he loathed that. The guy had cheated on the likes of Bermuda Gray and then acted all heartbroken when she broke up with him. He thought every woman wanted him and didn’t care about Christian values or committed relationships.
The fact was Beau was paying them a load of money to protect him, hopefully find his stalker, and have Myra pose as his girlfriend. Ike wondered if the fake girlfriend was for protection from the Star Stabber or because Beau wanted to prove to Bermuda that he’d moved on. Bermuda wouldn’t be surprised by that. No one would.
Beau could have any woman he wanted, except for Myra and probably Bermuda. Maybe Ike’s quest should be to find Beau a new girlfriend and then Ike and Myra could pose as his close friends who were dating, engaged, maybe even married. He liked this idea and could justify it was all part of the detail.
He scanned outside the vehicle and saw nothing amiss. Myra’s deep-brown eyes caught his attention in the rearview mirror again. Had it really only been this morning he had picked her up at the airport? The last time he’d gone through such an emotion-filled day was Sadie’s funeral.
How long could he keep hiding the fact that he was already emotionally invested in Myra?
The bigger concern was what he was going to do about it.
Chapter
Nine
Five hours later, Ike had a headache from clenching his jaw so tight while searching nonstop for any threats or anything out of the ordinary.
The party was in the exclusive Los Angeles Country Club’s Clubhouse. It was a classy venue that reminded him of a massive old Southern mansion. Everyone was dressed impeccably, and it wasn’t a club or party scene like he imagined Beau went to most nights. A lot of well-known football players and their wives or girlfriends were in attendance. Ike enjoyed a good football game, and he didn’t mind the Chargers. It would’ve been enjoyable to meet some of them if he wasn’t so bugged watching Beau touch Myra and Myra smile sweetly up at her assignment.
Ike was in his favorite Brioni suit. Aiden insisted on Brioni as it was what Daniel Craig wore as James Bond. From the moment he’d walked out of his room tonight and about lost his mind staring at Myra in her formal dress, she’d also given him some appreciative and longing looks. That was the only good thing that had happened so far.
Ike stayed in the background, introduced himself as Beau’s friend if anyone asked, quietly observed everybody, watched Beau parade Myra around, and tried not to glower at Beau.
Myra looked stunning in a floor-length, off-the-shoulder red formal. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders in waves and her face looked as beautiful as ever with subtle makeup.
He should be asking himself why he was so possessive of her, like Myra actually was his girlfriend. He had no answer, so he didn’t let himself go there.
Beau’s regular security guards were outside. There was a decent security presence monitoring and intermingling at the party, but you could never be too careful. Ike made sure he didn’t come across as a jealous boyfriend or bodyguard, but he watched Beau and everyone around him like a hawk—which meant he looked at Myra far too often for his unstable state of mind.
Thankfully, it was a private event with no media presence. That made it a little less stressful.
The dinner and mingling were winding down, but then the dancing began. When Beau pulled Myra in tight and waltzed her around with the other couples, Ike decided he needed some fresh air. He’d cleared everyone at the party and could keep a close watch from outside the windows and do a check of the porch and exterior.
He was almost to the door when his phone buzzed in his suit pocket. It was another great excuse to get outside. He yanked his phone out and hurried onto the wide veranda.
“Big bro.” Aiden’s upbeat bass blasted through the phone.
“Aiden. It’s good to hear your voice.” Ike’s voice was softer than anybody but Sadie or Myra had ever heard it. He hadn’t had much of a sense of family since Sadie and their dad died. Aiden was the only connection or warm feelings of family Ike experienced now.
Ike did a scan of the exterior and then pivoted and looked back through the windows. The night was deepening around the manicured golf course. The dancers inside were on full display, Myra amongst them, shining like his north star.
Charli and Fitz had a mantra, “Find your north.” Ike hadn’t really thought much about it, but he knew they meant find your purpose, your direction, why you’re committed to this demanding and dangerous profession.
What if Myra was his north? Was that why he was so drawn to her? He felt a connection with her, like she was meant to be his family.
Oh man, he needed help. Myra couldn’t be his north. Falling in love would only mess up his future and hers, causing untold pain.
“Ike. Are you all right?” Aiden’s voice came through the phone, reminding him he wasn’t alone on this planet.
“Yeah. Of course. Just on a job.”
Aiden waited. Ike didn’t give him anything more.
“Ah. So you needed the second-best security expert in the world’s professional opinion on your job?”
Ike laughed. He’d called Aiden, but his brother would always find a way to tease. Aiden was much more full of himself and cocky than even Beau could dream of being. With Aiden, it was fun and everybody loved him. With Beau …
