Show Of Force. Elle James

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СКАЧАТЬ the throngs of elegantly dressed people until he arrived at Charlie’s side.

      “Well, darn,” she said, and smiled up at Mack, the lines at the corners of her eyes crinkling with mischief. “I thought I’d lost you.”

      “Please, Mrs. H—”

      She raised a finger. “Uh-uh.”

      Mack sighed. “Charlie, don’t go running off. I can’t protect you if I’m not at your side.”

      “I want you to keep me safe, but I can’t take you everywhere.”

      Mack straightened to his full six foot three inches. “Where you go, I go.”

      Charlie raised her brows. “I’m sorry?”

      “If you want my protection, you have to follow my rules.”

      Charlie crossed her arms over her chest and raised her salt-and-pepper brows. “Not to the ladies’ room, I should think.”

      Mack frowned deeply. He hadn’t thought about areas off-limits to men. Perhaps they should have hired a female bodyguard just for that purpose. For now, he’d have to make do. “I’ll clear the room before you go in.”

      Charlie patted Mack’s cheek and smiled. “Sweetie, that won’t be necessary. I can manage a trip to the restroom on my own.”

      If he was going to do the job right, he had to know exactly where his charge was at all times. Disappearing behind a closed door was not something Charlie could do without having him or one of his men check the facilities first. He’d cross that bridge when they came to it. For the moment, he kept busy chasing the wealthy widow around the ballroom.

      An hour into the night’s festivities, Charlie exclaimed, “Oh, look who’s here.”

      Mack glanced in the direction Charlie was looking.

      A dark-haired woman in a long black dress stood next to a man in a white tuxedo. She nodded, spoke to the man, made him laugh and then looked up. A moment later, she was walking toward Charlie, a smile spreading across her face. “Mrs. Halverson, I didn’t know you’d be here.”

      “My dear, wild horses couldn’t drag me away. This is the one charity event I can’t miss.” She clasped the woman’s hands. “Mack, you remember Riley Lansing, don’t you?” Charlie squeezed Riley’s hands and let go, then turned to Mack. “She was the woman who led us on quite the wild chase a couple weeks ago. In fact, it was her roommate’s concern for her that made me consider spinning up Declan’s Defenders.”

      Mack remembered Riley. “I’m sorry. I barely recognized you.”

      “That’s okay.” She smiled. “I guess I clean up well.”

      Mack couldn’t keep his gaze from traversing the length of the black dress from her neck to her toes. The fabric clung to her curves like a second skin.

      “I’m so glad to see you,” Charlie said. “For two reasons.”

      Riley raised her eyebrows. “Two reasons? That sounds pretty specific.”

      Charlie laughed. “You’ll understand in a moment. Number one, I’m glad you’re okay. For a while there, we didn’t know what had happened to you when you went missing. And two, I couldn’t convince Mack to allow me to go to the ladies’ room on my own. But I’m sure if I go with you, he won’t insist on accompanying me.” She gave Mack a challenging lift of her brow.

      Mack frowned heavily. “I still think you need me to clear the restroom before you go in.”

      “Fine.” Charlie’s lips pressed together. “I’ll tell everyone to leave so that my big bad bodyguard can inspect each stall.” She shot a glance at Riley. “Do you mind coming with me?”

      Riley gave Charlie a tight smile. “Not at all.”

      Mack studied the younger woman. Something wasn’t quite right about her response.

      Her hands clenched into tight fists, and a slight glow of perspiration coated her fair skin.

      “Miss Lansing, are you feeling well?” he asked.

      She jerked her head around to stare up at him. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

      He shrugged. “You seem nervous.” He tipped his chin toward her balled fists.

      She laughed, uncurled her fingers and pressed her palms together. “No. I’m not nervous,” she said quickly. And then sighed. “Well, maybe just a little. I don’t normally wear fancy clothing or attend expensive galas.”

      “Speaking of which,” Charlotte interrupted, “how did you manage to get a seat at the event? I thought it had sold out within thirty minutes of going up online.”

      Riley gave a brief smile. “I won the ticket on a radio talk show.”

      Mrs. Halverson clapped her hands. “What a gift. This event is one of my favorites. I hope they have the children’s choir sing as they have in the past.”

      “Children’s choir?” Riley’s eyes widened.

      “Yes. They always do. There they are, lining up now.” Charlie bit down on her bottom lip. “I’d like to make a trip to the ladies’ room before they begin.” She reached for Riley’s arm. “Do you mind accompanying an old woman? I promise not to make any strange noises.” The widow winked and held up her fingers like a Boy Scout. “I swear.”

      Riley darted a glance at the children lining up near the raised dais where the band had set up earlier. “I suppose I could.” She nodded as if making up her mind and turned to take Mrs. Halverson’s arm. “Let’s get this over with.”

      Charlie smiled over her shoulder at Mack. “Happy? I have someone looking out for me so you don’t have to.”

      “I’d still like to clear the room before you go in.”

      “I’ll ask people to leave,” Riley offered.

      Mack informed his other two team members of his intentions and then followed the women to the hallway where the ladies’ restroom was located. His gut was tight and roiling just a little. Like the time just before the mission that had ended his marine career. He’d had the same feeling then as he had now.

      Charlie waited with Mack outside the restroom while Riley rounded up the occupants and ushered them out. When she returned, she nodded. “The room is clear.”

      Mack entered, checked each stall and looked for any other doors leading in or out. When he was satisfied no one else was in the room, he returned to Charlie and Riley. “Okay, the room is clear.”

      “I could have told you that,” Riley said. “But I guess you had to see it for yourself.”

      He nodded and checked his watch. “Five minutes tops. If you’re not out by then, I’m coming in.”

      Charlie smiled. “I can barely get my lipstick out of my purse in five minutes.” She patted Mack’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll СКАЧАТЬ