Protecting The Boss. Beverly Long

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      “Were you waiting for me?” she asked.

      He hadn’t been. Not really. But like before, her presence had changed the room. “Abigail arrived just a few minutes ago,” he said. He pointed across the room where Abigail was chatting with Trey. “I thought you might come together.”

      She waved to her sister. “I’m at the hotel, but her husband’s parents live in Vegas and she’s staying with them.”

      “I thought he was French.”

      “He is. They are. It’s a fish-out-of-water tale. They’re here for just a few years. Mr. Chevalier is technically retired but he’s mentoring some high potentials in his old securities firm. I imagine they’ll be back in France within two years. But them being here was actually a stroke of luck for Abigail and me. We’d been looking at properties and she saw the Vegas store on one of her visits. While it wasn’t being run well, we could see its potential. One thing led to another, and well, you know the rest.”

      “I imagine you’re excited about being an aunt.”

      She looked him right in the eye. “I’m scared to death.”

      It might have been the first really honest thing that she’d said to him.

      “Why?”

      “There’s a thousand things that could go wrong. Preeclampsia. Placental abruption. I mean, I know medicine is very advanced but still, bad things happen. Abigail isn’t concerned. That’s good, of course.” She stopped. “Whatever you do, don’t repeat this conversation. It bothers her that I worry.”

      And she didn’t want her sister bothered about anything.

      Which is why she’d agreed to hiring security even though she clearly wasn’t happy about it. “I think it’s going to be okay,” he said.

      “Oh, sure,” she said, not sounding convinced. But Abigail was approaching and Megan gave her a big smile. “Did you get some rest?”

      “I did. And such a stroke of luck that we got invited. Otherwise, I was going to have to learn to play belote.” She turned to Seth. “It’s a French card game.”

      “We speak poker here,” he said. “I see you got something to drink.”

      Abigail held up her water. “Trey took care of me.”

      “What would you like?” he asked Megan. “We’ve got a bartender here. I imagine a piña colada is within the realm of possibility.”

      “White wine will be fine,” she said.

      “You two go ahead,” Abigail said. “Trey was going to find Kellie and meet me back here.”

      Seth motioned Megan to precede him down the hall. They’d set the bar up in the break room. There were three choices of white wine, all equally good. They also had red wine and craft beers and all kinds of liquor for mixed drinks. Hagney, a friend of Kellie McGarry’s from when she’d been a cocktail waitress at Lavender, was bartending.

      “That one is perfect,” Megan said. “Thank you.” She took the wine and turned.

      Hagney’s eyes met his and the message was clear. Wow.

      Indeed. “Business,” he mouthed. Then turned quickly back to Megan. “I’d like you to meet my partner Royce Morgan.” He led her back to a conference room where Royce stood in the corner, swaying back and forth. Grace, oblivious to the noise, was sleeping on his shoulder. He’d never seen his partner look so comfortable and confident.

      “Royce, this is Megan North. She’s a new client.”

      Royce smiled, shifted the baby slightly so that he could shake Megan’s hand. “Thank you for choosing Wingman Security.”

      Seth wondered if she’d correct Royce, insisting that she hadn’t chosen them but rather, they’d been pushed on her. But she just smiled. “You’re welcome. How old is your little girl?”

      “Seven months. Her name is Grace.”

      “She’s beautiful,” she said.

      “Takes after her mom,” he said. “Who is traveling on business, so Grace and I are plotting big things that could involve banana pudding.”

      “However is she sleeping through this?” she asked, taking a sip of wine.

      “I have no idea. It’s crazy, really. At two in the morning, a dog barking three blocks away can awaken her.”

      “I’ll bet you always get to the crib first,” Seth said.

      “Maybe,” Royce acknowledged, not at all embarrassed that Grace had him tied around her little finger.

      Seth saw Trey and Kellie across the room and waved them over. “And you met Trey earlier and, of course, you know Kellie.”

      Kellie and Megan hugged. “So good to see you again,” Megan said. “Congratulations,” she added, smiling at Kellie.

      Kellie smiled back. “It’s good to be out. We spent the day babyproofing our house.”

      Seth rolled his eyes. “I can just imagine the ingenious tips this guy had up his sleeve.”

      Kellie, who looked like a million bucks at seven months pregnant with twins, winked at Megan. “Trey has a bit of MacGyver in him but it’s served me well in the past, so I’m not complaining. I’m on my way to find Abigail in the lobby.”

      “Go,” Seth said. He motioned to Megan. “Come on. We’ll find Rico. He’s the fourth partner.” He led her to yet another conference room and got the man’s attention. “Megan North, this is Rico Metez and his soon-to-be wedded wife, Laura Collins, who is incredibly nice and defies all those wives’ tales about redheads and their tempers.”

      “Good of you to come tonight,” Rico said.

      “Nice of you to extend the invite,” Megan said.

      “Rico was just telling me about your assignment, Seth,” Laura said, her green eyes bright. “I’m a little jealous,” she added, turning to Megan. “Your boutiques sound very exciting.”

      “I understand you’ve got some excitement of your own in the near future,” Megan said.

      Laura smiled. “We’re grateful that Seth will be back in time for the wedding. Awkward when one of the best men is absent.”

      “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Seth said. “You two planning to honeymoon in Colorado at the cabin?”

      “Of course,” Laura said. “Hannah is coming along but Jennie and Paddie, friends of Rico’s since he was a child,” she added for Megan’s benefit, “have offered to keep her for a few days to give us some adult time.”

      “Good plan,” he said. “We’ll catch you later.”

      He СКАЧАТЬ