Show Of Force. Elle James

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ back of the limousine. Gus closed ranks, moving in on the other side of her. He used his body as a shield against any potential threat.

      They couldn’t be too careful. Less than two weeks prior, an attempt had been made on Charlie’s life. Two vans full of bad guys had cornered her limousine on a busy DC street. They’d killed her previous bodyguards and attempted a kidnapping. Thankfully, former Force Recon marine Declan O’Neill, Mack’s old team leader, had been there to save her. She’d rewarded him by hiring him and his team to provide security for her or anyone she deemed in need of assistance.

      “You gentlemen don’t know how safe it makes me feel to have highly qualified, loyal men protecting me.” Charlie patted his arm. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that Declan agreed to come on board and bring his team with him.”

      “Ma’am—” Mack started.

      “Charlie,” she said.

      Gus smiled. “I don’t know about you, Mack, but I have a hard time calling her Charlie myself. She could be my mo—”

      Charlie held up her hand. “Don’t say it.”

      Gus clamped his lips shut.

      Mack hid a smile.

      “Don’t say I’m old enough to be your mother. I feel old enough as it is. But my mind is still sharp and I feel like a twenty-five-year-old, thanks to Edwardo, my personal trainer.” She lifted her chin. “And this dress makes me feel like a million bucks.” She sighed. “My husband would have liked me in it.”

      “You look amazing, Charlie,” Mack said. “But I’d feel better if you looked amazing inside the hotel. Not out here on the streets where anything can happen.”

      “Right.” Charlie forced a smile to her lips and stepped out on Mack’s arm.

      He knew he appeared to be more a date than a bodyguard, but he didn’t care, as long as he had room under his jacket for a weapon. He scanned the crowds of people standing on the other side of a barricade. Photographers snapped pictures and bystanders watched as vehicles pulled up one by one, discharging well-dressed men and women onto the red carpet.

      Mack and Gus eased their charge along.

      Charlie smiled and waved at the reporters and the people like a celebrity on a walk of fame.

      From what Declan had told Mack and the other men of his team, Declan’s Defenders, Mrs. Charlotte Halverson was a kind of celebrity in her own right. The rich widow of a prominent philanthropist, she’d rubbed elbows with some of the most influential people of the century, from Hollywood movie stars to the leaders of many countries, including the president of the United States.

      Charlie stopped and waited her turn to have her official photograph taken in front of the gala’s backdrop. Ahead of her was a younger couple, the woman wearing a fancy silver gown with sequins and a diamond necklace that probably cost more than what Mack had made in a year as a marine.

      He didn’t envy the woman her jewelry or the money it took to buy it. Instead, he cringed at the amount of money wasted on jewelry that could be given to the charity the gala was raising money for.

      But he wasn’t there to judge the people attending; he was employed to keep Charlie safe.

      When it was Charlie’s turn to have her picture taken, she insisted on Mack standing with her.

      “Wouldn’t you rather have one of your friends pose with you?” Mack asked.

      “These people are acquaintances. Besides, you’re much better-looking than they are. I’d love to make them all jealous.” She smiled up at him. “But if it makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to be in the picture.”

      “I’d prefer to stay close,” he said.

      “Good. Then it’s settled.” She led him to stand in front of the backdrop. Once they were there, photographers snapped their pictures.

      The flashes temporarily blinded Mack. He touched a finger to his headset. “Keep your eyes peeled,” he said softly.

      “No worries,” Gus responded. “We’ve got Charlie covered while you’re playing the model.”

      Mustang chuckled. “Nice tux. Didn’t know you could clean up so well.”

      “Damned monkey suit,” Mack muttered.

      “I heard that,” Charlie said between her teeth as she smiled for the camera.

      “Sorry.”

      “Don’t worry. My husband hated to dress up as well. But the gala for the children was one of his favorites. He wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Her smile faded. “He would have loved being here.”

      Mack realized he didn’t know much about the Halversons, other than what had been printed in the tabloids. He wondered how long they were married and whether they’d had children.

      “You see, my husband and I weren’t blessed with children.” She hooked her arm through his and left the photographers’ circle and continued on toward the hotel. “We tried, but it wasn’t meant to be. All the money we would have spent raising and educating one of our own went into scholarships, research and a new wing on the children’s hospital. My husband didn’t live to see the wing complete.”

      “Did they capture your husband’s killer?” Mack asked.

      Charlie shook her head. “No. And that’s part of the reason why I decided to hire your team leader. The police force is too overwhelmed with work to find all the bad guys. I figured I could help, if only just a little.”

      They entered the building and moved with the flow of people toward the main ballroom.

      The crush of guests all dressed in glitz and glamour surrounded Mack and Charlie. Mack’s first instinct was to grab Charlie and back away. How would he keep her safe in a room as crowded as it was?

      He gripped her elbow and slowed her to a halt.

      Charlie frowned. “What’s wrong?”

      “There are far too many people in this room,” he said.

      Her frown easily turned into a smile. “The more the merrier. The charity will get lots of donations.”

      Mack grunted. “I’m more worried about your safety. You need to hang out on the fringes where we can give you better coverage.”

      “Oh, pooh.” Her smile slipped. “And my safety isn’t as important as getting the money needed for the research that could provide cures for children with life-threatening diseases. My husband was a big proponent of this particular aid group. I won’t hide behind my bodyguard when there are children in need of cures.” She shook her arm loose of Mack’s grip and marched into the middle of the ballroom, smiling like a Valkyrie declaring victory.

      “What’s wrong?” Gus asked. “Why is Charlie alone in the middle of the room?”

      “I think it was easier facing the Taliban than working for Mrs. Halverson,” Mack muttered. “The woman has a mind of her own, and she doesn’t СКАЧАТЬ