Show Of Force. Elle James
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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 like following orders.”
“I’m not liking it,” Mustang said into Mack’s ear. “We can’t protect her if she’s not willing to protect herself.”
“You’re telling me,” Mack said, and pushed his way through 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