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Piper glanced at Dylan, but didn’t hesitate with the new information. "Okay, let's go." She strode across the room, waving her hand. "Jessie! Jessie! Yoohoo, Jessie!"
Dylan swore under his breath. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Declan grinned. "Trust her. I do." He jumped into action, heading across the room after Piper, staying close enough to protect her if things went south.
Because there was no damned way he was letting another woman he loved get in the way of a bullet.
Shit. Love? Had he just put Piper on the list of women he loved?
He had no time to deal with that thought, because Dick and Jane had already turned toward Piper as she charged over to them.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Piper's heart was racing, and her adrenaline spiked as she waved and called Jessie's name again. She hadn't even thought before acting. The minute she'd understood what was happening, she knew she needed to help, and she knew what she was good at.
Jessie's gaze shot to her, her face confused, while her husband looked over at Piper, his eyes narrowed.
"Jessie!" Piper gave her a big hug, using her body to break Dick's grip on Jessie's elbow. "So sorry it's taken me this long to get over to you. I had a bunch of clients to meet with here. This is my busy season for events!"
Jessie stared at her. "Um, that's okay?—"
"Thank you for your understanding!" Piper beamed at the circle standing around Jessie. "I need to steal her. I'll have her back in a few."
Dick opened his mouth to protest, and Piper waved him off, turning her attention to Jessie, speaking loudly enough to be heard over the music. "The planning for your husband's surprise party is going great! I'm so glad he's not here tonight so we can finalize the details."
Dick stared at them, and then she saw a smug smile on his face, his ego clearly jumping to the forefront of his perception of the situation.
Jessie still looked confused. "Um?—"
"I was thinking about the musical guest. I checked with all the names you gave me, and I can get any of them, so we need to decide who is his ultimate dream band, and I'll book them."
Dick's smile widened, an indulgent smile as if he were humoring his wife by letting her dote on him.
Jessie glanced over her shoulder at Dick, but he was grinning. He waved her off, his chest practically puffing out at the idea of Jessie planning a party for him, at besting a party planner too stupid to know that the husband was right there.
Men with egos were astonishingly easy to manipulate, especially those who underestimated women.
Piper tucked her arm around Jessie's. "I'm with Eliana," she whispered.
Understanding dawned on Jessie's face, and she pivoted instantly. "My husband's here. He was next to me. Do you think he heard you?" She also said it loud enough for him to hear.
Piper looked back over her shoulder, and Dick immediately turned to the person next to him to chat. "No, I think we're good. But let's talk in the conference room so he doesn't overhear. I have so much good stuff to show you!"
"Awesome! I can't wait to see his face!" Piper hurried away from Dick, guiding Jessie through the crowded room.
As she moved, Declan walked past her, headed toward Dick. He winked at her, then continued on, moving into the little group to talk.
Piper got Jessie out into the hallway, where Dylan was leaning against a wall, scrolling on his phone. "Okay," Piper said to Jessie. "Tell me you need to run to the bathroom, and then you'll meet me in the conference room."
Jessie saw Dylan, and she nodded. "I have to run to thebathroom," she said loudly as she stepped away. "I'll meet you in the conference room."
Piper put her hands on her hips. "But we have so much to talk about." A couple nearby looked over, and a few others glanced their way. "This is my window!"
"I'll be right back," Jessie said. "I promise!" She turned and strode down the hall, and around the corner. Dylan levered himself off the wall and ambled after her, his body relaxed, giving off a chill vibe that didn't begin to explain what he was up to.
He nodded at Piper, then disappeared around the corner after Jessie.
Holy crap! Piper's hands started shaking, and she broke into a sweat. What had she just done? No, she wasn't finished yet. She needed to complete this, to give herself an alibi and Jessie more time.
