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“We don’t need to do anything tonight,” she says. “We’ll eventually need to look into getting a restraining order if we see any indication that he’s trying to track you down. We’ll retain a lawyer and get better security. Right now, we’ve got time to think through how to handle this situation.”
“No matter what it takes, I don’t want him anywhere near Noah.”
Chapter 4
Sabre
Ishow up for work at the civic center wearing a fucking suit and tie. Tonight, we’re providing security for the mayor’s annual black-tie awards ceremony to honor city employees. So, denim and our Savage Legion cuts just won’t fucking do. Tex says that in order to be effective, we have to blend in. I understand, but that don’t mean I have to like it.
Thank God, blending in doesn’t require an actual tux. We’re all wearing dark suits, dress shoes, and polite smiles. I shove my earpiece into my ear so I can hear what Tex is saying from his vantage point in the security room.
“Zen’s gonna stay in here and monitor the security feed. If he sees anything unusual on the security office cameras, he’ll alert us,” Tex says. “Tusk, I want you to cover the front door. There will be employees checking for invitations. Don’t get involved unless something pops off.”
“Roger that,” Tusk responds.
“Rage, stow your medical kit and circulate among the tables. The highest chance of a medical emergency will be choking or someone having a medical event.”
“Got it,” Rage answers.
“Talon and Sabre, each of you take one side of the gala room.”
Talon and I answer back. We’re all keeping it brief tonight.
Tex continues, “Keep your comms turned on, and your radios low so as not to disturb the guests. This ain’t your first rodeo, so you know better than to accept alcohol that might be offered or to get distracted by women.”
“Everyone’s fuckin’ married but me,” I growl into the comm unit. “So, I’ll try not to take that last part personally.”
“No insult intended, brother. I’m headed out to monitor the parking lot because if there’s trouble tonight, it will probably start there. Let me know if you need anything. To be honest, this should be a relatively easy job. We’ve provided security for this event for three years running. The hardest part of the job is staying awake and alert.”
I can hear Tusk chuckle through my earpiece. “Ain’t that the damn truth.”
Talon and I meet up in the gala room. “Something smells good. I wonder what the fancy folk are eating tonight.”
“It won’t be overcooked beef, that’s for sure,” I tell him. “Not with The Gilded Fig catering.”
Talon shoots me a knowing grin. “I forgot The Gilded Fig means your chef’s crew is workin’ this gig.”
“She ain’t my chef,” I grumble, wishing she was, but knowing the last thing I need is a serious relationship to mess up my life.
“Whatever you say. I’m gonna take the right side of the room. You take the left and make damn sure you watch the crowd instead of the hot chef.”
“I’m nothing if not professional,” I shoot back before turning on my heel and stalking off from my best friend.
I hear Talon chuckle from behind me. He can be an ass sometimes. He knows just how to irritate the fuck outta me.
The Las Salinas Civic Center is packed to the rafters this weekend. There is an art showing in the east wing, the mayor’s banquet that we are providing security for in the main ballroom, and a military history and model expo in a big room off one of the side halls. It’s probably in honor of Armed Services Day. To my mind that means there are more moving parts to worry about than usual and more opportunity for something to go wrong.
I pay attention to the men and women filling up the gala room. Most of them I recognize just from growing up in Las Salinas. There are judges, prosecutors, firefighters, cops, paramedics, and city workers all dressed up in tuxedos and glittering gowns, looking relaxed and happy. They’re all wearing a name tag with a little gold ribbon on it.
I walk the perimeter of the room like I always do, looking for evidence that they might be carrying or casing the room. Seeing combat during my time in the Army taught me to pay attention to details, because if you don’t, they may come back to haunt you. Thankfully, I don’t see anything amiss.
I turn when the catering doors swing open to find Linsey walking out in her chef’s whites with her sleeves rolled up. Her honey blonde hair is twisted into that elegant knot, and she looks absolutely fuckin’ stunning. I glance away as she directs her crew to begin passing drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
She’s checking that the table service is laid out correctly. I watch her straighten one of the floral arrangements to make sure it’s aligned perfectly with the others. That’s not technically her job but she does it anyway.
This is the same woman from class, only sharper and in charge of her world. God help me if it isn’t the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
I’m staring even though I promised myself I wouldn’t. And of course she catches me in the act, stopping dead in her tracks. Her pretty brown eyes drift down over my suit, and back up to the earpiece, and the Legion Security badge clipped to my belt.
