Protecting Tessa (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Brotherhood Alliance #6)

Chapter 32

32

T he next morning, Tessa jumped out of bed with a smile on her face. She and Ford enjoyed a lengthy chat last night. He shared that he would be home the next day, and she told him about meeting Mia and Simone. The only thing he asked was that she be careful.

Today she was meeting the two women to discuss logistics. After throwing on a pair of jeans and a top, she grabbed her leather notebook and car keys.

She programmed the address into her GPS. The building was in another area of Haywood Lake she’d never explored.

The scenery gradually turned from urban streets to rundown neighborhoods to revitalized buildings as she drove. It was an interesting contrast.

She parked in front of a red brick building with large industrial-size windows. Potted plants and trees flanked the double front doors. It was charming and welcoming.

As she looked around, Tessa realized there was plenty of parking, something that had been a problem for events in the past.

She spotted two cars. Good. Simone and Mia were here.

Pulling open one of the wooden doors, she walked into what was the main hall.

It was a large open space with exposed beams stretched across the ceiling. Someone had painted colorful murals on the walls, adding an artsy touch.

Several round tables were scattered around the room. Tessa was already envisioning them draped with white linen, flickering candles and surrounded by happy guests.

“Tessa!” Simone called out, leaning in for a quick hug with Mia close behind.

“Isn’t this a great space?” exclaimed Simone. “Mia and I were just discussing some ideas she had for food.”

Tessa had to agree. She spotted a sleek bar along one wall with a polished wooden countertop. Leather sofas and armchairs filled a small lounge to the right. She could already imagine guests relaxing there. “This is perfect.”

“Well, let’s go back and check out the kitchen,” Simone suggested. She led them to another room off the main hall. The kitchen was a caterer’s dream—it was spacious, with all stainless-steel countertops and appliances. “Does this work for you, Mia?”

“It’s perfect. There’s plenty of space to work,” she replied.

“Good.” Simone nodded. “Let’s go to the lounge and discuss details.”

They took seats in the lounge, and Tessa pulled out her notebook. “First off, when is the event?”

Simone took a deep breath. “Well, that’s the thing…”

Tessa’s stomach dropped. It was never a good sign when a client said that.

“The fundraiser is in two weeks…”

Tessa gasped. Two weeks? No way was that happening.

Simone grinned. “Surprise.”

She leaned back in the chair. “It’s not as big a problem as you’d think. Originally it was scheduled two months from now. I reserved a historic house in the next town over. Unfortunately, it burned down. Then, as if that wasn’t bad enough, the caterer and event planner both pulled out.” She shook her head. “Can you believe that?”

Well, kinda, Simone. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was. But that’s not going to stop me, us, from putting on the best event ever. The shelter needs the money now, not later. This warehouse is available and perfect for the event. Most of the groundwork is done except for someone to coordinate the event and the food.”

Tessa’s mind was racing. She knew it was doable since she had nothing planned, and if everything was mostly arranged, she could work with that; however, Mia and Emelia might have other plans. “I’m available, but Mia…”

“What’s the date?” Mia asked, interrupting Tessa as she scrolled through her calendar.

“Friday the thirteenth.”

Of course it was.

Mia looked at her calendar. “Well, you’re in luck. I don’t have anything planned until the weekend.”

Simone clapped her hands. “See, I knew this would work out. We’ll be paying you double your rate for being last minute.” She looked at both of them. “Does that help?”

“It does for me,” said Mia.

“Me, too,” Tessa agreed. Double pay? How does that not work?

“Perfect.” Simone stood. “I’ll put the details in the newspaper and contact all the donors. Tessa, I have a list of the donations for an auction that you can follow up on, and maybe you and Mia can put together a menu and just pass it by me?”

“Absolutely,” Tessa replied. Wow, this was going to be a busy two weeks, but if she could pull this off, she’d be more than an event planner. She’d be Tessa Donnelly, event planner extraordinaire. I can perform miracles .

After Simone left, Tessa and Mia remained at the venue.

“Wow, that was intense,” said Mia. “How long have you known Simone?”

“I met her a few weeks ago at an event for the local women’s shelter,” Tessa replied.

“Hmmm, she seems very capable but rather intense,” said Mia. “But that’s neither here nor there. We have a fundraiser to plan. Oh, I just want to mention that if Emelia isn’t free to bake, it’s not a problem for me.”

That was good news. Tessa made a mental note to touch base with Emelia.

She was psyched.

For the third time since moving, well, escaping to Haywood Lake, things were falling into place. She loved event planning, checking every detail, connecting with vendors and having a successful event. Not to mention she had a handsome, hunky, protective boyfriend and relationships with new girlfriends.

She leaned back in the chair. This place was perfect. Tessa could already imagine the warehouse the night of the event, how she’d arrange the tables, the lighting, flowers, the clinking of glasses and the joy on the donors’ faces.

But a flicker of doubt surfaced. A fire at the original venue? And then the event planner and caterer bailed? It was almost coincidental. She shook her head. Simone seemed genuine. Besides, who’d fake something like that?

Was it really that simple? Right now, it was. Or so she hoped.

Good Lord, the woman was clueless. Simone walked out of the main hall into a cloudy, breezy day, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement. How could Tessa believe both the event planner and caterer quit? That made no sense. Regarding the fire, well, let’s just say it wasn’t an accident. She had to make her plans in advance, and Tessa never would have accepted the position if she thought the story was fake.

A gust of wind whipped her hair into her face, the strands stinging her cheek. Betrayal. The word echoed in her mind.

Simone took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She needed to focus. Chess wasn’t won by reacting; it was won by strategy. And she wasn’t just a player—she was the queen. All the pieces on the board existed to serve and protect her.

She pressed the key fob to open the car door and got in.

Marty and Damien would arrive soon. They knew their roles, and this time if they messed up, well, there would be hell to pay. It took skill and thinking outside the box to put this plan together.

Tessa would be too knee-deep in details at the event to see what was coming—flowers to order and arrange, menus to complete, timelines to adjust. All elements to consume her attention.

Simone had played this game before, and her father and brothers learned the hard way what it meant to underestimate her. That is, when they were still alive.

All the pieces were in place.

That was the beauty of the queen’s gambit. Sometimes you had to sacrifice something to lure your opponent into a false sense of security.

Tessa believed she was clever by recording Damien’s conversation, relying on the police to take action, and then coming here when everything fell apart.

Her lips curved into a smile. Underestimating the queen was the quickest way to lose. She didn’t just play to win—she played to dominate, to destroy. Because the queen always won.

“Checkmate,” she whispered to herself.