Chapter Twenty-Six
Lola
For a split second, Cade looked nauseous. Now he appears fine–other than he’s scanning the room like he’s desperate to find a magic escape button. What’s going on?
“No, I don’t forget a face. I’ve seen you somewhere.” Andrew’s forehead wrinkles in concentration as he rubs his bottom lip with his index finger.
Did he meet Cade during one of their investigations into a military incident? That must be it because Cade doing something illegal is unfathomable. He’s the most honorable man I’ve ever met.
Andrew smiles and points at Cade. “I’ve got it. I know where I’ve seen you. Didn’t you earn a Medal of Honor a couple of years ago?”
I gape at him. He received a Medal of Honor, one of the highest awards a military member can receive, and he looks like he wants to crawl under the nearest sofa. Why doesn’t he shout that from the rooftops?
Cade purses his lips together. “I guess you don’t forget a face.”
Andrew shakes Cade’s hand and cuffs him on the right shoulder. “I make it my business not to forget the sacrifices of the military personnel I oversee. You were involved in that school rescue, weren’t you?”
“That was my team.”
“You appear in better shape than you did the last time I saw you.” Andrew grimaces. “You looked like warmed-over death. How long was it before you were up and around?”
“About six months.” Probably closer to twelve before I was in good physical form again. “I had a lot of rehab at one of the best military hospitals around.”
Andrew glances at Lola. “Did you say Truman Security?”
“Yes.”
“That’s Martin Truman’s company. So, you ended up working for your commanding officer? He’s a great man.”
“Yes, he is. I appreciate everything he’s done for me.” Cade stands at attention with his hands clasped behind his back.
I blink hard to keep the whirling thoughts from tumbling over each other. Mr. Truman was a SEAL, which meant that Cade was also. A SEAL is the best of the best. How could he not be proud of what he’d accomplished in the service?
***
Several hours pass as I continue to mingle with the crowd. Both my brothers, Eddie Jr. and Derrick, stopped by, puffed out their chests, and pretended they weren’t in a dick-measuring contest with Cade. I’m surprised neither of them has a date. There’s usually some opportunistic woman with one of them–FBI agents should think with their brains rather than their dicks, but my brothers aren’t always known for that.
I’ve managed to avoid my father. He’s been too busy shaking hands and kissing ass. I could do without all the polite, redundant pleasantries, but they’re necessary in the political world. There’s no way to count the number of times I’ve shook hands, air-kissed cheeks, said it was nice to meet someone when I couldn’t care less, and went to the bathroom to scour my hands under hot water. Sweaty palms are the worst.
Cade was pensive after we left Andrew’s side. But slowly, his mood has lifted. A couple of elderly women asked how much his services cost, to which he’d replied he’d cut his prices in half for such gorgeous ladies. The gray-haired beauties have giggled and blushed. Whether they think he’s my bodyguard or an escort, I don’t have any idea. Eventually, I dragged him away to a group of men to stop the shameless flirting.
I don’t blame them. The man is as sinful as an ice cream sundae drenched in melted chocolate and marshmallow cream. I can’t wait to explore his goodies. Having him follow me around all night, brushing up against me as the crowd pressed into us, makes it hard to concentrate. The skin on the back of my neck is about to jump up and drag him to the floor.
At this point, it’s nearly midnight, and most of the crowd has disappeared. All the suspects disappeared hours ago. Are they lying in wait? Or did something spook them off?
“Cade?” A blond man who’s been on the periphery all night joins us.
Cade’s jaw flexes. “What is it?”
“We received a call that there have been four break-ins tonight at the homes of partygoers.”
This must be Cade’s friend from the Beck Security Force. “What was stolen?” I clasp my hands together.
A stunning woman places her arm around the man’s waist. “Jewels, money, gold. If it was of value and wasn’t tied down, it was taken.”
“It looks like the perp didn’t take the bait of your jewels.” The man nods. “They’re stunning, by the way. But apparently, he prefers the safety of breaking in while people are gone.”
“Shit. I thought he’d make a play for the jewels. We should have considered he’d hit other places. Maybe I spooked him off.” Cade pounds his hand into his fist. “We should’ve had the other guests’ homes monitored.”
“We couldn’t watch all the guest’s homes. Focusing on Ms. Sutherland and her jewels was the best bet.” The man smiles and shoves out his hand. “I’m Asher Ripley, and this is my wife, Sloane. Cade and I were in the military together.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I accept his hand and then his wife’s. “I’m sorry you both had to spend your evening here.”
“Don’t feel bad for us. We got away from the kids and were able to dress up.” She glances down at her dress. “I haven’t worn anything this revealing in years.”
“You look fabulous.” She’s wearing a blush pink laced-up maxi dress.
“Thank you.”
“And the food was killer. Even better?” Ripley waggles his eyebrows. “We have a sitter all night. I’m going to enjoy my wife for a few hours at a hotel here in town.”
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.” Cade nods.
“Stop.” Ripley gives Cade an irritated look. “You don’t have to ask. I’d be there anytime.” He cuffs Cade on the back. “You need to make that phone call.”
“Yeah.” Cade nods.
“Do you think Maitland is involved?” I ask.
Ripley shrugs. “It’s hard to say. If he is, he’s not doing it alone. He was here when the first burglary was discovered.”
“Who was the victim?”
“Cathy and Douglas Wilson.” Ripley frowns.
“She and her husband were in the foyer when I came downstairs tonight. Maybe we were wrong about Randall.”
“It’s possible.” Sloane rubs her forearm, causing the bracelets on her wrists to clink together. “He and Tricia arrived around 6:30 p.m.”
“That wouldn’t have given him much time.” Cade runs a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end.
“Did you make an appointment to meet him?” Ripley asks.
“Tomorrow at two o’clock.” Cade looks at his wristwatch. “Even if he’s not involved in the burglaries, his investment business seems too good to be true.”
“If you go through with the meeting, let us know. We’ll provide backup.”
“I think it’s worth looking into. I’ll phone Truman in the morning and get his input.”
I smile at him. To go from the man who told me I need to stay inside and not play the game, he’s come a long way.
“Don’t get all cocky. I’ll be with you.”
“Of course.” My smile grows wider. This is what it feels like to be in a partnership. I wasn’t expecting to share my plans with someone or look forward to working as a team, but I am. It’s the best of both worlds.
After they leave, I twist my foot in a circle. “I’ve got to get out of this dress, and these shoes are killing my feet.”
“Now, that’s something I think I can assist you with.” He walks beside me to the stairs. I quiver at the deep growl in his voice and the images that flicker through my mind.
When I glance over my shoulder, his predatory gaze sets my body on fire. It would have been my panties if he hadn’t shredded them. This time I’m not going to stop until I’ve touched every inch of his tantalizing body. “My room is at the end of the hall. We should probably wait until everyone settles in for the evening.” I arch an eyebrow. “Unless you want people to know what we’re up to.”
“Don’t worry about that. Remember, I told you earlier, the staff think we’re having a steamy clandestine affair, which by the way, was inspired thinking on my part.” He bites his bottom lip and waggles his eyebrows. “We have adjoining rooms.”
“Inspired or arrogant?” I feign irritation as adrenaline races through my body. If any other man were so highhanded in his attempt to get me into bed, I’d have put a stop to it. However, with Cade, if I don’t have him in my room and in my bed within the next ten minutes, I’m going to jump him on the staircase. I’m sure the remaining guests would not approve.
“How about we settle for desperate?”
“Hmmm. That works. I’ll get the connecting door.” I rush up the stairs without waiting for his reply. He’ll be on the other side waiting when I unfasten the lock.