Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
“You know, Miss Hudson, you’re making our job a lot harder.”
Colton grinned down at the woman walking next to him, her hand pulled through the crook of his elbow.
Riley’s eyes rounded as they entered the luxurious lobby of downtown Houston’s Whitmore Hotel. “I am?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’re not only going to have to keep a lookout for the creep, but we’re going to have to beat off every eligible male who will be clamoring for your attention tonight.”
Her smile rivaled the brightness of the crystal chandeliers hanging overhead. “You can be charming, Mr. Blankenship, when you put your mind to it.”
He shrugged. “Just telling it like it is. You look stunning.”
Her face colored the most endearing shade of pink, and his heart caught. Had she not been told a thousand times how beautiful she was? Yet it always appeared to be news to her.
She’d spent her morning working on details for their family’s upcoming New Year’s charitable ball, then asked him over lunch if he’d like to help her go through witness depositions for Shane’s case. He’d been only too happy to comply and enjoyed employing a little more of his investigator brain.
But three hours after disappearing to her suite to get ready for the evening, she’d descended the stairs at the estate—a vision in her red ball gown—and he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
She’d once again put her hair up, this time in an intricate knot at the back of her head.
Delicate straps graced her shoulders, with satiny red gloves pulled up to her elbows.
A shimmering ruby and diamond necklace lay at her throat, and matching earrings dangled from her ears.
The full skirt settled around her like a cloud, and dozens of tiny crystals sparkled from the bodice.
Although indeed lovely in her Christmas-hued dress, it was the sight of her four days ago—radiant in that white wedding gown—that had taken his breath away, rendering him speechless right there in front of her friends.
“You and the boys had something to eat?”
Her question pulled him back before he could go too far down that road he had no business traveling. “Yes, ma’am. Hilda takes good care of us.”
“It’s her gift. We’re blessed to have her.”
They entered the door of the elegantly decorated ballroom, where dozens had already gathered amongst the greenery, red and green ribbons, white lights, and at least ten Christmas trees he’d counted so far for the country club’s Christmas extravaganza.
A pianist situated in a corner played holiday favorites while guests milled around in groups, conversing while enjoying pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
“There’s John, Avery, and Barbara. Frances and Kade are probably on their way.” She peered up at him. “I wish you could be at our table with us.”
Suddenly, he did too. He’d never once had any desire to take part in high society shindigs until Riley had pulled him into her circle of friends. These ladies didn’t hold themselves above others but eked out every bit of joy and laughter they could whenever they were together.
He leaned in and caught a hint of her soft jasmine-ginger fragrance. “Don’t worry about me. You have fun. I’ll stay as close as I can without getting in your way.”
“You’re never in my way.”
Smiling, he nudged the small of her back and followed behind as she made her way to her table. Several people greeted her along the way, and she responded with a bright smile and listening ear.
The week had been a busy one, what with Everett’s case, her charity events, and the unexpected trip to the hospital on Thursday. Unfortunately, the creep had also been busy. Riley received two more letters that week, all with photos of her with her detail right next to her.
It was driving him nuts that they hadn’t been able to identify this guy when he had apparently been right in front of them.
Granted, any of those photos could’ve been taken with a long-range lens from a car, a window.
Anywhere. Yet it still galled him the creep could see them, but they had no idea he was even there.
Riley’s nerves had to be frayed, but so far, she hadn’t let it stop her, still going about her life as usual. She had to be the bravest person he’d ever met, and he’d worked with men and women who put their lives on the line for others his entire career.
His gaze panned the large room. Trevor and Paul had taken up the posts they’d been designated last night when they went over the detailed information provided by Tech Ops.
All entrances into the ballroom, restrooms, doors to the kitchen area, backgrounds and IDs on all male catering staff. Even the musicians.
Paul and Trevor would stay, for the most part, within their assigned areas, leaving their posts only if they saw something suspicious. Colton would stay as close to Riley as he could without, as he’d told her, getting in her way.
Two hours into the evening, after cocktail hour and dinner, Barbara showed up at his side. “I see you’re as diligent as always. Can I bring you anything?”
He glanced at her but returned to perusing the area. “No. But thank you. Company policy.”
“I see.”
His brow furrowed when Riley walked out onto the floor on the arm of a man who appeared altogether too besotted.
“Grant Bellows.”
“Pardon?”
“The guy Riley’s with. Grant Bellows. Very successful obstetrician. They’ve known each other forever, and I think he’s been in love with her about as long. He’s just never had the guts to make it known.”
“I’d say he’s making it known right now.”
“Ah, yes. The look. I’m quite familiar with that look, knowing Riley for as long as I have. But she’s completely ignorant of it.” She paused. “Kind of like you the day you saw her in that wedding gown.”
He whipped his head around. “I’m sorry?”
She chuckled. “She is a stunner, that’s a fact. And as beautiful in spirit. We’ve all noticed there’s … something … between the two of you. You should let her know how you feel, Colton. Before somebody else sweeps her off her feet.”
He followed her gaze back to the couple gliding around the floor. “He can ballroom dance.”
“Say again?”
“Uh, nothing. Listen, Barbara, I can’t talk. Need to stay on my toes here. I hope you understand.”
“Oh, absolutely. I just wanted to thank you for watching out for her. It means a lot to all of us. I don’t know what we’d do if we lost her. You know?”
He nodded. “I know. We’ll keep her safe.”
“I know you will. Nice talking to you, Colton. I’m looking forward to working with you on your foundation board.”
She walked away, and he again started his scan from one point of the room around to the opposite, always keeping a covert eye on Riley and the people surrounding her. But his focus always came back to her, and lingered too long.
Riley and her doctor dance partner walked off the floor, her hand pulled through his arm until they rejoined their group of friends.
After another visual pass around the room, his gaze met hers from several yards away.
She excused herself and headed his direction, leaving young Dr. Bellows to watch her with a disappointed frown.
She came to a stop beside him. “How are you holding up?”
“Fine. You?”
“Great. I enjoy seeing people around the holidays. Everybody’s so jovial and lighthearted.
” She sighed and crossed her arms over her midsection.
“I can’t help thinking what a waste this is, though.
All these obscenely wealthy people under one roof and not a charitable donation in sight.
I spoke with the social committee a couple of years ago about making this a fundraising opportunity by sponsoring a charity every year, but they shot me down. ”
“Why’s that?”
“They want this to be an event for their club members, to say thanks for your membership, we appreciate you.”
“Understandable.”
He panned the room, stopping at a waiter staring at Riley from several feet away.
Squinting, he finally ID’d the young man as one of the staff vetted by their team.
Riley being Riley did, indeed, make their job harder, because she caught the attention of men regularly.
Yet always seemed utterly oblivious to it.
“At least the club hosts several other events during the year that benefit charities. No, thank you,” she said as an aside to another waiter who walked up with a tray of champagne. “Have you had anything to drink or eat?”
“Not why I’m here.”
“I know that. But you three should try the buffet. It’s fabulous. Take turns. I’m very safe here.”
“Did you know that guy?”
“What guy?”
“The waiter who just walked by.”
“No.”
“And the musicians. You know all of them?”
“No.”
“I see.” He let his eyes wander over several guests coming in the door from the lobby. “Do you know the caterer? All the servers, photographers, hotel personnel?”
“Okay, you’ve made your point. You still need to eat. What if I stay with you?”
“Riley, we already had dinner back at the house. We’re fine.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, no, what?” His eyes snapped around the room but noticed nothing of concern.
“Cal Gentry. Two o’clock and approaching fast.”
Colton glanced to his right. A tall, dark-haired man walked toward them, his smoldering gaze fixed on Riley.
She spun to face him. “Dance with me.”
“Riley—”
“Colton, please. You’re supposed to protect me, right? Well, protect me.”
He sighed. Not exactly standard protocol, but with her looking at him all desperate-like, what could he say? “All right. Come on.”
He led her onto the dance floor by the hand and took her in his arms. They swayed together in silence for a moment, and he couldn’t miss the glare the man still standing at the tables shot their way.
“Why do you need protecting from Pretty Boy Gentry?”
She chuckled. “He is rather nice-looking, isn’t he?”
“Not really my type.”