Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
Tavari broke from the crowd as Caleb and Nathan herded the guests back into the ballroom from where they’d spilled out at the sounds of chaos.
“Come on.” Tavari wrapped an arm around Isabella, then the other around Talia, and hustled them inside.
Isabella twisted her head, trying to see past the blur of bodies and shouting voices.
Hassan fought Danny’s hold. Police and security swarmed.
Then she was in the ballroom, the door closing.
“Isabella!” Her father reached her. “What happened?”
“Everything’s under control, sir,” Tavari cut in. “You need to return to your seat.”
She couldn’t see Danny. Didn’t know what was going on. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking and her legs threatened to give out.
Admiral Dane materialized next to her father. “You need to take control, Graham. Make your speech.”
Isabella locked her knees and lifted her chin. “I’m fine, Daddy. Go.”
Her father stared at her for a long moment before giving a curt nod.
Noise. Chaos. Guests milled about, their meals forgotten.
“Can I have your attention?” Her father’s voice carried through the microphone at the podium, but it barely registered on the crowd.
Nathan’s baritone boomed throughout the room with the authority of a man accustomed to giving orders. “Everyone. Take your seats.”
Stunned silence.
“We apologize for the interruption. Security has everything under control. Now, I believe the senator has something he’d like to say.”
People moved. Slowly. A steady hum returned of dishes clinking and hushed conversations as her father began his speech.
Isabella stayed by the door, her gaze fixed on it.
Talia leaned in. “Izzy, are you sure you’re all right?”
Isabella glanced at her friend, then frowned at Talia’s pallor. The shallow rise and fall of her breath. “I’m okay, but are you? You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“I need a drink.”
Taking her friend by the hand, Isabella led her to the head table and pulled out a chair next to her mother. “Sit.” After assuring her mother that she and Talia were fine, she grabbed the remaining bottle of red wine on the table and poured two glasses—one for her and one for Talia.
Talia gulped hers down.
Isabella’s remained untouched.
Why wasn’t Danny back?
Finally, one of the ballroom doors opened. He slipped through, his gaze finding her immediately.
Everyone else in the room faded away.
Applause broke around her, people pushing to their feet.
Maintaining eye contact, she stood, ignoring her mother’s question, Talia’s touch on her arm, and guests’ attempts to congratulate her as she skirted around tables in his direction.
Let people gossip. She didn’t care.
He opened his arms.
The world settled. Became safe again.
His lips brushed hers in a gentle caress. “I’m sorry.”
She drew back in his arms and searched his face. “Why are you apologizing? You saved me.”
“I should never have left you.” His focus shifted to someone over her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Isabella twisted her head to see Talia standing behind her.
Talia gave a stilted shrug. “I was defending my friend.” Her face was still pale. “What happened with that man?”
“The police arrested him. He’s on his way to jail.”
“Did he say anything?”
Danny’s eyes narrowed. “Like what?”
“I don’t know.” Talia threw up her hands. “Like why he attacked Izzy and not her father?”
“No, and I didn’t get the chance to ask before the police read him his rights.” His face told Isabella what he’d left unsaid—he’d wanted his shot at Hassan.
His fingers caressed her cheek. “I’ve got to get these people safely out of here. After you’ve said goodbye to your parents, stay with Nathan until I come for you.”
Warm, firm lips pressed to hers. Then he slipped out of the ballroom, already talking to someone through his mic.
She brought her fingers to her mouth as if she could hold him there.
“I’m going home.” Talia’s fingers toyed with her ring, her shoulders tight.
“Thank you for looking out for me.” Isabella reached for her. For a beat, Talia didn’t return the embrace. Then her arms tightened briefly around Isabella’s shoulders before she stepped back.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Talia promised before she, too, slipped out the door.
Isabella wandered over to join her parents, Rory and Annalise.
“Darling.” Her mother hugged her, then set her back, giving her a once-over, concern darkening her blue eyes. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“A little shaken,” she admitted. “But I’m safe.”
With Olivia Flores put on notice and Omar Hassan in custody, maybe things could finally settle down.
“That man should never have gotten close to you.” Her father’s eyes narrowed. “And why was your bodyguard kissing you?”
Heat blossomed in her chest and moved up her neck to her cheeks.
“Graham.” Her mother placed a warning hand on her father’s arm.
The senator held up his palm. “I only object to the timing. You could do much worse than Danny Mayhew. At least you’ll be safe with him.”
A buried doubt resurfaced, slithering its way through Isabella’s thoughts. “I’m not with Danny because he can keep me safe.”
She wasn’t.
Right?
She loved him.
“Whatever the reason, we approve.” Her mom, ever the peacemaker. “You did a fantastic job on the gala.”
She shot her mother a wry look. “Other than the protesters and the crazy man.”
Her father gave a dismissive shake of his head. “Not your fault, and it all worked out.”
“I want to leave.” Annalise was pale, her breathing shallow. “I need to call my parents and check on Brooks.”
Rory put an arm around his wife. “We came, like you asked, Dad. Maybe it was too soon. We’re going home to Texas and staying out of your campaign.”
Isabella glanced between her parents, her ribs tightening. “I’m done, too, Daddy. No more involvement in your campaign.”
The senator didn’t respond. He slung an arm around her. “Come spend the night with us. We’re headed back to DC tomorrow.”
The only thing she wanted to do was go home with Danny. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? She intended to spend as much time with him as she could.
Her mother must have read her expression correctly. “Graham, Isabella has better things to do than hang out with her parents.” Leaning in, she brushed her lips against Isabella’s cheek. “Go home and rest. We’ll talk soon.”
Nathan and Emily sat at their table, waiting while hotel staff busily cleared the settings and disassembled the stage.
“It’s been a while.” Isabella greeted Emily with a hug. The other woman, already tall in bare feet, towered over Isabella in heels. The ice-blue gown she wore looked stunning, especially against the ash-blonde hair that cascaded around her bare shoulders.
“So, you and Surfer Dude.” Emily’s light blue-green eyes appraised Isabella, a sly grin on her lips. “I approve. He needs someone to keep him in line.”
Nathan snorted.
Isabella’s brows gathered. “Surfer Dude?”
“Her nickname for Danny.” Nathan leaned back, letting his arm drape along the back of his wife’s chair. A hint of amusement warmed his icy eyes. “Tell your boy he owes me two hundred bucks.”