Chapter Thirty-nine
Enjoying the music more than usual, Luke hadn’t minded the party too much… until he saw the drunk groping his girl and suddenly a sour taste filled his mouth. Before he could retrieve his fake smile, the hostess sidled up to him. “For a cowboy, you sure can sing.” Her taunting eyes dug into him at what she considered a witty remark.
He nodded, trying to be polite but couldn’t wait to get away from her cloying attitude. She might have hired his band, but she couldn’t afford his body. Not in a million years.
“Baby, why don’t you stick around after the festivities. I have something to show you.” Her suggestive eyebrow made it quite clear what she wanted.
“Sorry, ma’am. I’m the designated driver tonight. The rest have been imbibing your good alcohol and now it’s up to me to get them home safe.”
“Oh, honey, that can be arranged. I’ll take care of it.”
Before he could reply, her bodyguard, Zed’s killer, moved in close, cupped his hand by her ear, and whispered. Without another word, a mask of anger descended. She turned and left him, heading toward her office.
Jesus, I hope they didn’t find the recorder I attached to her picture frame. He wished he’d been able to fix the second one on the bookcase, but he’d noticed Honey watching him and didn’t want to take a chance she’d see him planting it. Shaking off his worry, he shrugged. One would have to be enough.
Finally alone, he walked toward his truck thinking to retrieve his burner phone and get some images of a few of the guests, especially the ones Honey took a tray of drinks to earlier. One looked suspiciously like the Mexican gang leader they’d been trailing for months.
As expected, when they’d arrived all their phones had been taken from them and locked away, which made it impossible to take the pictures he wanted. Thankful to have his hidden phone, he headed in the direction of the parking lot and came across Cissy just coming out of her van… a new outfit appearing as proof that she’d taken the time to change.
“Hey, girl. I’m just heading to switch shirts and have a quick wash myself. Even with the cooling fans and misters around the place, it’s stinking hot.”
“I know. I was dying up there during the last few songs.” Obviously, not worried for him to see, she lifted a cell from out of hiding and began to scroll her messages.
“Hey girl, didn’t they seize yours?” He pointed at her phone.
“Sure. I always carry a fake one to these kinds of shindigs. It’s become like a rule for people to take away our phones, but I need to keep in touch with my nanny, make sure the kids are okay.”
“Good thinking. You figure I can borrow yours for a few minutes. I’d like to take a few shots of the place for prosperity.”
“Don’t tell me you have a scrapbook.” She laughed along with the grin he’d sent her way.
“So sue me. I like to remember special occasions.”
Handing him her property, she winked. “Take all you want cowboy. Just be sure to hide the evidence when you’re done.” She pointed into the van at the pocket behind the driver’s seat. “Slide it in there after you’re finished. I’m off to the food table before Matt calls us back.”
Luke quickly took face shots of the people he most wanted Dale to check into. Panning the rest of the group, he made sure to cover as many of the guests as possible from his hiding place behind the bushes. He forwarded all the images to both his and Dale’s phones, and then slipped it back into its hiding place.
Finished with the clandestine matters, he went over to his own truck where he quickly yanked off his shirt and took out the bucket of body cleansing cloths to refresh.
He didn’t see the woman until he heard her voice. “Oh baby, I knew you were pretty but my God, I do believe you’re even more gorgeous than I’d pictured.”
Tapping into his working persona, Luke laughed it off and realized his mistake when the inebriated model-like female took it as a come-on. Stepping into his space, she reached her hands up to caress his muscular chest, her face filled with approval. “Uh huh. As tanned and solid as I imagined you’d be.”
Stepping out of range, Luke quickly donned his shirt, looked up and saw Honey with her arms crossed, glaring at what to him was a shit show he didn’t want and never asked for.
“Honey. Thank Christ, you’re here. Did you… ahh, bring me that beer you promised?”
He could see her hesitation and prayed she’d understand he’d never asked to be approached by some weirdo lady out for a quickie. “No. I forgot. Actually, Matt sent me to tell you they wanted to start the last set. Of course, that’s when you’re ready.”
He tilted his head at her jibe, sending her a specific message to get real. When she smiled and relaxed, he backed off. Thrilled she’d provided him a way out of the mess he’d found himself in, he took his escape. Looking at the woman’s disappointment, his smile actually rang true. “Duty calls, sweetheart.” Pushing past Honey, he sent her a wink of gratitude and strode quickly to the stage.
The first song he gave the restless crowd was a number by Blake Shelton called ‘No Body’. Thankfully, everyone became animated again and the dance floor filled. He sought out Honey while singing the words to a line in the chorus – no body but yours. As if she heard the crooned message, she stopped and looked his way. Now he stared directly into her eyes. The next time those words came up in the song, he meant them with all his heart.
Message sent.
But was it received?