53. Max
CHAPTER 53
MAX
C allie is radiant as she comes back down the aisle next to Adam’s best man. She glances from side to side, and offers smiles to everyone, but the look she gives me is special.
Everything about her is special.
But I can’t get too caught up in those thoughts right now.
There’s a receiving line at the back of the room headed by Ms. Baker, who appears marginally less stressed than she’s been the past couple of days. “Max, how lovely to see you. How are you?”
I make the obligatory small talk and thank her for having me here, but my focus is divided, because the groom’s father is standing right next to her. When it comes time to shake his hand, I’m filled with disgust, but also excitement at the knowledge that we’ll eventually bust him, hopefully sooner than later.
Unfortunately, there’s a gap in the line behind me, so Ms. Baker watches as I greet Hargrove, which isn’t ideal, but with some misdirection, I manage to achieve my objective. Fingers crossed that he keeps the same suit jacket on for the rest of the evening.
I give the man a nod, keeping our interaction as bland and unremarkable as it should be for the boyfriend of the maid of honor meeting the groom’s dad.
There’s a bridesmaid and groomsman in line next, then finally, Callie, giving me that look again. “I thought that was you, Max,” she says.
“Who else would it be?” The two of us laugh with our eyes as I lean in to kiss her cheek and inhale her sweet scent.
“We’ll be taking photos for a while after this.”
“No problem. I’ll keep myself busy and then I’ll see you at the reception.”
“See you there.” Her eyes follow me as I move on to greet the best man, then the bride and groom.
I wish the newlyweds well, and mean it with a sincerity they’ll never know. If things go well for me, things won’t be easy for them, at least for the short term.
With all of that done, I hurry back to our room, the one only Miles and I know about.
“Good job,” my brother says after I let myself in. “It’s working perfectly.”
He’s wearing headphones, already listening in, so I just nod. That’s a relief, though tonight should offer more opportunities if needed.
After a few minutes, he sets the headphones down. “They’re with the photographer.” When I nod again, he says, “We’ve got solid confirmation on the new supplier. I called for backup.”
“Yeah? The guy you saw in the gym this morning?”
“Yeah. Same one Callie saw yesterday. His name is Willie Gardner. People have had their eye on him, but there’s nothing but minor stuff on his record … so far. He and Hargrove aren’t exactly playing it cool if someone completely unsuspecting gets bad vibes just from passing them in a hallway.”
I let out a snort. “Let’s hope they continue to be just as careless.”
“Don’t forget that Callie’s ex was in the gym, too.”
“Might be a coincidence. He might just be trying to get in good with his new girlfriend’s father.”
Miles picks up the headphones again, listens in, then removes them. “Or he might be involved. We can’t rule it out.”
“I can’t believe Hargrove would do something here, right in the middle of his son’s wedding.”
“Takes all kinds.”
I pace to the door and back, the room suddenly feeling too small. “Much as I want to get him, the timing could be better.”
“You’re having regrets now? You’re the one who got us in here.”
His accusatory tone pisses me off. “Everything’s different now, isn’t it?”
“We shouldn’t have done it.” Miles hangs his head, and I regret firing back at him.
“There’s got to be a way it works out. Maybe nothing happens here, we turn in all of our information and get ourselves off the case.”
“How would we explain that?”
“I don’t know, but we’ll work something out. We have to.”
He gives me a dubious look as he hands me the headphones. He inserts an earbud, then picks up a gray suit jacket identical to the one I’m wearing. “I’ll be watching them. I’ll cue you in if the new guy shows up, or if any of them leave the reception.”
Before Miles can leave, I grab his arm. “Are you sure you’re prepared?”
He pats himself down and checks his ear. “Yeah. Got everything.”
“No, I mean for the dancing. I danced with Callie at the pool party. You’re going to need to try to look as smooth as me.”
My brother rolls his eyes and gives my shoulder a half-hearted shove before he heads to the door.
“Have fun,” I call after him.