Chapter 11
“Shit indeed,” Chauncey said.
“Don’t worry. I can handle myself. You watch out for Shana.
I’ll go chat with Ned and see what he’s up to.
” It was truly the last thing in the universe of possibilities that he wanted to do.
The taste of Shana’s bottom lip came to mind, spearing through his gut and straight to his loins.
The universe’s honest answer for his first choice. Damn.
He turned from the bar and shoved his way over to where Ned stood with his accompanying thugs on the edge of the dance floor, ignoring the music, the crowd and everything it seemed, except Shana and Jean Luc.
They danced to a frantic tune and flashing lights.
The air became denser the closer he got to Ned.
He took a deep breath and circled around the man who hadn’t given him more than a cursory glance.
Ned kept his gaze fixed on the dance floor and his man, reminding Dane of an overprotective nursemaid minding a mischievous toddler.
“Introduce me to your friends, Ned.” Dane stood next to the man, closer than he liked, but as close as the noise dictated.
Ned turned to him and said, “You don’t want to know them. Hope you don’t have to end up meeting them up close and personal.” He turned to his goons and nodded toward Dane as if to say he’s your target. Then he returned his stare to Shana. And Jean Luc of course.
“They make a lovely couple,” Dane said.
“Very lovely. I’m glad you’re seeing it my way.”
“That’s not exactly what I said.”
Ned shook his head. “That’s too bad. For you.” Ned tilted his head slightly in Dane’s direction.
Dane tightened before he felt a beefy hand on his shoulder. He didn’t react.
“Guess you have no confidence in the charming abilities of your man Jean Luc.”
“Sure I do. It’s more a matter that I don’t trust you.” Ned delivered his lines without looking at him. Dane felt like a bad actor in a Lifetime melodrama.
“Your loss. I predict you may need to change horses. Soon. No sense chasing a bad bet.”
That got Ned to turn and look at him. He gave the man a stare back to match the shark-like dispassion.
“You are a cool one. But you don’t owe me anything. Jean Luc needs to repay a debt. I find that makes a man more reliable.”
Dane shrugged from the grasp of the henchman and leaned uncomfortably close to Ned’s overly perfumed person, only to find that the excessive cologne did not hide the man’s stench.
He whispered, for his ears only. “I don’t care if he owes his life; he can’t win if I’m in the game.
On the other hand, I’ll never owe you a thing.
So you’re in a tough place, Mr. Ned. Just wanted to leave you with that thought.
Have a nice night.” He eyed the henchman, daring the guy to touch him again, and brushed past both of them and went to the exit.
He walked out into the cool air, needing to breathe in the salty breeze, but hating to leave Shana in there.
Even under Chauncey’s protection. He wondered how the man concentrated with his little wife back at home.
It took all Dane’s willpower to keep walking toward his car without breaking stride. He swung by the valet and took his key.
Dane knew they’d follow him home. Chauncey knew too. They both knew the pair meant to rough him up to warn him off Shana. Everyone knew the game.
Dane only hoped he was up to playing in top form.
* * *
Shana sweated, but she wasn’t worried about her blue silk dress.
She was worried about Dane disappearing from the spot where she’d just seen him, especially when she saw Ned with two large friends in the crowd.
The trio couldn’t be more obvious about not being there to dance.
The band took a break and Jean Luc took her hand and led her to the bar where, with a flash of his diamond-ringed hand, he captured the coveted attention of the bartender and ordered them drinks.
She had no idea what he ordered, but what she wanted was an ice water. Preferably in a bucket.
She let her gaze wander as she smiled at Jean Luc, but she still didn’t see Dane. She caught sight of Chauncey. It occurred to her that she might learn something about Jean Luc’s doings by talking to this bartender who seemed to know him.
Jean Luc handed her a tall glass of ice water and she didn’t bother hiding her grateful surprise when she looked up at his smiling face. She thought about it and held back for an instant, but then she leaned in and kissed him. On the lips.
They were cool lips. He didn’t force it further or hold her, but accepted the kiss graciously. He swept one hand up her bare arm without raising a tingle. She felt the cold glide of his ring. He circled his arm around her.
“Thank you for reading my mind… about the ice water,” she said.
“I live to please you. I enjoyed dancing. You are a treat to watch.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer, but not touching. “Your kiss was… an unexpected treat.”
The burst of self-consciousness made her double her efforts to find Dane in the crowd as she looked from under her downcast lashes. She could do this. This was her job.
But God help her—she didn’t want to do this. She wanted Dane. She wasn’t sure why she felt so desperate until she saw him walk outside. And then saw Ned and the two men follow him.
“Why don’t we go outside for some air?” She started moving before Jean Luc responded, but he took her hand and followed.
“Perfect idea, my beauty.”
Outside she took in the cool salty air and shivered as it wafted over her overheated skin.
He held her hand and led her in a stroll out front, although she managed to get a look at the parking lot.
She wanted to find out where Dane was. Maybe she ought to stop the pretense and express her concern.
She knew Jean Luc wasn’t Dane’s friend and she wanted badly to call him on the ruse and get him on their side to turn the game over.
They came to a bench and he invited her to sit next to him.
“Tell me your troubles, ma petite. It’s clear something is worrying you.”
“How do you figure?” She at least hid her surprise that he saw right through her. His insight made up her mind on it. She would need to come nearer to the truth of their circumstances. “I’m worried about Susan Whittier.”
“Ah. You are a very good, caring friend. But I thought you heard from her and all is well? Don’t worry your pretty little head needlessly, ma cherie.”
“Ma cherie? I didn’t think people actually said that anymore.” She smiled at him.
“Not even French men? But of course—or maybe I am aging myself, non?”
“Yes.” She laughed. He really was charming.
And she would bet her last bullet he had nothing to do with kidnapping or harming Susan Whittier—or anyone for that matter.
In fact, she was probably betting more than her last bullet playing this charade.
She was betting her life—or would be if she were a helpless beach bunny heiress for real.
In reality, Shana figured she could take Jean Luc inside of thirty seconds.
“You look much happier now.”
“I am. I feel better. Thank you.” She spied Dane pulling out of the parking lot into the street and did feel better. Not better about being alone—but better about him escaping from Ned and his thugs. They were very worrisome.
“So how well do you know Ned? He doesn’t seem like the type of guy a man like you would hang around with.”
Jean Luc contemplated her with his wise eyes and said nothing for several beats. She waited him out.
“I wouldn’t. Ordinarily. But life gets complicated sometimes. Let’s just say he’s more a friend of my brother’s than mine. And as they say, one can’t choose family.”
“Maybe not, but family can get you into a hell of a lot of trouble,” she said. She didn’t want to let him off the hook about Ned that easily. “Besides, I don’t like Ned. I don’t want to associate with him. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Not at all, cherie. You are a very wise young lady. Much more than you seem at first glance.”
The comment, coupled with his knowing look, caused a stab of fear to pierce her gut, but she held back a shudder. She forgot to play her role. He was outfoxing her, getting her to warm up to him. But damn it, she didn’t think she was wrong about him.
“Everyone is more complicated than they seem, Jean Luc. Even you.”
“Touché.” He laughed and put his arm around her and hugged her to him.
He was more solid than she expected. Wiry and lean, but barely her height.
She’d make a note to wear lower heels next time.
There would be a next time. She was reeling him in.
Or he was thinking he was reeling her in.
Which scenario was closer to the truth was yet to be determined.
“Would you like to take a drive down to the beach? I know of a place overlooking the ocean and I have an excellent bottle of wine and two glasses.” He led her in the direction of the valet.
“I don’t think so. I—”
“I saw Dane leave. I know you saw him drive away as well. It seems you lost your escort for the evening.”
She shrugged like it was nothing. “No—he only stepped out for a while. He’ll be back. He had something to attend to.”
“What could possibly be more important than you, here, tonight? He’s a fool for leaving you for even a moment.”
“Was he a fool for leaving me with you?”
“Especially for leaving you with me.”
“I don’t know. I think he knows I’m in good hands. That nothing bad will happen to me with you here.”
There was no mistaking the pained look on his face, nor the glance he made back toward the club where Ned presumably kept watch. And he probably knew she knew Ned had been watching them.
“That is true. I can’t argue that. You have my absolute word, Shana.” He gave her an intense look and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Chauncey Miller came out the front door and headed exactly in her direction at a quick pace.