Chapter 19
Ridge
I stare down at the shiny tiles in Robyn’s lobby, hands in my pockets. Then I look up at the elevator panel…again.
She’s taking her sweet time.
I should be happy she’s even letting me pick her up. She told me she could get to the function on her own steam. I had to remind her that I’m here as her bodyguard. That means ensuring her safety from the moment she steps out of her apartment building until she gets home again.
She insisted she could drive herself. Said it was easier. We went around in that loop until she finally caved and gave me a time, and even then, she made it clear that I was overreacting.
I’m being thorough and doing my job, and she insists on fighting me every step of the way.
I sigh beneath my breath, feeling more irritated as the seconds tick by.
Where is she?
Granted, I got here slightly early, but now she’s officially late.
Does she think I want to be here?
I would rather chew off my own arm than spend an evening in a room full of stuffy donors. Hell, I would rather chew off both arms.
The elevator panel lights up, and I almost hold my damned breath, praying it’s her. The doors open, and Robyn walks out.
Holy hell.
I damn near swallow my tongue.
For a couple of seconds, I just stand there like an idiot.
Her dark hair is up in some kind of soft twist at the back of her head, with strands curled loose around her face.
She has more makeup on than normal. It accentuates her cheekbones.
Her brown eyes look bigger. She has red lipstick on her lush-as-fuck lips.
I keep myself rooted in place, not saying anything – still like an idiot – but I’m not done looking.
The dress is long and green. It brings out flecks of the same tone of green in her eyes that I never noticed before. My eyes drop to the silver brooch, holding a faux fur wrap over both her shoulders, covering her chest.
“Hi,” she says.
“Hi.”
“You look good in a tux.”
“Thanks, you might get a little too warm in that.” I look at the wrap, then back at her face. “It’s muggy out tonight.”
She gives a shrug with one shoulder.
“I’m fine. Should we get this over with?”
I nod once.
“By the way, you look nice.” I walk her toward the doors. The second the words are out of my mouth, I wince inside my own head. Nice doesn’t come close. Nice is what you say to a colleague’s wife at a Christmas dinner.
But nice is what fits the brief. I’m supposed to be her bodyguard tonight, going as her plus-one for cover. The line between professional and unprofessional is a thin one already.
Nice will do just fine.
I push the lobby door open and hold it for her.
My SUV is at the curb. I open the passenger door for her.
“Thanks,” she tells me.
The skirt of the dress slides around her ankles as she sits. I shut the door, walk around the front of the vehicle, and get in behind the wheel.
We pull away from her building.
For the first part of the drive, neither of us says a word. I keep my eyes on the road and on the mirrors.
I’m trying not to notice how good she smells. Holy shit! It’s pulling at my dragon under my skin. The beast is up and sniffing.
I focus on the road.
We hit the long stretch where the streetlights start to thin out, and I clear my throat.
“Couple of things before we get there.”
She turns her head toward me. “Such as?”
“You need to stay with me at all times. If you need to use the bathroom, I will walk you to the door. If you need to step away for a phone call, I’ll walk you to wherever you’re going to take the call.
If anything feels off, you tell me immediately.
It doesn’t matter how silly it seems. I want to know. ”
“Are you sure—?”
“I’m not done. Hear me out, please.”
She closes her mouth.
“If we get separated, I don’t want you to leave the main hall. I need you to stay in the room with the most people in it, and you call me…immediately. I take it that you have your cellphone?” I look at her tiny purse.
She nods.
“Good. There will be staff doors at this venue that lead to service corridors. I don’t want you in any of them. Are we clear?”
She lets out a small breath.
“This is overkill.”
“It’s precautionary but necessary. I will be discreet. I’ll be the perfect date. You have nothing to worry about.”
Her mouth twitches at the corner. “Yeah, but you aren’t exactly my date, are you?”
“No.”
“Right.”
“For tonight, though, it might be easier if everyone in there thinks I’m your date.
The minute they hear bodyguard, they’ll start asking why.
They’ll wonder if there’s been a threat.
You don’t want them concerned about anything on the night they’re supposed to be writing checks.
” I glance at her. “I don’t mind, either way.
I’ll go in as whatever you want me to be. Just tell me what works for you.”
She thinks about it for a second.
“I think it would be best if everyone thought you were my date,” she says. “The last thing I need is the donors thinking the island isn’t safe.”
“Agreed. Date it is.”
“Please keep in mind that I have a job to do. This event funds half of our annual budget. It’s a big deal.”
“I will. Like I said, I’ll be the perfect date.”
“Then we’re good.”
I take a left into the Old Quarter. The streets here are narrower, lit with those fake old lanterns the city put up a few years back.
The function venue is at the end of a cobbled drive, set back behind a low wall and a sweep of tall trees.
There’s a valet stand at the front, two males in white shirts with little red bow ties, and a velvet rope cordoning off the main entrance.
Photographers are off to one side, with the flash of a camera going off as we pull up.
I step out, hand the keys to one of the valets, walk around to her side, and open her door.
Robyn lets me help her down. She slides the wrap a little tighter around her shoulders. Her heels are silver and high, so I slow my pace as we cross the cobbles.
A young woman with a clipboard at the door brightens the second she sees Robyn.
“Dr. Keller. We’re so glad you’re here. Good evening, sir.” The woman ticks her list. “May I take your wrap, Doctor?”
“No, thank you.” Robyn’s smile is polished. “I’ll keep it for now.”
“Of course. Please go through. I hope you have an amazing evening.”
We step into the main hall. There’s soft music playing, as well as the chink of glassware, together with voices that are low and well-mannered, layered on top of each other.
The room is big, with high ceilings, and round tables draped in white.
There’s a bar at the far end and a small stage to the right with a podium.
Heads turn the second Robyn steps into the room.
A woman in a navy gown breaks away from a small group near the bar and comes toward us with both hands out.
“Robyn, darling.”
Robyn’s whole face shifts. The polished smile gets a little warmer.
“Marlene, hi.” They do the cheek thing, both sides. “You look fantastic.”
“So do you. Look at this dress. Stunning.” Marlene’s eyes slide to me. “And who is this?”
“Oh, my apologies. How rude of me. This is Ridge,” Robyn says, still smiling. “Ridge, this is Marlene Saunders. She’s on the hospital board.”
I put my hand out. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine.” Marlene shakes my hand, holding onto it for a little longer than is required. “How did our doctor manage to keep you a secret?”
“Easy,” I tell her. “She’s been busy.”
Marlene laughs. Robyn smiles.
We move on. Marlene hands us off to a man with silver hair. We do the rounds, and it’s damn near excruciating.
Robyn moves through the introductions with ease. She remembers names. She remembers wives. She remembers a charity gala from two years ago and a daughter who got into some important university on the Mainland. She’s good at this. Better than I would have guessed.
Somewhere around the third or fourth introduction, I excuse myself long enough to fetch us drinks. I bring her a glass of champagne and grab a beer for myself. She takes the smallest sip of champagne.
She’s impressive.
I keep my eyes moving. I make sure I know where the exits are, as well as the doors to the kitchens. There are two security guys posted near the stage. I clock the table layout.
She’s saying something to a couple about a new wing when someone joins us.
The woman at my elbow is tall. She’s in a sleek black gown that cuts low at the front. Her hair is short and platinum.
“Forgive me for interrupting.” Her voice is low and amused. She isn’t looking at Robyn, or the husband, or the wife. She’s looking at me. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Cassia Holt. I make sure most of the equipment in this hospital actually works.”
“I’m Ridge.”
“Tell me, Ridge, are you in medicine?”
“No.”
“Finance?”
“No.”
Cassia’s mouth curves. “You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?”
“I’m here with Dr. Keller.”
“So I gathered. And what does Dr. Keller’s date do for a living, if not medicine and not finance?”
“Security.”
“How interesting.” She tilts her head at me. Her diamond earrings catch the light. “Are you here on business?
“No.”
“Robyn is one lucky girl.”
Robyn laughs at something the couple says. I lift the beer to my mouth and take a small sip.
“Cassia’s foundation has matched our equipment grants for the past three years,” Robyn says, cutting in, and I’m infinitely grateful. “We’re very lucky to have her support.”
“Your hospital is lucky to have you, darling.” Cassia pats Robyn’s arm without taking her eyes off me. “Ridge, you must come and find me later when they open the dance floor.” She touches the side of my arm.
She holds my eye for one more beat, then turns the full force of her smile on Robyn.
“Don’t keep him to yourself all night, Doctor. That would be selfish.” She winks at Robyn and then drifts off into the crowd.
The wife of the couple we were talking to lifts a brow.
“Well,” she says. “Cassia is always an event. She keeps things interesting.”