Chapter 11
Back in their suite, Liliana paced the length of the sitting room, her boots clicking against the shiny tile.
Dax, Rachel, Kujo and Six had gathered in the suite after they’d arrived.
“Someone could’ve been hurt or killed today.” She paused and met Rachel’s gaze. “Someone besides me. I need to call off the town visits and go back to the reservation.”
“You can’t do that. You’re too close to election day,” Rachel said.
“I can’t keep putting others at risk.” She looked to Dax. “You could’ve been killed.”
“I’m too damned stubborn to get killed.” He crossed the floor and took her hands in his. “I’m not backing down, and I don’t think you should either.”
“We have a couple of hours until the fundraiser,” Rachel said. “Why don’t you make use of the hot tub and relax. I’ll have some food sent up.”
“I don’t feel good about this fundraiser,” Liliana confessed.
“I’ll call Stone and see if he can spare a couple more guys to post around the ballroom or exterior perimeter.”
“I’ll spend the next couple of hours with Six going through the ballroom where the dinner will be held.”
“He didn’t use explosives in the last attack, who’s to say he’ll use them again?” Liliana scrubbed a hand over her face. “He used a truck as a lethal weapon.”
“The ballroom isn’t on the ground level,” Rachel pointed out. “He can’t drive a truck into that portion of the building.”
Liliana drew in a breath and let it out, reminding herself to breathe. “I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
“I’ll get the resort manager to call in his entire security staff if we have to,” Rachel said. “We need this fundraiser, and we need the people to vote for you.”
“Yeah, but is it worth losing people?” Liliana looked from Dax to Rachel and back. “You could’ve been thrown from that convertible and sustained life-threatening injuries.”
“I’m fine,” Dax said. “No one was hurt. If you need this fundraiser, we can make it happen.”
She chewed on her bottom lip for several more moments before she sighed. “Okay. We’ll do the fundraiser, but I want to look at all other events before we decide we’ll do them. Until this attacker is caught, none of us are safe.”
Rachel, Kujo and Six left the suite.
Dax opened his arms, and Liliana fell into them.
“I was so scared,” she said. “When I fell onto the floorboard, I couldn’t see you.”
He smoothed her hair back from her forehead. Her ponytail had been lost in the commotion, allowing her long, straight locks to fall forward into her face. The locks were soft and silky between his fingers.
“Get your swimsuit on. We’ll soak in the hot tub. It’ll help calm you.”
He walked with her into the bedroom and waited while she dug through her clothes until she found her suit.
“What about you?” she asked. “Did you bring a suit?”
He shook his head. “No, but I have gym shorts I can use.”
Once she had her suit in hand, he turned her toward the bathroom. “Go change. I’ll be ready when you come back out.” Though he wanted to, he didn’t offer to change with her or to make love to her while they did.
Liliana entered the bathroom.
Dax closed the door between them.
He hurriedly changed into his shorts and called Stone.
He brought him up to speed on what had happened at the parade and asked, “Can you spare anyone to come down for this fundraiser?”
“It’s too far to drive, and a storm system is moving in from the southwest. It’ll hit you before it hits us. I doubt Hank’s plane could bring us down before the event. I’m sorry, man. You have Kujo and Six. I’ll put someone on the road, but they won’t be there until after the event begins.”
“I’m okay with that. Better late to the party than not at all,” Dax said. “Thanks, man. I knew I could count on you.”
“I hope you have an uneventful evening. Expect one or more of the gang to arrive sometime during the evening. And keep your head down.
“Yes, sir.” As Dax ended the call, the bathroom door opened, and Liliana stepped out wearing a one-piece, forest green swimsuit with a plunging neckline. She’d pulled her hair up high on her head and secured it with a clip.
He took her hand and led her out onto the balcony where the hot tub stood.
They climbed in, and he turned on the jets and settled back in the water, thankful they were on the top floor, out of range of snipers or people dropping things on them from above.
Liliana scooted close to him and reached for his hand beneath the water.
He brought her hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. “Everything will be all right.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said.
They stayed in the tub for thirty minutes. By the time they got out, Liliana seemed more relaxed. She showered and changed into the outfit she had selected for the fundraiser. The floor-length sheath in shimmering silver complimented her dark beauty to perfection.
Dax wore the same black suit he’d worn the night before with a black shirt and gray tie.
He held out his arm. “You look amazing.”
“Is this dress too flashy? I don’t want them to think I’m only concerned about fancy clothes and not the issues.”
“It’s perfect. You look confident and intelligent. When you speak, your passion for your work will outshine even this dress.” He smiled.
She frowned. “It is too flashy.”
When she turned back to the bedroom, he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “It’s not too flashy. If anything, it says you’re not afraid of anything.”
“But I am afraid—afraid that by continuing this campaign, others will become collateral damage.” She took his hand in hers. “I don’t want that to happen to anyone.” Her voice lowered, and she stared into his eyes. “Especially you.”
His chest tightened at the concern she had for him. His own family had never looked at him that way. His father didn’t seem to give two shits about him. His mother had abandoned him.
Standing before him was a woman he’d known for such a short time, willing to give up her dream of becoming a representative of her state to keep him from being hurt.
“Sweetheart, I’m willing to take the risk. You’re a good person. The people of this state need someone like you to represent them. Don’t deprive them of the opportunity to make that decision.”
She stood for a long moment as if weighing the pros and cons. Finally, she nodded. “I’m not a quitter. Let’s get this fundraiser over with. I have work to do.”
He grinned. “That’s the woman we know and love. Let’s go get ’em.”
Dax was proud to escort Liliana Lightfeather to the ballroom where the dinner was held. He was also glad to see that the resort had beefed up the security staff.
They’d funneled the guests through one door, checking each against an attendees’ roster before they were allowed to enter. The other doors had been locked from the inside. Two security guards stood at the entrance to the ballroom to keep any unauthorized persons from entering.
Once inside, Dax and Liliana were escorted to a table at the front of the room, closest to the stage.
Rachel and Kujo stood beside the table with Six lying on the floor at Kujo’s feet.
Five other name cards were located at their table.
“You’ve been seated with the guests who’ve contributed the most to your campaign,” Rachel said.
“I take it you’ve done your homework and can give me a quick profile on each?” Liliana cocked an eyebrow.
“You betcha.” Rachel grinned. “Mr. and Mrs. Alan Buttram of Buttram Technologies. They own several manufacturing facilities in the state, which produce electronic components for the Department of Defense. They’re very patriotic and believe in keeping industry in the US.”
“I’ve heard of them,” Liliana said. “Their corporations hire locally when they can and even provide training to get the skills they need.”
Rachel nodded. “Colin and Connor Satterwhite are brothers, who’ve built a multi-million-dollar corporation from an idea and a shoe-string budget in their parent’s garage. They’re one of the fastest growing companies in the state.”
“And they’re in their mid-thirties, so young to have come this far,” Liliana commented.
Rachel nodded toward a man with salt-and-pepper gray hair, wearing a gray, pinstripe suit coming through the door. “Our last guest at the table might be of interest to you. Tate Harris.”
Dax tensed. “Tate Harris of THEnterprises?”
Rachel nodded. “He’s contributed more to Liliana’s campaign than the Buttrams and the Satterwhites together.”
Liliana frowned. “Why didn’t I know this?”
“I didn’t know it until I got the most current list of attendees and their contribution amounts,” Rachel said. “He is the most recent contributor, having deposited the funds yesterday.”
“Does he think he can buy my cooperation and support of his land development?” Liliana shook her head slightly, her gaze following the man moving between the tables toward them.
Dax stiffened as the man stopped in front of Liliana. He stood ready in case Harris tried anything to hurt Liliana. He didn’t like how close the man stood to her. If he was armed, he could easily take her down.
Harris held out a hand to Liliana. “Miss Lightfeather, I’m Tate Harris of THEnterprises. It’s a pleasure to meet you and to be a part of your campaign to win the Wyoming seat in congress.”
Liliana took the man’s hand and even gave him a tight smile. “Mr. Harris. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for your support and contribution.”
He turned toward Dax. “I understand you’re to be congratulated on your recent engagement.” He held out his hand. “It’s an honor to meet a combat veteran and Navy SEAL.”
Dax took his hand and gave it a firm shake, staring straight into the man’s dull gray eyes. “Mr. Harris.”
Harris’s hand was cool, but firm, his expression poker straight, unreadable.
Dax didn’t trust the man.
The Buttrams arrived. Rachel introduced them to Liliana and the others at the table. Right behind them were Colin and Connor Satterwhite, who weren’t much older than Liliana and Dax.