Page 43 of Dauntless

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Stunned, I left the bathroom and headed back to the table and Elliott. I didn’t know how to approach Dane with what I had overheard, but Elliott needed to know Walter’s possible involvement. I took the anterior passage leading to the dining hall where I encountered a crowd of people ahead of me. On reaching one of the first rows, two male security guards came up with a couple of staff and erected a horizontal rope divider, cutting me off.

“We need to remove displays from the show through this hallway,” one of the guards announced. “If you would please follow our directions back to the hall. We apologize for the inconvenience.”

I reluctantly followed the directions of the staff but was dismayed when I found that they led us outside to the group of tents for the show and further to the other side of the park, on the sidewalk. Even there, there was still more security clearing the area, moving a group of us a couple of blocks away and behind a barrier. I shivered against the freezing temperatures as I scrabbled through my purse for my phone but couldn’t find it. I abandoned my search and took to the sidewalk by the park. Just as I was approaching a passerby to ask to borrow a phone, someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder.

“Excuse me, but you look lost. Do you need some help?” I turned around to find a tall, robust man standing behind me, and to my relief, he had on a uniform and badge I recognized as part of the hotel security.

“Maybe you can,” I replied to him. “I’m looking for the way back to the park?”

“If you follow me, I can show you,” he offered.

Normally, I would have gone with him, but nothing had been normal of late. I gazed past him down the street and spotted a clearing up ahead. “No. If you could just point me in the direction, I’ll find it.” I looked in my purse again for my phone. Nothing.

“Navigating New York City can be difficult for most,” he said. “But it’s a great place to escape.”

My brows rose. Escape. Was I that obvious? I eyed him curiously. He had a buzz hair almost white, but what caught my attention were his eyes. He was close to me and even under the street lights, I thought them unusual. They were pale, almost colorless.

His lips spread into a broad smile. “Do you have your phone? I have one you can use if you don’t.” He reached inside his jacket, but I quickly waved my hand to stop him.

“I do have a phone, and really… I’m fine. Thanks,” I said dismissively. I wasn’t sure why I cut off communication with him, but then an older couple approached him and asked for directions. His smile evaporated, but he answered them politely. Perhaps I was being paranoid, and he was being helpful.

I turned away from their group and saw Elliott, now hurrying toward me down the pavement with Tove. “Wait for me,” the man persisted, his voice strained. “I’ll take you.” He pushed through the couple, who gasped in astonishment.

I frowned at the man. “You should help them. I’ve found my friends.”

I didn’t wait for his response and rushed down the sidewalk to meet up with Elliott and Tove.

Elliott rushed up and grabbed me close, his body covering me in a powerful embrace. I looked passed him and didn’t see the man, but a crowd of people.

“Damn it, Gia. Where the hell did you go?” he growled. He took off his jacket and held it out for me. In the light from the street, I could see his scowl. “Put this on.”

“Please,” I added but followed his direction. Once it was on my shoulders, he took my hand and moved us along at a fast pace down the sidewalk. I smiled despite his anger and held him tighter. “I’m okay. I was sent out to go around the park and just realized I can’t find my phone. I must have left it in the bathroom. Is everything okay?”

“I ran into Dane. He needed to take Angel back to his place,” he said. “He was looking for you too, but I assured him I’d find you.” His quick pace had me practically jogging to keep up.

“Hey. Wait,” I said to him. “I’ve got something to tell you. Something just happened—”

“Yeah, it did. Sophie came back alone, and you disappeared,” he answered brusquely. “I need to tell Dane I found you.” He stopped to make a call, then returned to moving the both of us down the street.

My brows narrowed. “Are you going to talk to me? What’s with this caveman crap?”

Elliott grabbed my hand and wouldn’t slow down. “It’s you. You’ve reached the end of my patience tonight.”

We stopped near the stairs to go back at the entrance to the reception, but none of us went in.

“I’m firing you off guarding Gia,” Elliott griped at Tove. “She was left alone in a potentially dangerous situation when you were meant to be guarding her.”

“She was in the bathroom, and I was right outside,” Tove pointed out.

“And Sophie came back without her,” Elliott said. “That should have been enough for you to go inside to check to make sure it was safe. Anything could’ve happened to her. I trusted you to be thorough. I need someone guarding her that’s not afraid to cramp her style.”

“You’re right. Before I knew it, security was pushing us out of the area,” Tove replied. “I’m sorry, Gia, for failing you again.”

“No, Tove, I understand, and you shouldn’t be fired off guarding me,” I interjected. “I’m sorry you’re upset, Elliott, but I wasn’t that far away. I was late getting back to the table because I was still in the bathroom. You see, I overheard something important to the case—”

“You were trying to do some more investigating?” Elliott cut me off, his voice rising. “You can’t just go off on your own. You’re still in danger.”

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