Page 54 of Kill Me Sweetly

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JJ

“I’d liketo state for the record that I think this is a bad idea.” Gabe leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he watched Mason and me fix our tuxedos.

“Noted.” Mason winked. “But we have no information right now. The twins are working their asses off on tracing the person who owns that cell phone, and the best way to the place Four spoke about. Until then, this might lead us to something.”

“Or get you both killed.” Shep lifted a brow.

“It’s not like we’ll be alone. You, Gabe, Nick, and Noel will be with us.” I sat on the ottoman and put my socks on.

“And what if we have trouble getting in if there’s a problem?” Gabe was being a smartass, but of course that was one reason Mason loved him.

“Then I suggest you don’t have trouble.” Mason chuckled as he moved over to Gabe and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Before we left, I checked in with Four. He didn’t say anything as he looked me up and down. Angel was sitting in a chair in the corner with a book in hand, and Max was searching for a movie to watch.

“I’ll check in periodically,” Shep told Angel, who nodded.

“We’re good here. Go get us some good info, and be safe.” Angel pointedly stared at Mason and me.

“Scout’s honor.” I smiled.

Angel rolled his eyes. We left them to their evening fun and went to the garage. We had a luxury SUV that was stored here, only because it was bulletproof as well. It was great if something happened and we needed to get out fast. Right now, it would act as Mason’s and my ride to the charity ball.

Shep was pretending he was our driver while Gabe and the twins would follow close behind in a van. They’d park on the side of the road, which would blend in fine seeing as the Harper Reese building was in the heart of a bustling city.

It took us awhile to get there since we were driving from the safe house, so Mason and I made sure to get our stories straight regarding our names (which were chosen by Nick as he’d set up our invites), and our backstory should anyone ask who we were.

Shep pulled down the street, where a line of cars were either waiting for valet or their drivers were dropping them off.

“You two be safe, and don’t be dumb.” Shep narrowed his eyes at me from the rearview mirror.

“You’ll be able to hear us the whole time.” I huffed.

“And see us,” Mason added as he tapped the pin on his lapel. We both had them. They were little roses, which was the symbol for the charity Harper Reese was having the dinner for. I suspected we’d see a lot of people wearing them and therefore wouldn’t be suspicious.

“Yeah, just…” His words were cut off when the valet opened the door.

“Gentlemen?”

I couldn’t tell Shep good-bye or I that loved him, but I shot him a look before slipping out of the car. Mason and I stood side by side.

“Good evening, sirs. Names please?” An older man with a tablet stood by the door.

Mason grinned, “Evening. Yes, Lewis and Clark Columbus.”

The man gawked at us, wide-eyed, and there was no hiding the smirk. This would be the last time we let Nick choose undercover names.

“Yes, very good, sirs. Welcome and thank you for your donation. If you’ll both step to the left, you’ll need to go through security.”

We’d anticipated this, but it was still nerve-wracking. I stepped in front of Mason, emptied my pockets, and went through the metal detector. It went off but it was the pin, and the guard waved me through.

Mason hooked his arm with mine and we mingled. The main entrance was insanely huge, but that wasn’t a surprise.

Servers weaved all around the guests, who were dressed to the nines in Valentino and Gucci, diamonds dripping from their necks and fingers. I sipped the champagne offered to me and yup, this was top notch.

“You’d think they’d maybe use some of the money they spent on this champagne toward their charity,” I whispered in Mason’s ear, knowing the others could hear me.

---