Page 49 of Dash

“You really need to stop calling me ma’am.” I ambled toward the stairs with him at my heel. “You make me feel like I’m a million years old.”

“As a species, we are that, ma’am, and older.”

I stopped at the landing. “You think I shouldn’t give up.”

He lifted his big shoulders. “Even lost battles have been known to be won.”

Perhaps it wasn’t too late. Maybe Dash’s heart was beyond my reach forever, but I had to try. I had to find a way to own my shit and face my mistakes. I’d had my breakdown. Now I had my breakthrough.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice.” I tackled the stairs again. “You’re a special operator in every way, Micah.”

“I am that.” He stopped short of adding the dreaded ma’am.

I grinned over my shoulder and made a show of looking him up and down. “You’re very wise for being, you know,massive, impressive, intimidating you.”

“The clichés about the correlation of appearance and performance are flawed,” he pointed out as we reached the second level. “I’m big andnotdumb. You’re blondandsmart.”

A giggle escaped my lips. It was the first time I laughed in a while. “I like you, Micah. You’re good to have around.”

As he opened the door and gestured me inside, his brown eyes sparkled with mischief. “I know.”

Chapter Thirteen

Dash

The Grand Ballroom at the heart of historic Gotham Hall had been constructed to dazzle the eye. Built in the roaring twenties, it was fit to impress royalty. I was by no means royalty, but I was impressed. As I waited for Thena near the imposing brass doors, I admired the decadent luxury of a time gone by—inlaid marble floors, limestone walls, Corinthian columns, an enormous chandelier, and a gilded gold-leaf ceiling crowned with a huge stained-glass dome.

A light show added modern style to the space. Subtle beams in the foundation colors—blue, purple, and silver—projected cool designs on the walls. A band played on the stage. Extravagant centerpieces of greenery stood at the center of every table, soaring above the heads of the thousand guests already seated.

The wealth in the room was obscene. Growing up in the Astor world, I’d gotten used to the spectacle, but the boy in me, the kid who’d entered the world in a drafty hovel and who’d worked hard for every penny he earned was always shocked. So was the soldier in me, the warrior who’d witnessed abject poverty all over the world. I had trouble accepting that these few peacocks had so much when a great majority had so little.

Focus, Dagger. I was here to protect Thena. Everything else was a distraction.

I couldn’t wait to get Thena out of New York. With its hordes of people and constant hustle and bustle, the Big Apple was an assassin’s dream and a defensive nightmare. It didn’t help that the ballroom was located in busy midtown. I’d had to call in some favors just to get the numbers to secure the building, but even by my stringent standards, the ballroom wasas protected as possible. That’s why I’d given Micah the go ahead. Thena was on the way.

“Hey.”

I looked down to find Trev parked next to me in his sleek wheelchair. Wearing what was no doubt a very expensive penguin suit like mine and sporting a fresh version of his smart haircut, he looked the part.

“This may be news to your grumpy self, but you’re not exactly portraying a friendly attitude as the new CEO of the Astor Group.” He broke into his signature grin. “In fact, you look like you’re about to blow a gasket. Or murder someone.”

“You, on the other hand, look totally at ease and exceptionally bougie.” I smirked sarcastically while keeping my eyes working the crowds, looking for threats. “Love the hair. Thanks for showing up. Don’t you have stuff to do?”

“I do,” he agreed. “One of those things is to make sure you’re focused and in control.”

“I’m always focused and in control.” It irritated me that he thought he had to remind me.

“What’s going on inside that thick skull of yours?” Trev studied me closely. “I don’t suppose the goddess has favored you yet?”

“Shut up,” I snapped at my old friend. “Don’t wanna talk about it.”

The last time I’d seen Thena, her eyes had been liquid, and her face had been a mask of pain. Pain I’d caused. Okay, so she’d made her contribution to the shitshow.Fuck. We’d both shot to kill.

Maybe that’s why I felt hopeless and plagued with a fury that burned so hot I feared my heart had turned to ashes. It killed me that she’d believed her father’s lies and never came to me with those pictures. It cut me to the quick that she’d been willing to believe thatIhad betrayedher.

“You need to say it.” Trev’s caramel gaze fixed on me. “Whatever it is. Say it to me.”

Trev and I had been through a lot of shit together. I trusted him. Since Thena was not due to arrive yet, I ambled to one side of the vestibule and took a seat on the bench pushed against the wall. From this angle, I could still work the scene and monitor the guests.

---