Page 44 of Too Lethal to Love

“Beth,” Evangeline shouted as she extended her arms.

Beth leaned in for a hug and a round of “It’s been too long” and “I’m so happy to see you” type of greetings. As the air-kisses ended, Kane wound his arm around Beth’s waist and tugged her into his side. Evangeline’s gaze, a couple of shades lighter than her tanned complexion, landed on the possessive grip.

“Showtime,” he whispered in Beth’s ear. “I’m Lieutenant Kane Darren. You must be Evangeline. I met your mother earlier.”

“Oh my God, Beth. Is he your boyfriend? I can’t believe it.” She waved her manicured fingers in front of her face like she’d swoon from the news. “I’m so proud of you considering…” She crossed her hands over her heart. “Well, you know.”

Beth tensed. Kane slid his fingers to the middle of her back. Slowly, he kneaded her soft, bare skin under the thincrisscrossing straps instead of telling Evangeline she was just like her mother and that it wasn’t a compliment.

Evangeline bounced on her toes. “So, tell me, how did you two meet?”

“Scarlett introduced us.” She clasped Kane’s arm. “I needed help with something and…” Beth shot Kane a flirty smirk as she laid her head on his shoulder.

“And Scarlett felt I was the right guy for the job.” Finishing each other’s sentences also felt right.

Evangeline eyed Kane’s hands. “Do you work for Project VIPER? You guys all have bionic body parts and work as some sort of security detail, right? I mean, that’s what the Department of Defense said in the press release they put out a while back.”

“Yes, ma’am. At your service.”

“Oh my.” Evangeline fanned herself with her hand. “A boyfriend and a bodyguard to boot. He’s perfect for you, Beth. Is Scarlett in town too?”

Beth slid her fingers to the base of Kane’s neck and toyed with his hair. “No.”

He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. He could get used to putting on a show.

Evangeline pressed her painted-red lips into a pout. “That’s too bad. I haven’t seen her in a while and was hoping to catch up.”

A guy Beth introduced him to when they arrived—John or Jake, perhaps—sauntered over with a wave. “Mind if I steal your girl for a nostalgic dance?”

Evangeline nudged him toward Beth. “Of course she doesn’t mind; Beth loves to boogie.”

Beth shrugged. “You know it.” She handed Kane her beaded purse.

Securing it under his arm, he wrapped his hand aroundthe back of her neck and dropped his head. “Don’t make me jealous.”

“What are you going to do? Blow the place up with your super leg if he tries to kiss me?”

“If that’s what it takes to keep you safe, then yes. I’ll burn this whole fucking ballroom down.”

He felt more than heard her sharp breath as he nudged her to the dance floor. For a moment, he let himself enjoy the sway of her hips as she shimmied under the red and green strobe lights spiraling around the room. The vision made his cock more than twitch. He turned to Evangeline. The unchecked desire in her calculating eyes calmed his libido down.

Way the fuck down.

Evangeline’s gaze landed below his waist. “So, Lieutenant Darren, where’s your bionic body part?”

“Under wraps.” He plucked two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to her. “I heard you just returned from Dubai.” Judy Martin had somehow managed to brag about her daughter during her Beth-is-a-black-widow warning. “How did you like the Middle East?”

“It was so rewarding and so challenging. I’d been considering offers for positions all over the world from some of the biggest tech firms. When I got the call saying Henry Richardson, you know, Scarlett’s stepfather, suggested me for a high-level project, well…” She took a sip of champagne. “I was on a plane two days later. Have you met Henry? He’s such an inspiration. I’m so grateful for all the support he’s given me.”

“I met him once.”Held him at gunpoint, actually.“Congratulations on your success.”

“Thanks. I worked hard to make a name for myself.”

“Hard work does pay off.”

“And some of us have to work harder than others.”

She glanced at Beth on the dance floor. A sheepish smile overtook the spiteful one from a moment ago as she caught Kane’s gaze.

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