Page 116 of Disarming Caine

The elevator stopped, the bell chimed, and she moved back. She threaded her arm around my offered elbow and nudged me with a hip. “Very funny, Ferraro.”

We stepped into the hotel lobby with its cream-colored marble floors and plush seating areas. The room was crowded with dark suits, tuxedos, and evening gowns, the laughter and quiet conversations creating a buzz akin to privacy.

To the right, out of the elevator bank, the conference center’s wide beige carpet stretched out before us, dotted with navy and persimmon swirls. Dimmed pot lights and caged chandeliers illuminated the space, while soft instrumental music floated out of the doors open into the ballroom.

I pressed my lips to Samantha’s temple. That evening was the most remarkable thing in the world. She smiled and tightened her grip on my arm, giving me a private wink.

Samantha Caine loved me. I’d known this since our time together in Napoli, deep inside my heart. But to hear the words was a magic all its own. She loved me.

Everything would be perfect. Dinner, dancing, and some alcohol. I’d introduce her to my friends. There would be conversation and laughter. And after celebrating at midnight, we would go back up to our room and make love.

And then, finally, I’d fall to one knee and offer her the ring. She would stare and blink for a few moments, but she’d say yes. Truly, she’d saynot yetor say I was losing my mind. But she loved me. Leaping over that hurdle meant the world for her, and tonight would be so wonderful that she’d see our future together, just as I glimpsed it the night we met.

She raised a hand to wave down the hallway, and I craned my head to see who she was waving at. There were easily over a hundred people milling about before dinner was served.

“Jimmy!” she shouted, and I caught sight of her friend in his police uniform.

He waved back and shook the hand of the man he was speaking with, who headed into the ballroom as we arrived. He nodded to us, a tight smile broadening. “Heya, Sammy! Dr. Ferraro. Don’t you two look wonderful?”

“Didn’t you say you were working tonight?” Samantha asked.

He hooked his thumbs into his duty belt and rocked back on his heels. “Shift starts in a half-hour. Told you I’d come by to say hello.”

“How do Kim and the kids feel about you missing New Year’s?”

His smile faltered, but it recovered quickly. “The kids are young. They can’t stay up that late.”

“I don’t suppose you have any news on the Johnsons?”

“Bella.” I clutched her hand to my body. “This is a night to celebrate, not to talk shop.”

“Janelle didn’t give you an update?” Jimmy tipped his hat up when Samantha and I shook our heads. “Prosecutor’s office is going hard on them, especially the father. Defender’s got a good case for the son to be released, but that ain’t happening anytime soon.”

A smile spread across her face. “Nathan Miller handling it?”

Miller again. Standing up for her in ways I could not. Inserting himself into her life. But he was a friend—a lifelong friend—and I’d accepted that.

“Right.” Jimmy nodded, casting a glance at me, then back to her. “You and Miller are friends, aren’t ya?”

She squeezed my arm, a subtle message that she knew tonight was about us. “We should let you go, Jimmy.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you two later.” He gave us a casual salute and headed toward the main doors.

I sighed and kissed her cheek, inhaling the scent of her skin. “I’d like to have one day and one night with you, when there is no thought of danger or pursuing criminals. Just you and me.”

“It’s not exactly going to be just you and me in there,” she said, gesturing into the ballroom.

“We could head back upstairs?”

She frowned and rolled her eyes at me, as was to be expected. “Between the dress, the shoes, and the hair, I’m obligated.”

The four ballrooms had been opened up to create a grand space for the event. Hundreds of mirror balls hung from the ceiling at different heights, while white spotlights shone across them, reflecting on every surface. Round tables were set for a dozen a piece, with black tablecloths and silver decorations. Each place setting included a noisemaker, New Year’s celebration-wear, and bundles of white, gold, and silver balloons.

We were slow to get to our table as dozens of people stopped me along the way. It was good to see me back in Michigan, some said. Some voiced concerns about the shooting at the office. Others were surprised I was returning to Napoli.

And a few women gave Samantha an obvious glare. Her smile gradually faded into a frown, which wouldn’t get me aYeslater that evening. So, I wrapped my arm around her waist as we moved through the crowd, pronounced with extra vigor that she was my girlfriend, and took her left hand with mine, ensuring our rings were on display when any of the so-called Calendar Club was nearby.

Not to mention the particularly handsome man whose pale gray eyes lingered on Samantha longer than they should have. For a moment, I considered having words with him, but I’d promised to get over the jealousy. She was withme. She lovedme. I had nothing to fear.

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