Page 145 of Safe and Sound

“Am I going to owe you a present for being good?”

“Mm, hmm,” she said with a grin.

“You’re just like Julianna. Always expecting me to bring something,” Dare mused as he put Piper back down on her feet.

“Come give Mommy a kiss and then we really have to go,” I said, as I bent over.

With a final goodbye, we made out the door. “Are you ready for tonight?” Dare asked.

“Don’t I look ready?”

He chuckled. “I mean for the media and all that frenzy.”

“Should I be?”

“It’s a little overwhelming if you’re not used to it.”

As Dare held open the SUV door for me, I countered, “And when would I be used to photographers?”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll do fine.” With a wink, he added, “Just think, your face will be in all the newspapers on the eastern seaboard by morning.”

“You’re so dead,” I replied.

***

After a quick flight from Boston, we arrived in Philadelphia to clear skies. An SUV was waiting for us on the tarmac, and once we loaded up, it took us to the Celtic Grand. I felt like I could already picture everything about the casino from the way Dare had been consumed by it. Although it was basically the same design at the Boston casino, Dare had added certain details to highlight the city’s history.

When we arrived, I couldn’t believe the crowd of press outside the SUV. “You weren’t kidding about the photographers, were you?”

“All you have to do is smile and pose when they ask.”

“Easier said than done.”

“You are my beautiful Grecian goddess, and you will wow them with your beauty, grace, and style.”

“You are such a charmer.”

He winked. “Come on.”

The instant the door opened, flashbulbs started going off. You would’ve thought Dare was an A-list actor, not a casino owner. His name was shouted over and over, asking him to turn a certain way or smile.

After he helped me out, I plastered on a smile. Dare led me up the carpet, stopping to talk to certain reporters. Most of them ignored my presence, which was fine by me. A couple asked who I was, to which Dare replied, “His beautiful girlfriend.”

I was never more grateful when we got inside the casino. After Dare escorted us to a VIP room, I exhaled another relieved breath at the sight of his family. All of his brothers were there and their wives. Maeve was there along with her husband and his brothers. It was one big happy reunion. I knew it meant so much to Dare to have his family’s support.

With my nerves on edge, I grabbed a flute of champagne from one of the passing waiters. I’d already downed it when Callum called for a toast. After grabbing another one, Dare leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Don’t think I won’t take advantage of you if you get tipsy.”

Giggling, I replied, “When has my sobriety ever stopped you?”

He laughed. “We have to christen the casino sometime tonight.”

“Do we?”

Dare nodded. “Banging you brought good luck to the Boston casino. So, I want to do the same here.”

“Be still my heart.”

His teeth grazed my earlobe, causing me to shiver. When Callum called his name, he reluctantly pulled away from me. After the toast, we each got a thousand dollars in chips and then headed out onto the floor to spend them.

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