Page 36 of Out of the Shadows

“That you’ll talk to me about it later?”

That warmth in her heart grew. He really was one of the good ones. “I promise. And if I forget to say it later, thank you. You’ve been pretty great tonight. Curveballs and all.”

“Right back at you, honey.” His gaze never left hers as he ran a thumb along her jaw, and her heart thumped hard in her chest. Letting his hand drop from her face, he took hold of her hand that was around his neck and laced their fingers together. “Let’s say our goodbyes to Constance and get the hell out of here.” He squeezed her hand. “Ready to play nice one last time?”

It took a couple of heartbeats for her to regain her senses, and all she could do was nod.

Good God, when had this man become so potent?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

While Carmichael held the SUV’s back door open for Bean, Gavin quickly rounded the vehicle and climbed in the opposite side so Bean wouldn’t have to slide over. If she did, it would likely hike the slit on her dress even higher, and the damn thing was distracting enough.

Shewas distracting enough.

A part of him wanted to be irritated that he’d had to come to the event tonight. That Constance Whitcomb had ended up being their prospective client. It seemed like a waste. But as they sat there waiting for the valet to give Carmichael the okay to exit, he glanced at the woman next to him and realized he had zero regrets.

He had a ton of questions about that interaction with her mother. Because frankly, it had been completely fucked up. But if Bean said she’d explain later, she’d explain. She was a woman of her word. A damn beautiful woman of her word. Unlike Constance, who was a piece of work.

Physically, the other woman was attractive, though it was mostly due to genetics, facial symmetry, and fillers. That wasit. She checked off the boxes on what society deemed to be the stereotypical “beautiful woman.” It was horseshit though, because the woman was atrocious. Not only had she shamelessly flirted with him while Bean sat right next to him, but with her own husband beside her as well. Then she’d had the gall to throw her brother’s money around, expecting Gavin to drop his current clients for her.

It didn’t matter that he’d lied to the woman. Their cyber division, which Bean oversaw, absolutely had the capacity to take on another client. They could probably add on another five and not bat an eye, but there was no way in hell he’d work with the woman. He respected Edward and would continue to work with him, but if Constance was in any way involved, it was a hard no-go.

“How’d the shindig go, guys? The food any good?” Carmichael asked as he slowly pulled their SUV out of the valet circle and took a left onto First Avenue.

“It was,” Bean replied, a tired smile gracing her lips. “They had this salmon that was fantastic. It was?—”

Carmichael took a hard right, and Gavin’s arm shot out to steady Bean even though she was buckled in.

“What is it, Carmichael?” Gavin asked, immediately on alert.

“Shit,” the other man muttered, taking another abrupt right. “Picked up a tail.”

“Where’d you put my briefcase?” Bean asked.

“Under the seat in front of you,” Carmichael replied.

As she leaned forward to retrieve it, Gavin opened the hidden compartment in the middle seat between them. He pulled out a Glock and two magazines. He racked the slide a couple times, confirming it was clear. After loading the mag, he slid the extra into his suit pocket. “Talk to me, Carmichael.”

“Black Audi. Two cars back.” He took another hard turn. “There.”

Gavin turned, and sure enough, a black Audi sedan with heavily tinted windows turned in behind them.

“It was following me after I dropped you guys off earlier. Thought I lost him on the freeway.” Gavin saw his friend’s frown in the rearview mirror. “Apparently not.”

“You sure it’s the same car?” He trusted Carmichael but had to ask.

“Yup. There’s a dent off the driver’s side hood, right by the side mirror.”

“What do you want to do, Gavin?” Bean asked, laptop fired up and perched across her lap.

He frowned. As Carmichael darted in and out of traffic, the other car did nothing to hide the fact they were following them. “It’s too risky to get to the helipad here...”

“We can go to the one at Boeing Field.” Bean’s fingers flew over the keyboard as she gnawed on her lower lip. “If you give me a couple minutes, I can get us cleared and get Owen in the air.”

“Shit, gun!” Carmichael swerved to the left, and a ping sounded.

Reacting on instinct, Gavin reached over. His hand went to the back of Bean’s head and tried to press her forward. “Get down, B!”

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