Page 49 of Kidnapping of a Myth

“Oh my god, that was you? I was following the case on the news. This wedding wouldn’t have happened without you. To think a patient of mine was the officer who saved those boys. Amazing.”

“I had help.” Bel smiled as she slipped her arm around Eamon’s waist. “I’m just glad things ended the way they did.”

“Me too,” Frank said. “The boys are running around here somewhere.” He turned to scan the hotel’s ballroom, but the sheer size of the guest list made it impossible to locate anyone. Five minutes after arriving at the reception, Bel understood why Wendy and Henry had eloped.

“Oh… well, I’m sure you’ll see them, eventually.” Frank gave up searching for the brothers as he waved another guest over.“Charles, have you met Eamon Stone?” he said as the stranger angled toward them, his handsome face, tailored blue suit, and neatly trimmed beard screaming wealth.

The bearded man halted before them and surveyed the towering height that was Eamon before shaking his head. “I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure.” He extended his hand, and Eamon accepted the gesture. “Dr. Charles Blaubart. I work in plastics with Victors.”

“And this is Detective Isobel Emerson,” Frank added.

“Nice to meet you.” Charles eyed her throat with an almost predatory hunger, and if he wasn’t a plastic surgeon, Bel feared Eamon might have punched him for the expression.

“I was a client of Dr. Victors,” Bel offered as Eamon’s grip tightened on her hips.

“I can tell,” Charles said. “He does excellent work. I’m surprised a detective could afford his services, though.”

Eamon flinched at the dig, but thankfully Frank intervened before her date lost his cool demeanor.

“Detective Emerson used to work for the NYPD,” Frank said. “She’s a credit to her profession, and it was an honor to help her.” He smiled softly, and Eamon’s hold relaxed on her waist. “Speaking of help, Isobel, would you be terribly angry if I borrowed your date? I’ve been meaning to introduce him to a colleague, but getting them in the same room at the same time has proved impossible. They’re both here, though, so if you can spare him for five minutes, I would be in your debt.”

“I don’t—” Eamon started.

“I’ll be fine.” Bel squeezed his waist comfortingly and gazed up into his dark eyes. Even with her heels, he towered above her, but she loved how the Greek god of a man stood a head taller than everyone. Maybe it was because she’d seen firsthand what his power could do, but she felt safe within his unnaturalstrength. “Go do your thing and bring me more champagne on your way back.”

“I’ll be fast.” Eamon leaned down and kissed her before disappearing into the vibrant throng with Frank. Bel watched them leave, unsure how to talk to Dr. Blaubart now that she was alone with him, but a lithe blonde woman sauntered out of the crowd to save her from his scrutiny.

“I didn’t know where you went,” she said to the doctor, her tone flat as if she didn’t want to be at the wedding.

“Sorry, Dr. Victors was introducing me to a colleague.” Charles hugged the woman’s waist in a move that seemed less about affection and more about control. “Anna, this is Detective Emerson. Isobel, this is my wife.”

“Nice to meet you,” Bel said even though Anna was decidedly bored with the conversation.

“You as well.” Anna glanced at her husband with a look that stated she wished to leave, and feeling an intruder, Bel looked away from the couple, opting to study the blonde’s dress. It was a designer silhouette, a complimentary blue to her husband’s suit, and her blonde hair and pale skin contrasted the hue nicely. She wore jewelry that probably cost more than Bel’s cabin and car combined, and Bel couldn’t help but fixate on the sparkling diamond resting against the woman’s chest.

“We’re going to return to our table, but it was a pleasure meeting you.” Charles held out his hand, and Bel reached out to shake it when she realized he was offering her a business card. “Dr. Victors is an excellent surgeon, but if you ever want a real professional to fix your throat, give me a call. I’ll make you beautiful again.”

“I’m happy with my appearance, thank you.” Bel refused the card. She wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but that didn’t bother her. Eamon stood across the dancefloor with Frank and an older gentleman, but he’d shifted so he could keep her in his line ofsight, and the gleam in his eyes told her how beautiful she was. He gazed at her as if there wasn’t a single other woman in this ballroom. It was just her in this glorious dress, and she didn’t need some self-righteous doctor highlighting her flaws when Eamon’s entire being screamed of her perfection.

“It was nice to meet you both,” she continued, smiling at her date over their shoulders. “Have a good night.”

Bel turned back to their table, deciding she was going to make Eamon dance with her when he returned, but before she could sit down, something careened for her with a high-pitched shriek and slammed into her stomach.

“Detective Bel!”Michael shouted above the party’s revelry, and Bel grunted as he barreled into her, almost knocking her to the chair as he threw his arms around her waist. “Is Cerberus here?” He looked up at her with wide eyes, and it broke her heart to tell him the truth.

“No. I’m sorry.” She brushed the hair off his forehead as she hugged him back. “He’s with my dad for the evening.”

“Oh, that sucks… but that’s okay. Wendy promised to get us a dog. I want a pitbull like Cerberus, but she said no because Henry doesn’t like them. It has to be a smaller dog. She says small is better for the city anyway, but I don’t care about size. I just really want one. We have to wait until after the honeymoon, though, only it’s not a real honeymoon since we’re all going. I’mso excited. I like boats. Have you ever been on one? I don’t think a dog would like a boat, and I wouldn’t want to make the dog seasick. I want a girl dog so I can name her Nanna. I like that name. Do you like it?”

Bel had to bite her lip to keep from laughing at his monologue. The ten-year-old barely breathed as he recited what seemed like a rehearsed account of his internal dialogue. “Nanna is a lovely name,” she said.

“I knew you would like it. Wendy said you’re a dog lover. I think I am a dog lover, too.”

“I would have to agree.”

“Hi, Detective,” a second voice sounded, and Bel smiled as John approached. The teenager was far more reserved than his younger brother, but by his expression, she knew he was happy to see her.

“Hi, John.” Bel held out her arms, and he joined her and Michael’s hug. “How are you?”

---