Page 131 of Tate
Sly fielded Tate’s words and nodded.
And now all eyes turned to Tate as suddenly Glo—onstage—smiled, her gaze on her former bodyguard.
She…don’t wanna try,
It’s too hard to fall for another guy.
But you don’t know if you don’t start
So wait…for one true heart…one true heart…
Tate had managed to work his way toward the front and stood at the side of the stage as Glo’s last tones died.
Wow, the woman had a voice. But more, she had heart. The kind that Tate deserved—brave, strong, and even a little feisty. Ford remembered how she’d deflected the other man’s proposal with both grace and wit.
Ford caught up to Tate as he stepped onto the stage.
The look on Glo’s face suggested she might kiss his brother in front of the entire audience.
Instead, Tate covered the microphone with his hand, leaned down, and spoke into her ear.
She drew in a breath and looked past him to Ford.
“Right now?”
Tate nodded, and she turned to the crowd, took a breath. Smiled.
Tate removed his hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen. We’ll now adjourn to the courtyard outside where dessert is being served,” Glo said, clearly wanting to keep panic from ensuing.
Ford raised an eyebrow and glanced offstage, behind him to where Sly had cornered Senator Jackson. Senator White had vanished, but he wasn’t Ford’s responsibility.
Getting everyone else out alive—yeah, that was on him. And Scarlett.
The guests began to leave.
“You there, Red?” Ford said into his mic.
“I called Nez and the team. They’re calling in the EOD guys. Nez is on his way.”
“Stay out in the lobby until we know what we’re dealing with.”
Silence, and he knew she wasn’t happy with his words. But he needed her safe. And yes, in his ear, helping him sort this out.
Tate had reached for the mic, but Glo was already inspecting it. She turned it over and flicked the Off switch.
The sound died, but the light remained on.
“That’s weird.” She started unscrewing it.
“Glo—” Tate said.
She edged him away with her shoulder. “I know how mics work. This one is too lightweight to have a bomb in it?—”
“What do you know about bombs?” Tate reached over her shoulder and pulled it away from her.
“Hey!”
