Into the Fury (BOSS, Inc. #1)(28)

Daniel Clemens said Delilah was one of the best models he had ever worked with and told them how much he would miss her, words that weighed heavily on all of them.

Now it was time to go home and get some badly needed sleep. Val returned to the dressing area to grab her tote and purse and was walking back out when she spotted Ethan standing just a few feet away.

Something eased inside her. She hadn’t realized how anxious she was beneath the layers of fatigue until she saw him. Ethan would take her home and make sure she was okay.

He strode toward her in a pair of black jeans and a black blazer over his T-shirt. When the jacket swung open, she caught a glimpse of the shoulder holster he wore underneath.

She had noticed the weapon when he’d come to the Perfect Pup. It should have bothered her. When she’d been in foster care, she’d seen the terrible damage a gun could do, had seen kids shot by gang members, been with one of the teenage boys when he had been killed. The memory still haunted her dreams.

But Ethan was a professional. She didn’t doubt he knew exactly what he was doing. Knowing he was armed just made her feel safe.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

“I’ve been ready for hours, but I still had work to do.” She gave him a weary smile. “I’m finished now. I don’t have to worry about the show for a couple of days. Not until we get to Dallas.”

Ethan motioned toward the back door and she started walking in that direction. Before she reached the exit, he caught her arm, stopping her in the hall, his hold strong and reassuring. Val looked into his handsome face and a curl of heat slid into her stomach.

“What is it?” she asked, forcing her thoughts in a safer direction.

“Paparazzi. They’re everywhere, front and back. No easy way out.”

Worry slipped through her. “What should I do?”

His sexy mouth edged up. “Nothing.” He left the purse hanging on her shoulder but took her tote and tossed it to one of the security people, who seemed to know where to take it. “Getting you out safely is my job. Just follow my lead.”

It sounded easy. “Okay.” But when one of the guards shoved the back door open, she saw it wasn’t going to be easy at all. A sea of reporters rushed forward, cameras rolling, microphones thrust into her face.

Ethan stepped in front of her. “Let the lady through, gentlemen.” A dark-haired female reporter thrust a microphone toward her. Ethan blocked her approach. “And ladies,” he added.

All the while, he continued easing Val toward his Jeep, which was driving toward them, rolling through the crowd in their direction.

The brunette with the mic didn’t budge. Val recognized her as an anchor with KIRO News. “How did you hear about Delilah’s death, Valentine? Was she a close friend? Will you be going to the funeral?”

“Ms. Hart has no comment,” Ethan said, nudging the reporter aside and moving Val forward through the determined throng pushing toward them.

A fan, a tall young man with a wide grin, broke through the line and rushed toward her. “Valentine, I love you! Will you marry me?”

Ethan had him in an armlock and was moving him out of the way before her admirer even got close. “Take it easy, buddy. The lady’s not interested.” Then he was back, moving a little in front of her, using his body to protect her, at the same time urging her forward.

“Valentine! Valentine! We love you, Valentine!” It was a group of young girls. They were high school age at the most. Val blew them a kiss, waved, and grinned so big her dimples popped out. All the while, she kept walking.

“Where’s the damned Jeep?” Ethan grumbled, though the driver was moving the vehicle as fast as safely possible through the crowd. “We need the effing Jeep.”

She could feel the heat of his big, hard body, his muscles flexing and bunching against her as he moved. Though she shouldn’t be thinking about the way it felt to have him so close, a wash of heat spread through her.

Another reporter, a pretty woman with short black hair, rushed forward, microphone in hand. “Hey, Ethan! How about giving us a break? Just a few words from Valentine. What do you say?”

Ethan managed to smile, though Val thought it looked a little forced. “Valentine’s had a rough day, Sheryl. Call La Belle’s media people, see if they can set something up.”

Like that was going to happen.

“Come on, Ethan.” Moving along with them, Sheryl held the mic toward Val. “How do you feel about the murder, Valentine? Was Delilah a friend?”

“Leave her alone, Sheryl. I’m sure La Belle will be holding a press conference sometime tomorrow.”

The woman started to argue, but Ethan ignored her and closed the last few feet to where the Jeep was just pulling up. He jerked open the back door and settled her inside, followed her in, and slammed the door. She noticed her tote in the back of the vehicle as she snapped her seat belt in place. The man was efficient for sure.

In the front seat, a middle-aged man with shiny black skin pressed his foot down on the accelerator, and the vehicle rolled forward, the big Jeep bullying its way through the crowd.

“Val, meet Joe Posey,” Ethan said, relaxing back against the rear seat. “He’s going to get us out of here.”

Val smiled. “Hi, Joe. Thanks for your help.”

“My pleasure, Ms. Valentine.” Joe checked the mirror as Ethan turned in his seat to look out the rear window.