Into the Fury (BOSS, Inc. #1)(71)

Val pulled away. “I’m right here, you know. And I’m not quitting. I gave my word. Besides, I need the money. I’m finishing the tour.”

“Listen to me, baby—”

“Forget it. You can quit if you want. I’m finishing the job I started.”

Ethan swore foully. “Dammit, Val—”

She cupped his face in her hands. “I’ll be safe. I trust you to take care of me. I know you’ll keep all of us safe. And Carlyle needs your help to solve the murders.”

Ethan sighed. A knock sounded at the door, ending the argument he was clearly losing. He walked over and looked through the peephole, saw Matt Carlyle standing in the hallway.

“It’s Carlyle,” he said, causing Dirk to slide out of the chair and come to his feet. Since he didn’t want Carlyle to know he was with Meg, he ambled into the bedroom, out of sight. Meg sat up straighter in the chair. Val smoothed back her hair and nodded.

Ethan turned the knob and opened the door. “Come on in. I was just about to call you. We need to talk.”

For the first time since Ethan had met him, Carlyle looked frazzled. His slacks were wrinkled, his light brown hair needed combing, and the ruddy hue of his face made the thin scar stand out along his jaw.

“If the call was about canceling the show, you don’t have to worry. Boudreau flew in an hour ago. He says we’re getting more bad press than good. He’s refunding the money for tomorrow night’s show and canceling New York and Chicago.”

“About time,” Ethan said with relief.

“All we have to do now is make an appearance tonight at Peter Latham’s party in our honor and we’ll head home in the morning.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You don’t think these women have been through enough today? Izzy was damn near raped this afternoon. And after brawling with the SOB—who could have killed her—Val’s still plenty shook up.”

“Look, we don’t have a choice. David Klein has an agreement with La Belle. Peter Latham’s a huge investor in Klein’s company. He’s been planning this affair for weeks. All the models have to do is show up, drink some champagne, smile at the guests for an hour or so, and leave.”

Matt turned a desperate look on Val. “Surely you can handle it if it means going back to Seattle in the morning—and of course you’ll still be getting paid.”

“I don’t like it,” Ethan grumbled.

“Beau Desmond and his men have been over the residence with a microscope. No one’s getting in or out unless they’ve been invited. Val, what do you say? Can you do this one last thing?”

She blew out a breath. “If it means going home, I can make it.”

“Megan?”

Dirk was probably in there grinding his teeth, but he was smart enough to stay out of it. These weren’t the kind of women who did whatever you told them. By now, Ethan and Dirk had both figured that out.

“If Val’s going,” Meg said, “so am I.”

He could almost hear Dirk groan.

“What about Isabel?” Ethan asked.

“She’s off the hook. The guy’s sitting in jail. He’s hardly a threat. But one of Beau’s guys will be camped outside her suite just in case. She’ll be okay.”

“I still don’t like it,” Ethan said.

“I respect that. It’s your job to keep these women safe. In fact, as far as La Belle’s concerned, once we get back to Seattle, you’ll still be on the payroll.”

He didn’t argue. He wouldn’t stop working the case no matter what La Belle said, but it was always nice to get paid for the job he was doing.

“I need to get going if I’m going to look presentable tonight,” Meg said, rising from her chair. “It’s black tie, as I recall.”

“That’s right. You own a tux, Brodie?”

He nodded. “Goes with the job.”

“You’ve got the address, I presume,” Carlyle said.

“I’ve got the damn address. I’ll round up Dirk and we’ll take the women over in a private limo. Like I said, they’ve had enough for one day.”

“You’ve got two hours. Don’t be late.” Carlyle stopped at the door and tipped his head toward the bedroom. “Oh, and tell Reynolds he needs to be a little more discreet. Gallagher’s seen him with Megan so many times he’s starting to think they’re joined at the hip. I’ve got enough trouble without having to fire the two of you.”

With that, Matt was gone.

Dirk ambled out smiling. “Come on, honey, I’ll walk you to your room.”

Meg rolled her eyes. “You heard what Matt just said. He knows what we’ve been doing. We need to be more discreet.” She jerked open the door. “Besides, we don’t have time for what you’re thinking.”

Dirk winked at Val, then flashed an unrepentant grin at Meg. “I guess we’ll just have to see.” They were still arguing as the door closed behind them.





Chapter Twenty-Seven



The white stretch limo rolled up the long curving drive and came to rest in front of Peter Latham’s mansion in Tuxedo Park, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Atlanta.

Carmen Marquez and Caralee Peterson rode in the back with Val and Meg, while Dirk sat up front with the chauffeur. Ethan lounged on the seat in the rear with the women. Val figured having her friends along was at least a nod toward discretion.