Dance With Me - By Hayden Braeburn Page 0,24

imposing pair as they emerged from Sean's SUV and strode into the tiny office.

Dylan stifled a laugh at the expression on the face of the young woman behind the counter. Her eyes were so wide, he couldn't help but imagine her eyeballs actually falling out. He mimed tipping his hat to her, playing up her obvious fascination. “We need your help, darlin'.”

“Anything, anything,” she stammered, smoothing a hand over her frizzy brown hair.

Sean was impressed with his impromptu partner. He adopted what he hoped was a sexy smile. “Have you had any guests today?” he asked.

She stood still for a moment, apparently unable to speak. When she finally opened her mouth, it was to say, “Yes. Guests.”

Dylan graced her with another smile, this one apologetic. “We really need to find a blonde woman and a dark haired man. Did you see them earlier? They would've arrived in the red Mercedes parked outside.”

The girl nodded vigorously. “I don't know about a man, but there was a blonde woman. Real pretty. She was super skinny, and dressed in a beautiful suit. I think it was silk. Or maybe it was linen, or... hell, it was expensive, I can tell you that.”

Great. Once she started talking, she didn't stop. Not quite what he'd been aiming for, but it would have to do. “What room did you give her?”

She pulled a key from the bank of hooks. “Eight.” She nervously licked her lips before she went on. “Before you ask, I didn't have her sign in or nothin'. I know I should, but she paid extra.” She crossed her hand over her mouth in secret-telling fashion. “I think she was here just for sex; she left after a couple hours.”

He mentally cringed at the thought. “Can we see the room?”

“Sure.” She turned to leave the office before abruptly coming to a stop. “Wait. Shouldn't I ask for a badge or somethin'?”

Sean stepped forward, ID in hand. “No badge, but this should work.”

She took it from his fingers, touching him far longer than was necessary. “You're a close protection agent?” Her brows furrowed. “What does that even mean?”

He genuinely smiled at that. “You'd probably call it a bodyguard.”

She nodded before shooting a look at Dylan. “You a bodyguard, too?”

“Bounty hunter,” he answered with a lift of one shoulder.

Her hazel eyes rounded, her mouth dropping into a perfect O. “Like Dog?”

“Not quite.” He was done flirting for information. “The room please? His client might be in there.”

That snapped her to attention. “Oh, no! Someone is in danger? Why didn't you say anything?”

Because you wouldn't have helped us any faster, and we had to compel you to do it on your own since we aren't law enforcement? He gestured with his right hand. “Lead on.”

She stood up a little straighter. “Oh, right.”

She walked them to the end of a two-story building, opening the last door. “This is it. Doesn't look like anyone is in there.”

“We'll take it from here,” Sean dismissed their young companion.

“If you need anything, anything at all, you just let me know.” She closed the door behind her, opening it less than a minute later. “Anything. Oh, and bring the key back before y'all leave.”

~*~

Cassidy stopped for a quick lunch before making her way back to her office on the sixth floor of the Ayles County courthouse. She was still mad at her irresponsible ass of a brother, and she knew work would take her mind off everything. What the hell was he thinking, marrying the scheming, drug-dealing daughter of an embezzler? She physically shook her arms out when she stepped off the elevator. Mason could do whatever he wanted. She laughed aloud at her thought. No, he couldn't. She would just have to try another time.

“Any important messages for me, Rochelle?” she asked her assistant-slash-paralegal-slash-right-arm when she arrived at her office.

“Just one. Katerina Nemecek called asking for Priscilla McClaren's cell number. It seems Mason has disappeared and she seems to think Miss McClaren has something to do with it.”

“Why would I give her Priscilla's number?” What was this woman's angle? First she's a dancer, then a drug dealer, and now she's worried he's with another woman?

“That's what I asked her, and she said he was in danger.” She handed Cassidy the pink note. “I took down the number anyway. It's for an Alec Cartwright with Trent, McKenna and Buchanan.”

Why would an operative for a top-rated protection and security firm be looking for Mason? “Did she say why that was the number she gave