Savage Love (Savage Trilogy #3) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,43
but smartly releases me. I walk to the door and enter, and he’s quick to follow.
“You’re going to give Tag what he wants,” he assumes as we walk through the elegant lobby of navy blue and gray decor.
“I’m going to give me what I want,” I reply, motioning toward the sign that points to the stairs going down.
We head down the steps, the sound of a piano playing gradually growing louder, and we don’t say another word. The man killed my mother and now he’s helping a man I’m about to kill before he can kill me and Candace. At the end of the stairs, we’re on the lower level where we cut right and pause at a double doorway where a man in full dress uniform greets us. My father signs us into the party and together we enter. The room is a typical party room with tables of food to the left and right, and an ice sculpture of three soldiers in the center of the room. Women in fancy dresses are decorating the arms of men in tuxedos and full army uniforms.
Asher speaks into my earpiece. “She’s near the stage, and Adrian is shadowing her. And, Savage, man, I thought the bald dude was there to protect Gabriel. He seems more interested in Candace’s every move.”
I grind my teeth and endure an encounter with one of the doctors I used to work with, and not because he’s an asshole. I barely remember the guy, but he’s still just as geeky and nasal as he was then. It’s downright adorable and all, but I just need the fuck away from any obstacle that stands between me and Candace.
“What are you doing these days?” the man asks.
“Trying not to kill anyone,” I say. “Actually, that’s a lie. I do try to only kill the monsters.” He eyes the scar on my face. “That one I killed,” I assured him.
His eyes go wide, and I step away from the encounter as Asher speaks again. “Our team is in position for the extraction but sunrise is imminent in that part of the world. You have fifteen minutes and you need to leave if we’re doing this thing in unison.”
I’d tell him to fuck off and say I know, but I’d draw attention I can’t afford. I weave through the crowd until my starving eyes find my Candy baby. She’s standing with Gabriel who thank fuck is not touching her. That bald King Kong Motherfucker is right next to her, too, and one look at him and I know he’s more Tag than I will ever be. He’s a cold-blooded killer, the kind that never drinks himself into submission to get the job done. He’d rather be all in, living the kill. I stop at the bar, give her my back and pull out my phone, texting her a message: I’m at the bar. Bathroom. Now. Delete this. And because I’ve studied the hotel floorplan, I add, Exit the East door. I’ll be in the back stall. I push off the bar, and start walking, aware that Candace will follow, but so will King Kong.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Candace
Gabriel is speaking to some politician I don’t know when I read the message from Rick and quickly delete it. I slide my phone back into my pocket and when my gaze lifts “the brute” as I’m calling my new bodyguard is staring at me. I purse my lips and when there’s a break in conversation, I lean into Gabriel and whisper, “Bathroom. Do you want a drink on my way back?”
“Hell yeah, I need a drink right about now. You know what I like.”
He’s right. I do. It’s really amazing how well I know a man I don’t know at all. “I do,” I say. “I’ll be right back.”
“Take Alejandro with you.”
My brows dip. “Is there some threat I don’t know about?”
“Of course not, but you’re the future of our country. I was advised that a woman as beautiful as you might end up with some unsavory attention.”
“I don’t want an escort to the bathroom. When you win the office, I’ll lose my freedom. Don’t take it now.”
He studies me a moment and then kisses my hand. “You’re right. Go. Just be careful.”
“Always.” And then I push my luck by adding, “Take me with you to New York and you can look out for me.”
“I wish I could. You know I do.”
“Right. I know. I just hate it. I’ll be right back.” I rotate away from