something. Maybe he’s trying for the CIA this time.”
I chuckle. Lincoln has a single-minded focus when he gets in the zone, working to crack his way in past a firewall. I’ve seen days pass where he barely leaves his laptop except to shit, piss, and maybe grab the occasional cup of coffee.
“If it’s anything worth mentioning, I’m sure we’ll hear about it on the news. You bring anyone tonight?” I ask.
He shakes his head while he pulls at the collar of his shirt.
“Relax, it’s not actually choking you,” I say.
“I don’t how you guys wear this kinda shit every day.”
Ryker might be the head of a hugely successful PR firm, but he doesn’t dress the part, preferring designer denim over formal wear.
“It’s called being an adult,” I deadpan.
“Yeah, well, that’s overrated.”
We shoot the shit for a few minutes and then I glance toward the doors.
“I need to meet Isla back inside.”
“Hmm… so quickly she turns you obedient.” He chuckles, rocking back on his heels.
“Fuck off. I’m doing this for all of us.”
He nods, but his smirk says he doesn’t believe me. “Yeah, I’d say fucking Isla Flores would really be taking one for the team.”
My nostrils flare and I look around before leaning closer to him. “I never want to hear the words fuck and Isla come out of your mouth at the same time again.”
He chuckles. We both know I don’t scare him. That’s the thing, though—I would have no respect for him if I did, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to heel and listen to the bullshit he’s teasing me with.
“All right. Calm the fuck down. I’ll see you in there.”
I walk past him and open the heavy door that leads me back into the party. I scan the room, but there’s no sign of Isla. I momentarily wonder if she ditched me and left without saying goodbye. That thought shouldn’t make my stomach sour, but it does. Before I call Langley to drive me to her house, the crowd parts and she appears, talking to Ford and his date.
Someone taps me on the shoulder, and I spin around.
“Garrin, good to see you.” Joshua Narrows stands there with his wife, Alicia. They’re both shareholders in Stone Energy and I’ve met them a few times at different events over the years.
I smile because I have to, but inside, I’m exhaling with impatience. His wife talks like no one I’ve ever met before and getting away from these two smoothly is going to be harder than stealing the Hope Diamond.
“Joshua, Alicia, how are you both?” I shake Joshua’s hand and lean in for an air-kiss with Alicia.
“Look at you, getting more and more handsome every day.” She pinches my cheek like I’m her toddler niece or nephew and I want to smack her hand away. Instead I keep my smile intact.
“You’re the one who looks ravishing tonight,” I compliment her back to play along.
“I was hoping I might see you tonight. I wanted to talk to you about that latest board report,” Joshua says.
I inhale a deep breath and rock back on my heels. “Did you have some concerns?”
“More questions than concerns, I’d say.” He starts in on a long diatribe over some of the decisions the board has made, and though I’m nodding along like I’m listening intently, I keep glancing out over his five-foot-nine frame to Isla. She’s still talking to Ford, but at one point she catches me watching and I shoot her what I hope is a “save me” look. She seems to catch my meaning, because a minute later she says her goodbyes to Ford and his date and starts across the room toward me.
“Enough of business, Joshua. Garrin is here to enjoy his night just like we are. Did you bring anyone with you?” Alicia asks, looking around as if someone is going to magically appear.
Which is exactly what I was hoping would happen. So, I glance behind them again and spot Isla weaving her way through the crowd, and then suddenly he’s standing in front of her.
My father.
She places her hand on her heart and backsteps at first. He holds out his hand and she stares at it for only a minute before she shakes his hand.
Alarm bells go off in my head. I have to get her away from him. Now.
“Garrin. Garrin?” Alicia says.
I blink away from Isla and my father. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I asked if you were here with anyone. Because we have a niece who would be per—”
“Yes, I