Jason laughed. If you think this is pushy, Chuck, you have been hanging around with some weak-ass women.
The driver asked, Do I drop them off in front of the inn or in the parking garage?
You wont change hotels? Chuck asked.
No, Jason said, we wont. He sounded so serious, so unlike himself, that I touched his shoulder. Almost as if I was reassuring myself it was still him. He could be firm, and strong, buTHE usually chose not to be. Id always known that it was a choice on Jasons part, but for the first time I was seeing just how much strength of will he hid behind that charming smile.
Drop them off in the parking garage; itll slow down the feeding frenzy.
The limo passed the front entrance and glided into the dimness of the parking garage. There were armed security guards making sure that no one got back there who wasnt supposed to be there. Id never seen uniformed security at a hotel before. I wondered who was paying for it.
The driver got my door, and Chuck got Jasons side. I ignored the driver and slid out with Jason. A show of solidarity, yeah, but also that creepy feeling I had. Id have flashed my badge at Chuck if Id been certain seeing a federal marshal would have spooked him more. Some professional bad guys react really badly to badges of any kind.
Id hold the whole badge thing in reserve. This was Jasons gig, not mine. My flashing my badge when I didnt need to might undermine hiswhatever the hell he was doing.
The driver got the bags out of the trunk. Chuck said, Can you at least not be too intimate in public so they dont get pictures of you doing the brunette?
She has a name, Jason said.
Im sorry; can you please not be up close and personal with Ms. Blake in public while youre in town?
One of the uniformed security came close and whispered something to Chuck. Shit, he said.
Whats wrong? I asked.
Theyve spotted a photographer hiding among the cars. I thought we were paying you guys to make sure this didnt happen.
Jason looked around, and I followed his gaze. There was a figure crouched between two midsized cars. He had a camera with a huge lens on it.
Chuck grabbed a suitcase and tried to get us moving. I was willing, but Jason took my hand. He drew me in against him. I knew whaTHE was going to do before he did it. I said, Are you sure this is a good idea?
No, its a terrible idea. He said it just before he kissed me. He kissed me, not like he meant it. He kissed me not because he wanted to kiss me, but because it would cause trouble. I didnt like it, but I knew if I struggled that it would both smear my lipstick and maybe make him try for more of a kiss. He was in such a strange mood that I just wasnt sure how to handle him.
Chuck came and shielded us from the camera with his broad back. To the unfamiliar guards, he said, Get that camera. To Jason, he said, Why?
Jason broke from the kiss and gave the taller man a look Id never seen before. It was a look: part anger, part stubbornness, part just strength and ill will. It was a look more at home on my face than Jasons.
I dont like being told what to do, Chuck.
Now you do sound like Keith.
You have no idea how much like Keith I can be.
I dont need the two of you fucking this week up, Schuyler.
I am not one of the Summerlands, Chuck. You dont get paid to boss me around, so dont try.
Jason reached for my hand. I made sure he got the left one. I wanted my gun hand free just in case. Because if looks could have killed, Jason would have been a greasy spot on the pavement.
Teasing large armed men was not a healthy hobby, and Id be talking to Jason about that when we werent in public.
The big mans hands were flexing slowly at his sides, while I think he counted to twenty. If a camera hadnt been aimed at us, I was pretty sure wed have seen more of Chucks temper than just a little flexing.
The photographer was running toward the sunlight with the guards in pursuit. He was taking pictures over his shoulder the way youd shoot a gun to slow down your attackers, but not really sure youd hit anything. BuTHE was aiming at Jason and me, not the guards.
Carry your own damn bags then. Chuck said it through gritted teeth.
Happy to, Jason said, and his voice was angry. His eyes were very blue, a rich, deep color. I realized it was the color of his eyes when he was angry.