Arthur’s chest puffed out. “We just upgraded for the big auto show the McCanns staged here.”
Joe leaned close. “The McCanns are the biggest name in auto dealerships in San Antonio. Loaded.”
Based on the shiny new computer display spread out before them, the McCann money had gone to good use. “Nice.”
Arthur turned back to the monitors. “I was showing Preston how far the cameras reach.”
“Any blind spots on the outside?” Wyatt asked.
Arthur pointed to the map of the building on the wall. “Here and here. We always position convention center guards at each of these locations as well as at the doors and loading ramps.”
“Joe and I would like access and a thorough tour of the facility tomorrow to clear it before the vendors and dignitaries arrive.”
Arthur nodded. “I can be here to unlock whatever doors you need. We have nothing to hide here.”
“Good, though it’s not what you’re hiding that I would have issue with.” Wyatt glanced at his watch. “I understand there is a social event scheduled for tomorrow night to kick off the convention.”
“It’s at the hotel,” Preston corrected. “Nineteen hundred, sharp. The caterers will be arriving between four and five.”
Wyatt nodded, glad Preston was on the ball. From the itinerary Fiona had provided, he’d known the reception would be at the hotel. He was testing Preston to see if he had his ducks in a row. “I’ll be at the hotel early to make sure everything is squared away.”
“That really won’t be necessary,” Preston said. “I’ll have my people briefed and in place. The metal detectors are being installed as we speak and I have sufficient staff to augment the hotel staff.”
“Thank you.” Wyatt nodded. “I’ll be there anyway.”
Preston’s lips pressed together. “It will be overkill with two chiefs.”
Wyatt glanced at Arthur. “Do you feel like it’s overkill?”
Arthur shook his head. “Never when lives are at stake. And the threat level is heightened to orange. With all those foreign dignitaries arriving, the convention goers will be ripe for an attack.”
“I don’t know why Ms. Allen hired me to provide security for the event if she was going to have someone else take charge,” Preston groused. “So be it.” He smiled and waved toward the door. “Let’s get through this tour so that I can make my personnel assignments. Some of us have more work to do.”
Wyatt spent the first part of the afternoon with Arthur and Preston combing over the convention center, meeting with the permanent staff and the men Preston had brought in to take the first shift that evening.
Joe stuck with him throughout the inspection, noting the best places to run his canines through to check for bombs. Bacchus had been eager to set his nose to the task and would have inspected the entire building by himself if Joe had the time to do a thorough sweep.
As they returned to the front entrance, Arthur and Preston stood to one side, talking about camera angles. Joe was telling Wyatt more about the animals he’d bring the next day when a flash of red hair caught Wyatt’s attention.
Fiona stood with a man in a maintenance uniform pointing at the lights in the ceiling.
“Wyatt, have you heard anything I’ve said?”
A hand waved in Wyatt’s face and he turned to stare at Joe as if he’d just noticed him. “I’m sorry, what were you saying?”
“You completely zoned out there for a minute.”
Wyatt’s gaze didn’t remain on Joe long. Not when Fiona was so near and gorgeous in her soft gray pencil skirt and orange sherbet blouse.
The wolf whistle next to him yanked him back to Joe.
“Who’s the babe?” Joe asked.
His brows furrowing, Wyatt shot a narrowed glance at Joe. “That’s our fearless leader, Ms. Fiona Allen.” The woman he’d be sleeping with in a couple hours if he could convince her it was a good idea.
“This gig just got better.” Joe clapped his hands together and took off toward her, glancing back at Wyatt. “Aren’t you coming? On second thought, don’t. You’ll cramp my style.”
Wyatt loped to catch up as Joe stuck out his hand to Fiona. “Joseph Goodman.”
Fiona turned a full, captivating smile on him and her entire face lit up.
Someone could have punched him in the gut the way the air left his chest and he couldn’t seem to bring any back in.
“Wow. You’re really pretty,” Joe said, holding her hand longer than was necessary.
Her smile widened and her cheeks flushed. “Well, aren’t you the charmer?”
A stab of something that felt oddly like jealousy knifed through Wyatt’s heart. What the hell? She hadn’t made any promises. She wasn’t his to be jealous about. One kiss did not mean she’d committed herself to him, or him to her.
Then why did he feel like beating his chest like a gorilla and then pounding his friend into a pulp for holding Fiona’s hand longer than was necessary for a friendly greeting?
“Joe here was about to leave. Weren’t you, Joe?” Wyatt gripped his friend’s elbow and tried to steer him away from Fiona.
Bacchus growled and bared wickedly sharp teeth.
Wyatt dropped Joe’s arm and Fiona backed away, her eyes widening.
“Heel,” Joe said. “Don’t worry, Ms. Fiona. He won’t hurt you. He must think Wyatt’s being too aggressive. Bacchus is very sensitive and picks up on others’ emotions.” Joe smiled at Wyatt, though the smile was a bit forced. “I’d love to talk to you more about the sweep I plan to do with the dogs tomorrow. Do you have plans for dinner?”
“As a matter of fact, she does.” Wyatt stepped up beside Fiona and faced Joe. “She’s having dinner with me.”
Fiona’s brows rose high on her forehead. “I am?”
“Yes. Of course you are. We need to go over the details of the convention center security and talk about the hotel.”
“That’s an excellent idea.” Fiona gave him a brilliant smile that made his insides flip. “It would be a great opportunity to put our heads together and get security of our convention goers nailed down so that we don’t have any international incidents.” She turned to Preston, Joe and Arthur. “Of course we’d need the whole team in on the discussion. Would you three please join us for dinner? I’ll also have my assistant attend.”
Wyatt’s stomach dipped. Dinner with a crowd was not what he had in mind. He tried to make eye contact with Joe to let him know he didn’t want him to accept the invitation.
The man didn’t even look his way. “I’d love to.” Joe grinned like a fool, making Wyatt want to knock all his teeth out. “We can talk through my plans to run the dogs through the convention center.”
Preston glanced at his watch. “I can come for a little while, but I have to coordinate with my team before the morning.”
Wyatt watched his chances to woo the pretty Fiona slipping through his fingers. He’d hoped to get to know her, and let her get to know him a little better before they slept in the same room, and hopefully in the same bed.
Fiona clapped her hands. “Well, good. It’s all set then.” She glanced at the clock on her cell phone. “If we could meet at the hotel at seven o’clock, we can find someplace to eat along the River Walk.”
“I’ll be there,” Joe said a little too eagerly.
Wyatt refrained from elbowing him in the gut…just barely.
Preston nodded. “Seven o’clock. If you’ll excuse me, I have work to do before tomorrow.” The man hurried off.
“I’d better get back to the video display room.” Arthur shook Fiona’s hand. “I’ll have to check with mi esposa before I commit to dinner tonight. I’ll let you know.”
“I have work to do as well. Since the governor couldn’t get here on time, I’m greeting the Mexican Prime Minister at the airport in less than an hour.” Fiona smiled at Joe, not Wyatt. “I’ll see you two tonight.”