“Maddie Wells, meet Master Sergeant Wyatt Magnus, on loan from the Army to Homeland Security. He’s been placed in charge of the security of this convention.” After making the introduction, Fiona held her breath, waiting for Maddie to gush.
Wyatt took Maddie’s hand and lifted it to his lips. “The pleasure is mine.” He winked at Fiona as he pressed his lips to her assistant’s fingers.
A pretty, rosy blush rose up Maddie’s neck into her cheeks. “You didn’t tell me he was so handsome and charming.”
“I can be, when I want to.” He straightened, holding Maddie’s hand far longer than Fiona deemed necessary.
Her chest tight with a flare of unbidden anger, Fiona stepped out to greet Preston and Joe as they entered the hotel lobby.
“Preston, Joe, glad you made it. Arthur called and said his wife had plans for him, so he won’t be joining us. Shall we go find a place to eat?” She hooked her arm through Joe’s and stepped through the doors leading directly out onto the River Walk.
Preston, Maddie and Wyatt followed.
Fiona tried not to think about Wyatt behind her. But the nape of her neck tingled as if she could feel his gaze on her backside. She hoped her dress wasn’t hitched up in her panties. And if she put a little more sway in her hips, she chalked it up to the high-heeled, strappy sandals. They almost always made her walk like a model on the runway, one foot in front of the other.
They settled on one of the Tex-Mex restaurants with patio seating overlooking the river and a band playing an eclectic mixture of Latin American and soft rock music in the corner by the bar. As the sun set, the twinkle lights adorning the trees and bridges along the River Walk blinked to life. With the soft lighting, the background music and the warm summer night, it would have been a perfect evening for a romantic dinner for two. Glancing across the table, Fiona caught Wyatt’s gaze on her. A perfect evening for two if she wasn’t working through dinner, and if she didn’t have a convention to keep on track.
After everyone had placed an order, Fiona pulled out her work tablet and started the discussion. “Are we set for tomorrow?” Without waiting for a response, she turned to Joe. “The dogs will start through the convention center at nine in the morning, complete by two in the afternoon, at which time you’ll bring them to the hotel.”
Joe smiled. “That sounds about right.”
Wyatt turned to the supervisor of the hired security team. “Preston already has people in place, augmenting the convention center permanent staff.”
Preston nodded. “I’ll have additional staff at the entrances when the vendors arrive tomorrow and the day the convention starts. I’ll also have eight of my personnel at the function tomorrow night. They will be dressed as wait staff or businessmen, to keep it from appearing too obvious.”
Fiona stared down at her tablet, her list of notes blurring as she internalized the schedule. “The meet-and-greet is at seven o’clock tomorrow night. Maddie, you and I will arrive in the hotel ballroom an hour early and stay until the last person leaves.”
“Got it, boss.” Maddie gave her a mock salute.
“Which leaves you.” Fiona stared across at Wyatt. “Mr. Magnus, what exactly will you be doing during all this time?”
Wyatt’s eyebrows dipped and then smoothed. “I’ll be looking for weaknesses.” His lips tilted upward on the corners. “And you?”
A shiver of excitement rippled across her. She had to swallow hard to loosen her vocal cords. “I’ll be circulating through the meet-and-greet and then through the convention center the next day. Some of the delegates have a known propensity for drama. I want to curtail any scenes before the press gets wind of it.”
“You can’t be everywhere at once,” Joe said.
Fiona nodded. “Precisely. That’s why Maddie will be assisting me in circulating. Each one of us will be equipped with a radio headset. If anything happens, we’ll be able to call on each other immediately.” She smiled at Joe. “I’m not certain you’ll be there throughout, but if you are, you will be rigged with radio communications as well.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Joe grinned at Wyatt. “It’ll be like on active duty, only our teammates will be dressed to the nines, not covered in sand and smelling like last week’s sweat socks.”
Maddie turned to Joe. “What branch of service, Joe?”
“Army Special Forces.” His chest puffed out. “Three tours to the sandbox, and I was lucky enough to live to tell about it.”
Wyatt’s jaw tightened as his gaze rested on his friend.
“What about you, Preston?” Fiona turned her attention to the man beside her. “I understand you are prior service.”
Preston’s gaze narrowed. “Yeah.”
“What branch?” she pressed.
“Marine Corps,” he answered, his voice clipped, a frown settling between his brows. The man obviously didn’t want to talk about it.
Fiona smiled. “My stepfather was in the Marines for twenty-six years. He always said it was the toughest job you’ll ever love.”
Preston sat in stony silence.
“Wyatt?” Maddie piped in. “What’s your background?”
Yeah, Wyatt? What makes you so intense and sexual? Fiona wanted to ask, but she remained quiet, awaiting the man’s response.
Wyatt seemed to be working through his answer in his head. “Army,” he finally spit out.
Joe chuckled. “Don’t let him kid you. He’s one of the most decorated soldiers you’ll ever meet. He saved my butt a time or two.”
Wyatt shrugged. “So, I assume you’ll want to meet at the hotel when the dogs have made their sweep?”
Fiona recognized the diversionary tactic and let Wyatt have it. “I’m spending my morning at the convention center and from noon on, I’ll be at the hotel managing the details for the evening’s event. Find me when you get there. I’d like to hear what you think are the soft spots for security.”
The food arrived, thus ending the business portion of the meeting.
After the waiter removed the plates, Fiona ordered a frozen margarita and sat back to enjoy the music and the soft-scented breeze.
The band struck up a song with a lively beat.
Maddie leaped to her feet. “Come on, Wyatt, the music is moving me.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I’m too full.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “In my neck of the woods, you don’t turn down a lady’s offer to dance.”
“You’re right.” Wyatt pushed to his feet with a smile. “Forgive my rudeness.”
Maddie batted her eyes and hooked her arm through his. “Forgiven. Now show me how well you move those sexy hips.” She danced him to the center of the floor and spun to face him, holding out her arms. He spun her into his embrace and moved around the floor like he was built to dance.
“Magnus was always good on the dance floor.” Joe stood. “If you don’t mind your toes being stepped on, I’d be honored if you’d join me.”
Fiona hesitated, not liking to leave a man alone at their table.
Preston settled it by standing as well. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to brief my staff one more time and then hit the rack. I’ll be up before dawn and would like to be rested.”
Shaking his hand, Fiona bid Preston goodnight and took Joe’s hand, allowing him to lead her onto the small dance floor. She hadn’t danced since college. Busy getting her business up and running, she’d forgone the young social scene.
It felt good to sway to the music. For what Joe lacked in rhythm, he made up for with enthusiasm. By the time the song ended, Fiona was breathless and smiling. If her eyes drifted over to where Wyatt and Maddie were dancing, she didn’t let it spoil her fun.