Josh stared at each of the men and finally rested his gaze on Ashley. A military man, he’d gone on ops, followed orders, kept people safe, but it was different now. Ashley meant something to him. She’d crept into his heart and made him want to be a better person.For her. He couldn’t lose her. Yet, if they didn’t catch Stephen Blackwood tonight, she’d always be looking over her shoulder, wondering if today was the day her stalker ended her life.
It couldn’t be easy for Ashley either.
He sighed, understanding her need to end this situation and regain control over her life.
“What’s the plan?” he asked.
“We’ll go in with Ashley. The three of us,” Nelson said. “We flank her at all times while she does her thing. The officers inside have seen photos of both Blackwood and Landish. They’ll be watching for him.”
“What will happen when you find him?” Ashley asked.
“We’ll arrest his arse.” Gerry’s mouth set with determination. “Don’t worry. Do whatever you deem necessary and celebrate your night.”
“I’m nervous,” Ashley confessed, and the vulnerability in her face had Josh’s protectiveness coming to the fore.
No one hurt his woman.
“You’d be an idiot if you weren’t anxious,” Nelson stated in his blunt way. “Blackwood and the election result.”
Josh reached for Ashley’s hand. “We’re engaged.” He forced himself to wink at her. “That means we’re allowed to hold hands. I’m terrified,” he added. “The physical contact will help me conquer my fear.”
A snort came from Gerry, but Ashley beamed at him, and something in Josh softened for an instant. Then, he snapped back to his military training because he could do nothing else if he wanted to keep his woman safe.
With their decision made, Nelson started the vehicle and drove the short distance into the hotel forecourt. Josh squeezed her hand before releasing it and exiting the car. Nelson and Gerry climbed out, and Nelson handed over the car keys to a man who he appeared to know. A plain-clothes policeman, Josh decided.
“We’ll ring you when we want the car again.” The cop nodded and drove away. “Ready?” Nelson asked.
“Yes.” Josh opened the door for Ashley.
Like when he’d been on a mission, his focus narrowed to the essential things. Ashley and those who stood in his peripheral vision. He reached for Ashley’s hand, her touch bringing a rush of pleasure. Although they hadn’t been together for long, he was confident she was his one. All he had to do was keep her safe.
Now a well-practiced team he, Nelson, and Gerry flanked Ashley and strode into the foyer. They turned right toward the ballroom the Labor party had hired. At the room entrance, they paused. The chatter faded as party supporters recognized and acknowledged Ashley’s arrival.
An elegant arrangement comprised of red flowers sat on a pedestal just inside the door. Bunches of red and white balloons and other decorations, predominantly in Labor red festooned the room. Overhead a chandelier glittered while on a noticeboard attached to the wall on their left held a display of candid photos from the campaign. Background music played. Instrumental but with a New Zealand flavor.
Tension radiated through Josh. He scanned faces. Charles stood chatting with Geoffrey and another man. His lip curled on noticing Ashley as if he’d smelled something nasty.Moron. No one fit Landish’s description. “I don’t see him.”
On spotting them, Geoffrey strode forward, a microphone in his right hand and a broad beam of satisfaction on his visage. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ashley Townsend, the leader of the Labor party.”
When Ashley stepped past the threshold, Josh moved with her, keeping their hands linked. A full and happy smile curved her lips, but her hand in his communicated rigidity and hinted at her apprehension.Excellent. Complacency would get them killed.
“With the way the results are going, she’ll be the next prime minister,” a masculine voice shouted from the back.
Cheers and applause rang out, and Ashley released Josh’s hand to hug Geoffrey. The instant Geoffrey stepped back, Josh reclaimed his position at Ashley’s side. Nelson and Gerry moved into their protective formation.
“Speech!” a woman to their right called.
Josh continued to scan faces, searching for Blackwood. He didn’t see him, but every instinct screamed he was here. A preternatural sense that only appeared during times of danger shrieked at Josh, upping his level of alertness.
If the bastard had somehow sneaked a weapon inside, they’d be in trouble. No security was infallible, and although Nelson had assured Josh they’d scan every attendee with a wand, there were workarounds. As a special ops military man, Blackwood was as highly trained as him. Anything might happen. Those spidey senses of his wailed. Josh ran his gaze over faces, bodies.
Where the hell was the bastard?
Geoffrey handed Ashley the microphone.
“Well,” she said. “It’s been a busy night, and I haven’t caught up on the results. I spoke with my mother ten minutes ago. She told me we’re doing okay.” Ashley beamed at the ensuing shouts and cheers. “Seriously though,” she said once silence fell again. “I’d like to thank every one of you for your support and your enthusiasm. My fellow candidates and I couldn’t have done our job without you.”
“Got him,” Josh murmured to Nelson who stood to his left. “Ten o’clock.”
