Andrea, a slender brunette, said something else in the elegant language, then turned to the men. “If you gentlemen will excuse us, we need to powder our noses. We’ll be right back.”
Linc smiled. Seemed like Carly had just been to the ladies’ room, but typical women, they had to go together. He was glad Carly was fitting in so well. He hadn’t really expected it and the truth was he really didn’t care. It was nice just the same.
He wandered a little, but stayed close to the table so she could find her way back to him. Since it was almost time to sit down, he made sure their place cards were on the opposite side of the table from Beau and Sophia Aiello.
Linc thought of the turn of fortune that had allowed him to come here with Carly instead of the spoiled Italian model, and said a silentthank youto his best friend.
* * *
It was only a few minutes later that Carly and Andrea walked out of the ladies’ room, heading back toward their table. Andrea Conners was a few years older than she but didn’t look it, and her gold satin, off-the-shoulder gown showed off a terrific figure. She was fun and the two of them just seemed to click.
They were almost back to their men when Andy—as Andrea preferred to be called—spotted someone she knew.
“Go say hello,” Carly said. “I’ll see you back at the table.”
Continuing her journey, she wove her way through the glittering throng, paused for a moment to get her bearings and locate Linc’s table, then heard a familiar voice. She paused, trying to place it, deep, slightly rough, tinged with a Spanish accent.
She glanced toward the speaker, trying to recall the person the voice belonged to, caught the profile of a tall, black-haired man she didn’t know. Then her brain started working and her heart slammed hard, set up a terrified clatter against her ribs.
She knew that voice. The threats that voice had made were burned into her brain. Careful to stay out of sight behind a cluster of guests, she looked down at the man’s shiny black patent leather shoes. Big shoes. And the toes turned slightly inward.
Fighting not to panic, Carly swallowed back her fear and started walking, trying not to run. She needed to get a better look at him, but if he spotted her, he would know she had recognized him and the knowledge might get her killed.
People were beginning to take their seats. Carly spotted Linc, taller than the other men standing next to the table. Scanning the crowd in search of her, he must have read her distress because his features went tense. He strode toward her, caught her hands just as she reached the table.
“What is it? What’s happened?”
Her legs were shaking. “He’s here. El Jefe.”
His broad shoulders stiffened. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Linc walked her to her chair, pulled it out, and eased her down into it, which was good since she was afraid her legs were going to buckle. He took the chair beside her, reached for her hand beneath the cloth. With ten people at the table, they were seated close together. The noise in the room drowned out their conversation.
“Did he see you?” Linc asked.
“No. I don’t think so. I was careful.” She took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “I need to get a better look at him so we can figure out who he is.”
Linc shook his head. “Too dangerous. Don’t worry, we’ll get a better look. There are cameras all over the ballroom. We’ll run the video back, see where you were when you spotted him, figure out who he is.”
Relief trickled through her. “Great.”
“We can’t leave right now. If we do, he might get suspicious.”
“I know.” She sighed. “This is going to be the longest dinner of my life.”
Beneath the table, Linc squeezed her hand. “We’ll leave as soon as we can do it without being noticed. Maybe at the end of dinner before the auction starts. In the meantime, I’ll introduce you to the rest of the guests.”
Carly just nodded. Pasting a smile on her face, she turned toward the other people seated at the table and hoped she’d be able to remember their names.
* * *
After supper, during the break before the auction started, Linc made their excuses and was able to slip away. As soon as they were seated in the limo and heading back to his apartment, he pulled out his cell, brought up his contacts, and called Ross Townsend.
While the phone began to ring, he flicked a glance at Carly, who still looked a little pale.
“What’s up?” Ross answered, probably still working since it was before midnight.
