Dirk ran two fingers around his mustache down to his jaw. “I’ll keep an eye on the girls.”
Ethan nodded. They both knew which girls Dirk was talking about. “I know you will. Thanks.”
Protecting Val was his job. That she was a family friend made it even more important. The attraction he felt for her complicated things, but he was doing his best to ignore it.
Ethan stayed at the theater until Val and the rest of the women arrived safely. Then he headed down to the Dallas PD on South Lamar Street.
He’d been gone a while from the homicide division. But a man you’d taken a bullet for didn’t forget you. It was a debt that was never completely repaid.
Ethan thought of Heath Ford and smiled.
Val yawned as the afternoon rehearsal continued. Each of the models knew her routine, but the layout of the Music Hall was different from the Paramount, and so were the stage setup, the sound, the lighting. Heather’s ankle had eliminated her from the show. After Delilah’s brutal death, they were short two models.
Heather’s segments had been reassigned to several different girls. Delilah was their number-one model, so her segments had gone to some of the top-ten girls. One segment had gone to Isabel Rafaeli, another to Megan. Val had been assigned to take Delilah’s place in the Diamond Jubilee.
Costume changes had to be made and fittings done. Meg, Val, and Izzy, along with Carmen Marquez, had to stay late to work through their new routines.
As the hours wore on and the theater emptied out, Val found her gaze searching for Ethan. According to Dirk, he’d gone to see a friend who worked for the Dallas police.
He’d been a detective here, so he was bound to know people. Val wondered if he was visiting women friends as well and didn’t like the spurt of jealousy she had no right to feel.
“I’m beat,” Meg said as they took a break an hour later. “I’m way more than ready to get back to the hotel.”
“Me too. Unfortunately, Daniel isn’t quite satisfied with the changes yet. You know what a perfectionist he is.”
Meg sighed. “I know.”
“That’s what makes him so good at his job.”
“It’s also what makes him such a prig.”
Val grinned.
Meg grinned back, then they both glanced up as Dirk walked toward them. Val couldn’t miss the warmth that came into her friend’s blue eyes. Meg was fighting her attraction to Dirk the way Val was fighting hers to Ethan. She was very afraid both of them were going to lose their battles.
“You ladies have been at it a while,” Dirk said. “You need anything? Bottle of water or something?” He spoke to both of them, but his eyes were on Meg.
“I’m okay,” she said. “We should be finishing up pretty soon.” He cast a questioning glance at Val.
“I’m fine,” she said.
“Ethan just called. He’s meeting us back at the hotel.”
Val nodded, her exhaustion returning. Silly to feel disappointed.
“It’s good to see you, Ethan.” Heath Ford extended a hand. “How’s Seattle working out for you?”
“Good. I like being my own boss.” He smiled. “I’ve got a kid now, little girl named Hannah. No wife, though. I meant to stay in touch. Never seems to be enough time.”
“Same with me. Still single, still looking. So what brings you to Dallas?”
“I’m working a security detail.” Ethan explained about the fashion show tour, doing backup security and personal protection for the models.
“A lady friend mentioned the show was coming to town.” Heath grinned. “I’m happy to say she’s a customer.” Six two, with a powerful build, dark blond hair, and brown eyes, Heath was a good-looking man and an even better detective. “Being paid for protecting a stage full of beautiful women—my kinda work.”
Ethan grunted. “Might be, if it weren’t for the no-fraternizing rule. Half the time the guys walk around with a set of blue balls.”
Heath laughed. “So what can I do for you?”
