“Strickler,” he said darkly.
“He doesn’t fit Mahler’s description,” Ethan said, his arm still around Val’s waist, holding her back against his front. “Check his forearms just to be sure.”
Dirk looked him over. “No scars. Nothing there.” He jerked the man’s head up to get a better view. “Wait a minute. I know this guy. He was up on the catwalk working the lights.” He hauled the man to his feet, jerking Strickler’s bound arms up behind his back until he grunted in pain. “Now you’re on your way to jail for attempted rape, you stupid fuck.”
The guy spit on the floor. “I was just taking what these bitches dish out to everyone else. I read the papers, I seen those notes they got. Sluts and whores. I was just giving the bitch what she deserved.”
Izzy whimpered. Val took a deep breath, broke free of Ethan’s hold, walked over, and pulled Isabel into a hug. “It’s okay. It’s over. He can’t hurt us now.”
Footsteps sounded at the door. “Holy crap!” Meg walked into the room, the story apparently spreading like wildfire backstage. Her eyes went to the bound man, whose face was already turning purple on one side. “The police are on the way. Did Val do that?”
“She saved me,” Isabel said with what seemed awe.
Meg’s blue eyes swept over Dirk and Ethan in their snug black T-shirts, faces hard, muscles bulging.
She cocked a dark red eyebrow. “So . . . why do we need all these macho bodyguard types when we’ve got Valentine Hart?”
Ethan chuckled. Val felt the reluctant tilt of her lips, and even Isabel smiled.
Ethan sat next to Val, who had just eased down on the sofa in her suite. Across from them, Dirk slid in beside Meg in one of the overstuffed chairs and lifted her into his lap.
Benny Strickler, Isabel’s attacker, had been hauled off to jail, and the police had taken the statements of all the parties involved. They were back at the hotel and they were exhausted.
Ethan reached out and gently lifted Val’s chin, bringing her pretty blue eyes to his face. “You did good today, baby. Real good.” He still couldn’t believe she’d taken on a hard-edged, knife-wielding scumbag and come out the winner. The woman continued to amaze him.
Not that taking on a rapist single-handed wasn’t a dangerous, insane thing to do, which he intended to have a very firm discussion about once they were alone.
“Nice work, sweetheart,” Dirk said. He slid an arm around Meg, who didn’t seem entirely pleased about it. “You’re a helluva lot tougher than you look.”
“She doesn’t need to be tough,” Ethan said darkly. “She needs to be safe. Either Boudreau cancels the rest of the tour or she’s quitting. Her safety has to come first.”
Val pulled away. “I’m right here, you know. And I’m not quitting. I gave my word. Besides, I need the money. I’m finishing the tour.”
“Listen to me, baby—”
“Forget it. You can quit if you want. I’m finishing the job I started.”
Ethan swore foully. “Dammit, Val—”
She cupped his face in her hands. “I’ll be safe. I trust you to take care of me. I know you’ll keep all of us safe. And Carlyle needs your help to solve the murders.”
Ethan sighed. A knock sounded at the door, ending the argument he was clearly losing. He walked over and looked through the peephole, saw Matt Carlyle standing in the hallway.
“It’s Carlyle,” he said, causing Dirk to slide out of the chair and come to his feet. Since he didn’t want Carlyle to know he was with Meg, he ambled into the bedroom, out of sight. Meg sat up straighter in the chair. Val smoothed back her hair and nodded.
Ethan turned the knob and opened the door. “Come on in. I was just about to call you. We need to talk.”
For the first time since Ethan had met him, Carlyle looked frazzled. His slacks were wrinkled, his light brown hair needed combing, and the ruddy hue of his face made the thin scar stand out along his jaw.
“If the call was about canceling the show, you don’t have to worry. Boudreau flew in an hour ago. He says we’re getting more bad press than good. He’s refunding the money for tomorrow night’s show and canceling New York and Chicago.”
“About time,” Ethan said with relief.
“All we have to do now is make an appearance tonight at Peter Latham’s party in our honor and we’ll head home in the morning.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You don’t think these women have been through enough today? Izzy was damn near raped this afternoon. And after brawling with the SOB—who could have killed her—Val’s still plenty shook up.”
“Look, we don’t have a choice. David Klein has an agreement with La Belle.Peter Latham’s a huge investor in Klein’s company. He’s been planning this affair for weeks. All the models have to do is show up, drink some champagne, smile at the guests for an hour or so, and leave.”
