Prologue
Ten Years Ago
Ace
I walk into the brightly lit ballroom and tug at my tuxedo collar. I hate these kinds of events, but when a state senator who used to be your commanding officer asks you to do something, you kind of have to. Aside from the suit, it’s not so bad. The food is good, drinks are free, and there’s almost always an attractive woman who might be a fun distraction for a few hours.
As a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, I find women are plentiful. I just don’t often have time for them. So, once in a while, it’s nice to get out and do something that isn’t military related. I work in military intelligence now, so I spend a lot of time alone in front of computers or skulking around the world trying to find bad guys. I get off on the adrenaline rush, but sometimes it gets lonely.
“Lieutenant Ross.” I hear my name and turn, smiling at Senator Wayne Barrow.
“Hello, sir. Nice to see you.” I shake his hand.
“I appreciate your coming out tonight.”
“I’m not sure why you wanted me here, but I’m happy to oblige. My mother drilled it into me that a real man should own and wear a tuxedo on the regular, so you gave me my excuse for the year.”
He laughs, his eyes crinkling. He’s gotten older since leaving the marines, but he’s been sick too. Cancer. Rumor has it he’s doing better, but he looks pale to me. “I’m glad to help you score points with your mother. However, now I’m hoping you can help me score points with my daughter.”
Oh, hell. I wasn’t expecting this, but I put on a smile and nod anyway. I owe him my career, so I’ll do my best for him.
Even if it means that I don’t enjoy the evening.
“How old is Shannon now?” I ask politely.
“Twenty-one.” He smiles wryly. “I know she’s not…your type. If you could just be nice to her tonight, it would mean the world to me. My wife made her come, and she hates these things almost as much as I do, but Samantha thought it would be good for her since she’s too shy for her own good. Just a few dances, Ace. Maybe a drink at the bar. That’s all. I’m not asking you to marry her or anything.”
“No problem.” What else can I say?
Okay, I can do this.
If she’s painfully shy, maybe a few glasses of wine will help. I seem to remember a girl with Coke-bottle glasses and braces, but I haven’t seen her since I was in ROTC in college and she was a teenager. Maybe fifteen?
I turn, bracing myself, and look into those same Coke-bottle glasses. But this Shannon isn’t the awkward, chubby fifteen-year-old I remember. This Shannon is a grown woman with curves in all the right places. It’s a shame her blond hair is pulled back in a tight, severe bun that doesn’t do anything to compliment her pretty face, and that those big blue eyes are mostly hidden by even bigger glasses. Her mouth is full, with a slight bow to her upper lip, and it’s delightfully inviting with a sheer pink gloss highlighting it.
“Hello, Lieutenant.” Her voice is quiet but has a light, airy flair that makes me smile.
“Please. Call me Ace.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Senator Barrow says, trying to hide his grin. “I’m going to find my wife.”
“I apologize,” Shannon says once he’s gone. “I know he lured you here tonight to be my date, but you don’t have to. I’m perfectly okay being a wallflower.”
“That seems like a shame.”
“I’m used to it.”
“A beautiful woman should never get used to being alone.” I didn’t mean to flirt, but the words come out anyway.
“You don’t have to say things like that, Ace. We both know I’m anything but beautiful.”
“I beg to differ.” I cock my head. “Despite your great attempt to hide them, you have gorgeous blue eyes. You have pretty features, a sweet smile, and I imagine there’s more to you than you let on.”
This time her smile is genuine, though there’s a faint pink tinge to her cheeks. “Well, I think the truth is somewhere in between those two things.”
“Which two things?” I ask, chuckling.
“The sweet smile and what you’re imagining.”
