Maddox gave the two a theatrical-looking nod while lifting his hat, then moved on down the hall and around the corner. A cloud of sweet, pungent smoke hung in the air, further masking what lay just beyond their view—the one and only Mr. P.
A buzz sounded from the redhead’s office phone. “Ms. Tia,” came the man’s voice through the speaker.
“Yes?”
“Tell our future sponsor to come into my office, will you?”
“I sure will,” Tia chimed. “Amy, head on back.”
Jace stood before Amy got to her feet, assuring her, and Tia, that Amy wasn’t going anywhere without him.
“Oh, and of course, have Ms. Nelson bring her guest in here too.”
Tension radiated off Amy’s stiff form as Jace walked alongside. If she didn’t relax, Mr. P would sense her discomfort. After all, this was a girl who laughed in the face of live TV.
Jace leaned to whisper something in her ear as they passed the receptionist. “Try to loosen up,” he said. “Chuckle at what I’ve said.”
Amy pulled back to give him a look, confused at first, but then she tipped her head back in laughter. “You’re so bad,” she trilled, nudging him with her elbow.
Good.She caught on quick.
Jace glanced down at the floor as they approached the doorway. His heart thundered as he moved his gaze from a pair of pleated slacks and a buttoned suit coat, to the face of a man in his early to mid fifties. Dark brows covered a set of light gray eyes.
In all his years in service, Jace had found that some men looked as wretched on the outside as they were inside. But not all. Some—like this man— had a face that hid their nature far too well.Theywere dangerous above all the rest.
Amy, having only just now met the man’s eye as well, pulled back on Jace’s hand. It was more of an instinct. Like what someone might do if they just caught sight of the roller coaster they’d agreed to go on and were having second thoughts.
Her hesitation lasted only a second, but it was enough to make Jace wonder if she recognized him.
“Average Amy,” the man said as he reached out to shake her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
Again?
“Pleasure to see you, too.” Amy shook his hand. “Mr. Bankford, isn’t it?”
Bankford. Jace mentally scrambled to match that name to any of the employees at the studio, but failed.
“Whew.” The man wiped his brow dramatically. “I’m glad you remember me.” He shook Jace’s hand next, and motioned to two, plush chairs facing his desk. “Please,” have a seat.” Farther back, smaller chairs framed the room along the walls.
“I’m sorry,” Jace said as they sank into the chairs. “How do you two know each other?”
“We did a shoot—” Amy started to explain, but Mr. P spoke over her, saying nearly the same thing.
The man stopped and chuckled. “I’m sorry, dear. Why don’t I let you explain?”Amy smiled at Mr. P and shifted in her seat. “Remember thatDo-it-Right Datingsegment I shot? Did you ever see that one?”
Jace had gone back to watchallof her segments. “Yes,” he said. And then it hit him— this was the guy standing next to her during the introduction. And it must be theonebusiness he operated under his actual name. Which is why he hadn’t attracted any suspicion.
“You’ll have to forgive me,” Jace explained. “When I watch Amy’s show, I can’t take my eyes off her.”
Mr. P chuckled. “Quite all right,” he said. “Quite all right, indeed.”
“So, your name is, what again? Something Bank…”
“Paul,” the man said. “Paul Bankford.”
Jace nodded. That’s where thePcame from.
“I called you guys in here to first thank you for agreeing to be part of the sponsorship. And to also let you know,” he said, turning his attention to Amy with a slimy grin, “that I am a big fan of yours, and I feel honored that you’ve agreed to do this.”
