Sebastian looked at the older gentleman. "What do you want me to do?" He looked like a little boy about to be punished.
"Nothing. Let her be. Pretend you never met her. She has no idea who you are. Keep it that way. Discretion is of the utmost importance."
Sebastian scowled. "Yes, sir."
"That a boy." The two men returned to the table.
* * *
While engaged in a debate with the men, Cassie's ear buzzed. Galloway said, "Clear channel. White male, brown on brown, on a mission." She looked up to see a huge drunk man with wild brown hair and raging brown eyes moving toward the grouping of tables with a head of steam. She followed his sightline to an adjoining table, which led to one of the women who'd spoken about how the charity benefitted her.
"Charlotte, you lying witch," the drunk man yelled.
The woman at the table cowered and began to flee. He was close enough for Cassie to make out the nine-millimeter double-tap gun in his left hand. House security was approaching too slowly to help the frightened woman.
"Do not engage. Let house handle," Wilds ordered.
"Excuse me, Senator," Cassie said. She whispered, "Double tap left hand." Ian began to stand.
Cassie approached the angry man, putting herself between the gun and the intended target. "Hey, big boy. It's been a long time." She shimmied against his body, grasping his sweaty face between her hands.
"Damn, Modine," Wilds cursed.
Preston had a different perspective. "Gun left hand."
Wilds understood the seriousness of the situation. "Walton, Villanueva, approach from his left. Galloway, on me. Marcus and Cruz, watch the package." Three agents moved in Cassie's direction.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ian sit back down, his hand moving in a discreet signal. Two tuxedoed men walked to approach him and Monique. She knew their safety was their priority.
"What are you doing, bitch?" The intoxicated giant tried to shove Cassie away.
She climbed him like a ladder, her leg rubbing across his upper thighs. "Baby, you don't remember me?" She did not want to set off a panic in the room. She compressed his carotid arteries with the heels of her hands. "FBI. There are four men around you with guns. Be a good boy now. Hand me yours—and we can walk out of here peacefully."
The goliath swayed as she deprived his brain of oxygen. He turned to either side, noting the four large tuxedoed men with menacing expressions. Cassie kissed him on the cheek and opened her bag. He dropped the weapon inside. She slid down his body, a supporting arm slipped under his elbow. She laughed, joining Greg, Hector, Preston, and Brice to walk him out without any further disruption.
In the quiet of the empty hallway, Greg Wilds said, "Modine, your ass is mine."
She turned to face him. "You do what you have to. Exigent circumstances. This sorry excuse had a gun that somehow got through the security checks. I think you have a lot more to worry about than me doing a job I am trained to do. No one was wiser."Except maybe Ian.
"Do you know what a direct order is? You were told to stand down. Get your ass back into that room and act like a socialite. See if you can do your job for another hour without blowing your cover. I knew you were trouble the minute I set eyes on you. I expect you in my office with your completed after-action report at 0700. I will be happy to send you back to Paul Yates ASAP. Though how he puts up with your antics, I will never understand." His face was red with anger. "This is far from over. You will pay for your insubordination."
Cassie tapped two fingers against his chest. "Greg, I would be cautious if I were you."
Chapter Ten
"Baby, what was that about?" Sebastian asked, holding Cassie's chair.
Cassie couldn't suppress her irritation. "Don't call me, baby." Her voice was icy, the volume louder than she intended.
Sebastian placed a possessive arm around her shoulders. Thirsty, Cassie drank from her water glass, her cheeks flushed pink from the rush of the takedown. She slammed her empty water glass on the table. "Stop touching me." Her tablemates stilled to watch. She turned hard in her chair to get him to remove his hand. "Not that you deserve an explanation, but he's an old friend. I guess I was happier to see him than he was to see me." She shifted her position again and tamped down the urge to punch Sebastian.
"Well, well, Ms. Ellis," Senator Bynum said. "You seem popular with a lot of folks tonight."
Cassie flashed him her plastic smile. "Side effect of growing up in this town, Senator. They do call it a fishbowl."
The senator added gasoline to the fire. "You and Mr. Chase made quite a couple on the dance floor. Maybe he will make you a new takeover for his firm.
Cassie's cheeks flamed crimson as her trademark poise faded. "Thank you, Senator, but with all due respect to Mr. Chase, it was just a dance. "
