I hold up a foot, displaying the high heels. He smiles.
"That's fine, kiddo. Here we go."
The limo comes to a stop outside the hotel where the event is being held. David's door opens and he gets out, then holds out his hand for me. I take his hand and put myself into the role of being his date. His large six-foot frame is still muscular at age sixty, and I could see young women being attracted to him. He’s completely bald with no facial hair and a few wrinkles that make him look like he’s fifty. His dark brown eyes are always looking for danger. He puts his arm out and I take it, thinking of Duncan. At the coat check, I give them my shawl but keep my little black handbag as we walk into the ballroom.
There are more than just a couple consulates here, it looks like every political figure in DC and other major countries is here. I scope out the area, looking for Greg but don't see him.He or some of his team should be here with the number of bigwigs in attendance. We make our way to where the Israeli ambassador is standing.
"Sir, the lovely Maya Aaron," David says in Hebrew.
"Sir, it’s nice to meet you," I say in Hebrew, shocking him. He proceeds to ask me where I learned Hebrew and about myself.
"I live here in DC. My father was from Tel Aviv."
The music starts up with a waltz.
"Come, Maya, let’s take a turn."
David leads me to the dance floor and holds me close so we can talk.
"Okay, what do you think?" he asks on our first turn.
I'm looking around the room; the only person who keeps catching my eye is a tall Hispanic man who appears to be part of the French dignitaries guard. Something about him is familiar.
"Why was it so easy for you to get close to the ambassador after what happened in June? If you're not working for them yet, you shouldn't be able to get close."
"Good eye. I trained you well. Looks like you are attracting attention like I hoped."
I smile at him and continue to scan the room.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
DUNCAN
Ican't wait until I can take a break and text Maya to tell her I'm in town. My current job is to protect the undersecretary to the Prime Minister of France's daughter. Because this trip includes the prime minister and the undersecretary, we were radio silent, so I couldn't warn Maya I was coming to town. Then we had to attend this gala. I walk in from taking a call from Joshua to check on my team before I call Maya.
"Raul, where is Ian?"
He nods across the room to where the Israeli contingency stands. "He's going to see if he can lure a woman away from an old codger." He smiles and shakes his head.
I turn to see where Ian is heading. A tall bald-headed man is standing beside a beautiful woman whose very presence calls to me. "What the bloody hell?"
"What, Big Guy?" Raul looks at me, his eyebrows dropping and his face tightening; he knows my tone.
"I'll be back." I stomp off, stalking the woman that keeps me up at night. She turns to look at the man and smiles. That's a smile meant for me, not some old codger.
I barrel down on Ian. "Go back to Raul, now!" I bark as I pass him.
She has her back to me and I realize I need to be careful how I do this. I focus on something other than her lithe body in that dress. As she turns to accept a glass of champagne, I notice the slit going up her leg. Son of a bloody hell, what is she wearing? I pause and try to focus again.
"Excuse me, may I have this dance?" My voice comes across ruff, more demanding than questioning.
She turns and the shock on her face is evident. The man standing next to her goes to pull her behind him. Oh hell, he didn't. "Maya, please!" I demand, bowing my head slightly.
"Uh...just a moment, David. I'll be right back," she says, smiling at the bloke who is going to die if he doesn't release her.
"Sweetheart, are you going to be okay?" he asks while looking at me. That’s when I realize he’s more than some old man. I can see the training pouring off him by the way he stands.
"I'll be fine. Duncan’s a friend; he's James’s son."
