“Especially now he's marrying his daughter off to the general in line to take over as commander of JSOC. I'm just glad I got out of the military when I did.”
JSOC, or Joint Special Operations Command, was the head of the Special Forces and oversaw all black, gray and white ops ran by the Teams. The guards continued completely oblivious to the three women standing not even 3 feet away.
“I don't like it,” the second guard said. “There shouldn't be that close a tie between the man holding the purse strings and the man commanding Special Forces. Feels like some bad shit is fixing to go down.”
The first guard tossed his cigarette down and squished it beneath the heel of his boot. “Not my problem. I did my time, and I'm content to sit back and take these cake jobs for easy money. Besides, did you see the chest on the bride? I almost feel sorry for the general.”
Caroline sucked in a deep breath and Kate slapped a hand over Caroline’s mouth just in time to muffle her outraged shriek.
The men moved on, oblivious, their soft chuckles dying off as the distance between them grew.
Another full minute passed before Kate let go of Caroline's mouth. “Come on.”
“Not until I get those jerks’ names.”
Kate rolled her eyes and tested the lock on the gate. “You really think your dad's going to fire them if you run back upthere and tell him, 'Oh, by the way, I overheard their conversation when I was trying to escape your arranged marriage.' I don't think so.”
“I think your chest looks just fine,” Celine said.
Kate eased the gate open, did a quick check of the nearby perimeter and spotted a black limo parked a hundred feet down the road. “Come on, your driver came through.”
Kate stayed in the lead, sizing up the tall, lanky blond who climbed out of the driver side door at their approach. She didn't remember this guy on the security roster.
Kate shoved Caroline behind her. “Who are you?”
“Don't worry, that's Liam. He's been my driver for the past year.”
“Ms. Caroline, I came as quick as I could.” Liam shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted from foot to foot.
“Thank you, Liam. I'd like to leave right now if that's okay.”
Liam blushed bright red, ducked his head and opened the door. “Yes, ma'am. Of course.”
Once they were seated inside, he shut the door without another word, and cranked up the limo and drove off.
The divider glass was already up between the front and back cab, and Kate let out a relieved chuckle. “You almost gave us away.”
Caroline placed a pale hand on her chest. “Did you hear what they said? How could you expect me not to react?”
“I can expect you not to react because we were sneaking out of one of the most highly secured social events I've ever seen.”
“Looks like lover boy thought of everything.” Celine lifted a fresh uncorked bottle of champagne. “I think someone has a crush on Caroline.”
This time Caroline blushed. “Don't say that. Liam is sweet and thoughtful.”
“And you like him.” Celine finished the sentence for her. Shepoured a glass for each of the girls, forcing Kate to take one. “I know what you just did for her is a really big deal for your career. You need this, believe me. Enjoy it.”
Caroline raised her glass. “A toast to me, for standing up to my father for the first time in my life.”
The glasses clinked together. Celine and Caroline downed theirs in one gulp while Kate took a cautious sip. Fruity crisp flavors exploded in her mouth. “This is delicious.”
“It's Cristal.”
Kate took another sip, and another, and by the time she finished, her nose tingled and her toes felt warm. Kate yawned and stretched, a drowsy languor making her arms heavy. She sensed the limo slowing, and then it stopped.
Their door was ripped open and a man who was not Liam ducked inside. “Why are there three? There should only be the blonde.” He had a thick accent, something middle eastern.
Kate tried to demand he identify himself, but her lips wouldn't cooperate. Her vision blurred and then refocused on Caroline and Celine passed out in their seats. She fought the clawing darkness to stay awake.
