Derek frowned, his expression turning fierce when his eyes met Grant’s once more. “You ready to get started?”
“Faster we get started, the sooner we’ll find answers.”
Martin chose that moment to start for the door. “I’m going to go find a restroom.”
Sliding to the side, Derek gave the other man plenty of room to move past. After, Brynnon watched as the three men she knew to be warriors turned their focus on finding the shooter.
Before leaving, Grant turned to face her. “Don’t worry. You’re safe here.” Then with a wink, he was gone.
Taking advantage of the privacy, Brynnon turned to her dad. “I know it’s a bad time, but there’s something we need to discuss.”
For the next several minutes, Brynnon proceeded to share her thoughts—ones she’d not been able to quiet since Billy’s phone call last night—with her father. When she was finished, she sat quietly and waited for his response.
“I may lose one child tonight, Brynnon. I don’t want to lose you, too.”
“You won’t. And I don’t want to do anything that will hurt you. So, if you tell me to drop it, I will. I’ll go find Grant right now and tell him and the guys to stop their search.”
Her father raised a trembling hand to her cheek. “You are just like your mother.” He smiled. “She would be so proud of you. I know, I am.”
Brynnon covered his hand with hers. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“You know in your heart what’s right, sweet girl. Do what you need to do, and don’t worry about me.”
“But, your career—”
“Isn’t worth covering up for whoever caused those soldiers’ deaths. No career is worth that. Besides, Derek may find that our company had nothing to do with it. But you won’t know unless you keep looking.”
“Grant won’t stop until he finds the truth.”
Her dad smiled. “That man loves you, you know.”
Brynnon blushed. “Maybe.”
She watched as he stepped away to pull one of the plastic chairs next to his. He sat down and patted the empty seat.
“Come sit for a minute.”
Brynnon did, wondering what sort of worldly wisdom he was about to bestow upon her. It didn’t take long to find out.
“Your mother was about your age when she and I met. I saw her from across the room, and I knew.” Her father smiled at the memory. “From the second I saw her, I knew she was the one.”
Sharing his need to think about something other than bombs and shootings, Brynnon’s lips curved. “I know. You’ve told me that story a hundred times, but I always love hearing it.”
“I suppose I have.” His rough, aging hand held hers. “But there’s something I haven’t told you.”
“What’s that?”
“Do you remember the philanthropy ball I hosted a few months back? The one where you and Grant first met? He was working as extra security for me, then.”
“I remember.” She nodded.How could I forget?
“Well, the thing I haven’t told you before now is that night, when you walked through those doors, I saw Grant look at you the exact same way I did your mother.”
Her eyes rushed up to his. “I think you were mistaken, Dad.”
“Think about it, sweetheart. I had several guards there that night. Many of whom, you didn’t know.”
“Is there a point to all this?” Brynnon shifted in the uncomfortable seat.
