Page 36 of Tiger on the Prowl

“Do you really need to ask that?” She brushed her knuckles over his cheek. “You saved my family today. The least I can do is take a few selfies with some of the guests.” Then she hesitated. “Smith won’t suspect anything, or try to hurt somebody here tonight, will he?”

Jay instantly shook his head. “He has no reason to. And he’s not careless. He wouldn’t expose himself. Besides, everybody is taking photos at a wedding. There’s nothing suspicious about it.” He took her hands into his. “But you don’t have to do it if you feel uncomfortable. I won’t be able to go down there with you.”

“I know that. You just wait here, while I mingle. My parents are probably wondering anyway where I am. I might be a couple of hours. Will you be okay here?”

He nodded. “Do you have your computer here?”

His question sent a shock through her system. “Uhm…”

“Sorry,” he said quickly. “Believe me, I’m really not after your manuscript.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just a habit. But I didn’t bring my computer. It’s locked in my safe at home. Why do you need it?”

“I figure if you take pictures with your cell phone, I can log into your cloud and look at the pictures in real time, and let you know when you can stop.”

“Oh, good idea.” Then she turned to her travel bag. “You can do the same on my tablet. It’s synched with my cell.”

“Perfect,” Jay said and took the tablet she handed him. “Passcode?”

She typed the six-digit number in slowly, so he could memorize it.

“Thank you.” Then he laid the tablet on the bed and pulled her into his arms. “Just be your normal self at the reception. Dance with a few guys. You have to look like you’re having fun.”

“I wish I could have fun with you.”

Jay chuckled. “Would it help to know that when you come back to your room, we could talk about having fun?”

“Just talk?”

He let his hand slide down to her backside, drawing her closer to him. “That’ll be up to you. Now, go. I’ll send you a text if I see something of concern on the photos.”

She lifted herself on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Okay. I’ll see you soon.”

Olivia left the room, a multitude of feelings colliding inside her: gratitude, shock, relief, and yes, even fear, because the fact that the man hunting Jay was a guest at the wedding reception sent fear into her bones. But she tried to suppress that particular feeling, because Jay needed her help, and just like he’d taken an enormous risk in order to save her sister and her parents, she could certainly do this little thing for him. How hard could it be to take a few photos at a wedding?

When Olivia entered the ballroom and glanced around, she saw her father dancing with her mother. Seeing them happy and healthy made her choke up all of a sudden, and she approached them. Her mother saw her first and looked at her.

“Honey, where were you? Everything all right?” she asked.

Olivia put her arms around both her parents and smiled. “Everything is perfect. I’m so happy you guys are here. I wish you didn’t have to fly back so soon.”

Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek. “So do we.”

“How about a dance with your old father, Olivia?” her father asked, releasing her mother.

“You’re not old, Dad. And who’s Mom gonna dance with?”

“Oh, don’t worry about me,” she said laughing. “I see a few handsome young men who don’t seem to have a dance partner.”

Her father smirked and took Olivia’s hand, before he pulled her into his arms and started dancing. It had been a long time since she’d danced, but it was like riding a bike, and with her father leading expertly, it was a breeze.

“You look so much happier now,” her father remarked. “I was a little worried about you earlier.” Sometimes her father was just a little too perceptive.

“I’m fine, Dad.” She smiled at him. “Just some worries about the book. Some rumors that have been going around about the book that had me worried. It’s all sorted out.”

“Well, good. And you shouldn’t constantly be thinking about work. You’re young, you’re beautiful. And I’ve noticed plenty of men here looking at you. Enjoy yourself a little.”

“I am enjoying myself, Dad,” she protested.