Page 63 of Hunted

They barely had time to sip their champagne before McIntyre himself arrived. “Angela!” he said. “Darling. Thank you for coming.” He kissed her on both cheeks, brushing back her hair. It looked affectionate, but his lack of subtlety was laughable.

Mikey said, “Really, Trevor. I’m not wearing an earbud, which a simple electronic scan would show you.” She turned to Gunn. “Trevor had a security breach a week ago in New York. Ruined his auction. So embarrassing.”

She smiled at McIntyre, who flushed and looked annoyed. Gunn said in his Swiss-German accent, “Luckily for me—it gives me a chance at the merchandise.”

McIntyre said stiffly, “Nothing like that will happen tonight, I assure you. But in keeping with that goal, I’m afraid I have to ask all my special guests to submit to a security check.”

They stood, feigning boredom, while the security team scanned them for electronic devices and patted them down for weapons—none of which they were carrying. Finally, they had to hand over their phones for inspection.

McIntyre said to Gunn, “When you enter the auction, you will be asked to surrender your phone until it’s time for payment, should you win.” He turned to Mikey. “And I’m afraid no non-bidders can be allowed inside.”

They’d figured on that; in fact, they’d counted on it. Mikey gave a little contemptuous huff. “Well, if it allows you to keep control over your security arrangements, I suppose it’s best to go along with it.”

McIntyre reddened again. “Thank you for your understanding.” Mikey gave him a negligent wave.

He turned once more to Gunn. “Should you win the auction, payment will be by immediate wire transfer of funds. The merchandise will not be released until the transfer is confirmed. It will be taken to the roof, where my helicopter crew will pick it up and deliver it to the rendezvous destination. At that point, security becomes your responsibility.”

Gunn nodded. “Agreed.” They knew that already; it had been in the auction information McIntyre had given Mikey. In fact, it was the basis of their rescue plan.

McIntyre was focusing his security operations on the estate. It would be almost impossible to penetrate that perimeter without a battle.

So instead, the Outlaw Ridge team was going to take the airfield and hijack McIntyre’s helicopter. When it flew in to pick up the girl, they’d be driving it. All they had to do was get her inside, and their mission was accomplished.

McIntyre handed Gunn a small flat device about the size of an Oreo cookie. “Feel free to enjoy the party,” he said. “This will buzz when we’re about to begin.”

Mikey said, “Ooh, like those ‘your table is ready’ buzzers they have in cut-rate restaurants. I’ve heard of those.” She smiled at McIntyre. “That’s adorable.”

Gunn had a hard time not smirking whenever she dug at McIntyre, but he hoped she didn’t overdo it. He didn’t want them to get kicked out of here.

McIntyre simply thanked them and set them loose until auction time.

They walked through the giant two-story foyer, which had a wide staircase leading to an upstairs landing holding two security guards. After that it split, with a staircase on each side leading to the third level.

The foyer opened into an enormous living room with a bar at one end, a small orchestra at the other, and a buffet of hors d’oeuvres along one wall. Waiters also circulated with trays of food and drinks for those too lazy or too entitled to walk over and get their own.

Gunn could feel Mikey fizzing with mission adrenalin—just like him. That, and the thrill of just being here with her, about to do something crazy and dangerous.

He’d never felt more alive.

“So what should we do until your vibrator goes off?” she asked, mischief gleaming in her eyes.

Damn, he loved this woman.

He said, still using his German accent, “What all the little people at cheap restaurants do while waiting for their poor peon tables. Have another drink.”

She shook her head. “I’d rather dance.”

Gunn immediately took her glass and handed it, and his own, to a passing waiter. “Your wish is my command.” He swung her into his arms.

Gunn loved dancing with Mikey. He wasn’t an elegant guy and he hated monkey suits, but dancing with her, in a place like this and a dress like that, made him feel like fucking James Bond.

They’d danced just like this at a fancy reception the last night they were together, before everything went to hell.

He hoped desperately this time would turn out different, but if it didn’t, at least he’d have had the chance to do it again. To be with her again, touch her again, make love to her again.

She seemed to be reading his mind. “Remember the reception at that corrupt CEO’s house, who was paying off the state senator?”

She spoke in a murmur, so no other guests could overhear. He replied the same way, though he kept his accent.