For Her Protection(66)

The way he’d let her do her thing, talk to who she had to, without needing to keep a hand clamped around her arm, without getting pissy that she didn’t speak only to him. He caught her eye every now and then and let her know he was around—he was there if she needed him, if she wanted him.

A throat cleared behind her. She turned then smiled. Bob handed her a glass of champagne. She took it and he raised his glass to her.

“To change,” he said.

She raised her glass to clink against his. “To change.” She took a gulp. The fizz left a tangy coating on her tongue, a little too bitter for her taste.

“I’m surprised you didn’t let me in on your announcement today, I could have backed you up,” he said.

She didn’t miss the bristle in his undertone.

“I’m sorry, Bob. I thought with everything going on it was best to keep the information to myself. Not give anyone time to try anything.”

Bob took a sip from his glass. “And the auditor? You say he’s just looking at staffing?”

She sighed. She’d offended him, not what she’d meant to do. He’d been the only man at Halifax to offer his support. “No he’s a forensic accountant. He’s looking into what we spoke about. But the police said I should keep it completely private.”

Bob’s pale skin seemed to grow a shade lighter, his lips bloodless. “And the police are involved? That sounds serious.”

She took another sip without thinking, swallowed back a gag at the horrid taste and held her champagne out to a waiter collecting glasses. “God that’s horrible.” She turned back to Bob. “I’m hoping Gregory was the only one involved. If that’s the case, we can move forward.”

“I certainly agree it’s time to move forward.” His voice held a flatness she wasn’t used to hearing.

Her stomach churned. “I’m sure there are those who don’t agree—Frank being one.” She glanced around. “Where is he anyway?”

“I have no idea.”

Her stomach rolled in a sick, I-just-ate-an-old-hotdog way. Odd. She’d hardly eaten all day. “Excuse me, Bob,” she said. She caught Connor’s gaze then indicated with her head toward the bathrooms.

He nodded and went back to his conversation but his gaze never quite left her. She walked down the hall and the walls shifted.

The bathroom was only a few steps away. She quickened her pace and stumbled into a stall. Her stomach cramped and she leaned over the bowl and gagged. Nothing happened yet the urge to vomit remained. Dammit. Better to get these things out. She slid two fingers to the back of her throat, removing them just in time to empty her stomach into the toilet.

She heaved and gagged then flushed and went to the sink. Bitterness coated her throat and tongue and her head grew foggy. She rinsed her mouth and gazed into the mirror. She froze at the sight of the pale skin shining back at her.

Holy shit…

When was her last period? Sure she was on the pill but no contraceptives were foolproof. Could it be?

She covered her face with her hands. No, not now. Not when—for the first time in her life—things felt so right. She couldn’t give up everything just yet.

I need to get out of here…

She smoothed her hair and stepped out into the hall. The area seemed darker than before. Light flashed at the far end. She squinted and caught the slight silhouette exiting the door into the ballroom—Bob? Her vision swam.

A hand clamped over her mouth. The smell of tobacco on skin triggered instant recognition and she reacted instinctively. Even with her senses dulled she moved fast, drove her elbow into a soft middle, her heel into the top of the foot behind hers and twisted free. She turned and ran.

She reached a door at the end of the hall and pushed through it. Cold air hit her. Blank expanses of brick stretched in front of her. She’d just taken an exit into an alley.

Shit, Charlize, could you be any more like a tragic, horror-movie victim?

No. The thought pulled certainty out of her soul. She’s wasn’t a victim. The door opened and Gregory stumbled out.

“I knew I’d have to do this the hard way.” His hand moved to his jacket.

For a weapon? A gun or a knife…? She didn’t want to find out. Her insides rolled but she pulled herself together. She’d only get one chance. She lunged, down a little then up, slammed the side of her hand into his windpipe, put her whole body behind the blow.

Gregory gasped, his hands clutched his throat. He collapsed to the ground. She scrambled around him back inside. Light burst at the end of the hall and the body that entered took up all the space. Her vision went white for an instant and she leaned against the wall. Connor ran toward her, calling her name.