looking men to choose from.” She leaned forward and pretended to whisper
conspiratorially. “Did you also find out if they were good in bed?”
Theron choked on his drink. He set it down and growled in a low voice, “Of
course I didn’t question their sexual prowess.”
“Pity. I suppose I’ll have to find out myself before settling on one man in
particular.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Theron snarled.
Her eyes widened innocently as she viewed his obvious irritation. He looked near
to bursting a blood vessel.
His phone rang, and he looked relieved as he fumbled for it. After a few clipped
sentences, he rang off and looked over at her.
“You’ll have to excuse me, but I have to go. I have an important meeting I can’t
miss.”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t mind me. I was going up to my suite
anyway.”
Theron motioned for Reynolds and then rose from his chair.
“Your security detail will see you up to your suite. And Bella, don’t try to go
anywhere without them.”
Eight
T heron’s admonishment still rang in Isabella’s ears the next morning as she
plotted her path past her security team. It wasn’t that she minded them going shopping
with her. They might even be able to offer a male perspective on which dress looked best
on her. She wanted to look good for the cocktail party, and not because of the men
Theron had invited with her in mind.
As soon as she stepped out of her room, Reynolds fell into step behind her.
“Good morning,” she offered sweetly.
“Good morning,” he offered in return. “Where would you like to go this
morning?” He pulled out his cell phone to call for the car.
“I want to do a little sightseeing,” she said. “I don’t know my way around the city
very well, so I’ll have to rely on you.”
“What interests you?” he asked politely.
She pretended to think. “Museums, art galleries, oh, and I’d like to see the Statue
of Liberty.”
He nodded even as he relayed her wishes to the driver.
The elevator opened into the lobby where they were joined by Davison and
Maxwell. She halted in front of them, took one look and shook her head.
“Is there a problem?” Reynolds asked.
“Look, if you guys are going to shadow me, I’d prefer you didn’t look like
something out of a mafia movie. Not to mention, I’d rather not broadcast the fact that I’m
going around with three bodyguards. That will only make me more conspicuous.”
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SILHOUETTE DESIRE 1944
THE ANETAKIS TYCOONS
“What do you suggest then?” Maxwell muttered. He didn’t look entirely pleased
with her assessment.
“Well, you could lose the shades. They make you look like secret service
wannabes.”
Maxwell and Davison both removed the sunglasses, and Davison glared at her.
She grinned in return.
“Now get rid of the tie and the jacket.”
All three men shook their heads. “The jackets stay.” Davison spoke up for the first
time. To get his point across, he pulled the lapel, opening the jacket enough that she
could see the pistol secured by a shoulder holster.
Her mouth fell open. She wasn’t a screaming ninny about guns. She well
understood the need for them. She just hadn’t realized that Theron was that concerned
over her safety. For a moment she wavered. Maybe breaking away wasn’t such a great
idea. But then in her mind, having three hulking men made her much more noticeable
than if she zipped to the department store and back for her dress.
“Okay, definitely leave the jackets,” she muttered.
They walked outside where the car had pulled around. Davison got into the front
while Maxwell walked around to the opposite passenger door and climbed in. Reynolds
opened the passenger door closest to her and waited for her to get in.
She faked exasperation and slapped her forehead with her open palm. “Wait right
here. I forgot my purse,” she said.
“I’ll get it for you. You get in,” Reynolds said.
But she was already striding toward the hotel entrance. She turned back holding
up a finger. “I won’t be a minute.”
Reynolds started after her, but she quickly rounded the corner and ducked into the
men’s bathroom. He’d most definitely search the women’s room when he figured out
she’d disappeared, but hopefully he wouldn’t think to look in the men’s.
She cracked the door just enough that she could look out. Reynolds hurried by