Dane

As Dane watched, Lila's expression got a little firmer and she straightened, saying something to the guy, who laughed—even though she wasn't smiling—and leaned into her ear again.

​​

Then when she tried to turn away from him, the guy slid his hand from her back to her butt and Dane swore.

He didn't remember deciding to move, but he was through the crowd and behind her in moments. Over the sound of the people and the music, he could hear the man saying, "…most beautiful women here."

"That's very kind," she replied. "But—"

The guy smiled a smile that Dane wanted to carve off his face. "No buts. I insist. Let me get your drink and then take you to the dancefloor." He reached toward her again and Dane didn't even think, just shifted a step so the man's hand ran into his side instead of hers.

She looked up at him, surprised, then smiled. "Dane," she said. Did he imagine the relief in her voice?

"Hey, it's the famous Dane Daniels," the guy crowed. "How you doing, man? I saw your—"

"If you'd like to go back to the table, I could get you a drink?" Dane said quietly and put his hand on her back.

A small smile crept up. She raised a hand like she'd touch his chest, then changed the movement to shift her clutch to the other arm. "No, it's fine."

"Dude!" the guy said, irritated.

"Are you sure? It's noisy in here," Dane asked Lila, pointedly ignoring the asshat.

"Man, she said no," the guy said, tugging at Dane's arm. Dane snapped around to face him and heard Lila whisper his name. Her hand appeared at his other elbow, but he ignored it, focusing instead on the spot where the guy was holding onto him. "I know you're her boss, but work can wait, you know?" The guy raised his eyebrows and tipped his head like they were friends signaling their choices for the evening.

"No. I don't know," Dane said, his words clipped and cold.

"Dane, it's fine," Lila said quietly to his left.

But the guy was glaring at Dane and he wasn't going to let it go. "Didn't she already tell you she wasn't going to dance?" he said, his voice deceptively calm.

The man huffed a laugh. "They all play hard to get, bro. You take them at their word? Dude, you're going to have to up your game if you think—"

"Dane!" Lila said his name sharp and high as he tensed. "I need to speak with you about that report. Over here." She tugged him in the opposite direction from the man, who looked between them, confused. And more than a little irritated. "Don't mind him," Lila leaned around Dane's broad chest and said to the guy, "He's OCD and a security expert. He thinks every man is a ninja and every woman is a spy," she babbled. "It was nice to meet you, bye!" then she yanked on Dane's arm.

"But—"

"She said no, asshole. Up your own game," Dane snarled, then let Lila pull him through the crowd, around the U-shaped bar until they couldn't see the guy anymore.

She looked left and right, then let go of him and turned on him. "You can't do that."

"Leave it," he said through his teeth, facing the bar. He knew she was right. But he wasn't ready to hear it.

"I'm serious, Dane," she murmured, but she turned to face the bar, standing next to him like they were both in line. "If there's a risk to anyone guessing we're…connected, you can't do stuff like that. That guy was harmless. I knew how to handle him. It was just annoying. Send Chris to help if you ever think there's a real problem."

Dane clenched his teeth so hard he thought his jaw might crack. "Speaking of Chris, did you enjoy your dance?" he said in a low growl.

Lila gave him a decidedly annoyed look. "Really, Dane? You're going to be jealous about me dancing with your brother when I had to watch you be pawed by six different women in the first hour?"

"It's not the same," he started.

Lila scoffed and shook her head. "I'm going to the bathroom," she snapped and turned on her heel. He opened his mouth to ask her what she wanted to drink if he got to the bar while she was gone, but she was already storming toward the hallway on the far side of the bar area.

He knew he hadn't handled that well, but at least she was out from under all these male eyes. He'd make it up to her when she came back.

Stepping out of the thick line of people waiting for drinks, he sidled over to a counter-height table and leaned on it, casually watching in the direction she'd gone. He could see her in the shadows, pulling something out of her clutch. Maybe that wasn't where the bathrooms were? Or maybe she'd just wanted to get away from him.

Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.

YOU ARE A RIDICULOUS MAN.

He frowned. But before he could type back, another text popped.

I'M THIRSTY.

This he could do. WHAT DO YOU WANT? He replied quickly.

The little dots that said she was typing showed up, then stopped. Then showed up again. Then stopped again. No text. Dane frowned. Figuring he was going to get them drinks regardless, he rejoined the people, three-thick at the bar. Then finally his phone buzzed. There was only one word.

YOU.

He snapped his head around to look for where she'd been in the darkened hall outside. She was still there, watching him. But when she saw him looking, she nodded once, and turned away, disappearing into the shadows.

He took a step after her, then stopped. Then another. Then stopped. Swallowing.

She was waiting for him. In the dark.

There were hundreds of people here.

If they were found…

His breath came faster. He looked around at the other men. Then he remembered that dress.

"Fuck it."

He started after her.