Page 89 of The Saint

Beth laughed. “Absolutely not. These won’t be the people who get their hands dirty, but the employers of the people who took her? Yeah, maybe.”

The possibility jackknifed her heart. “Maybe…?”

“It’s a safe bet that several party guests have their own goon squads on their private payrolls.”

That didn’t settle Amelia’s nerves. “I don’t understand how no one at the CIA knows who Hailey and Jonathan were focused on. I don’t get it.”

“Therewassomeone who knew,” Beth reminded Amelia. “But that person is dead.” The brightness in her expression faded to somberness. Her shoulders dropped as though that was simply the price they paid for an office mishap.

Wasn’t that all the more reason the CIA should be storming Esme’s party? The murders and abduction were obviously connected. Why weren’t federal agents attending tonight? Or maybe they were, but no one had told Amelia. She recalled what Esme had said: There were many ways to find a solution to a problem.

The doorbell rang.

Beth shook off her grimness. “That would be your handsome partner in crime.” She leaned in close like she was about to share a secret. “His stylist sent me a couple pics. Dark suit. Dark shirt. Matches his dark eyes and hair. He looks like one of those movie stars who plays schmexy Italian mobsters.”

Amelia looked away and laughed, certain that Beth and her CIA skills could sense her stuttering pulse and rising internal temperature. Camden was already a fantasy. Throw him in a well-fitted suit, and Amelia might pass out.

“Wait here,” Beth directed, “and I’ll grab him.”

Amelia took another long sip of her wine as Beth disappeared. She never drank before a work event. That night was different. She had many reasons to be nervous.

Beth squealed at her front door. Amelia’s stomach base jumped into the abyss. Their chatter mingled with Camden’s approaching footsteps. Her insides vibrated with anticipation, then Camden entered the bedroom. She nearly melted into a puddle of sheer lace and feathery eyelashes. Hollywood actors had nothing on Camden. He was leading-man material: tall, dark, and handsome with a lethal dose of danger.

Camden stopped short, like he’d run into an invisible wall, and pulled in a sharp quick breath. “Damn, Amelia.” His eyes ran from her head to her heels and back to her face. “You’re about to steal the show.”

“Isn’t she?” Beth squeaked. “I thought the dress was gorgeous, but when I saw it on Amelia, I died…”

She continued, but the words went fuzzy when Camden stared at Amelia like that. His gaze wrapped around her like his large warm hands had before. He covered her, caressed her, floated her to the highest possible place before her body would combust.

Camden held out a hand. Amelia placed hers in his palm and let him pull her close. Dark heat simmered in his eyes. Desire ticked in his jaw, and the corners of his luscious lips curved.

His mouth dipped to her ear. “You take my breath away.”

“Mine is already gone,” she whispered.

Beth prattled on, oblivious to their sizzling chemistry, which was making Amelia’s knees weak.

He side-glanced toward Beth and cleared his throat. “Maybe I should have stopped for flowers or something. This is like we’re headed to an adults-only prom.”

Beth stopped as though he’d sprouted two heads. “What? No. Flowers would detract from the dress.”

He grinned. “Nothing would detract from this woman.”

“Honestly, Amelia,” Beth chided, “if he wasn’t so handsome, I’d shake him.”

Handsome indeed.The man made the suit. That was true.And this man… larger than life. Broad and towering and absolutely irresistible.Amelia rested her hands on his lapels. “If I freak out and don’t know what to say, I’m supposed to look at you.” She stepped back as his eyes dropped to the slice of her leg now showing. “Okay?”

Camden did a double take on the slits at her thighs. “I’ve been read in and will handle it,” his voice rumbled. “No sweat.”

“If I freeze up—”

“I’ll handle it, Amelia.”

She nodded, nervous but trusting him with her life—and her sister’s. “We might meet someone tonight who knows where Hailey is.”

“And if you think that’s the case,” he said quietly, “keep it to yourself. We’ll debrief later.”

She nodded again. Her nerves were getting worse. “That’s what Beth explained.”

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