Page 80 of Silent Comrade
Alarm bells clanged in Red’s brain. Whateverthe women were cooking up hadbad ideawritten all over it.“Whoa. What’s going on here?”
Britt rushed over and hugged him around thewaist, the action fierce and perfect. He couldn’t stop his armsfrom snaking around her small frame. “Oh my gosh. I might stillpull off the show. If you’ll help me.”
Warmth spread through him at the easy wayher arms encircled him. He would give her the world to continuethis feeling. He’d give her time, materials, his left arm.Anything. “Of course, but … what do you need?”
“More of your friends. And a few more ofTachi.”
He might have the best hearing in the world,but he must have misunderstood. “Huh?”
Britt leaned back, a determined glint in hereye. “I’m going to use my alternative collection. It’s your luckyday, Mr. Fashion Student. You and your buddies justbecamethe show.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
The rest of the weekend flew by in a rush ofwhirling activity.
The four of them returned to the apartmentto regroup and plan. Britt pulled up and printed out old designsshe had mocked up a year or so ago, but had discarded in lieu ofher plan for a teen line of clothing. While the guys communicatedthe change in plans with their commander, Britt and Tachibrainstormed and updated the sketches to prep for cutting andsewing.
The new theme:Hope Greater Than TheWorld. Ambitious. Perfect for the biggest Hail Mary in SCAD’shistory.
Tachi’s relentless, confident approach toher modeling career had inspired Britt’s theme when she had createdthe old sketches. Never in a million years had Britt expected toput a collection together with such short notice. As for findingbig and tall models? The guys had to bolster security. Bettingmoney was on Lequire making a play for her. More teammates wereheaded to Atlanta and Britt could use them in the show.
With Tachi’s network, it looked like shewould get two more plus-sized female models.
Britt’s heart soared. She had a chance tofill her allocated slot in SCAD’s fashion show. She stillcontrolled her destiny.
The dilemma of finding money to buy fabricwas answered when Red silently opened his wallet at the JOANNFabric store counter on Sunday. Large bills. No questions, nohesitation.
With grim expressions and tormented huffs,Red and Rodeo carried two precarious towers of bolts andaccessories out the door and to Rodeo’s black SUV.
Britt’s ears rang after hours of sitting infront of a chugging sewing machine that Sunday evening. She’dkicked off her ballet flats many hours ago, but kept the scarf inplace to hide her fading bruises. Thank God for the comfy A-lineskirt and t-shirt ensemble today. Easier to work in.
Tachi had volunteered for light sewing dutyat a nearby table. Even Rodeo had contributed, sewing buttons.Sure, his learning curve was slowed by poked and bleeding fingers.Not to mention an inventive string of curses.
Red patrolled constantly, never stopping. Heeither monitored the camera feeds on his cell phone, or he walked acircuit through and around the building. A few other students cameand went during the weekend, putting finishing touches on theircollections, oblivious to the danger surrounding all of them.
There was no intel about Lequire. Radiosilence. Their teammate Gonzo would join them soon. When Dadarrived in town for the show, there would be additional teammatesprotecting him as well.
Reagan wanted to attend but agreed to stayin the compound for safety. Of course, Kiera couldn’t attend. Shemade way too tempting a target. Dad had volunteered to recordBritt’s portion of the show.
Her stomach flipped and quivered. God, Brittdidn’t want to disappoint her family. She scrubbed her burning eyesand straightened out her spine with a few satisfying cracks. Oh,man. Midnight. The fashion lab had been empty for hours.
Monday morning work in the coffee shop wasgoing to suck. Not as much as class and facing Jenna. Her palmsgrew clammy in anticipation of confronting her saboteur.
“Need a break?” The low voice came frombehind her and vibrated through her entire body. Red. He’d become asteady anchor in the whirlwind of her life.
Poor guy didn’t understand how a show gotput together, all the steps involved, or collection development.The one thing he seemed to understand was that Britt needed thisproject to succeed. She needed one thing to call her own. Needed tofulfill Mom’s last wish. Britt’s degree. Her pride. Her destiny onher own terms.
“Let’s call it a night,” she said.
Tachi and Rodeo had left a few hours ago,returning to the apartment where Rodeo had patrol duties.
“Whatever you need.” The sensual weight ofhis quiet words was unmistakable.
Wasn’t she mad at him for something? Lying?Omitting the truth, but still. He had made up some ground bysupporting her. She stared at his firm lips, his clenched jaw, andthat intense stare.
Libido flared in the aftermath of thisweekend’s creative frenzy. Warmth pooled in her belly.
Suddenly taking a breath took effort.“Anything?”
