Page 60 of Some Like It Scandalous
“Trust is a leap of faith. Tonight, we are trusting these students to take these advantages and leap with them as they become who they were meant to be. Thank you very much.”
Applause rose to deafening levels and Anna swiped at her cheek and smiled as she turned to shake hands with a dozen well-wishers. They closed in on the stage, but her security was there and they kept them from getting too close in larger than groups of one or two.
“Many men would follow a woman like that,” Kachusov said in Russian, resuming their conversation as if it hadn’t been interrupted.
“Perhaps, but she has no desire to lead—only help those less fortunate.” He dragged his gaze away and fought to keep a bored look on his face. “Which is not as much fun as she makes it sound. If you gentlemen will excuse me…” He strolled away, his skin crawling with a thousand ants nibbling at him. He wanted to go over and sweep Anna up in his arms, congratulate her on the brilliant speech. But dismissing her publicly—it would protect her.
And he wanted her alive more.
ANNA
“Are you ready to go in?” Kyle slipped up to stand right at her elbow. The doors on the other end of the grand ballroom opened and guests began to filter in to their tables.
“In a minute.” She’d managed to keep from searching the room for the last hour, but when she’d looked at Charlie during the speech, a pulse went through her. For those few seconds, they connected—really connected. Gaze skimming the crowd, she searched for him now. When she located him, he stood near the entrance—alone.
As inwithout his securityalone.
What is he doing? Where are they?
Frowning, she picked up her skirt and started forward. A series of popping noises bounced beneath the noise of the crowd. Anna didn’t make it another step. Kyle’s hand locked on her arm and suddenly she was up off the ground and going backward. Armand disappeared out the door and three security suits surged forward.
“Wait.” She fought Kyle’s arm, but he didn’t slow. Kate was right in front of her—and Anna barely had time to process the fact that her “assistant” had a gun. Three additional guards closed around them. They didn’t slow until they were out a side door and she was tucked into a car. Kyle slipped into the front seat.
“What’s going on?” She couldn’t swallow the sour taste of fear in her throat or banish the quaver from her voice.
Kate stared at her for a half second. “Novak secure.” She closed the door and banged the roof. They were leaving their own party.
“Kyle.” She reached forward to touch the seat. “What happened?”
“Shots fired. Hang on…” He clearly listened to whatever chatter happened on his earbud. The SUV swung around a hard corner and she held on to the seat to stay upright.
Charlie was by himself.
He’d arrived with a gaggle of old girlfriends.
He’d ignored her.
But that moment…that moment during her speech when she’d looked at him—she didn’t imagine that.
He made himself the target…
She closed her eyes as they swung around another corner. He was so upset about Richard. He sent his brothers away. He must have arranged to sweep Alyx out of the country. He buried her in guards—her “loaned” assistant apparently had been one too.
And he walked through that crowd alone, unguarded and highly visible.
Please let him be okay.
“Roger that, we’re taking Miss Novak back to the tower right now.” Kyle gave her a small smile. “They have the shooter in custody.”
Heart squeezing in her chest, she nodded. “Charlie?”
“His Highness will be fine. They are securing the location, Kate will continue to take donations, but for now we need to get you back to the tower.” The guard turned around in the seat and faced forward. Anna exhaled a low breath. Charlie did it all to lure out the person or persons issuing the threats.
He put himself in danger to protect his family.
Rubbing a hand against her face, she stared out at the passing night. She didn’t think her heart would slow until she had her arms around him—hell, she didn’t even know if she would kiss him or throttle him for being so careless with his own life.
Please don’t be hurt…
