Page 99 of New Nebraska Heat
I squeezed Bryce’s forearm. “Why did you show him we can touch?”
“I’m proud to be yours. I hope you don’t mind me not hiding it. And I also want that old viper Blunton to always second guess himself when it comes to me. He’s always thought he’s too good for anyone who disagrees with him. Anyway, never mind him. He has one goal and that is to take as much control as he can. That shyster isn’t getting a single cent from me. He’s already had way too much free advertising.” He gestured to two lofty, open doors with guests gathered beyond on polished marble or strolling in lush gardens. “Our table’s out there on the Grand Terrace. Care to eat under the stars?”
“Mr. Harding,” I said with a theatrical gasp, hand flying to my chest. “You do know how to spoil a human girl.”
“One in particular, yes,” he said.
Smiling, I took a breath of the fresh air coming through the doors and resolved to forget Blunton and Conrad and let myself enjoy tonight.
Serenity
The Grand Terrace stretched so far in both directions, I could barely see the ends through all the bow ties and ballgowns. And the gardens, holy crap. It was like half of New Nebraska had been landscaped. Melodious fountains, tinkling and gurgling their watery songs, were dotted around the grounds like giant chess pieces, lit up and shining brightly under the star-speckled sky.
We sat at the terrace restaurant, our table cordoned off to the side of the bar. I hadn’t found Ceci yet, but hadn’t looked too hard, focusing on filling my belly first.
Seb had reappeared not long ago, with a report that Dagger was in too good a mood to badmouth anyone.
“You might have to let him keep those winnings,” he’d told Bryce as he sat. “He’s already halfway to the goal.”
I cleared my first plate in record time and stood up to grab more bruschetta with Hunter when I spotted Prince Osric leaning on the bar top, sipping from a tumbler of amber liquid and ice.
“We should say hello.” I nodded toward him, thinking he’d know where Ceci was, and Bryce and Seb got up from the table too, followed by a cluster of security. Bryce told the lead bodyguard to spread a few of his team along the central terrace’s outer rim, keeping their noses peeled, while the rest joined us in surrounding the prince.
As we got close, I saw sadness lingering in the prince’s striking emerald eyes.
“Your Highness? Are you all right?” I asked.
He blinked and jerked his head, as if waking from a dream. “Oh, please excuse me, I’ve been drifting as usual.” He stuck out a hand. “It’s very nice to meet you again, but I’m afraid I was incredibly rude last time and forgot to ask your name. Miss…?”
“Dawson, Serenity Dawson.” When Osric released my hand, I reached for Seb’s, pulling him up beside me. “You know Hunter and Bryce, but did you meet Sebastian? He works with me at Midas News.”
“Charmed,” Osric said, shaking with Seb. “Solid journalism is noble work.” He peeked over my head. “Speaking of noble work, is Detective Pierce here?
“He’s over at the craps tables, causing pandemonium as usual,” I said with a laugh.
Prince Osric drained his glass, clinking it on a nearby table. “I think I’ll make my way over there. See if he’s got time to discuss the worrisome issue he brought up at Serafina’s funeral.” His composure wobbled, but he forced a smile. “And of course, I’ll try to lose as much money for good causes as I can.”
He half-turned toward another table as if about to leave, and I cleared my throat.
“Osric,” I said a little bashfully, “is Ceci around here somewhere?”
He turned back with a smile. “Yes, she was touring the garden, but she’s coming out now.” He pointed toward a path poking out of a hedgerow, where Ceci appeared, holding the hem of her dress upoff the path like a princess. “She’s headed toward our table there. She’ll be delighted to see you.”
Osric ducked away from the bar, inclining his head to us. When I looked back to the table, I found Ceci’s hand frantically waving for my attention. That sweet-looking bear shifter from the funeral was at her side, steadily devouring what looked like a whole leg of lamb. He looked up as we approached, smiling at Hunter who said, “That as good as it looks?”
The bear shifter just smiled around his huge bite, and Hunter moaned.
“You just ate,” I laughed, swatting Hunter’s chest.
“That was finger food.” He took the seat the bear shifter offered silently. “That’sa real meal.”
“Aaron said almost the exact same thing.” Ceci chuckled.
Hunter raised his hand with a polite call to a nearby waiter.
While Hunter ordered, Bryce stayed standing, his smile showing hesitancy at sitting near to strangers. “Good evening you two. Nice to meet you.” He looked to Ceci. “Hope you’re having a nice time?”
“I am.” She pointed her fork toward her salmon. “And everything’s delicious. It’s really nice to meet you too, Mr. Harding. I know you’re a big part of this happening tonight.”
