by Anna Blakely
The stranger introduced himself to the other two women, but the guy’s focus was clearly on Brynnon. Every muscle in Grant’s body tensed.
“Who’s that?” Coop asked casually, sipping his own drink.
“No idea.”
Coop gave the man an assessing glance. “He seems really familiar, but I can’t place him.” He took another sip. “Looks like you may have competition, though.”
Tearing his attention away from the women, Grant glared at his other teammate. “There is no competition.”
Scoffing, Coop swallowed another sip. “Not so sure about that.”
“Well, I am.” Grant turned to him. “I’ve told you, there’s nothing going on between me and Bryn.”
Coop’s hazel eyes looked back at him as if he were confused. “So?”
“So...” Grant tried to get through to the hard-head. “There’s no competition.”
His teammate hid a smirk behind his glass. “That’s probably good, ‘cause they’re both walking this way.”
Grant turned his head, and sure enough, Brynnon and the unknown man were headed straight for him. With a smile he’d come to relish, she stopped a few inches in front of him.
“Grant, I’d like you to meet Lucas Campbell. Lucas, this is Grant, the former SEAL I was telling you about.”
Lucas. Fucking. Campbell.
For Brynnon’s sake only, Grant didn’t react to being introduced to her douchebag ex-boyfriend. He also didn’t punch his fist down the guy’s throat like he wanted.
“It’s an honor to meet you.” Lucas held out his hand. “And let me just say, thank you for your service.”
Standing, Grant shook the man’s outstretched hand, squeezing harder than necessary. “Thanks.” When he didn’t let go, Brynnon quickly jumped in.
“And this is Coop. He’s also former military. Army Ranger, I believe.” Brynnon looked to Coop for confirmation.
“Yes, ma’am.” Coop stood and shook the guy’s hand, as well. “Nice to meet you.”
Lucas returned the gesture. “You, too. And, thank you, as well.”
“You’re welcome,” Coop smiled back. “It’s nice to meet someone who appreciates what the troops do for our country.”
The other man smiled. “That’s why I try to make the scenes in my games as realistic as possible.”
Coop’s eyes grew wide as saucers as he snapped his finger. “That’s where I’ve seen you. You’re The Lucas Campbell.” He turned to Grant. “This is the guy who created War & Retribution.”
Not having a clue what his friend was talking about, Grant gave him a blank stare.
His teammate’s jaw nearly dropped. “Please tell me you know what WR is.”
“Sorry.” Grant shook his head.
“Dude. You’ve got to check it out. It’s literally the top-rated military action game on the market. It’s made this guy millions, it’s that good.”
“I take it you play?” Lucas asked Coop.
“Are you kidding? Every chance I get. Your graphics are incredible. It’s great you care enough about the military to get the details right.”
“Well, I try my best.”
“You serve?” Grant asked, already sure he knew the answer.
Lucas brought his blue eyes back to Grant’s. “No, sir. I wanted to, but unfortunately, my asthma kept me out.”
Asthma. Right.
If he had a dollar for every badass wannabe who’d claimed their ‘dream’ of joining the military was crushed by a sudden asthma diagnosis, he could’ve retired years ago.
“I didn’t know you had asthma,” Brynnon frowned.
“It wasn’t diagnosed until after you and I...well. I didn’t find out until later.”
“Oh.” Brynnon nodded, buying the pretentious prick’s story. “My dad was turned away for medical reasons, as well. I don’t know if I ever told you that.” She smiled at Lucas again. “But I believe everything happens for a reason, so that means there was something else you were meant to do. And seeing the generous gift you’ve given to the hospital’s juvenile cancer research foundation, I think I know what that reason was. Or, at least part of it, anyway.”
Feigning humility, Lucas shook his head. “Oh, well. I don’t know about all that. I do have something else in the works, though.”
“A new game?” Coop asked anxiously.
The guy chuckled. “Well, I can’t really talk about it yet, but yeah.”
“Sounds mysterious,” Brynnon commented, still smiling at the fucker. “Come on. I’d like to introduce to you a few more people within the organization. I know they’re going to be thrilled to meet you.”
Before walking away with her ex, she gave Grant a wink and a nod, telling him without words not to worry.
Not likely, Princess.
He kept his eyes glued to the pair as they stopped to talk with an older couple. When Brynnon placed one of her hands on the other man’s bicep as she laughed, Grant’s curled into tight fists at his sides.
“Jesus,” Coop exclaimed from beside him. “You’d better wipe that look off your ugly mug before she sees it.”
Grant looked away from her long enough to glower down at his teammate. “What look?”
Coop pointed at him. “That one. You look like you’re about to go rip the guy’s arm clean off.” His teammate tilted his head. “Funny. I never really took you for the jealous type.”
Shit. Grant had been so focused on Brynnon’s laugh and the way the asshole was smiling down at her, he’d forgotten all about trying to school his expression.
“I’m not fucking jealous. I’m...concerned.” He glanced at Campbell then back to Coop. “Brynnon dated that guy in college. He screwed her over, and now all of a sudden, he shows up here? I don’t know.” Grant shook his head. “Something about him bothers me.”
“Yeah,” his friend snickered. “Like the fact that he’s hitting on your girl.”
With a seething glare, Grant worked to control his temper. “Told you before, she’s not my girl. She’s—”
“Looks like Brynnon may have found herself an admirer.”
Both men turned to see Mac walking toward them. Grant still couldn’t get used to seeing her with her long, blonde hair down. It was a much different look than the ponytail she usually wore. Of course, everything about her was different, tonight.
Typically, the former Ranger wore jeans or cargo pants, and either a T-shirt or tank top, depending on the weather. Tonight, Mac had definitely dressed for the occasion.
The low-cut, sequin black dress was tight and stopped just above her knees. The high-as-fuck heels she was wearing added a few inches of height, but the kick-ass operative still only stood all of five-four.
Yeah, she may look like the All-American cheerleader type, but Grant—and the rest of R.I.S.C.—knew better. When needed, Mac could play the sweet and innocent role perfectly. But put her in a shooting competition, or hell, even hand-to-hand, and Grant’s money was on her. Every. Single. Time.
“Hey.” Coop stared back at her. “I, uh, meant to tell you earlier. You look...great.”
“Thanks.” Mac tucked some hair behind her ear. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
Grant watched the somewhat awkward exchange, thankful their focus was no longer on him, but each other.
“So.” Mac looked up at him and smiled. “You gonna go kick that guy’s ass, or do you want me to do it?”
Damn. Spoke too soon.
“Why would I kick his ass?”
“Seriously?” Mac’s brows arched. “The guy’s hot, loaded, and charming as hell. And he clearly has Brynnon in his sights.”
Grant’s spine stiffened. “What do you mean?”
Mac studied him a minute, a knowing smile slowly forming. “There it is.”
“There’s what?”
Using a perfectly manicured finger, Mac made circles in the air up toward his face. “You’ve got this whole, silent jealous thing going on. Surprised the hell out of me when I first looked ov
er here and saw it, but I get it.” She shrugged. “Brynnon seems really great. Plus, I think she may have just enough spunk to keep you in line.”
“Jesus Christ,” Grant spat out the words. “You’re just as bad as he is.” He used his thumb to point toward Coop. “For the last fucking time, there’s nothing going on between Brynnon and me. Got it?”
“If you say so.” Mac shrugged one of her petite shoulders. It was obvious she thought he was full of shit.
Rather than continue on with the pointless argument, Grant looked back to where Brynnon had been standing. Only, she wasn’t there.
His heart began to thump against his ribcage as he immediately began scanning the room. “Where’d she go?”
Mac and Coop both turned their heads on a swivel. Coop shook his head. “She was right there a second ago.”
“I know where she was,” he spouted back. “I need to know where she is.”
Grant knew he was being even more of an ass than usual, but fuck. He’d only taken his eyes off her for a second, and now...
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?”
Grant, Coop, and Mac all turned their focus to the temporary stage that had been set up at the end of the large ballroom. There, standing at the podium, was Brynnon.
“See?” Coop squeezed his shoulder. “Nothing to worry about.”
Slowly, Grant let out the breath he’d been holding, mentally chastising himself for not keeping a better eye on her. He’d let Coop’s and Mac’s taunts about Campbell fuck with his head, but he needed to get control of that shit. Now.
He’d never lost a client, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to start with this one.
Not her. I can’t ever lose her.
Clearing his throat, he listened as Brynnon continued to speak.
“First of all, I’d like to thank each and every one of you again for coming tonight. I just spoke with our treasurer, and we not only made our goal for this evening, we surpassed it. So please, give yourselves a round of applause.”
Once the clapping died down, she began again. “I know it’s hard to believe, but our time together is quickly coming to an end. Just as we’ve done in year’s past, our event tonight will end with the annual charity dancing competition. If you have not signed up yet, there’s still time. And, as with our earlier silent auction, all proceeds will go directly to the foundation.”
Brynnon waited for another short round of applause before continuing. “This year’s dance will be the waltz.”
Grant’s chest tightened and he had to force himself to take in a long, slow breaths as Brynnon went on with her spiel.
“For those who have never participated before, you and your partner will go out onto the dance floor. Once the music begins, each couple will dance until the end of the song. Afterward, the couples will line up, and the winners will be chosen by applause. The lucky winners will not only receive the beautiful trophies donated to us for this evening”—she held up a golden silhouette of a couple dancing— “but more importantly, they’ll have bragging rights for the entire year.”
The crowd laughed and Brynnon explained there were only a few more minutes to sign up if there was anyone who still wanted to join in. After pointing out the sign-up table at the opposite end of the room, she thanked everyone again for coming and wished them a safe trip home.
Carefully stepping off the stage, she looked over the crowd to him. Their eyes met, and she smiled as she began making her way back to him.
Good girl.
She was almost to the end of the bar when Lucas stepped into her path. Grant couldn’t tell what he was asking her, but he didn’t miss the disappointing look Brynnon gave the other man as she shook her head.
Maybe the fucknut asked her out, and she turned him down.
Convinced that was it, Grant relaxed his shoulders and waited for her return. A second later, Angie came up to them, eyes wide with shock as she began whispering loudly to Mac.
“Did you hear that? Lucas Campbell just asked Brynnon if she wanted to be dancing partners for the competition.”
Grant forced a steady breath into his lungs, refusing to react.
“Seriously?” Mac’s voice turned high-pitched. “Is she going to do it?”
“God, I hope not,” Angie fumed. “That man put her through hell once, already.”
“Really?” Mac seemed surprised. “Well, with those looks and his money and charm...she may decide to give him another chance. I know I would.”
Grant’s eyes flew back to where Brynnon and Richie Rich were talking. The guy was still trying to talk her into dancing with him, and from the look in Brynnon’s eyes, she was actually considering it.
As Mac continued listing off reasons Brynnon should re-think giving Lucas the brush-off, Coop leaned over and whispered into his ear.
“You gonna let this happen?”
He turned to face him. “What can I do about it?”
“Gee, Hill. I don’t know. Maybe you should”—Coop made a shooing motion with his hands— “go ask her to dance with you, instead?”
The pressure in his chest worsened. Grant shook his head. “I don’t dance.”
“Too bad ‘cause it looks like ol’ Campbell, there, is about to go in for the kill. I mean, sure it’s just a dance, but who knows what it’ll lead to? All that soft music playing in the background. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Their bodies pressed up against each other as they reminisce about old times.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
The order came out much louder than intended. Thankfully, Brynnon was far enough away, she hadn’t heard it. However, the bartender, Mac, and Angie all abruptly stopped what they were doing and stared up at him.
With a sideways grin, Coop suggested, “Better hurry.”
Goddamnit.
Grant pressed his lips together as he looked at Brynnon and Campbell again. She was definitely wavering in her resolve, and...sonofabitch. She was going to do it.
“Fuck it.”
Before he could change his mind, Grant slammed his glass down onto the bar and stormed toward her. Brynnon had just opened her mouth—probably to tell the prick yes—when she spotted him.
Her pretty eyes widened in alarm, no doubt a result of his pissed-at-the-world expression. Yeah, he knew he should probably control that shit, but right now Grant couldn’t bring himself to care.
For years, as both a former SEAL and now a R.I.S.C. operative, he’d come face-to-face with deadly explosives. Had been in countless situations where his life literally depended on his ability to maintain his cool.
This was not one of those times.
“Grant?” Brynnon looked up at him, concern filling those gorgeous seas of green “Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
Ignoring her questions, Grant stepped right in front of Campbell, nearly knocking the guy over in the process. Locking eyes with the other man, he grabbed Brynnon’s hand and rumbled, “She already has a partner.”
Careful not to be too rough, he pulled her with him as he began walking away.
Brynnon’s heels clicked loudly, working to keep up as he marched them both across the room to the competition sign-ups.
****
Chapter 14
“What are you doing?” Brynnon hissed. She couldn’t decide which she felt more...pissed off or embarrassed.
Grant grabbed a pen from the table and leaned down, adding both their names to the bottom of the registration list. The list filled with couples who were about to compete.
“I’m signing us up,” he grumbled. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“I know what you’re doing,” she whispered back. “It was a rhetorical question.”
Grant sat the pen down and reached for his wallet. “If you already knew the answer, why’d you ask?”
He pulled out enough cash to cover the registration fee before returning his wallet to his back pocket.
The woman at the table smiled up at him. “Than
k you so much for your donation, sir. You know, I was just about to close the registration, so you got here just in time.” She turned to Brynnon. “You’re the last couple to sign up.”
Brynnon forced a smile in return and looked back at Grant. With a tug to his jacket sleeve, she moved them out of earshot from the kind woman.
“I meant, why are you doing this?”
Grant shrugged one of his large shoulders. “You wanted to compete, right?”
Brynnon blinked. “Well, yes, but—”
Before she could finish, he’d grabbed her hand and was pulling her along with him once more. With no other choice but to follow—unless she wanted to cause a scene, which she didn’t—Brynnon walked twice as fast to keep up with his long stride.
They weaved their way through the other couples waiting for the music to start, finally stopping in an open area at the other end of the dance floor, near the stage. Letting go of her hand, Grant turned to face her.
“Put your left hand on my right shoulder.”
Feeling as though her eyes were going to bug out of her head, Brynnon looked up at him as if he were nuts.
“You’re kidding, right?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, the frustratingly handsome man simply raised that damn brow of his.
Doing her best to keep her voice down, she said, “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but this is not the time or place to try and make some sort of point.”
Grant suddenly looked grumpier than usual. “I’m not trying to prove a point.”
Could’ve fooled me. “Is this because Lucas asked me to dance with him?” She looked at him for another second, and then gasped. “Holy crap.” Brynnon looked around to make sure no one was listening before whispering, “Are you jealous?”
Grant swallowed but remained quiet.
“Well, if this is some sort of pissing match, you can stop. I told you what that man put me through. I was only talking to him and introducing him because tonight is about the kids and causing a scene with my ex wouldn’t exactly go over well with the donors. And yes, Lucas is apparently one of those donors, but there is no way in hell I’d even think about getting back together with him. So, you’ve won.” When he still didn’t respond, she gave him a pointed look. “Seriously, Grant. The music’s about to start and people are looking at us.”