rglass figure, the thigh-high slit flashing a glimpse of toned leg as Alexander Holt guided her into the swirl of the gala. His hand rested firmly on her waist, the heat of his t

t in Kandahar-had taught her to master her body's reactions. But Alexander, with

he orchestra's waltz. His lips were close to her ear, his breath stirring the loose

r, where Victor Crane, the CFO, still lingered, his red tie stark against his ill-fitting tux. The woman in silver-Lena Voss, she was sure now-leaned in close, their conversation too int

d his, and she caught the faint scent of sandalwood on his skin. "You're doing both," he said,

tery won't distract me, Holt. Crane's hiding something, and Voss is in on it. I need to ge

hers, intense and unyielding. "Rush in,

al. Kandahar had stripped her of softness, leaving scars and a friend's blood on her hands. She met his gaze, her attitude flaring. "Don't t

s smirk didn't fade. "I don't doubt it. But this isn't a

ith Voss trailing behind. Her instincts screamed-follow, now. She stepped out of Alexander's hold, ignoring the jolt of

f gowns and tuxedos. Her hand brushed her thigh, confirming the knife strapped beneath her dress. The weight grounded her, a reminder of missions whe

, her senses sharp, catching the faint murmur of voices around a corner. She glanced back at Alex

He stepped closer, his body brushing hers in the narro

ve handled worse than a shady CFO w

and something hotter. "You're my secur

s's, smooth but insistent. Eleanor nodded curtly, motioning for Alexander to follow. They crept forward, her military training guidi

ing, his voice a harsh whisper. "They'r

icy. "Not if you stick to the plan

"She's a hired gun, nothing mor

his eyes burning with fury. She held up a hand, signaling him to stay quiet, but his hand grazed her ar

His new bodyguard's sniffing

he'd faced worse threats in war zones and come out swinging. Alexander's hand tightene

the noise. Eleanor yanked Alexander behind a velvet curtain, her body pressed against his in the tight space. His breath was ho

that made her heart stutter. His grip tightened, and she felt the hard

Eleanor exhaled, stepping back, her skin buzzing. "We need thos

er, dark with something that wasn't just ang

onaire." She slipped out from the curtain, her mind racing w