“I didn’t post about you,” he burst out. “I swear I didn’t. My Facebook page was hacked, and the next thing I know someone posted stuff that I never would’ve dreamed of sharing, and I had no way of getting rid of it or changing it.”
There were way too many questions she needed answered, but at least he had her attention. “You know, that’s fascinating, but this is not a good time. I need to be somewhere else five minutes ago.”
“I can drive you,” he offered eagerly before cringing. “I know, I’m probably one of the last people you would trust, but I swear, anything you need and I promise I’ll do what I can to help you. I feel so awful about—”
“Give me your driver’s license,” she demanded. Along with the mystery of Kendra’s missing car, the media sticks were burning a hole in her pocket. She needed to get back to the gala this instant.
Adam fumbled in his wallet then handed the card to her.
She pointed at him, backing toward the coffee shop to the side of the apartment doors. “I’m leaving your info with my friend. If anything happens to me, they will know exactly who to track down.”
He nodded. “I’ll grab the Jeep.”
She was walking a fool’s path, but Pepper had no choice. After doing what she needed to be safe by leaving Adam’s information with Timothy the barista, Adam could take her back to the hotel, and maybe during the drive he could explain what the heck he was talking about.
A sea of happy faces surrounded Jack, the grand foyer of the hotel filled with people greeting each other enthusiastically. A festive mood hovered in the air along with the hum of voices.
“I’ve checked the perimeter, sir. Other than the actual guests of honor, most of the gala attendees are trickling in at a steady pace.” Gillian stood at ease beside him, her dark brown eyes taking in every inch of the room as she reported in. “Looks like another successful mission completed.”
Jack fought the urge to snap off a salute. “You do know this is a party we set up, not a military coup.”
Gillian looked sheepish for a moment, before letting out a sigh. “You guys think I’m a total stick-in-the-mud, huh?”
“That’s not true,” he protested.
“I’m not, you know,” she said as if he hadn’t spoken. “I can be a lot of fun.”
He’d seen enough humor twinkling in her eyes to know she wasn’t lying, but he couldn’t help but make a cautious remark. “You could stand to lighten up sometimes.”
“I know.” Something indecipherable crossed her expression. “I’m just trying to be professional. The last time I let my guard down…” She didn’t finish the sentence, just shrugged instead. “I appreciate this job, Jack. I really do.”
He smiled, realizing it was the first time she’d used his name instead of sir. “Good. We’re glad to have you on board.”
They turned together to face the hallway leading to the grand ballroom where the festivities would start in just a few hours’ time. “I’m going to go check on Pepper. You need anything?”
Gillian shook her head. “Dean and I leave at seventeen hundred hours for that last-minute recon assignment. Everything else is in order, and with Colby as backup, you should be fine.”
The woman was right. There really wasn’t that much for DreamMakers to do at this point anymore. Most of their work was over once they’d dealt with the timing and coordination of getting people to the event.
Except for Pepper. She had a job to complete, and he was primed to cheer her on as she showed off her stuff.
He found himself grinning as he took the stairs two at a time up to the room where she’d organized her computer equipment. After the incredible evening they’d shared, there hadn’t been a chance yet for him to do the next thing. He wasn’t about to simply blurt out in front of everyone exactly how he felt. But once they were finished with this gala, Jack had plans to steal her away. Head up the coast and rock her socks off at some classy resort.
Tell her he was crazy about her. Crazier than she might even have guessed, smart woman that she was.
He cautiously stuck his head through the doorway, not wanting to interrupt her if she was busy.
There was no one behind the computer desk.
“That little bitch. I bet she did this on purpose.”
Jack spun around at the outraged feminine cry. Charlene stood in the doorway, her hair artfully arranged in an elegant updo, her blue eyes bright with anger. “What?”
The anger turned on him. “If she’s not back in time, I’m holding you responsible. What were you thinking, giving your girlfriend a pity job like that? Don’t you realize how important this is to me?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said evenly. “Where’s Pepper?”