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Brandon

Wecouldn’tfollowDanteand Governor Drummond down the long hall of the west wing because the entrance was guarded.

“Care for a walk outside?” I offered Sage my arm.

“Thought you’d never ask.”

We headed through the doors to the terrace, grateful the DJ’s muted beats were still loud enough to conceal our conversation.

Cigar smoke lingered in the cool night air. Glittering string lights extended from the roof of a central gazebo to the tall conifers surrounding the courtyard. A few guests sat on benches, seeking relief from the crowded party. A seven-foot-tall circular hedge maze took up the rest of the garden. The complex labyrinth remained shrouded in darkness with its entry roped off, presumably so drunken revelers didn’t get lost within its twists and turns.

I rested my palm low on Sage’s back and rubbed my thumb over her soft skin. “Are you ready to create a distraction?” I asked as we strolled toward a quiet, dark corner of the west wing. An armed guard eyed our approach.

“Like what, exactly?” Sage asked with a hint of skepticism in her tone. “I don’t think tossing a pebble is going to draw the guard away.”

“I was thinking something a little more…eye-catching.” We stopped near the entrance to the maze. I raised my mask to rest on top of my head.

“Dammit, Bran—”

I trapped Sage’s words with a kiss. There was no need to fake its intensity. Not with this goddess in my arms and her breathy moans begging me for more. I wished we had time to stay like this, but we had to move fast to intercept Dante and the governor at the vault.

I scooped Sage into my arms and carried her toward the entrance of the dark maze, stepping right over theNo Entryrope. I sensed movement from the corner of my eye as the guard left his position, but he didn’t call on us to stop.

We made it around the first corner before I settled Sage on her feet.

“Make a little noise, sweetness,” I said against her ear.

“What?” she whisper shouted.

“You know what kind I mean. Those sexy kitten sounds you make when my head is between your thighs.”

Despite the darkness, I knew Sage was attempting to murder me with her stare. “It feels like it’s only been five minutes since I last called you a douchebag.” She groaned, which almost sounded like the noises I was hoping for.

“Perfect. More of that.”

Sage grabbed my earlobe and squeezed hard. I stifled a grunt.

“Perfect,” she said with extra sass. “More of that.”

When light footsteps approached on the other side of the hedge, Sage decided to play along and started moaning like a B-grade porn star.

I pulled my pistol from the waistband of my pants, preparing for my next move.

“Are you ready for me, baby?” I asked while peering through the thick foliage of the hedge.

“So ready.” Her seductive voice was at odds with her folded arms and one foot tapping an unamused beat.

“I should warn you. This might hurt a bit.” My arm shot through the hedge. I grabbed the back of the guard’s head, pulled it through the greenery, and slammed the butt of my pistol into his forehead. His eyes rolled back before he dropped to the ground with a thud.

I turned to Sage. “So, was it good for you?”

She brushed past me. “How did I end up dating a two-hundred-fifty-pound man-child?”

I stabbed a sedative into the guard so he stayed out cold, then stole his radio and earpiece.

With the coast clear on this side of the courtyard, we made our way to the west wing’s nearest access point. I used a lock-picking tool to open the door, then we were inside.