Page 91 of Enticing the Enforcer

Marv appears from nowhere, solid as a wall, doing his best to be an obstacle between me and Ingrid.

“Hey, Marv. Long time.”

Ingrid’s security guard is good. Way too good.

“You know you can’t be here.” His tone isn’t angry, just flat, like I’m already one wrong move away from being tossed out on my ass.

I wince. “I have a ticket. I swear. Ask the lady at the front.”

“Just because you have a ticket doesn’t mean you’re welcome.”

True. Dead true. My mouth goes dry. “Look, man, I just–I want to talk to her. Just for a minute. I’m not here to cause problems.”

“No can do.” Marv clamps a hand around my elbow. Not rough, but firm enough that the message is clear: walk, or I’ll make you. My pulse kicks up.

“Marv, wait.”

We both turn at the voice and my savior isn’t who I expect. Madison sweeps up in a floor length beaded blue gown, hair piled on her head like a beauty queen. Her eyes narrowing the moment they land on me.

“I have no idea how you pulled this off,” she mutters under her breath.

“I swear. I’m not here to?—”

“Save it.” She cuts me off, crossing her arms. For a second, I brace for her to tell Marv to haul me out by the collar. Instead, she sighs, heavy and frustrated. “Let him go.”

Marv raises a brow. “You sure?”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

I stare at her, blindsided. “You will?”

Marv’s expression asks the same question, but he releases me and says, “Okay. Call me if there’s trouble.”

He takes a step back, but I feel his eyes still on me. I turn to Madison. “Why are you doing this?”

Her jaw tightens. “Because I already fucked up once, and my friendship with Ingrid means more to me than anything else. If I can give her the chance to get closure, I’m going to take it.” Her eyes bore into mine. “Just don’t hurt her. She can’t go through any more heartbreak.”

I nod. “I don’t plan on it.”

She studies me one last time before jerking her head toward the French doors. “Out there. Patio. Five minutes. That’s all you get.”

The doors open, and cool night air rushes over me, salt curling in with the sound of the ocean. The waves crash steady against the beach, a rhythm that seems to sync with my pulse. I pace once, twice, trying to catch my breath, when the door clicks again.

And Ingrid steps out.

I let my gaze sweep over her curves, I can’t stop it. The dress, the armor. “Prepared for battle, Angel?”

Her lips curve, but it’s not really a smile. “It appears so.”

“Well, you look beautiful.” My fingers twitch with the urge to brush the hair off her shoulder.

“How did you get in here?” she asks, looking over my shoulder. I have no doubt Marv is nearby.

“Legally,” I confirm. “Turns out there are perks to being a professional hockey player other than fame and glory.”

She exhales, eyes flicking back toward the ballroom like she’s already planning her exit. I can feel her pulling away, and panic flares hot in my chest.

“Ingrid, wait. I need to explain.”