Page 59 of Perfect Order

“Which head? That does make a difference,” Beckett wonders.

I manage to keep a straight face, even as the rest of the car snickers. Fortunately, we pull up to the entrance of the studio right then. I slide out before I lose my composure. It really doesn’t do well to give Beckett the upper hand in any situation—something I need to remind his team of.

But I do allow myself a quick grin as we reach the elevator. Though I suppose it is a valid question in his case if what I walked in on between him and Paige is a regular thing.

You did what?Leanne’s comment comes back so fast, I’m in shock. I’ve never met anyone who can type this fast.

“What the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn’t just forget I saw her there,” I reply indignantly.

Umm…

“Exactly. She was naked, Leanne. Head-to-toe naked. And she was lying across the entrance to Beckett’s dressing room backstage like a pagan sacrifice.”

That’s so—

“Don’t say it,” I warn her.

—sweet. Not many men would have taken their custom-made jacket off to cover a groupie.

“She lost the coat when she was arrested. Made for some interesting tabloid photos. And her father a congressman? Yeah, that went over real well.” I take a drink of the bottled water next to me.

Oh, I bet. Forget whatever bribe he was offering, they had newspaper gold right there. I mean, she’d just hussied-up and got shot down bytheBeckett Millerandwas arrested in the buff? That’s worse than…Leanne names a recent computer scandal involving classified documents and overseas escorts.

But it’s her phraseology that causes my lips to curve up in a smirk. “Up until you used the phrase ‘hussied-up,’ I thought you were some sort of badass.”

You can take the girl out of the small town…

“I guess so. But in any event, I told you the story because I was trying to show you there’s more to Beckett than meets the eye. And maybe demonstrate there’s more to my job than simply following him around,” I grumble.

Why do you need to? If you like what you do, who do you have to justify it to but yourself?

There’s no way for me to express how her words make me feel, so I don’t even try. I just let my lips curve and keep on telling her stories about some of the more interesting experiences I’ve had working with Beckett since I’ve left the Marines.

Kane

Online dating is not for the faint of heart. First, there’s a profile so detailed it makes your annual physical almost amateurish. Then, let’s talk about sex, baby. Do you or don’t you? And if so, with who and how many? Do you want hearts and flowers or a ‘wham-bam-thank you-ma’am’? By the time I get around to meeting the individual in person, there’s nothing to say.

If any of you have any suggestions, please share them.

— Sexy&Social, All the Scandal You Can Handle

“Team of twenty down the red carpet. Team of fourteen inside. When he’s onstage, ten in the wings—five on each side.” I lay the plans on the table and point to the sides of the area layout where I want our people stationed.

“What about this spot right here?” Mitch points to the one area where we don’t have coverage on the red carpet. It has a big X marked through it.

I shake my head in frustration. “Stationary cameras for the live broadcast. I tried everything to get a person up there, but unless Beckett wants to buy a news station in the next twenty-four hours, it’s a no go.”

“Shit. I hate blind spots.”

“Me too.” My finger taps at the spot before I make a mental note to point out the problem to Keene later. He’s sending people down the red carpet with Leanne. Thankfully, she finally capitulated after we had an intense discussion about it, where I yelled and she finally typed in all capital letters, “I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF!”

I informed her, “I don’t care what you think you can do. You’re a computer whiz. These people killed your sister, and I couldn't bear it if you’re next.”

I don’t know if it was those words or her own logic kicking in, but she finally typed,Fine. I’ll arrange security.

I don’t know who is on deck, but they need to be aware of this spot and keep her out of range of it. In fact, I take out my phone and send him a message.For Erzulie’s team. Blindspot.

Roger that. I’ll pass it on,comes his reply a few minutes later.