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16

JOANNA

I held my wrist out to West. “Can you do up my bracelet please?”

I hadn’t wanted to ask. It felt too intimate. But I’d been fiddling with the latch for several minutes and couldn’t quite lock it into place.

“Of course.” He shrugged his suit jacket on and moved closer. The spicy scent of his cologne went straight to my head, and I gritted my teeth. Why did he have to be so intoxicating? Couldn’t they have sent one of the less tempting undercover operatives to marry me?

West took hold of my bracelet with one hand and used the other to do up the clasp. His fingertips brushed the sensitive skin on the inside of my wrist, and I suppressed a shiver.

He hardly ever touched me anymore. Not unless there was a good reason for it. I appreciated him respecting my boundaries, but it only made me more aware of how badly I craved contact between us.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured.

I looked up at him from beneath my lashes. His gaze was roaming over my body, his eyes the deep shade of green they turned when he liked what he saw. Despite my better judgment, I couldn’t help but be pleased that he wasn’t completely immune to me.

The body didn’t lie. He couldn’t fake something like that.

“You look good too,” I replied, relieved by the detachment in my tone. I couldn’t afford to have mixed feelings about West, and I especially couldn’t afford for him to know about them.

I stepped away from him and gathered my jacket from where it lay over the back of the sofa. I probably wouldn’t need it once we arrived, but I might want it for the drive over.

“Are you ready to go?” I asked.

West nodded. “You still want to drive rather than book a ride?”

“I think it’ll be best that way.” I’d drive, which left West free to drink whatever he needed while he made nice with his suspects. Meanwhile, I’d have an excuse not to drink too much—a legitimate one that even Captain Thackery couldn’t tease me about.

I donned my jacket and checked that my wallet and phone were in my pocket and my weapon was in place in case I needed it. “Ready to go?”

West patted his pocket and then his hip, no doubt going through the same process I had. “Yeah.”

We drove as close as we could to Allan Mansion, where the event was being held. We had to park a couple blocks away and walk the rest of the distance. I clutched my jacket closer around me, grateful I’d brought it because the wind was bitterly cold. At least it wasn’t raining or snowing, I supposed.

As we reached the front of the mansion, its gray stone facade towering above us, I spotted Captain Thackery and his wife, Beth, strolling toward us. Thackery’s shoulders were hunched against the cold, but Beth didn’t seem to feel it. She beamed, her long, tanned legs bare from the knees down. I hated to think about how much cold air must be swirling beneath her skirt.

“Joanna, it’s so good to see you,” Beth exclaimed, greeting me with a hug. I liked Beth well enough, but I wasn’t exactly a “huggy” person. I especially didn’t feel comfortable hugging my boss’s wife.

“Hi, Beth.” I joined the end of the line, creating a few feet of space between us before she could go for a cheek kiss. “You look fantastic.”

It was absolutely true. Beth was only a couple of years older than me, which made her a decade younger than Thackery. She took excellent care of herself and had a killer sense of style. Her dress clung to her figure so tightly, it was almost scandalous, yet everything from her neck to her knees was covered.

Beth turned to West as the Captain and I exchanged pleasantries.

“I don’t think we’ve met.” She offered him her hand. “I’m Beth Thackery. This stick-in-the-mud is my husband.”

“Nice to meet you.” West shook her hand. “I’m West Gallo, Joanna’s husband.”

I eyeballed him, but he didn’t look the slightest bit sorry for spreading that lie to yet another person. I got the feeling he’d have “Joanna’s Husband” printed on a label and stuck to his suit if he thought I’d allow it. Why did that make me so warm and fuzzy inside?

Thackery nudged my arm, and I realized the line was moving. I hurried to keep up. We reached the entrance, where a dapper man in a tuxedo was checking names against a guest list on his tablet. I gave him ours and waited for him to wave us through.

The ceiling arched high above us as we crossed through the foyer, where I removed my jacket, and went on through to the ballroom. Half of the ballroom was carpeted, and half had a wooden floor. Beautifully carved wooden stands were positioned around the room, with trays of wine and accompanying glasses atop each.

Perhaps thirty or forty people stood in groups, making small talk. Classical music played in the background.

“I’d like to introduce you to one of our donors,” Thackery murmured.

I nodded. “Lead the way.”

West took my arm and kept pace with me as Thackery and Beth made a beeline for an elegant older gentleman standing with two women on the opposite side of the room. As we drew near, I couldn’t help noticing there was something familiar about the man. His thick, gray hair and upright bearing pinged a memory, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

“Antony,” Thackery called as we drew nearer to the group. “How are you this evening?”

The gentleman, Antony, smiled in welcome. “Very well, thank you, Captain. And yourself?”

Thackery grinned. “Tonight, I’ll drink expensive wine and mingle with people I like. What’s not to enjoy?”

Antony smirked. I had the feeling he knew that Thackery was talking out of his ass in an attempt to butter him up, and he found the situation amusing.

Antony clasped Beth’s hand between both of his. “I hope you won’t be too bored while your husband is busy entertaining.”

Beth flashed pearly white teeth at him. “Don’t you worry, Tony. I don’t need him to have a good time.”

Antony winked.

Beth gestured toward me. “This is Gordon’s colleague, Detective Joanna Lee. Joanna works in the Homicide department.”

He inclined his head. “Charmed. I’ve heard your name. Ronan King speaks highly of you.”

A light bulb went off in my mind.

“You’re one of the shareholders of King’s Security,” I said. “Antony Marcelli. I knew you looked familiar.”

He seemed pleased to be recognized. “I’m only a minor shareholder, overall. I have many business interests, and I prefer not to get personally involved with many of them.”

“Understandable.” I took West’s hand, my heart skipping as his strong fingers wrapped around mine. “This is my… husband. West Gallo.”

The falsehood tasted sour, and I had to hope no one had noticed my brief hesitation.

West and Marcelli greeted each other politely.

“Have you met Ronan’s wife?” Marcelli asked. “If not, I’d love to introduce you.”

I grimaced. “I have.” I sensed West look at me curiously. I’d never explained my first meeting with Willow to him. “I’m afraid I didn’t give her the best first impression, but she seems to have forgiven me.”

I’d been more than a little blunt when questioning Willow, but sometimes, we couldn’t allow ourselves to be swayed into treating people with kid gloves in my line of work.

“You were just doing your job,” Thackery said, waving his hand dismissively.

Now Beth was intrigued too. Her teeth embedded into her lower lip as she glanced back and forth between us.

“Willow is here tonight?” I asked, eager to move the conversation on.

“She is.” Marcelli smiled. “She and Ronan came together. I wasn’t sure about him at first, but now all it takes is a few seconds in their company to see that he dotes on her.”

I cocked my head. “You knew Willow before Ronan?”

“I was close friends with her father.” A trace of sadness lingered in his voice.

“I’ve heard good things about him,” I said honestly.

“He was a character. Not perfect, by any means, but he tried.” Marcelli’s brow furrowed. “Anyway, I haven’t introduced you to my companions. How rude of me. These ladies are my protégées, Maeve and Sian MacDougall.”

We exchanged another round of greetings and chatted for a few minutes.

“Well, it’s been great catching up,” Thackery said, his attention focused somewhere over Sian’s shoulder. “I’d better circulate though.”

“I’m sure we’ll talk later.” Marcelli turned back to the McDougall sisters, effectively dismissing us.

“Feel free to talk to whoever you like,” Thackery said as we moved away from them. “I expect at least another two hours out of you though. No bailing early.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I’m under the impression I’m not being paid to be here, so can you really require that?”

He raised his eyebrow in return. “You’re a smart woman. Don’t play dumb.”

He took Beth’s hand and led her away. She rolled her eyes behind his back, and I hid a smile.

“What now?” I asked West, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. After all, he was the one who’d wanted to be here. He could take the lead.

He scanned the room. “Why don’t you go visit with Ronan and Willow while I try to make inroads with Neal and his crew? Is Hanson here?”

I scoffed. “No. Unless he had strict instructions to be present, there’s no way he’d turn up. ”

“Good. That means I can spend more time with Neal.”

“Why can’t I come with you?” I asked, sounding more petulant than I’d have liked.

He chuckled. “Because you have a reputation for being a straight arrow. If you’re there, he won’t speak as freely as he might with only me.”

“Fine.” I huffed, but I knew he was right. “I’ll go chat then.”

He kissed my cheek, and I tried to ignore the heat that shot through me in response. “Watch your back.”

He headed toward Neal, who we’d spotted earlier, cloistered in a corner with his partner, Detective Sewell, and Detective Liam Ireland from Narcotics. I was surprised Neal hadn’t cornered any of the wealthy patrons in the hopes of talking himself up for a promotion, but perhaps he’d already been warned not to.

I scanned the room until my gaze landed on a pair of familiar faces: Ronan stood with a degree of alertness that would have made me think he’d been in the military if I didn’t know better.

Willow was tucked against his side, her pale blond hair spilling down her back in loose curls. A braid formed a circlet around her forehead, with jeweled hair pins sparkling in the light. Knowing Ronan, they were probably real diamonds. He wasn’t an ostentatious man, but he showered Willow with every material thing she could possibly want—even when she didn’t ask for any of it.

Willow noticed Ronan looking toward me and followed his gaze. When her eyes met mine, her mouth formed a small O of surprise, and then the side of her mouth curled up.

“Hi.” I stopped in front of them. “I didn’t realize you two would be here.”

I should have, of course. Ronan had done a lot for the police department. No doubt that was one of the reasons he never got into trouble for stretching a few rules.

Willow sighed. “Fundraisers aren’t my favorite, but they kind of go hand-in-hand with marrying the boss.”

“I’m pleased you’re here,” Ronan added, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “I didn’t expect it either.”

I pulled a face. “It wouldn’t be my first choice, but Thackery asked, and West has some people he needs to talk to, so…” I trailed off, realizing I probably shouldn’t have mentioned West.

“Oh, yeah.” Ronan looked thoughtful. “Zeke mentioned that. Don’t worry. We won’t give him away.”

Willow’s eyes narrowed. “You deserve better. That’s all I’ll say, but I hope you know it.”

My heart warmed. “Thank you.”

Her nose scrunched and her eyes twinkled mischievously. “Should we take a walk around the room? Maybe we can listen in?”

My lips twitched. “We shouldn’t.”

“But it would be fun,” she whispered.

I grinned, a weight lifting off my chest. Willow King had a way of making everything feel better. “It would.”

“Behave yourselves,” Ronan warned, lifting a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray as they walked past.

“We will,” Willow assured him as she disentangled herself from his hold and linked her arm with mine. “Let’s go.”

We circled around a group of people from the police department’s upper echelon and slowly made our way toward Neal, Sewell, Ireland, and West.

“I know it probably doesn’t help, but West fooled us all,” Willow murmured, ducking her head close to mine. “I only met him a couple of times, but I was certain he adored you. ”

“He’s a good actor.” I refused to think more of it than that.

Willow hesitated. “Zeke said West’s feelings might be real.”

I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye. “Zeke can’t keep his nose out of anything.”

She tilted her head in acknowledgement. “Do you think he might have a point?”

I sighed. I wanted to believe it, although I wouldn’t examine my reasons for that too closely.

“I don’t know.” I met West’s eyes as we passed them by. Warmth danced in their depths, and it unsettled something inside me.

We'd barely passed them when Neal made a crack about Willow. I didn’t hear everything he said, but the words “rich bitch” were unmistakable. I stiffened, and started to turn around, ready to tear into him, but Willow dragged me away.

“Don’t,” she hissed.

“But he—”

“I know.” She tutted the same way she might at a dog that had crapped in the corner. “But if West needs to get close to them, then you calling them on their poor behavior won’t help.”

I growled under my breath. “How do you stay so calm when people say things like that right in front of you?”

Willow gave a slight shrug. “Entitled, arrogant men have always been part of my life. My brother mingled with an unpleasant crowd, and if I said anything to them about being inappropriate, he’d have been furious at me, so I suppose I learned to bury my feelings in public.”

I frowned. “Ronan doesn’t expect you to do that, does he? ”

“No.” She smiled like a self-satisfied cat. “Ronan will happily dress down anyone he thinks deserves it.”

“Good.” I hated to think of her being with someone who expected her to tolerate the poor behavior of others.

She raised her hand and waggled her fingers. I followed her gaze to where Ronan was speaking with Antony Marcelli. He practically smoldered back at her. My heart battered against my rib cage. I wanted someone to look at me like that. As if I was the center of their universe.

I had to get away for a moment. I appreciated Willow keeping me company, but the obvious devotion she and Ronan shared rubbed like salt in a wound.

“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” I told her, sliding my arm free of hers.

“Okay. I’ll see you later.”

I hurried to the bathroom and locked myself in a stall. I put the toilet lid down, sat, and closed my eyes as I drew in slow, deep breaths. Emotions rioted through me, tightening my throat and causing my pulse to race. I did my best to regain control over them, but I was still on edge as I exited the stall.

I studied my reflection in the mirror. Olive skin, dark eyes that were slightly tipped up at the corners. The dark blue dress flattered my complexion and had cost more than I’d like to admit. I didn’t have many special events outfits though, so it felt reasonable to splurge.

I was tempted to splash water on my face, but then I’d smear my makeup. The door opened to my right, and I jerked in surprise. Pulling myself together, I marched out, but came up short as I almost walked into Thackery waiting outside.

“Can I have a quiet word with you?” he asked, glancing over my shoulder, perhaps to make sure no one had accompanied me to the bathroom .

“Sure.” Although I couldn’t help but wonder what he needed to say to me so badly that it warranted waiting outside the ladies’ room.

He nodded firmly and paced farther into the ballroom and around to the right, where there was an empty stretch of wall.

“What is it?” I asked, increasingly anxious.

Thackery pursed his lips. “Look, I don’t want to make trouble, but I’ve heard rumors that West was seen with another woman, you know… intimately. I just wanted to let you know, in case you hadn’t heard. There might be nothing to it, but you deserve better than to have people gossiping behind your back.”

My muscles turned to stone. I carefully blanked my face. I had no idea how I was supposed to react. Should I pretend I didn’t know anything about it and have a meltdown?

No. Even if I’d been blindsided by infidelity this way, I’d have put on a better front than that.

“Thanks for letting me know,” I said slowly. “I think I know what caused those rumors, and—”

I stopped abruptly because, suddenly, West was there. Two feet in front of us, scowling fiercely.

“There you are.” He searched my gaze. “I looked up and you’d vanished.”

“Here I am,” I said awkwardly.

“Joanna was just saying she’d love a glass of wine.” Thackery’s tone was friendly but pointed, clearly suggesting that West toddle off to get one.

West didn’t move an inch. “She isn’t drinking tonight. We drove here.”

Thackery’s fake smile stretched. “One glass never hurt.”

“Perhaps not.” West spoke through gritted teeth. “But you know as well as I do how much Jo loves to follow the rules. ”

I rolled my eyes. They were being ridiculous. I appreciated Thackery’s concern, but a fundraiser really wasn’t the place for this conversation.

“Why don’t we see what items are up for auction?” I suggested.

The organizer had arranged a silent auction with the proceeds going toward funding for another community liaison officer to work with troubled teens.

“Sounds good.” West stretched his hand toward me.

I stared at it for a long moment, then took it. “It was nice talking to you, Thackery. Don’t worry about that problem you mentioned. I’m on top of it.”

“I hope so,” he murmured as we walked away.

“Are you all right?” West asked, placing his palm on my back to guide me to the tables where the silent auction had been set up in the corner. “That looked intense.”

I side-eyed him. “Apparently, someone is spreading rumors about you cheating on me.”

He grimaced. “Ah.”

“Any idea how that might have happened?” I asked.

“I don’t suppose Hanson would have…?”

“No.” I shook my head. “He’s not one to gossip about someone’s private life.”

“Then I’m not sure. I’m sorry you have to deal with it though.” His hand dropped from my back and then he laced his fingers with mine. “I’m sorry. Full stop. I realize this must be difficult for you. Unfortunately, them thinking I'm a cheat is better than them knowing the truth.”

“I know.” That didn’t mean I liked the idea of being some kind of office joke. The naive woman who rushed into marriage with a man who strayed after only a few months. “Did you make any progress with Neal?”

“I did.” He brightened. “He runs a weekly poker night, and he’s invited me to the next one. ”

“That’s great. Hopefully after a few drinks, he’ll relax and say something he shouldn’t.”

We strolled along the table. I paused to study a painting that had been donated to the cause. It was a silhouette of the city’s skyline from a viewpoint somewhere along the lake. Beautiful.

A fuzzy tap came through the speakers, and we all turned to the front of the ballroom. The police commissioner stood on a raised wooden platform, decked out in a black and white suit with a startlingly gold tie.

“Welcome, guests, to our annual Chicago PD Fundraiser Event.” He continued to speak, sharing a few details about what the money raised tonight would be used for and then invited one of the larger donors to give a speech.

Almost an hour later, after listening to far too much semipolitical propaganda, the commissioner reclaimed the microphone to announce that a string quartet would be playing for anyone who wanted to dance and that the silent auction was now officially open.

“You’d better get back to your new friends,” I murmured to West as the commissioner left the platform.

He smiled down at me. “I think I can spare the time to dance with my wife.”

He led me to the uncarpeted portion of the room that was serving as a dance floor. Only two other couples were dancing as the string quartet began to play a waltz. West gathered me close to him and we swayed gracefully to the music.

My chest squeezed. I’d always loved dancing with him. We hadn’t done enough of it during our marriage, and now it was too late. No matter how wonderful it felt to spin in his arms, it wasn’t real, and I couldn’t forget that.

“You’re such a lovely dancer.” West’s breath tickled the shell of my ear as he dipped his head closer.

“So are you.”

We moved together, sparks zapping along my nerves everywhere our bodies touched.

“Jo, I—”

Crack!

My eyes flew to his. “Was that a gunshot?”