Page 58 of The Sniper
Sorry, buddy, I don’t bat for your team.
It would have been good to get a heads up that he was meeting us here.My anxiety makes me intolerant of surprises.I stifle my irritation, and they turn their attention back to the job.
“Okay, Tiffany, can we get you over here for some photos and then...”
I tune out and follow them from one photoshoot to the other over the next twenty minutes.The red carpet is lined with media walls with dozens of sponsor logos and independent media you wouldn’t normally see at the likes of the Oscars.
I guess the social media world is different.
I survey the crowd and surrounding buildings despite having four BHS team members with me.
No red flags,Liam says.
I nod, knowing he could see me.
Noah and I will stick around outside; the other guys will head out back in case there’s any action inside.
I turn and meet his eyes, considering what he’s saying.We had a separate conversation about this earlier with Aidan, and it was agreed I’d go in alone with Tiffany.No one is aware that the BHS team is here for her, but showing a heavy security presence around her would just draw more media attention.
It’s an unfortunate truth that you want a perp to show his or her face so you can’t find them.In other words, we don’t want to scare them off completely.
I do.
But I trust the team.
I wish I trusted myself.
Nodding at Liam, I step closer to Tiffany and tell her it’s time to head inside when Zane advises all the interviews are done.
“Have fun.”He rubs Tiffany’s arm, shoots me a wink, then disappears.
Fans behind barriers scream out at Tiff, and before I can stop her, she’s darted away for some selfies.
Christ.
“Tiffany,” I say roughly when Todd and I follow her.
Her glowing smile seems to reach right inside my chest.“Sorry, I hate letting them all down.”
I suppress my growl.
BANG.
Fuck!
Without hesitating, my body wraps around Tiffany, and I pull her to the ground, covering her.
“Jayden!”she cries into my chest, thankfully muffled, as my brain belatedly registers the source of the noise.
A car backfiring.
The souped up V8 floors it and disappears with a roar.
“Ms.Stallone.”I hear Todd above us.
Jay.Liam’s voice in my ear has me glancing over to advise that we’re fine, but I’m too late; he’s several feet from me.
“You good?”Liam crouches and helps us to our feet.
