Page 9 of Illusive
“Bon. Let’s go,” Boudreaux said curtly.
“You’re not going anywhere,” her husband retorted.
“I just need to know,” Alina said, her voice controlled with effort, “that Ireland is both okay and not going to be stood up at the airport.”
Boudreaux raked a hand through his hair. “Mon Dieu!We cannot stand here doing nothing.”
“Gideon. What’s going on?”
Elizabeth Vidal’s voice carried down the corridor as she and her fiancé, Daniel Pearson, were escorted in by Chase. Dressedin black velvet with a mask of aquamarine that matched her eyes, Gideon’s mother frowned at the scene in front of her. Daniel stood behind and slightly to the right of her, with his hand on her shoulder. His tuxedo and mask were both crafted of deep navy velvet, and he wore his salt and pepper beard so neatly trimmed that it was clear his lips were compressed in a stern line.
Boudreaux looked hard at Elizabeth, eyes darkening further and turning bleak, then he turned away. With his head bowed as if in prayer, the tension in the Cajun’s body mirrored Gideon’s rigid posture as he returned to Eva in two quick strides and caught her hand in his.
“Raúl is bringing the rest of the family up in the guest elevator,” Chase informed him.
Gideon nodded, visibly gathering himself to attack the situation they faced. “Let’s get to my office.”
“Tell me where she is!” Boudreaux pursued, dogging their heels. A shift in the direction of his voice betrayed an abrupt about-face. “Cochon!I warned you not to touch me!”
There was another thud as a body hit an immovable object, and Eva glanced over her shoulder to catch one of the hotel guards from the elevator sliding down the wall to a seated position with splayed legs. He scowled as he scrambled onto his knees.
Gideon spun on his heel and shoved Boudreaux out of the way. “For fuck’s sake! If you injure one of my staff, I’ll makeyoufeel it!”
“Call off your dogs,” the Cajun retorted. “You can’t hold me against my will, and you know it!”
Her husband helped the guard get up by hooking his hands under the man’s elbows and hefting him upright. “You good, Carlos?” he asked. “Need a minute? Longer?”
“No, I’m fine.” Carlos dusted off his slacks. “He just pushed me.”
Gideon nodded. “Leave this bastard to me. Find the police commissioner and the mayor. Ask them to join me in my office.”
“Yes, sir.” Carlos and Dan hurried off at a jog.
“Tell me where she is, Cross,” Boudreaux ordered.
“There are professionals handling this,” Gideon said over his shoulder as they resumed walking to another elevator that went to floors higher than the mezzanine. He stabbed an impatient finger into the call button.
“And you’ll just wait? I can’t. Won’t.”
Gideon released Eva’s hand and rounded on him. “I’ll see that the rest of my family is safe first, and you’ll shut the fuck up until then.”
“Ireland comes second?” Boudreaux looked murderous as a muscle ticced violently in his jaw. “You don’t deserve her.”
Snatching a fistful of Boudreaux’s shirt, Gideon yanked him close. “The level of training and experience my security detail has is unmatched. They’ll do their damned jobs, and you’ll stay the hell out of the way. You’ll also control yourself around my wife and mother, or I’ll knock you out and have you arrested for disorderly conduct. Do you understand?”
Boudreaux actuallysnarled.
Worried the situation would escalate, Eva thrust her arm between them and grabbed her husband’s wrist. “You’ll both behave,” she ordered.
“Why aren’t we safe?” Elizabeth demanded. “What’s wrong with Ireland?”
“Damn it.” Gideon took a deep, bracing breath and pushed away from Boudreaux. He glanced at everyone with a single sweeping look. When he spoke, his voice was measured but laced with frustration. “You’re perfectly safe, Mother. As for Ireland, I’ll tell everyone what we know as soon as we get to my office.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, but Daniel squeezed her shoulder. “Best not to discuss family matters in public spaces, love.”
Her mother-in-law hesitated, as if she were debating whether to argue. Then she looked at Boudreaux. “Why are you here, Mr. McCaffrey?”
Eva watched as the Cajun pulled himself together, smoothing his rumpled shirt and softening his tone. “I’m Ireland’s plus one.”
