Danger (The Driven World)

The waitress, who has been making googly eyes at Danger since we entered, sets our food down in front of us, and I thank her.

Danger hasn’t even looked in her direction, nope, he’s kept his eyes right on me the whole time.

It’s a bit unnerving how he keeps his attention on me. It’s the intensity behind his eyes that ruffles my feathers most. And now I’ve suggested Las Vegas. A charity gala. With champagne and a dance floor. Sure, we’ll have many more events we’ll have to pretend to be a couple at, but for some reason tonight in Vegas has my nerves bouncing off the walls of my insides.

I grab my phone, texting my father to let him know of the change of plans. He immediately types back that he planned on stopping by as well.

Great. More reason to play the part as best I can to win the company.

We make it to Caesar’s Palace on the Vegas strip with a few minutes to spare. We get our rooms, separate of course, and I have enough time to get ready and make it down to the ballroom by the time the event starts. If I hurry.

All I really want to do is soak in a giant-sized whirlpool tub and read instead, but there’s something magical in the air tonight. Maybe it’s just Vegas.

I glance at myself in the mirror and try to work my fingers through my hair, smoothing down the stray ends. I spin my long brown hair into an updo, and put a little gloss on my lips.

This will have to do.

When I exit my room my breath is taken away by the sight of Danger in his tuxedo. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a tux, and I have to say it looks good on him. There’s just something about a man in a tux, and Danger amplifies that ten fold.

“Wow,” he breathes out. “I’m the luckiest guy in Vegas tonight.”

“Maybe you should go and place a bet.”

Danger smiles his normally cocky grin. “Not tonight.”

I hook my arm in his. “Ready to do this?”

“Playing your boyfriend will probably be the easiest thing I’ll ever do.”

We take one step toward the ballroom and then another. “Why’s that?”

He winks. “Because if I were your man I’d spoil you rotten on the regular.”

I smile at his words, wondering what it would be like to be spoiled by a man like Danger. We step into the ballroom, and I scan the room for a familiar face.

The banner reads, Corporate Cares in purple and gold. The ballroom goes on for miles, or what appears like miles. There’s purple flowers on round tables with gold-linen tablecloths. The lights are dim, giving the ambience of a successful elegant gala. The lights of the strip shine in through the high windows, casting a soft glow, making the whole party feel romantic. There’s so many people sitting at tables and clustered in groups, chatting, laughing, and talking to one another.

“What kind of charity is this?” Danger asks me as we move into the party.

“Something to do with children.”

Danger stops. “Like orphaned children?”

“I’m not really sure.” I shrug, trying to find Colton Donavan in the crowd. “Colton’s wife works for the charity.”

We both stop walking when we spot Thad speaking with my father.

Danger growls beside me. “What’s that asshole doing with him?”

“I’m not really sure.”

We cross the floor, stepping up to join my father as a waiter passes by with a tray of champagne-filled flute glasses. Danger picks up two and hands one over to me.

I take a much-needed sip as Thad’s eyes blaze into mine.

I straighten my shoulders, ignoring his heated gaze.

“I was just telling your father how much I missed having you by my side at these things,” Thad says, leaning over to kiss my cheek.

I push him away.

“Well, lucky for me I guess that you cheated on her and I’m able to have her on my arm instead,” Danger says, tugging me closer to him.

My father and Thad are both appalled by Danger’s words.

No decorum, and it’s actually refreshing. It’s something I kind of wanted to say too.

“Danger, this isn’t the time or place,” my father says.

Danger’s hand clenches tighter around my hip. “Right, sir.”

“Daddy, why don’t we find a table.”

My father nods, but Danger doesn’t move.

“Come on, Danger.” I tug him a bit.

He turns to face me, his eyes softening. “Why don’t you go ahead and find a seat. I need to talk to Thad for a minute.”

Thad laughs. “I’ve got nothing to say to you.”

Danger steps closer to Thad, dropping his hand from my waist. “I’ve got something to say to you.” He points his finger at Thad. “You stare at my girl one more time tonight I’ll bash your face in.”

Thad laughs, but there’s a little bit of fear behind that laugh. “I’d like to see you try.”