Best Man For The Job (The Men of Fear Incorporated Book 1) (16 page)

“You look beautiful,” he said. Sloane hoped Max couldn’t hear her breath hitch.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

They took their places beside Bella and Foster in the receiving line. Their job was to thank the guests for coming and remind them of the reception being held out back in the gardens.

“Sloane…” a familiar, and unwanted, voice said.

“Hello, Brody.” She smiled, still standing there with Max.

“You look gorgeous.”

“Ahem.” The trashy looking woman next to Brody coughed loudly.

Instead of introducing her, Brody grabbed a hold of her arm roughly, directing her outside. That went better than expected. It’s funny. Sloane always thought she would want to claw the other woman’s eyes out if she ever saw her, but she didn’t. Oddly enough, she felt nothing but relief. He was her problem now. Sloane held her head up a little higher after that. It was a good feeling.

The gardens were decorated to look like something out of a fairytale. The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon. Reds, oranges, and yellows painted the sky. One by one each tree lit up with hundreds of little lights. Larger paper lanterns hung from wires above the tables and stone dance floor. It was magical. Every detail was exactly how Bella had envisioned it.

Sloane walked arm in arm with Max to the head table where they both took their seats—Max to the left of Foster and Sloane to the right of Bella. At least she wouldn’t feel she had to make conversation with him all night.

Someone in the crowd started to tap their glass with a spoon, inciting giggles and catcalls from the crowd gathered. Bella beamed up at Foster as he leaned down to kiss her tenderly. As the laughter and noise died down, Sloane slid back in her chair and stood up.

“Thank you all for being here tonight to celebrate the union of two of the best people I’ve had the privilege to know. Growing up, Bella was like the big sister I never had…and didn’t want.” The crowd laughed as Sloane continued. “We did virtually everything together. She was and always will be my best friend.”

She turned to smile at the couple. “I’ve watched the both of you together for some time now. I truly believe you are made for each other. No one completes Bella the way you do, Foster. I see it every day in the way you love each other. I wish you a long and blessed life together.”

Sloane raised the sparkling cider that she’d switched out, as everyone else toasted with champagne. She sat back down as Max stood up.

“I’m not a big fan of speeches, so I’ll keep mine short and sweet. Over the years I’ve known Foster, I have never seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you, Bella. You are his world. If he were asked to describe his perfect woman, I have no doubts he would describe you to a T. It’s truly humbling to see two people so much in love. No one completes Foster the way you do, Bella. I wish you both all the happiness in the world.”

Max sat down and glasses clinked all over the garden once again. The meal was brought out and Sloane ate it as if someone was going to steal it from her. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until that first bite.

“Damn, did you taste any of it?” Bella laughed as she whispered in her ear.

“You know; I don’t think I did.” She joined in with her own laughter.

“I would now like to call Mr. and Mrs. Hyland to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife,” the reception assistant announced.

Foster stood up, holding out his hand to Bella. He led her to the center of the dance floor. The melody for a familiar song started to play. Sloane was overjoyed watching Bella’s dreams come true. Once the DJ began playing for the crowd to dance, Sloane made her way over to her parents.

“There’s my beautiful baby girl.” Her father squeezed her in one of his bear hugs.

“Looking pretty handsome yourself tonight, Daddy.”

Sloane stretched up on tiptoes to kiss her father’s cheek. He was a big man with tattoos and muscles to spare. His contagious laugh was one of her favorite sounds. To see his six-foot-one frame next to her mother’s five-foot-three always made her giggle. Especially because she knew who was in charge of that relationship, and it wasn’t the man that intimidated all her boyfriends when she was a teenage girl.

“Seems a certain gentleman can’t keep his eyes off of you. Do I need to put him in his place?”

Excitement flooded through her as she turned to look in the same direction as her father did. Only it wasn’t Max like she’d hoped. Sloane’s heart felt like it dropped into her stomach. Kasper smiled, saluting her with his drink. She smiled and waved back.

“He’s harmless, Daddy. Just a good friend. One of the men who was trying to help me.”

“Have they found that man yet?” Concern etched into her father’s face.

“Not yet, but I can’t continue to live my life in constant fear. I trust in them. They’ll find him.”

“My brave girl. How about a dance with your old man?”

“I’d love to.”

Sloane let her father lead her out onto the floor. She never had to be afraid of anything when she was with him. The little girl in her knew without a doubt nothing could harm her when he was near. The smile she had been wearing was lost however, as her eyes landed on Max across the room. A petite brunette was giggling as she ran her hand up and down his arm. He smiled that sexy mischievous grin that always made Sloane melt inside. Only she didn’t melt this time because it wasn’t directed at her.

“What’s wrong, baby girl?”

“Nothing.”

“That sad look in your eye isn’t nothing to me.”

“Just a boy, Daddy.”

“Would that boy be Max?”

“How do you know Max?”

“A father always knows about the important things, and people, in his baby girl’s life. Are you in love with him?”

“Yes. I was, I still am.”

“Well, if he’s passin’ up you for that girl, he’s an idiot and I don’t think I want you with someone that stupid.”

“Daddy!” She laughed, but her heart wasn’t really in it.

Max swiped a loose hair from the girl’s cheek. Just like he did with her. Sloane watched the woman swoon—actually
swoon
. This was excruciating. Sloane wondered if anyone else could tell that she was dying inside. He was killing her. He couldn’t wait until she wasn’t around? Then again, for Max, it was probably just another Saturday night.

Not for her. This was just another reminder of why she was here alone. Max was looking for his next warm body. Not someone to share his life with. Sloane needed a man who wanted to be there for all the mundane day-to-day tasks. She needed a man willing to be a father. Not a playboy. Her hand went to her stomach.

“I think I need a few moments alone.”

“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”

“Of course I will be.” She paused before adding, “In time.”

Sloane kissed her father’s cheek before weaving through the bodies on the crowded dance floor. She headed back toward the church. She’d spotted a bench on the way out to the garden after the ceremony. She thought it would be a good place to gather herself before she had to fake a smile in front of everyone again. She sat there listening to the sound of Luke Bryan coming from the DJ’s speakers.

“Hey there, Darlin’.”

Kasper smiled down at her. He looked damn good in his three-piece suit. The blue of his shirt made his eyes sparkle. His smile lit up his whole face. No, Kasper didn’t look good, he looked hot as hell. Unfortunately, he didn’t make her heart race the way Max did. She wished like hell he would.

“Where’s your date, Cowboy?”

“I didn’t bring one. Didn’t see you here with anyone either. Coincidence?” He waggled his eyebrows. Sloane couldn’t help but laugh. Kasper always did that, at least. He was an invaluable friend in that capacity. Over the past few weeks he would call or text her, saying things just to get a laugh out of her. She appreciated that more than he could ever know.

“I’m not interested in men right now.”

“Is this about a certain someone we both know, that can act like a douche from time to time? Or should I get a video camera, a date, and meet you back at your place?” He grinned.

She didn’t know if she should confess to him or brush it off as nothing. They were friends, after all. He lifted her chin with his fingertips, and she felt the tears well up in her eyes. She rapidly blinked them back. The concern on Kasper’s face made her decision for her.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You love him?”

“More than I thought I could.”

“Then why are you sitting out here by yourself? Go to him.”

“It’s too late. See for yourself.” She nodded back toward the celebration.

***

Max

Max downed another shot of whiskey before pulling Sara—no, Tara—out to the edge of the dance area. He pressed their bodies together, swaying to the music. She practically purred in his ear. He pictured Sloane in his arms instead. He ran his hands over her curves as they moved. The girl in his arms was all wrong for the girl he pictured in his head. Sloane was soft and smooth. Her skin felt like expensive silk. This imposter couldn’t hold a candle to her no matter how much he wished she could.

He opened his eyes, his gaze drifting over to a wooden bench under a tree. Staring back at him, Gutter Mouth slowly shook his head. What the fuck was his problem? As his old friend stood up, Max could see Sloane sitting there. Shit. Had they both been watching him dance with Kara or was it Sara? Not like her name mattered. It wasn’t Sloane. He released the woman in his arms mid-song. She looked up at him, confused.

“I’m sorry, I have to go.”

“I can come with you.”

She ran her hand down his arm, giving a seductive little smile, but it was wasted on him. He wasn’t interested in her or any other woman here. Without answering, Max marched off to find Sloane and Gutter Mouth. The bench they sat at before was empty now. He scanned the area until he spotted them up ahead, walking toward the front of the church holding hands. Jealousy reared its ugly head again.

“Sloane,” he yelled to get her attention. Either she didn’t hear him or she was ignoring him. He yelled again. This time she stopped walking. Her hand still in Gutter Mouth’s, she looked over her shoulder at him. Max quickly closed the distance between them.

“We need to talk. Now.”

“I don’t think we do, Max.”

“Darlin’—”

“Kasper, I adore you, but you need to shut up.”

Gutter Mouth held up his hands in surrender. Max watched them exchange a look. There was an unknown agreement in that look.

“Is this who you’re seeing? Is that why you haven’t told anyone?” he demanded.

“No, Max. I’m not seeing Kasper. We’re friends.”

“Then why won’t—”

A light twinkled from the trees nearby just before Gutter Mouth shoved Sloane toward Max and reached for the gun at his waist. Shots rang out, and Max launched himself at her, knocking them both to the ground. A sharp pain stabbed him as he rolled them so her body wouldn’t be the point of impact. Her screams echoed in his head as Max pulled his revolver from his ankle holster, firing in the same direction as Gutter Mouth was. Max knew he had to protect Sloane at all costs.

Max couldn’t tell whose bullet hit Booker in the side of his face, but it didn’t matter who pulled the trigger. All that mattered was that the man was down and couldn’t fire another round at Sloane. Lifting his body from hers, Max assessed her for wounds.

“Where are you hit?”

“I-I’m not. At least I don’t think so.”

“There’s blood on you, baby. Let me look. Hold still.”

Sloane lay there with her arms to her sides as Max’s hands roamed over her. He was looking for the bullet hole, but he couldn’t deny it felt good to touch her again, even if the circumstances sucked. There was blood on her hands and dress, only he couldn’t find a wound anywhere. Max stood up to help Sloane to her feet only to sway on his own. His vision began to blur as he dropped down to his knees.

“Max? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”

Sloane began pushing and pulling on his clothes. It would’ve been a turn-on if she didn’t look scared to death. Shouts were coming from the garden as guests began running out toward all the commotion. The color drained from her face.

“Kasper! He’s been hit!” Sloane called, wide eyed.

Kasper knelt down next to him and lifted up the left side of his shirt. Max looked down. There was a small hole in his side closer to his back. Kasper ripped Max’s shirt open and removed it, balling it up into a thick wad. Max could feel the wound pull as the fabric was ripped off.

“Sloane, listen to me,” Gutter Mouth said. “Press this on the wound tightly and don’t take it off.”

“He’s gonna be okay, right? Damn you, Max. You better be okay!”

“I’ll be fine, baby.”

Max looked into her beautiful eyes. They glistened as tears rolled down her cheeks. He could hear Foster talking to Gutter Mouth. He had no idea if he would really be fine, but he couldn’t stand to see her hurting. He would promise anything to erase that pained look from her beautiful face. He could hear sirens in the distance. If he could just keep his eyes open long enough for them to arrive. Max felt some of the pain subside as his side began to go numb.