In Her Sights (33 page)

He couldn’t help it. He laughed. “I would love to look at
that album.”

Julia beamed at him. “Anytime, honey.”

Lexie stood with him and muttered, “You are not helping.”

“Come on. I’ve done this before. Turn around.” Even though
he wasn’t planning to get close and do this, he wrapped his arms around her
waist. “Put your hands over mine. I should have thought and gotten you a wrist
thing.”

“I would not have worn that.”

“Now smile for the camera.” With her against his front like
that, Clayton had a lot to smile about. At least, until Julia put the camera
away and beamed at them. They were done. Lexie wasn’t in front of him anymore,
and his thoughts would be showing behind his zipper any moment now.

He moved his hand to the small of her back and guided her outside.
Julia waved as Clayton opened the car door for Lexie and closed it after she
was in. He dropped behind the wheel and headed out the driveway.

Lexie set her purse on the floor and glanced at him. “Julia
is never going to let you leave if you keep that kind of thing up.”

He chuckled. “She’s harmless. You really didn’t go to the
prom or anything like that?”

“I was homeschooled. Gen went, and she was mostly excited to
be dressing up and going to a party. I was already doing that anyway for these
formal political functions. I’m not sure I missed anything.”

“It’s the biggest night of the year with your friends.”

She stared toward her lap and lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t
have a lot of friends my age. Gen was just about it. The rest of the time, I
was either studying or interacting with adults.”

“You didn’t have a normal childhood at all, did you?”

“The chances for that were taken away from me when I opened
that bedroom door.”

He pulled up at the front doors of the hotel and stepped
out. When an employee reached for Lexie’s door, he waved the man off. Clayton
opened the door himself and offered his arm as she stepped out.

That knock-you-on-your-ass smile was back on her face, and
she fell in step with him. “Are you ready for this?”

“Ready for what?”

She laughed. “The walk in. I know you’ve seen it, working
security. The cameras and the newspapers. It might be a little bigger media
section since this is for someone running for governor.”

He looked ahead and hadn’t even thought of all the pictures
that were coming. And here he was with a bandage over his eye and a bruise on
his cheek. “Maybe I should skip the pictures, considering my face.”

“Don’t even think about it. You took pictures with Julia,
you have to take these, too.”

Corinthian-style columns ran down the lobby, leading the way
to the ballroom. The ceiling overhead was elegantly done up with swirls of
gold, silver, and ivory. Cream-colored marble floors lined the center of the
elaborate lobby, twists of gold and silver intermixed to compliment the ceiling.
A white runner was laid out over the floor. For the night, the hotel had added
ropes of black velvet down either side of the marble walkway, preventing those
uninvited from crossing between the arriving guests. It also held as a barrier
to hold the press and their questions back.

He walked her over the last few feet, and then they were in
the crush of the media at the ballroom doors.

“Ms. Olympia, over here.”

“This way.”

He started to pull his arm from her and step back, but she
held him by her side and forced him through this. Smiling for Julia was fun and
this was…yeah. He had a feeling he just made the front page of the
Magnolia
Weekly
.

“Who is the designer of your dress?”

“What about your jewelry?”

She smiled at the cameras, like she lived for it. “The
jewelry is Ben Murray.”

“And the dress?” another persisted.

“Kera Long in Claremont.”

“Who’s your date?” A new one asked. “Is it serious?”

She glanced to him, and his breath held. She patted his
shoulder and softly chuckled. “A dear friend.”

The cameras paused for a moment at her answer. She smiled
more, looking like she owned the world for a few more shots, and then he pulled her toward the ballroom.

“Not much for the camera, Mr. Addison?”

“I wasn’t expecting them to notice me with you there.”

Chapter Thirty Four

Lexie faced him now that they were away from the cameras and
soothed her hands along the lapels of his coat again. “Rule number one about
these events: Everyone notices everything. And they’ll ask about everything. I
wear the same designer and same jewelry every time. They always ask.”

“Because if you ever change, there will be a story there.”

She laughed. “What a thrilling headline. Lexie Olympia used
a new designer!
Gasp
.”

He shook his head. “I’ve seen worse headlines.”

She stepped beside him and hooked her hand around his arm.
Usually, she met people here. It was nice to walk in and have someone with her
for a bit instead of facing a huge ballroom and knowing she had to tackle it
alone. “You said you were also here with work tonight?”

“Some light duty Mayor Porter requested. All the big shots
from out of town are staying in the hotel. I’ve got some men stationed in areas
around to keep an eye on the place. I’ll just check in a couple times, make
sure there’s no surprises.”

“Do you dance?”

He frowned. “Only if there’s a gun to my head.”

“That could be arranged,” she winked. His lips parted and
some color drained from his cheeks. She rubbed his arm. “Okay, we’re not
teasing about that yet. I’m so sorry.”

“Lexie, darling,” a woman called.

She turned at the call of her name and was met with a hug by
the elegant and sophisticated Mayor Porter. She was a steel magnolia through
and through. “How are you?”

Lexie held the woman’s arms. “Doing well.”

“I’m so glad you came. I’ve been waiting for you to meet my
grandson.” She turned around and tugged on the sleeve of a man with his back to
her. “Will, dear, come here.”

The man turned, and Clayton’s fingers tightened into a fist
against her side.

Lexie smiled with a soft laugh. “William Canner, nice to see
you again.”

Mayor Porter looked surprised and overly giddy as she
grasped William by the arm. “You two know each other already?”

And then, oh my, everything clicked together. No, she couldn’t
possibly be. Could she? But it all fit together. Could Mayor Porter be the one
at the end of the whole dagger fiasco? Could the mayor be the
She
Carter
had referenced that morning in his office?

She certainly had the power, as Carter had said. Not to
mention that was one rear-end he kissed up to. And a very good reason why he was
determined to find that dagger over everybody else. If Carter found it, and the
mayor wanted it, that would be brownie points for him and would make more sense
over political advancement against an opponent he already had a staggering lead
on. Carter could claim it as a joint discovery. Mayor Porter was doing great as
Mayor, but she did have some competition coming up.

William took Lexie’s hand with both of his and held it for a
second longer than was proper. “I met Ms. Olympia yesterday afternoon at a
restaurant you recommended. We had a delightful chat.”

“This is Clayton Addison.” Lexie stepped to the side so the
two men could do the meet and greet thing—which consisted of more of a stare assessment
of each other. “Clayton owns Addison’s Security. He’s handling the security for
the night.”

“Lexie, I didn’t know you two were dating.” Mayor Porter
looked at her expectantly.

Lexie stared at her eyes. They were twinkling, waiting,
while her hands were clasped at her chest. With that look, it was hard to
believe she could possibly be involved in this dagger fiasco. “Just friends.”

Sort of, but she didn’t want to say dating when everything
was so up in the air. That would leave Clayton on the spot.

While seeing William and Clayton eyeing each other, Lexie
couldn’t help but notice Adam Breeze standing not too far off. A not-very-happy
look that consisted of tight lips and low eyebrows was sent her way. If she
wasn’t mistaken, she believed he was trying to tell her to go to hell.

Mayor Porter shook her head. “Still wanting to be forever single,
Lexie? The right man just hasn’t come along, yet.”

Unless she missed something, Lexie was fairly certain the Mayor
might have just insinuated her grandson when she gave a soft elbow to his ribs.
The more Lexie stood with her, the harder time she had believing the Mayor was
the source of all this dagger trouble from the police department. She was just…just
too sweet and kind. Or was she that good at faking her appearance? Lexie knew firsthand
how far false pretenses could carry a person.

Carter walked up with a glass of champagne and handed it to
the mayor.

Involved or not, Lexie had a score to settle here. “Carter,
how nice to see you again. I so enjoyed half of your department rummaging
through my things yesterday.”

If Carter turned any whiter, he’d look dead.

“What’s that, Lexie?” Mayor Porter asked.

Lexie shook her head. “You haven’t heard? Some of the Chief’s
finest came knocking on my door with a search warrant. The police arrested some
gang members who broke into my house. Those men claimed I had a stolen dagger.
I’m not sure what that’s about. Carter asked me about it, but I guess he couldn’t
take my word for it.”

Mayor Porter’s brows mashed together. Clayton cleared his
throat. “There’s a stolen collector’s dagger in the area, ma’am.”

Mayor Porter put her hand to her chest. “Yes. I know the
item. I heard rumors that it was in Lexie’s home, and I didn’t believe it for a
minute. I thought they ran out of leads on it.”

Lexie shrugged. “As of yesterday, the Melville PD has
tangled my good family name up with a thief. I’m sure my father is rolling in
his grave.”

The mayor cut her eyes to Carter. “Well.”

Lexie shook her head. “The idea of having all those officers
digging through my undergarments in my bedroom is just…I’m so upset over the
matter. I feel like I have to replace all of my personal belongings after all
those strange men touched them.” She looked at a now red-faced Carter. “I do
hope you have intentions of clearing my name if something comes up about all
this in the papers.” She touched the mayor’s arm. “I hope to catch you later.
Are you familiar with Daniel Arte?”

The mayor blinked. “Yes.”

Excellent. Lexie had done her homework: Daniel was Carter’s
competition this fall. “I would love your opinion sometime, but I see Uncle
Sammy over there.”

“Yes, of course. Tell Senator Dearing I’ll be by in a
moment.” Mayor Porter’s words were hard, her face in a solid pose that screamed
anger. Controlled anger, but anger.

“Yes, ma’am.” She walked past Carter and gave him a nod, no
smile. Clayton nodded as well and escorted Lexie away.

Mayor Porter stood about nose-to-nose with Carter. Her lips
moved, and from the look on Carter’s face, he didn’t like what was being said.

Clayton lightly pinched Lexie’s side. “From what I gathered
from Livingston this afternoon, the Chief had no idea until it was already
started. He went to Judge King for the warrant.”

She smiled as Chief Carter quickly walked across the room,
straight to Adam. Carter wasn’t yelling, and everyone around them seemed
clueless. She didn’t know what Carter was saying, but Adam was doing a lot of
nodding. No doubt, this was the second run-through he’d gotten over this
warrant.

Lexie shrugged. “Judge King? That explains the warrant. That
woman doesn’t like my business.”

“Why?”

“Some time ago, Olympia bought a piece of property. The
original owner knew she wanted to buy it if the option ever came available. She
had no idea the piece went up for sale until after the deed had been signed
over.”

“What piece of property was it?”

“Not was, is. Ever heard of Sidewalk Café?”

“Um…no. Doesn’t sound familiar.”

“Small lunch diner near one of the suburbs. Anyway, the
judge is the silent backer. The store was renting from Howard’s Property.
Howard and Uncle Gabe were there at lunch, and Howard was trying to get funding
for something. Uncle Gabe suggested Howard sell something to Olympia. Since
they were in the restaurant, Howard offered the Sidewalk Café. Uncle Gabe made
an offer, and Howard accepted it there at the table. I only remember because I
was in the office the day Judge King called and questioned the truth of the
sale.”

Clayton chuckled. “This is funny, because I know you have that
dagger. I don’t know where, but you’re right, nobody’s going to find it unless
you want them to. One day, will you show me where you’ve stashed it?”

“And give up my good hiding spot?”

He shook his head. “I’m going to check in with Reid. I’ll
meet up with you later.”

“Okay.”

He walked off, and she immediately missed the warmth of his
body at her side. It seemed they needed to have another talk. She had not
missed his interest at the house when they took pictures. And she didn’t care
for this constant state of wanting.

“Lexie, is that Clayton Addison I just saw you come in with?
Don’t know why I didn’t think of the match myself.”

She gave Uncle Sammy a hug. “Yes, but no, it’s not like
that. We’re just friends.” She was afraid to know how many times she’d have to
repeat that tonight.

“Friends for now, but maybe later, it’ll be more.” He winked.

She laughed and shook her head because she didn’t have an
answer for him.

“Hmm.” Uncle Sammy looked the room over. “Well, let’s see
who else is here who’ll be a good match for you.”

There had to be a booking agent with a wager out on who
could get her married off with all the people trying to do so. She scanned the
room alongside him. “I believe Mayor Porter suggested her grandson, William Canner.”