Jagger hugged a frail Kimberly Mitus goodbye before exiting the guesthouse on Colton’s property. He couldn’t leave Virginia without seeing one of his best friends. But his heart broke for Colton and his mother. “I’m sorry,” Jagger said to his longtime friend.

“She’s a fighter, but she can’t beat brain cancer.” Colton couldn’t hide the sadness in his voice. “Thanks for spending time with her.”

In silence, the two men walked towards the main house, a sprawling mansion on Mitus’s fifty-acre estate in Great Falls, Virginia.

“I love your mom.” Jagger followed Colton into the house. “During college, she was everyone’s mother. Is she well enough to travel?”

“Possibly. What did you have in mind?”

“You and Brigit should bring her to my California property. The ocean views offer spectacular sunsets. It might be nice for her. I’d put you up in one of the Presidential suites. Each comes with two private bedrooms.”

“Thank you,” Colton said as they stepped into the elevator. “I appreciate that.”

“I don’t know what you’re going through,” Jagger said. “I only know how I felt when my dad passed away.”

Colton’s signature nod signaled an end to the discussion about Kimberly Mitus.

They stepped out of the elevator on the main floor, and walked down the long hallway toward the double doors at the end. “Scotch still your favorite?” Colton opened his office door and gestured.

“No alcohol for me, thanks,” Jagger said as he entered. “Sparkling or still water is fine.” He glanced around the large space. “Great man cave with all the Mitus bells and whistles.”

“Thanks,” Colton said. “I’m glad you stopped by. It’s good to see you.”

As Colton poured two sparkling waters, Jagger lifted a framed photo from Colton’s desk. “Brigit’s beautiful. Maverick said she’s perfect for you. Congratulations.” Colton’s wide grin made Jagger chuckle. “Your smile says it all. Where is she?”

“Her office.” Colton tossed another nod toward an open door in the corner before handing the water goblet to Jagger. “I’ll grab her when we’re finished catching up. I want to hear about your latest resort—especially since I have a stake in it—and the life of an international playboy.”

Jagger laughed. “After the incident, I gave up the wild lifestyle. Except for golf, I work like a dog.” His phone rang. His assistant was calling. “Gotta grab this.”

“I’ll check on Brigit.” Colton headed toward the corner office.

“Robby, what’s the word?”

“We’ve got a major effing problem. I’ve had no sleep and I’m freaking out.”

Robby operated at a higher frequency than Jagger, but the alarm in his assistant’s voice made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. “What’s going on?”

“Erin moved to Vegas.”

“What?” No way would his event director bail at such a critical time.

“She won’t return my calls or texts, but she posted a selfie outside a casino with a comment about her exciting, new life,” Robby continued. “Her laptop’s missing and, from what the event staff told me, she hadn’t offloaded much. Beyond the two grand-opening parties, we can’t figure out what else has been planned, if anything. We don’t know what shows are booked. We’ve been going nonstop but I have nothing solid to tell you. We are so screwed.”

With a slow and deliberate move, Jagger set down the glass. “Contact IT and have her passwords killed. HR needs to pull her non-compete. Have them check with legal about taking action against her if they determine she’s violated her contract.”

“Got it,” Robby said. “We open in less than a week! I think I’m going to have a massive coronary.”

“Who on the event team could take the lead until we find a replacement?”

“Honestly? No one. David and Adele are good, but they lack the take-charge attitude this exec-level position demands. Ohmygod, I’m having heart palpitations.”

“Have you contacted Kate?”

“Your publicist? How can she help?”

“She’s well-connected and might know someone we can pull in on short notice.”

“Okay…right. I’m in major panic mode. I booked you on an earlier flight, so you need to get to Dulles. I’ll text you the flight itinerary and I’ll pick you up at LAX.”

“Thanks for the update.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have a solution. Oh, happy birthday, Jagger.”

“Thanks.” Jagger ended the call. “Dammit.”

“What’s going on?” Colton asked from across the room.

Refusing to let defeat seep into his bones, Jagger joined him at the window overlooking the back of Colton’s expansive property. Jagger had overcome roadblocks and last-minute emergencies before. He’d do it again. But this obstacle was bigger than anything he’d encountered, and he wasn’t sure where to start with damage control.

“My event director walked. The staff doesn’t know what activities were booked. Robby can’t confirm if there’s anything besides the daylong cocktail party and the masquerade party, both on opening day. I need one hell of a lot more than that. Jesus, I am so fucked.”

A pretty blonde, dressed in a tailored pants suit, entered the room. “Hello, Jagger, I’m Brigit Farnay. Great to meet you.”

Jagger forced a smile through the bass drum pounding in his head. “Hello, Brigit.” He shook her hand. “It’s my pleasure. I hear you’ve got this guy wrapped pretty tightly.”

Laughing, Brigit glanced at her fiancé. “It’s mutual.”

Instead of being engaged in the conversation, Colton stared out the window, his brow knitted tightly together. “Colton, we’ve lost you here, buddy.”

“Babe, where’s Taylor?” Colton asked, raking his hand through his unruly hair.

“Still in Arlington,” she replied. “By the way, her car was stolen last night.”

Colton powered toward his desk, pressed the speaker button on his phone console, and hit speed dial. While waiting, he shifted his gaze to Jagger. “I might be able to help you.”

“Hi, Colton,” answered a woman.

Colton lifted the cradle. “Taylor, I’m sorry about your car. Were you in danger?” Silence. “I’m relieved to hear that. Don’t rent a vehicle. Use the Prius I leased for my sister. She doesn’t need it anymore.” More silence. “When are you coming back?” He listened. “Do you need someone to pick you up?” He strummed his fingers on the desk. “I have a special assignment to discuss. We’ll talk in the morning,” he said, and ended the call.

“Taylor Hathaway is my event planner,” Colton said to Jagger. “Her last big project took eight months of prep work. It was that gala I cohosted with Crockett. We raised several million for a non-profit that assists war veterans. She’s phenomenal at her job. Since I’m vested in your resort, I’ll ask her to help you. If she’s willing, I’ll put her on the first available flight tomorrow.”

“She’s smart, easy to work with, and the consummate pro,” Brigit added. “You’ll love her.”

Jagger’s headache didn’t subside, but a tiny seed of hope took root. He was desperate enough to try anything. “Thank you. My assistant booked me on an earlier flight, so I’ve gotta bolt. I’m sorry to cut our visit short.”

“I’m glad I got to meet you,” Brigit said.

“Me, too,” he said, hugging her. “If any of my resorts appeal to you guys, your stay is on me. My wedding gift.”

Brigit smiled. “That’s very generous of you.”

“We appreciate that,” Colton said.

“Bora Bora is a lover’s paradise. Switzerland is breathtaking. Malibu is gorgeous. They’re all great places to visit. Google my properties and let me know. Congratulations on your engagement.”

“I’ll update you as soon as I speak with Taylor,” Colton said.

“I hope you call with good news,” Jagger replied.

* * *

The following morning, Taylor knocked on Colton’s office door.

“Enter.”

She opened the door, stuck her head inside. “You wanted to see me?”

“C’mon in.” Colton held out the Prius key. “Car is yours for as long as you need it.”

“That’s so nice. Thank you.” After taking the key, she folded into the guest chair.

Colton strummed his fingers on the desk. “I have a week-long out of town assignment for you.”

She perked up. In the four years she’d worked for Colton, she’d never represented Mitus Conglomerate anywhere but the DC area. Plus, getting away would take her mind off…things.

“You aren’t required to take the job, but I hope you’ll consider going,” Colton continued. “A close friend is opening a large hotel and his event director bailed. There’s nothing scheduled beyond a cocktail party and a masquerade party opening night. It’s a lot of pressure and a big task. If you agree to it, I’ll extend you an additional week’s paid vacation, which you can take immediately following. You’ll need the R&R. I doubt you’ll get much sleep between now and then.”

Shifting in the seat, she nibbled a fingernail. “When would I leave and where is it?”

“Today. The resort is in Malibu.”

Be bold. “I’ll do it,” she blurted, before she could chicken out.

“Thank you, you’re a lifesaver.” Colton snatched his cell phone and dialed. “Make sure you bring one of your masks. Before you head out, email me outstanding projects so they get handled.” With phone to ear, he smiled. “Jagger will be thrilled.”

Taylor’s brain shorted. “Who?”

“Jagger Loving, my good friend and business partner. He stopped by yesterday on his way home and ran into a prob—Hey, Jag, great news. Taylor agreed. I’ll text you her flight itinerary. Who’ll pick her up?” He listened. “I’ll let her know. It’s the least I could do for your birthday. Do anything special?” As Colton listened, his grin spread. “Well, you can’t beat that. Happy belated.”

Taylor’s blood pressure skyrocketed. Oh. My. God.