When Day Breaks

Eden hesitated and then turned slightly in her seat so he could see the silent plea in her eyes.

“Can we go out to eat tonight? I’d love to do one of those dinner cruises on the Seine. I’ve been to Paris multiple times but have never had anyone I would have wanted to share something like that with.”

Swanny frowned, his heart sinking. God, but he hated saying no to this woman.

As if knowing he planned to do precisely that, she rushed on. “I know we can’t go alone. I mean just the two of us. I understand the potential for danger. I’m not an idiot and I’ve actually given this a lot of thought.”

He almost said Uh-oh out loud but wisely kept silent. Barely . . . Because a protest was already burning his lips.

“All of you wouldn’t need to go. Just some of you,” she persisted. “Edge and Skylar could go with us. To anyone looking we would just appear like two couples out for a romantic dinner. Surely the three of you can handle any possible threat, and you have to admit, there hasn’t even been a hint of danger since that random shooting in Boston.”

Goddamn it, but he wished her damn father had just been straight with her. Told her the truth from the start. He understood him not wanting his daughter to be ruled by fear, but fear kept people alive. It made them cautious and less trusting. Two things that could well save Eden’s life if it came to that.

But at the same time, Swanny wasn’t sure he could handle watching that sparkle disappear from her eyes and her constant smile and sunshiny disposition weighed down by sorrow and worry if she knew the truth.

What a f**king predicament to be in.

Swanny saw Edge immediately stiffen and go on alert. The damn man had the ears of an elephant, and Skylar was trying her damnedest to stifle her amusement but was failing miserably.

Swanny sighed. He knew he was a dead man, and should probably just save himself future misery by cutting his balls off, because there was no way in hell he could deny her anything. But the evening did pose a predicament.

“Uh, just how swanky is this sort of thing?” Swanny hedged.

“Oh it’s totally casual, or at least in theory. Some people opt for total tourist clothing and others dress a little more formally, but nothing like what we’ll have for the soiree and the launch party.”

“There’s a problem with that,” Swanny said grimly. “I’m not going unless I’m packing.”

“Ditto,” Edge said, interrupting from the front.

Eden gave him a puzzled look.

Swanny’s expression softened. “A gun, honey. We’re pretty useless protecting you if we aren’t packing heat.”

She actually looked relieved, as if she had expected something far worse. He couldn’t quite figure her out. Guns and potential danger didn’t seem to bother her in the least. But the thought of being denied her wish obviously did.

“Oh that’s not a problem,” she said gaily. “We’ll just outfit you in slacks and a dinner jacket. No tie. Just semicasual.”

“Another shopping trip?” Swanny asked in horror. “We don’t have time for that if you’re wanting dinner, not to mention the planning involved in taking yet another trip to a clothing store. I’d have to clear it with Nathan and Joe and I can guaran-damn-tee they’re not going to look at those doe eyes of yours and be swayed.”

Eden laughed, making those doe eyes even rounder. On purpose, he was certain. The little heifer knew she had him wrapped around her finger, to his never-ending disgust. And she certainly wasn’t above using that to her advantage. The hell of it was he didn’t even mind despite his early disgruntled thoughts on the matter.

“No, silly. I have the very nice saleslady’s card, remember? And she has all your sizes. I’ll simply call her when we get to the hotel, tell her what we need, and Nathan or Joe can go pick it up, since they won’t be going out with us. Besides, it’ll take you guys half the time to get ready as it will us girls. By the time your clothing arrives and you get changed, Sky and I will be dressed and ready. I assume a jacket will conceal any weapons you carry?”

Edge grunted, which caused Swanny to grin. Edge’s idea of packing was a little more detailed than most.

“And I’ll just strap my thigh holster on,” Skylar said, getting into the spirit. “Never know when a lady needs a gun when she’s wearing a dress.”

Swanny almost laughed. Despite the fact that Skylar was every bit as capable and kick-ass as P.J. on Steele’s team, Skylar was unabashedly feminine and girly in her tastes, and no amount of teasing from her team seemed to faze her one iota. He liked that about her. That she could remain her own person and still operate within the confines of KGI and be such a valuable asset to their team.

“I’ll totally have her send you over something as well,” Eden volunteered. “Can’t have you wearing the gorgeous confection we found for the parties. I’ll ask for casual chic. She’ll know exactly what will look perfect on you. Especially when I explain the occasion. Boutique salespeople have to have an expert eye. It’s what sets them apart from all the other hundreds of independent boutiques. And they have impeccable memories, so you’ll be in good hands letting her pick what you’ll wear for tonight.”

And so Swanny found himself, two hours later, standing in the middle of the suite dressed in khaki slacks and a button-up shirt that felt suspiciously like silk, with his shoulder holster and two guns, one on either side, concealed by the darker brown dinner jacket Eden had delivered from the boutique. He had a knife and one explosive strategically hidden, but there was no reason for Eden to know just how prepared he was. She’d just tease him mercilessly anyway.