Free Beneath Innocence (Deception #2.5) by Ker Dukey, D.H. Sidebottom

it. Damn, good luck, not that you’ll need it.” He grasps me in his embrace and then makes his way to where everyone else is waiting.

Chapter fifteen
     

Service is resumed
     
Blue
     
    My eyes grow as I take in the high ceilings, the grand staircase and the monstrous furniture placed expertly around the foyer.
    “Miss Grant,” the hotel owner gestures towards a door to the side with his arm. “It’s the main ballroom we have the problem.”
    “And what exactly is the problem?” I ask still peering in awe around the wide open space.
    “I think it’s the rear window they keep breaking in,” he discloses with a sigh. “We’ve reinforced it time and time again to no avail. We’ve upgraded our security systems but even they don’t keep them out. Someone recommended you and I’m hoping you can finally install a system that keeps the place secure.”
    My brows lift this was quite a minor problem and minor job for me, if he wanted to keep their safe secure I could do them a great set up but the money they were offering was to appealing to turn down.
    “If you’ll follow me.”
    I nod, moving behind him. Something didn’t seem right. It was a hotel but it was deadly quiet. Numerous cars had been parked in the parking lot so where the hell were the patrons? My insides curdled slightly and a fear I’d battled hard to keep from taking over for a long time began to simmer.
    He swung open huge double doors and my eyes widened further. The room was decorated in whites and blues, the soft detail to rows upon rows of chairs simply breath-taking.
    “Oh wow, this is a stunning room,” I offer and look at him to gauge his demeanour.
    He nods and turns to smile at me. “Yes, we have a wedding in here this afternoon, so I’m rather eager to get started.” He points towards a large window at the back of the room and I follow him across the floor.
    A small platform with a rustic white wood backdrop is situated in front of the window and we have to walk around it to get to the problematic break in point.
    I frown at the frame, running my finger along it to check for draughts. A noise behind me makes me jump and I turn around. Mr Trafford, the hotel owner, coughs loudly and rolls his eyes, “Sorry, damn tickle has been driving me nuts.”
    The hairs on the back of my neck stand upright making me shiver. “Mr Trafford…” He smiles widely and nods, then coughs again when another noise behind the podium attracts my attention and I tilt my head to listen better. “I’m not sure what the problem is. This window is sealed tightly. There is no evidence of any break in at all.”
    He cringes when I glare at him, my narrow eyes fixed heatedly on him. My heart was beating too fast but no way would I ever be that little timid woman again. Pulling my purse higher onto my shoulder I slip my hand inside, curling my fingers around the gun my dad had insisted I carry with me. I’d argued at first but right now I was mentally thanking him.
    “Oh,” he shakes his head and laughs falsely. “I think it’s the window in the other ballroom. How stupid am I?”
    I regard him, watching the flush creep over his cheeks as his fingers twitch nervously. He stumbles back when I pull the gun from my purse and point it at his head. All the color in his face drains away as he shoots his hands up in the air. “Miss Grant, please…” he begs as he takes a step backwards. “You don’t understand.”
    “You’re hiding something, you motherfucker. Who are you working for?”
    His mouth opens and closes as he gasps for air like a damn fish. “Please no!” he whimpers but then shouts. “PLEASE PUT THE GUN AWAY.”
    I gasp when the board of the podium wobbles and then a curtain next to it falls and Jenson sits in a tux on a stool, his guitar sat in place on his lap, what the hell?
     
    “You’re everything I dreamed of, you’re that and more.
    You light up the darkness; you’re molded to my core.
    The kiss of your breath, the stride in