Free Knock Out (A Reynolds Security Novel) by Melissa Hale

man but had a dark tan, dark hair and eyes. She took the seat a couple away from him at the bar and ordered a drink. She pretended to take a sip and sighed.
    “ The best thing about these things is the open bar.” She said to the man and giggled as if she had made good use of the open bar. The man looked at her, his eyes dropped to the necklace and then lifted back to her face. He nodded and gave a weak smile.
    “ You don’t really look like you are enjoying the party.” She tilted her head toward him in sympathy. “Anything I can do to cheer you up?”
    “ No, but thanks.” The man walked away taking his drink with him.
    “ I said flirt with him, not proposition him.” Colby laughed.
    “ I was flirting!” She defended.
    “ Maybe he’s gay.” Someone else said.
    “ Nah, he’s not gay.” Colby said.
    “ Maybe he already has a girl.” Lou defended him.
    “ Yeah right, he still would’ve flirted.” Someone else’s voice, she thought it was Charlie said, “Probably would’ve done a lot more than that.” Lou sighed and swiveled on her stool.
    “ How long do we have to wait? Isn’t it possible that nothing is going to happen?”
    “ We wait until the place clears out and the jewels are secured in the hotel safe I guess.” Colby said. Lou glanced at the visible security team stationed around the room. They had to be really bored just standing there. At least she was free to move around go to the ladies room if necessary. She glanced toward the hallway to the bathroom. She had gone when she first arrived and she had to admit the Radisson bathroom was the most opulent bathroom she had ever been in. It would probably be the most opulent bathroom she ever would go in, it would be hard to top. She glanced at the man at the end of the hallway and almost felt sorry for him, guarding the ladies room all night. He met her gaze and then quickly looked away.
    Something prickled at the back of her neck. There was something about the man. He was dressed like the rest of the security detail but … he didn’t look familiar she suddenly realized.
    “ Does anyone know who the guy stationed outside the ladies room is?”
    “ He’s one of ours isn’t he?”
    “ He’s not in the personnel directory. We’re the newest right? And we’re all in there right?”
    “ Anyone recognize him?” Everyone responded with a negative response.
    “ I haven’t been to the ladies room since I put this choke collar on. What if it is as simple as that? He is waiting to jump me in the bathroom.”
    “ Well hell let’s find out.” That was definitely Charlie and she almost smiled.
    “ Give us a minute to get in position Lou.” She looked around the room talking with passersby and pretending to drink until Colby gave her the go ahead. She walked to the ladies room. The man didn’t even look at her as she passed by. She passed a giggly woman on her way out but didn’t hear anyone else when she stepped inside. She didn’t have long to wait she didn’t hear him enter but she knew he was coming. He grabbed her from behind and she felt the barrel of a gun press against her side.
    “ Just give me the necklace and I’ll let you live.” The man’s arm around her throat caused bile to rise up in her throat but she pushed it down. She was here to do a job.
    “ You’ll never get away with this. The place is crawling with security.”
    “ Not good enough, I got you didn’t I?”
    “ So what is this some stunt to show up security?”
    “ Just give me the necklace.”
    “ Okay okay but you’re going to have to loosen your hold.” She put her hands up as if to undo the clasp, as soon as he loosened she brought her elbow hard into his solar plexus.” Colby, Charlie and Sam all materialized from various hiding places and disarmed the coughing man.
    “ Lou you didn’t let us have any fun.” Charlie complained while zip tying the suspect’s wrists, Lou laughed.
    “ Anyone have eyes on Reynolds or Carpenter?”
    “ I got