Driving Force

His stomach clenched at the thought of what those little girls endured. But tonight was about glitz and glamour. Yeah, he would be completely out of his element. Give him an M4A1 rifle, camouflage paint and a mission to take out some terrorists and he would be more comfortable. Dressed in a black tuxedo that made him look like a really tall penguin with his face shaved to within an inch of his life, he wasn’t feeling it. And the damned tie...

“Here, let me.” The team’s benefactor, Charlotte Halverson, didn’t ask them to play bodyguard to her very often, but when she did, she wanted them to blend in, not stick out. Thus, the tuxedo at a black-tie event. The older woman tugged and pulled at the bow tie until she was satisfied. Then she patted his cheek with a smile. “You look magnificent.” She turned her smile to the team leader, Declan O’Neill. “Both of you look wonderful. I’ll be the envy of the ball. The gossiping old biddies will be jealous that I have two very handsome men escorting me.” She winked. “We don’t have to tell anyone that you’re my bodyguards. Although, I’m sure they’ll figure that out.” Charlie chuckled. “I haven’t gone to many galas since my husband’s death, but this is one I can’t miss. This organization meant a lot to John. He would want me to continue to support their efforts.”

“We don’t mind going. You’ve done so much for our group we can’t begin to repay you,” Declan said. He hadn’t had any difficulties at all with his tie. He stood straight and tall in his tuxedo like he owned it, though it was rented.

“Oh, shush. You and your men are helping me realize a dream. One my husband had, as well. What you’ve done so far to help others is phenomenal. Declan’s Defenders is exactly what I’d hoped for. I’m just sorry I’m using you for bodyguard duty tonight.”

“Since we aren’t otherwise assigned, we’re glad to do it. Heck, we’re glad to do it anytime.” Declan lifted her hand and stood back. “You look stunning.”

Charlie’s cheeks reddened. “Thank you. We should get going. Arnold is chauffeuring us tonight. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

Gus followed Charlie and Declan out of the widow’s mansion to the waiting limousine. Mack Balkman would lead in a dark SUV and Jack Snow would follow to make sure nothing happened on their way to the Mayflower Hotel.

Charlie had already been the target of a kidnapping attempt in DC. Declan had been there when it happened and saved her from being taken. That incident had led to all six of the former Force Recon team being employed, forming Declan’s Defenders.

The timing could not have been better. After being processed out of the marines with dishonorable discharges for disobeying a direct order, they’d been basically unemployable and out on the streets. Charlie had given them jobs and hope.

Gus would do anything for that woman. Including dressing up in a tuxedo to go to a black-tie gala in DC. She’d saved them all from being homeless veterans living on the streets.

Forty minutes later, after navigating traffic into the downtown district, they arrived at the Mayflower and handed off their vehicles to the valet. Gus and Declan would go inside with Charlie, while Mack, Snow and Arnold guarded the outside perimeter.

Gus counted four guards at the entrance to the hotel. A red carpet had been rolled out for the arriving guests. Ahead of them, reporters leaned over the cordon ribbon to snap pictures of a pop rock singing sensation who’d brought her latest boyfriend to the event.

Charlie waited for the young woman and her date to move on before she moved closer.

As before, the reporters leaned over the tape and snapped photos of Charlie, one of the city’s leading benefactors. Gus understood that in DC, Charlie was as much of a celebrity as the singer. She and her husband had given so much to many of the nonprofits and helped hospitals and communities with their generosity.

Gus stood beside her, trying not to blink at every camera flash, watching the crowds for anyone who might pose a threat to his boss.

Behind them, another limousine pulled up. The reporters abandoned Charlie for the latest celebrity sighting.

Finally, they were able to move into the building. Just inside the door stood two more security guards and a woman with an electronic tablet checking names against those on her list.

“Good evening, Mrs. Halverson. We’re so very glad you could make it to the gala this year.” The woman glanced up from her tablet and smiled. She looked from Declan to Gus. “Which one of you is Mr. O’Neill?”

Declan nodded. “I am.”

“Thank you.” She turned to Gus. “And you must be Mr. Walsh.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Gus said.

The woman chuckled. “Please, don’t call me ma’am. I’m not that old.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Gus said again. “Miss.”

She smiled again and backed up a step. “We hope you enjoy the evening, and thank you for supporting the children who need it the most.”

Mrs. Halverson swept past the woman and the guards.

Gus and Declan had to hustle to keep up with her. Once they cleared the spacious foyer, hotel staff directed them into the grand ballroom.

Already, there were hundreds of guests mingling and visiting with each other, all dressed in their finest. Men in black tuxedoes and women wearing sparkling dresses in silver, gold, blue, red and more.

The crush of people made Gus nervous. How were they supposed to keep Charlie safe when any one of the guests could easily get close enough to jab a knife into the widow?

Gus found himself stepping in front of Charlie every time someone approached.

“Gus,” Charlie said. “It’s okay. These people are harmless. They were all screened by the event coordinator. Now, scoot back and let me mingle with the people who paid a lot of money to support the charity. It’s the least I can do to ensure this organization gets the funding needed to help the children.” Charlie marched forward to a group of men and women, smiling and greeting every one of them by name.

Declan touched Gus’s arm. “She should be okay,” he said, though his attention continued to be directed at Charlie and the people surrounding her.

The widow laughed at what someone in the group said. Another man with a black tuxedo and a crooked bow tie approached Charlie.

The hairs on the back of Gus’s neck spiked. He started forward, expecting Declan’s arm to shoot out.

His leader didn’t slow him down a bit. Instead, he stepped out with Gus and swung wide around the man heading for Charlie.

Gus headed straight for the man and clamped a hand on his shoulder.

Declan stepped in front of him at the same time.

The man frowned. “Excuse me—is there something you want?”

“We’re here with Mrs. Halverson,” Declan said.

“Exactly who I wanted to speak with.” The man looked past Declan. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just have a word with her.”

Gus didn’t loosen his hold on the man’s shoulder. “You won’t mind if we check you for weapons, will you?”

The gentleman’s eyes rounded. “What?”

Gus ran his hands down the man’s sides, patting his tuxedo jacket for bulges.

“I beg your pardon.” The guy backed out of Gus’s reach. “I do mind being treated like a criminal.”

“Gus, Declan, what are you doing?” Charlie’s voice sounded behind Declan.

“The man was converging on you at a high rate of speed,” Gus explained. “We’re making sure he isn’t carrying a weapon.”

“Good Lord.” Charlie stepped between Gus and the man. “This is Joseph Morley, the event reporter. He always features me in his account of this gala.” She turned to Joseph. “Please excuse my overzealous bodyguards. They don’t know everyone.”

Morley straightened his jacket and gave Charlie a tight smile. “At least they have your best interests at heart.”

“Yes, they do. I can’t fault them for that.” She gave Declan and Gus each a narrow-eyed glare. “But they can stand back and let me have a little space while we’re here.”

Heat rushed into Gus’s cheeks. How was he supposed to know who was friend and who was foe?

Declan and Gus took the clue and stepped back, allowing Charlie a chance to visit with Morley.