Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JJ

"I'd like to state for the record that I think this is a bad idea." Gabe leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he watched Mason and me fix our tuxedos.

"Noted." Mason winked. "But we have no information right now. The twins are working their asses off on tracing the person who owns that cell phone, and the best way to the place Four spoke about. Until then, this might lead us to something."

"Or get you both killed." Shep lifted a brow.

"It's not like we'll be alone. You, Gabe, Nick, and Noel will be with us." I sat on the ottoman and put my socks on.

"And what if we have trouble getting in if there's a problem?" Gabe was being a smartass, but of course that was one reason Mason loved him.

"Then I suggest you don't have trouble." Mason chuckled as he moved over to Gabe and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Before we left, I checked in with Four. He didn't say anything as he looked me up and down. Angel was sitting in a chair in the corner with a book in hand, and Max was searching for a movie to watch.

"I'll check in periodically," Shep told Angel, who nodded.

"We're good here. Go get us some good info, and be safe." Angel pointedly stared at Mason and me.

"Scout's honor." I smiled.

Angel rolled his eyes. We left them to their evening fun and went to the garage. We had a luxury SUV that was stored here, only because it was bulletproof as well. It was great if something happened and we needed to get out fast. Right now, it would act as Mason's and my ride to the charity ball.

Shep was pretending he was our driver while Gabe and the twins would follow close behind in a van. They'd park on the side of the road, which would blend in fine seeing as the Harper Reese building was in the heart of a bustling city.

It took us awhile to get there since we were driving from the safe house, so Mason and I made sure to get our stories straight regarding our names (which were chosen by Nick as he'd set up our invites), and our backstory should anyone ask who we were.

Shep pulled down the street, where a line of cars were either waiting for valet or their drivers were dropping them off.

"You two be safe, and don't be dumb." Shep narrowed his eyes at me from the rearview mirror.

"You'll be able to hear us the whole time." I huffed.

"And see us," Mason added as he tapped the pin on his lapel. We both had them. They were little roses, which was the symbol for the charity Harper Reese was having the dinner for. I suspected we'd see a lot of people wearing them and therefore wouldn't be suspicious.

"Yeah, just…" His words were cut off when the valet opened the door.

"Gentlemen?"

I couldn't tell Shep good-bye or I that loved him, but I shot him a look before slipping out of the car. Mason and I stood side by side.

"Good evening, sirs. Names please?" An older man with a tablet stood by the door.

Mason grinned, "Evening. Yes, Lewis and Clark Columbus."

The man gawked at us, wide-eyed, and there was no hiding the smirk. This would be the last time we let Nick choose undercover names.

"Yes, very good, sirs. Welcome and thank you for your donation. If you'll both step to the left, you'll need to go through security."

We'd anticipated this, but it was still nerve-wracking. I stepped in front of Mason, emptied my pockets, and went through the metal detector. It went off but it was the pin, and the guard waved me through.

Mason hooked his arm with mine and we mingled. The main entrance was insanely huge, but that wasn't a surprise.

Servers weaved all around the guests, who were dressed to the nines in Valentino and Gucci, diamonds dripping from their necks and fingers. I sipped the champagne offered to me and yup, this was top notch.

"You'd think they'd maybe use some of the money they spent on this champagne toward their charity," I whispered in Mason's ear, knowing the others could hear me.

"Facts."

A women, likely in her forties, simpered at us. "Hello there. I'm not sure I've ever met you." The way she said it meant we totally should know who she was. Thankfully, Noel's voice came through in my ear.

"Charmaine St. Lordes."

"It's a first for my husband and myself." I took her hand as she offered it. "I'm Clark and this is Lewis." I tilted my chin to Mason. "And you're Charmaine St. Lordes."

She beamed even wider. "How delightful you two are, and yes I am."

We spoke for a few minutes, and then she was off to babble at someone else. This happened a few times, and I was already exhausted.

"I don't know what I was thinking this would be, but some loose lips would be great. We're getting nothing out of these people." Mason sighed.

A hush came over the crowd at that moment, and we spun to see where everyone was staring. Sure enough, Harper Reese was entering the building and all eyes were on him.

"Now, that's someone we want to talk to," I said to Mason, who nodded.

He was very handsome, debonair, everything you'd expect a man of his wealth and good genes would look like.

On his arm was a stunning Asian woman, easily fifteen years younger than him. He never seemed to have the same date to anything, and I supposed it was why he was one of the most eligible bachelors in the country.

As he made his way through the crowd, I kept my eyes on him. I noted each happy expression, frown, laugh, hand gesture. The woman appeared somewhat bored but faked happiness whenever someone spoke to her.

"Maybe we can talk with her."

Mason tilted his head. "Hmm, not sure she'll know much since she's probably just his date for this, but it's worth a try."

A minute later Harper Reese was in front of us, a bewildered expression on his face. We were getting that a lot tonight. So many of the people who paid to be here were probably the same ones that went to all of these things. Mason and I were fresh meat. Hopefully, that was a good thing.

"Good evening, Mr. Reese." I held out my hand.

He clasped it reluctantly. "Hello, I'm sorry." He chuckled. "It's rare I meet people I've never seen before at one of these things."

Mason laughed softly. "When we saw that we could not only contribute to this charity but mingle with people in this beautiful city, we couldn't pass it up. My husband and I are actually from the other side of the country; we've only just moved this way a few months ago."

Harper nodded and smiled. "Ah, yes that might explain it. Apologies, I didn't catch your names."

"Lewis and Clark Columbus…I know." I chortled when Harper held back a laugh. "You can laugh."

So he did. "Delightful." His attention was pulled from us when a large man with ruddy cheeks hollered his name. "Lovely." He sighed. "It was nice meeting you gentlemen. Hopefully we can speak later."

Once he was out of earshot I said, more for the twins than anyone else, "Who's the obnoxious guy?"

"Rutherford Long. Big oil, old money…kind of an asshole, according to his daughter, who wrote a tell-all two years ago."

I glanced at Mason. "How does he look this shit up so fast?"

Mason shrugged, and a cacophony of laughter came through the feed from the guys.

A short time later, we were all ushered into another gigantic room. I had to wonder: if this was an office building by day, how'd they transform it into a banquet hall so easily? I was sure if I asked one of the twins, they'd tell me using big words and over-the-top hand gestures. I decided I didn't care that much.

A woman dressed in a light-pink dress asked us our names and told us we were at table twelve. Once there, we sat and waited for everyone to take their places. I wasn't familiar with anyone at our table, but I was hoping we'd at least be able to glean some information while we ate our ridiculously priced meals.

Once everyone was sat, the doors closed, and the woman next to me leaned into me.

"Now the fun really begins."

A tendril of fear crept up my spine, not only because of her words but the horrible glint in her eyes.