A line of limousines and luxury cars stretched around the block as high-profile guests and celebrities arrived, everyone dressed in their finest summer evening wear. Event security personnel were all dressed to impress and blend in with the crowd. They had their earpieces in and microphones at the ready, including Red, who’d managed to sweet-talk Ignacio, the head of security’s second-in-command, into giving him one, much to his boss’s disapproval. Red might be here as Laz’s plus one, but he wasn’t about to be left out of the loop. The more high-profile guests that arrived, the more challenging the evening became. The arrival of celebrities, meant personal bodyguards, and with the security already in place, you had a hell of a lot of testosterone in one place. Too many cooks in the kitchen could lead to explosive results.

  Elena was working the crowd and had been since she arrived. This was obviously not her first rodeo, and she was clearly a seasoned pro at deflecting unwanted questions by the media. Whenever someone tried to ask about her husband, she expertly managed to turn the topic of conversation around to her new and exciting spring collection. During interviews, she’d mention Laz and how he was a hot new talent to look out for. She gushed over him, telling everyone how she couldn’t have gotten through this without his support.

  “I can’t believe I’m here.” Laz smoothed down the front of his shirt for what seemed like the hundredth time, and Red gently put his hand to the small of his back.

  “I know you’re nervous, but you’re incredibly talented. You deserve to be at this event.”

  “Thank you.” Laz smiled at him, and stole a quick kiss. “I’m glad you’re with me. I always feel so grounded when you’re around.”

  The sweet confession had Red smiling like a dope, and he stole a kiss in return. “I’m glad I’m with you too.”

  The doors to the main building opened, signaling that it was time to go inside for the fashion show. Elena excused herself and joined them. She was very good about not going anywhere without Laz. Red pressed the PTT button clipped to his suit jacket cuff and spoke into his microphone. “Laz, Elena, and I are heading inside.”

  “Copy that,” Ignacio replied. “Keep me posted.”

  Red followed Laz and Elena inside the main building toward the back of the huge room, past the runway set up against the huge stage. Security took position around the floor while the guests flooded in to take their seats. Backstage, models were running around in various stages of undress as Elena and two other men, one older and one younger, gave directions, making last minute adjustments. Frocks in various fabrics and colors bright enough to blind someone were tossed around, male models were strapped into heels, women stood getting their feet airbrushed in glittering metallic colors. Red had no idea what was going on or what any of it meant, but Laz seemed enthralled, and Elena was in her element.

  Makeup artists and hairstylists ran around spraying, powdering, teasing, curling. Red had never seen such organized chaos. Despite the madness, everyone appeared to know what they were doing. If something went wrong, someone else came swooping in to fix it or provide an alternative. Fitz dashed out from what looked like a dressing room, and his smile was huge when he saw Laz. He ran over and gave Laz’s cheek a big kiss, then surprised Red by giving his cheek a kiss too.

  “It’s so good to see you both! I need to go, but I’ll see you at the after-party, right?”

  Laz nodded. “Shine bright!”

  “Like a diamond,” Fitz sang, winking at him before blowing him a kiss and dashing off toward a model who was having some sort of hair crisis.

  “Wow, is it always like this?” Red asked, jumping out of the way as a woman carrying a dress with so many skirts she couldn’t be seen over them, whizzed by. He didn’t usually do these types of events, and when he did, he often worked the floor, or if he was providing personal security, he would be with his client. This was his first time backstage at such a huge fashion show, and it was intense. Numerous security personnel stood at various posts keeping an eye on all the activity, checking credentials, and making sure that everyone who was backstage was supposed to be there.

  “I’ve only worked small events, but yeah, it gets a little crazy backstage, especially in the dressing rooms, since at something this big you’ll have a lot of models, all of whom have to share.”

  The music began and the models ran to line up on both sides of the curtain, then started to do their thing. Elena was scheduled to come out at the end once the showcase ended. Red stayed close to Laz as several people came up to him to say hello, to mention his portfolio and how they’d been hearing nothing but amazing things about him and his work. Laz exchanged business cards with nearly all of them, his smile wide. The longer he was there, the more comfortable he seemed to be getting. He pointed out people he’d worked with before, and those he’d like to one day work with. As people ran around, Laz pointed out what their jobs were and the tasks they performed. It struck Red that Laz was including him, sharing this part of his life with Red, wanting him to be a part of it, and it made Red incredibly happy.

  Laz had been teasing Red about one of the outfits a male model wore, and how maybe Red should get something similar. It had been an extremely revealing piece.

  “You think I could pull it off?”

  “Oh definitely,” Laz replied, his gaze turning sinful. He leaned in so only Red would hear. “I especially like those mesh short-shorts. Your ass would look amazing in those.”

  “Hm, it would definitely turn a few heads,” Red teased, laughing when Laz peered at him.

  “Who said anything about you wearing those outside? Those are for my eyes only.”

  Red laughed, loving the little growl that came out of Laz at the prospect of someone else seeing Red in the revealing shorts. He opened his mouth to reply, but his cell phone went off. “Hold that thought.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, his smile fading when he saw King’s name on the screen. “Hey, everything okay?”

  “No, we’ve got a problem.”

  “What is it?” Red asked.

  “Paolo made bail this morning.”

  “What?” A chill ran up Red’s spine, and he instinctively pulled Laz closer to him as he scanned the area. “How the hell did he make bail? Wasn’t it set at, like, a million dollars? Where the hell did Paolo get that kind of money?” It certainly hadn’t been from his wife. Just the mention of his name had her spitting at the floor and cursing him.

  “The lawyer. I don’t know how or why, but he got out this morning, which gave him plenty of time to get down here in time for tonight’s event,” King replied. “Let that asshat in charge know we’re on our way. I don’t want his guys giving us shit when we get there. It’ll take a little time with traffic, but we’ll be there as soon as we can.”

  “Do we know Paolo’s heading this way?”

  “Mason had a guy tailing him but lost him on some back road when Paolo got off I-95. He’s definitely heading south. Mason’s trying to get ahold of Paolo. Maybe he can convince him not to do anything stupid.”

  “Shit. He could be coming after Laz,” Red said. “I need to move him somewhere safe until we know more.”

  “What?” Laz stared up at him, but he followed Red without question when Red started pulling him along.

  “Where are you two?” King asked.

  “Backstage. I need to find Elena. If Laz is in danger, she might be as well.”

  “Agreed. I had Ace send Ignacio a picture of Paolo, and ask him to send it to all his guys. Even if they’ve got all the exits and windows covered, they’ve got more area and bodies to secure than they have manpower, so be extra vigilant.”

  “Can you bring me a gun?” Red was a guest. No way they’d let him in here with a firearm.

  “I’ve got you covered. I’ll let you know as soon as we’re onsite.”

  “Thanks.” Red hung up, then quickly put in a call to Ignacio directly rather than use the earpiece. The last thing he needed right now was that dick Cohen throwing his weight around. Cohen might be in charge, but he was more concerned with trying to put Red in his place than listening to reason. Thankfully, Red managed to get Ignacio right away, and the man didn’t question him when Red asked him to locate Elena and bring her backstage.

  “Oh my God.” Laz gasped, his worried gaze moving to Red.

  “We don’t know if Paolo is armed and what threat he might pose to you or the hundreds of guests in attendance,” Red explained, “It’s very unlikely that he’ll get past the front door, but if by some chance he does, I’ll do my best to detain him. The guys are on their way.”

  “I just don’t understand. Why is he coming here?” Laz shook his head. “That makes no sense. He has to know the place is crawling with security, that you’ll be here with me. Does he really think he’s just going to walk through the door?”

  “We don’t know for sure that he’s coming here, but until we know more, we can’t take any chances. There’s no telling what he’s thinking,” Red said gently. “Paolo could be facing time in prison. Who knows what’s driving him right now.”

  Red’s phone went off again, and he was relieved when Ignacio confirmed he had Elena. “Are you still backstage?”

  “Yeah. Meet us by the first dressing room.”

  Two minutes later, Ignacio showed up with Elena in tow.

  “What is happening?” Elena asked nervously.

  “We’ve been informed that your husband made bail this morning and it’s possible he may be heading this way,” Red replied. “We need to get you and Laz somewhere safe until we have more information.”

  Elena gasped. “What? But how?” She shook her head. “It does not matter. He will not get through the door. There is security everywhere, no?”

  Ignacio nodded. “I have personnel guarding the exits and entrances, and the moment he’s spotted, I’ll be notified, but we have two buildings to cover and an outside area. Also, we only have armed personnel at the doors. Our people in here are not armed.”

  “Well, no,” Elena said, eyes wide. “We have never had a problem before, and the thought of armed men everywhere made me nervous. Too many guns in your country.”

  “That’s a debate for another time,” Red said before turning to Ignacio. “Where’s the safest place to move them to?”

  Ignacio opened his mouth, but Elena snapped her fingers and spoke first. “The rain dress!”

  They all exchanged glances before Laz asked the question they were thinking. “The what now?”

  “The rain dress. It is the final piece of the show. It is made up of thousands of very small diamonds and crystals worth millions. It was designed to look as if the model is being rained down on. As you can imagine, the room it is kept in is very secure. No one is allowed in or out, and only two people have the key, myself and the event manager.”

  “Which room is that in?” Red asked.

  “The final dressing room,” she replied, pointing toward the other end of the backstage area where there was more security and less foot traffic.

  “Okay.” Red nodded and motioned for Elena to lead the way. “I’ll stay in the room with you until the rest of the Kings arrive. They should be here soon.”

  They quickly escorted Elena and Laz past several dressing rooms until they reached the one that was closed at the very end. Two men in black suits stood guard outside the room, and they nodded when Ignacio greeted them. Elena removed the key from some hidden pocket in her dress and opened the room. Inside, the dressing room looked like a fabric factory had exploded. A long table was pressed up against one wall and it was covered in all manner of sewing supplies. The couch on the opposite wall was draped in various fabrics, and the rain dress Elena had described was on a mannequin in the center of the room, the diamonds sparkling beneath the lights.

  “There will be guards just outside,” Ignacio said. “Let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.” Red shook Ignacio’s hand before the guy left and closed the door behind him.

  “But my show,” Elena said with a pout. “I am expected to be seen at the end. I must thank everyone for coming.”

  Red put a hand to her shoulder, his tone soothing. “And you’ll make your appearance. We still have plenty of time. As soon as the Kings arrive, we’ll assess the situation, and if it’s necessary, we’ll personally escort you to the stage, then stand guard.”

  “Thank you so much. Please, if Paolo does arrive, do not let the media see. I cannot stand another scandal. Everyone worked so hard on this show. I do not want his presence to ruin everything they have done.”

  “I’ll do my best to keep things quiet, but you have to understand that I’m not in charge here, and neither are the Kings.” Red carefully moved some of the fabric so Laz could take a seat on the couch. Elena dropped down next to him with a huff.

  “So what now? We just sit here and wait?”

  “That’s pretty much how it works. If Paolo does show up, we need to keep you as far away from him as possible until he’s detained.” Red took a seat next to Laz and wrapped an arm around him as Laz leaned into him. He really hoped this was all over soon for Laz’s sake. Anyone in his position would have had their nerves frazzled by now, but Laz was doing incredibly well.

  “I’m very proud of the way you’re handling all this,” Red told him quietly. “I know you’re exhausted and just want to get your life back.”

  Laz smiled up at him, and placed a feathery kiss along his jaw. “As long as you’re with me.”

  Red’s phone went off once more. It was King. “Tell me you have news.”

  “I do, but it’s not good. Paolo’s lawyer just called Mason. Paolo was on his way to the event, but not for Laz. He was going for Bryan. He was afraid Bryan was in danger.”

  “What? From who?”

  “Bryan was supposed to be in tonight’s show, but he got food poisoning and has been home puking his guts out all day. Paolo found out on the drive down and headed straight to Bryan’s apartment in Miami Beach. Police confirm he’s there now. Red, Paolo believes whoever tried to kill Laz is on their way to the event. His apartment was ransacked, and more money left his account while he was in custody. Paolo told his lawyer that his invitation to tonight’s event was missing.” King’s words sent a jolt through Red, and he jumped to his feet.

  “What is it?” Laz asked, coming to stand by his side.

  “We’re about ten minutes away.” King sounded tense, and Red knew King hated the fact he wasn’t here. He opened his mouth to reply when his earpiece came to life, and what Ignacio said turned his blood to ice.

  “King, meet me in the garden as soon as you and the guys arrive. Something just went down. It could be him.”

  “Shit. Stay safe.”

  Red promptly hung up with King and let Ignacio know he was on his way.

  “What’s going on?” Laz asked.

  “I need to go. Ignacio just called. They spotted someone behaving suspiciously in the garden, and when they approached the guy, he attacked one of the guards. There’s blood, and it’s a damn mess. It could be our shooter.” Red opened the door and turned to one of the guards. He was a huge brick wall of a man, almost as tall and wide as Red with a stern expression that could stop someone dead in their tracks.

  “Stay on this door until someone from Four Kings Security arrives. Got it?”

  The guard hesitated but then nodded, and Red turned to Laz. He pulled him into his arms. “I’ll be right back. If you need anything, security is right outside, okay? King and the guys will be here any minute, and I’ll send someone over. If for some reason something happens, don’t open the door for anyone that isn’t one of us.”

  Laz nodded, his big blue eyes filled with concern. “Please be careful, Red. No more getting shot.”

  “I’ll try my best,” Red promised. His job as a King involved risks, and he couldn’t pretend there wasn’t any danger in what he did. Colton’s case wasn’t the first time he’d been hurt, especially when dealing with executive protection. He wouldn’t lie to Laz about the dangers he faced, but he would also do his best to reassure him. They shared a quick but sweet kiss before Red took off. He closed the door behind him, making sure it was locked before hurrying toward the main floor. Running would arouse suspicion, so he walked as quickly as he could without drawing attention to himself, which wasn’t always easy with his size and red hair.

  Thankfully the fashion show was in full swing, so no one was paying attention to him as he scurried across the room near the wall until he reached the lobby. Then he did run. If someone was here to hurt Laz, Red was going to make sure they never got near Laz ever again.

  “Why would he do this?”

  Elena was working herself into a frenzy. Red had only just left, but it felt like ages. Laz tried his best not to let his imagination run away with him. What if it was the shooter? Red wasn’t armed. Not that he didn’t believe Red was incapable of taking down an armed man, but that didn’t mean Laz wasn’t going to worry. Waiting to hear was the worst. It was going to be a challenge, being with someone who worked such a potentially dangerous job. He hadn’t really given Red’s position as a King much thought, seeing as how Red hadn’t been on the job since Colton’s case. Worrying about Red was something he imagined he’d always do, but he couldn’t allow himself to think of the “what-ifs” or he’d drive himself and poor Red crazy.

  “Do you think he really sent a killer after us?” Elena flailed her hands as she flitted furiously from one end of the room to the other like a hummingbird, her breath coming out labored.

  “It’s going to be okay, Elena.” Laz tried to calm her, but she was working herself into a frantic state.

  “How well do we truly know someone? I never thought he would hurt me, but what if he has sent that killer after me? Dio, no, no, no, this cannot be happening.” She started to wheeze, and Laz tried corralling her in the hopes of ushering her to the couch.

  “Why don’t you sit down. I’ll see if I can get someone to bring you some tea or water.” Laz hurried to the door.