same in similar situations. An appearance of toughness to do things Quinn could do without thinking.
As she squeezed past the other guests, her eyes moved across the room. She was doing a good job at looking like she was just interested in the exhibit while she checked out those around her. As her eyes moved toward Quinn’s position, he took a step to his left, effectively hiding behind one of the paintings.
Several moments later, she stopped at the refreshment table near the hallway. While she waited for her glass of wine, Quinn walked up behind her.
“Maybe you should wait on that,” he said.
Tasha turned. Quinn had seen her scared, nervous, even confident, but this was the first time he’d seen her surprised.
“What are you doing here?” she finally managed.
“Come on,” he said. He put a hand on her arm and pulled her toward the hallway.
“Wait. Where are we going?”
Quinn didn’t answer; instead he relied on the fact she wouldn’t want to make a scene. He led her down the hallway, through the metal detector, and out into a small alley.
“You’re hurting me,” she whispered. “Let me go.”
Without releasing his grip, he walked with her along the alley until they were out of listening range of the people who’d stepped outside for a smoke.
“How did you get in?”
She looked unsure for a moment, then said, “A friend back in Houston...works at a gallery. She was able to make a few calls and get
me an invitation.”
“Are you
“I’m not going to stop looking for Jenny just because you told me to. I asked for your help, but you refused. So that means I’m on my own. The congressman is supposed to be here. I’m going to talk to him.”
“You really think he’s going to tell you anything?” Quinn said. “You probably won’t be able to get within five feet of him. I told you before, go home.”
“No.”
His fingers dug into her biceps as Quinn felt his anger rising.
“Stop it,” Tasha said, looking at his hand.
He loosened his grip. He wanted to scare her away, not hurt her. “Look, I’m not sure the congressman even knows anything. So please, just leave.”
“I have to tr—”
“You won’t get anywhere with him,” Quinn said, cutting her off. He took a breath, then added in a calmer voice, “But I might.”
She looked at him, skeptical at first. “You just want me to get out of your way, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Fine,” she said, after a moment’s consideration. “I’ll do that, but only if you tell me what you learn.”
Quinn started to say no, but stopped. The look on her face told him it wasn’t an answer she would accept. “If I do, then you need to promise me you’ll forget about all of this and go home.”
“Are you really trying to help Jenny?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She searched his face, as if she was trying to determine whether he was telling her the truth or not.
“Deal,” she finally said.
CHAPTER
“PULL OUT YOUR PHONE,” QUINN TOLD TASHA. “PRE
tend you’re texting someone.”
She looked at him as if she didn’t understand what he meant.
Quinn looked over at one of the groups of smokers, then back at her. “If you’re doing something, no one will pay you any attention.”
“You promise to come back?” she asked.
“I’ll come back.”
She nodded reluctantly, then pulled out her phone as he headed back into the building.
The crowd in the gallery had grown even larger since Quinn and Tasha had left. Quinn had to push his way through several groups until he found a spot where he was able to survey the entire room.
Once he did, it didn’t take long to spot the congressman.
