Carmella met his gaze, wrapping him up in her cocoon. While she spoke to the crowd, he felt as if he were the only person in the room. “I think if we all bid high enough tonight, we will be able to fund the diving equipment and training needed, which so many of the men and women on the team have been paying out of their own pockets until now.”
A buzz burst out across the room and, from the looks on people’s faces, they weren’t aware how much firefighters and others spent of their own money to train to keep them and their communities safe.
“And if you dig even deeper,” Carm continued, “they can purchase their first boat and all the high-end, specialized apparatus needed—like sonar and a bigger boat—for a full-blown water-rescue squad.”
Tony couldn’t believe his ears. He’d never said a word to her about his ultimate dream to go beyond the diving team. Of course, she’d been with the other firefighters at the restaurant on Provo when they’d been talking to him about what would be involved to outfit a complete water-rescue squad.
Tony mouthed a lame thank you, and she beamed back at him before turning her focus back to the room at large. Having a squad that could answer to all kinds of water emergencies, including swift-water ones like that bad call in June, would be huge.
“Please be generous as we start auctioning off the Colorado firefighters and other bachelors who have generously donated their services tonight. Before we get to our firefighters, though, we’re going to start off with Nick London from New York City. When he heard this was a fundraiser for a fire department, he immediately volunteered. I’m going to let him say a few words before he goes on the auction block.”
The man Tony had been more than a little jealous of earlier made his way to the podium. Impeccable in his tuxedo—probably not a rental like Tony’s—he exuded confidence and strength. Shawana, the young woman standing next to him, whistled under her breath. When Tony looked over at the woman he’d first met on Capitol Peak during the rescue in June, he could see the admiration and, quite frankly, lust in her expression. No doubt she’d be placing the first bid.
Carm made her way to the back of the room where Tony stood.
“If there weren’t so many eyes on us, I’d kiss you right now.” They hadn’t told anyone that they’d been dating yet. He wasn’t sure she wanted a public reveal with so many family members watching them. “But mere words can’t express how grateful I am for what you’re doing here tonight, Carmella.”
“Don’t thank me until we see how the auction goes.”
“Principessa, these women are chomping at the bit to spend loads of money tonight. How’d you manage to keep this a secret? Did Rafe or Marc know what was up?”
She shook her head. “Nope. I didn’t want you to find out prematurely, so I remained vague with everyone except the deputy chief of operations in your department who promised to keep it a secret.”
That explained why the deputy chief was here tonight. Tony had wondered.
“When the bidding starts for me, don’t let me down. I can’t imagine anyone else I’d rather spend the evening with than you.”
Carm’s eyes smoldered with unspoken promise. This evening wouldn’t end with dancing here at her resort. He couldn’t wait to get her alone. Maybe he could spirit her away a little early. Regardless, he’d switched shifts with one of the married guys who hadn’t come to be part of the auction, so he didn’t have to be at the station to work until Monday.
“Thank you, Carmella,” Nick began from the stage, “for putting this event together.”
Tony took her by the elbow and turned her toward the front of the room.
“Having lost a younger brother in the Towers on 9/11, supporting first responders in anything they set their minds to do has been a major priority for me.”
His words slammed into Tony, who felt ashamed for his earlier thoughts about the guy. Clearly, he understood losing a family member in the line of duty. “I’d like to make a ten-thousand dollar donation to tonight’s cause.”
A round of applause rang out at his generosity. Tony was blown away.
Nick turned his attention to the women in the audience, scanning the room as if looking for someone. “Let the fun begin. And whoever is the highest bidder, look me up when you’re in New York City, and I’ll give you a second date and show off the town I love in a way no tour guide ever would.”
Several women in the audience oohed and aahed at his offer. He knew how to whip up interest.
“Who will start the bidding for Mr. London?” Sandro asked.
“Two thousand!” Shawana shouted. Nick focused his attention in her direction, and his eyes opened wider before he grinned.
“Dang, Shawana.” Carm said to her. “You go, girlfriend!”
“Now that I no longer work with him, I figured he’s fair game as a date. I’ve silently lusted after him for so many years, it’s time.”
Carm laughed and, as the bidding rose higher, leaned over to whisper in Tony’s ear, “Shawana recently moved here from New York to start a new life at a slower pace.”
When the bidding between at least six women was over, Tony remained silent, stunned at how much the man had gone for. That would be enough to send several team members to the Caribbean for more dive time.
Sandro thanked the woman with the highest bid, then checked his list on the podium and called Franco up. His second-oldest brother looked even less comfortable in his tux than Tony. Or maybe it was not knowing who would win his company for the evening.
Franco didn’t date much, as far as Tony could tell. Pretty much the loner of the family, lately he’d been talking
