Page 44 of Playing with Trouble

“A corporate casino that doesn’t sponsor small, local walkathons.They throw money at the big, flashy stuff like national charities and black-tie galas that get them name recognition.”A thought struck and I paused.“Actually, Christopher’s museum might sponsor a walkathon.”

Ford tilted his head.“Christopher works at a museum?”

I nodded.“I know it doesn’t sound like him.It’s a temporary job.He wants to go to community college and focus on a degree in something techy.”I couldn’t help smiling, pride swelling in my chest when I thought about Christopher finally getting his shit together.“Right now, he’s at one of those touristy museums on the strip where they rotate art, jewelry, artifacts, and cultural events.Those kinds of things.”

Ford considered that.“Do you think the owners would be open to sponsoring?”

“Maybe.”I thought for a moment.“I could drop in at the museum and see what Christopher thinks.”

“We can go today since you’re off,” Ford offered.

“Sure.”It would be nice to get out and I wouldn’t mind checking in on my brother anyway.We’d texted regularly, but I hadn’t seen him since the day after my accident.“Let me change and we can go.”

I opted for a cute pair of pink capri jeans and a black polka dot halter top, and pulled my hair up in a casual ponytail.I was tempted to text Christopher and give him a heads-up, but the idea of surprising him appealed more.We arrived at the museum during his early lunch break, and we found him in the break room after being directed there by his co-worker.

He was clearly startled to see me.“Violet, hey.”

He pushed his chair back and stood as I moved in for a hug.He stiffened against me, and pulled away almost instantly.

“Sorry,” I teased, arching a brow.“Am I ruining your street cred by hugging you where everyone at work can see?”

He didn’t banter back.His gaze went to Ford, then back to me, his frown tight.“What are you doing here?”

I shrugged, trying not to take his mood personally.“Thought I’d stop by and see you for lunch, and maybe talk to your boss about sponsoring a walkathon?If he’s available?”

“He’s pretty busy.The crown arrives tomorrow and he wants everything to be perfect.”

“Crown?”Ford asked curiously, stepping up to my side.

“It’s from seventeenth century Spain.Pure gold and studded with emeralds.”Christopher’s tone was a little sharp, his stress written plain in the dark circles under his eyes.“It’s the most expensive artifact we’ve ever had.It comes in tomorrow and the boss has us all running around like rats on a sinking ship.Tightening security protocols, testing display cases, checking humidity levels, recalibrating alarms, you name it.The thing hasn’t even arrived yet and half the staff is losing their minds trying to make sure everything is in place.”

I frowned.Christopher looked thinner than when I last saw him, and worn down.“Well, why don’t you pick a place to eat?Crown or no crown, you still get your lunch break.And I’ll talk to your boss.It won’t take long.”

Christopher hesitated, but eventually nodded and led Ford and me toward the offices.

His boss, Frank, turned out to be an older, heavyset man with a receding hairline that he tried to cover up with one of those awful comb-overs.I put on my best professional smile, turned on the charm, and explained that my boyfriend’s sister was part of a walkathon, smoothing the edges of the pitch like I’d done it a hundred times before.I told him it would be good publicity for a small, local museum, that it would align them with the community and most importantly that it was a small investment for easy advertising, especially with the new exhibit coming in.

Frank agreed quickly, exactly as I’d suspected.

But when the three of us stepped out of the museum to grab lunch a few doors down, Ford looked impressed with my finesse, while Christopher just stared at me like I’d grown a second head.

“Boyfriend?”he repeated, his voice pitching higher in disbelief as his gaze darted between myself and Ford.“Are you two…together?”

Heat climbed my cheeks.Ford’s eyes sparkled with barely contained amusement as he watched me explain things to my brother.

“No, of course not,” I said, hating how flustered I sounded.“It was just easier to say my boyfriend than explain that it was for the sister of my bodyguard.”I winced.“That just sounds…weird.And then your boss would wonder why I even have a bodyguard.”

My brother still looked unconvinced as we walked toward the sushi restaurant.Ford slipped a few steps behind us, giving Christopher and I space but still close by, watchful and alert.

“I don’t like that you have to have a bodyguard,” Christopher finally muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.“But I’m glad you do…just in case.”

“Ford thought we might have been followed the other day,” I admitted quietly.

Christopher jerked his head toward me, eyes wide.“What?”

“A blue sports car,” I explained, watching as his lips tightened and something I couldn’t quite pinpoint flash in his eyes.“If they were following us, Ford lost them quickly.He’s good at what he does.I know he’ll keep me safe, if this guy from the casino is even after me.They’re still investigating.”

Christopher’s shoulders slumped.He rubbed a hand over his face, looking even more stressed out.