An Opportunity Seized by Donna Gallagher Page A

sadness.
    Jason lowered his head until he could brush his lips over her temple. “It’ll be okay, luv. I’m not gonna let anyone hurt you. Nate’s the best man I know for this kinda thing. We’re lucky to have him on board. It’s going to be all right.”
    Jason didn’t respond to Nathan’s snort.
    The car finally pulled to a stop outside the high-rise building that housed Grimaldi Holdings. He and Nate had already decided that the underground car park was not where they wanted to be, given that the un-sub had experience with explosives. Better to make a quick dash from the curb, both men shielding Toni.
    All hell broke loose, though, the second the entourage entered the Grimaldi building. Security was everywhere, unfortunately not all of it Haven men. Police were crawling all over. They were just about to enter the lift when Jason felt a hand on his shoulder.
    “I need you to step away from the elevator door, sir, and identify yourself,” someone demanded from behind him.
    “Not a chance, bud. I’m taking Toni up to speak to her father and no one is about to stop me,” Jason replied with enough of a threat in his voice to make it clear he was dead serious.
    “I said stop… I’m a police officer and have given you a clear directive. If you don’t comply immediately, I will arrest you.”
    Jason heard Nathan chuckle. If he wasn’t so pissed off with this skinny kid—the one who couldn’t keep from prancing from foot to foot, showing just how nervous he was about the confrontation—Jason might have laughed too. But the reality of the situation Jason did not find amusing in the least. This cop wouldn’t have a clue how to stop a real threat to Toni’s safety. Jason just growled in the kid’s direction and directed Toni through the now opening lift door, checking first that the car was empty.
    “He’s with me, Constable. I’m Nathan Haven, head of Mr. Grimaldi’s personal security.” As the lift doors closed, Jason glimpsed Nate holding out his identification.
    “I hate coming here,” Toni’s voice was a whisper beside him.
    “We stay until you tell me it’s time to go. Okay, luv?” Jason used his index finger under Toni’s chin to tilt her head up, so he could look into her face. “I do what you want. Remember that. Your father doesn’t have a say anymore. It’s me and you.” Jason brushed his lips quickly over Toni’s, heard her little sigh as their mouths connected and felt a sense of relief. It was the same sexy sound he had come to enjoy over the past weeks.
    “Most people, including myself, find it difficult to go against my father’s wishes, Jason, so I will understand if you can’t hold up to that promise. Just don’t disappear without letting me know, okay?”
    She still doesn’t get it. There’s no one on earth that could keep me from her side. Nate, Grimaldi… No one. I’m with her for as long as she wants. Toni not wanting Jason around would be the only reason he’d go and it was a reason he hoped he didn’t have to face at all. He’d be happy to add the word forever when it came to Toni but Jason still feared that would never happen. Eventually Toni would see him for who he was—an uneducated ex-soldier with nothing to offer her and she would move on to some man more acquainted with her way of life.
    The lift doors opened and Jason had his first glance at what it was like to be a Grimaldi, to live in that kind of world. The view from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows looked out over the city and harbor. It was spectacular. Turning his head to the side just a little so he could see more of the panoramic view, Jason let out a whistle.
    “Okay, so the view is quite breathtaking. I’ll admit it.” Toni shrugged her shoulders. “Just not enough of a payoff for the rest of the visit. Just wait, you’ll see what I mean, Jason.”
    “Miss Grimaldi, finally! Your father has been waiting for you all morning.”
    A squirrelly looking man hurried toward Toni, and Jason