“Keep your head down,” he whispered, his voice low in my ear. “The guard is still following, but he’s lost sight of us now. Don’t make eye contact, and when he passes, we go back the other way and lose him for good.”

“Got it.” I held my breath, keeping my eyes on the table but hyperaware of Garret’s arms around my stomach, holding me against him. I could feel his breath, the slow rise and fall of his chest, the taut coil of muscle in his arms.

After a tense, yet still far too short moment, Garret pulled away, looking back over his shoulder. “Clear,” he muttered, as I risked a glance in the direction he was facing. The guard was moving away from us, following the crowds as they ambled through the casino. I couldn’t see his face, but from the way he was turning his head from side to side, he was still looking for us. I let out a breath and started to relax.

But then, he turned and came back our way. With a squeak, I quickly faced forward as Garret did the same, pressing close. His heart beat crazily against my back, and I suspected he could feel mine pounding away, too. Thankfully, the guard passed us by once more, and this time continued through the casino until he was lost from view.

I exhaled, then collapsed into helpless giggles, leaning against Garret. He looked down with that amused half smile on his face, as if he didn’t quite know what to do with me.

“Well.” I peered down the aisle, making sure the guard was really gone, then looked back at Garret. “That was exciting, wasn’t it? I think next time we should try the poker tables.” He raised an eyebrow, looking alarmed, and I laughed again. “Sorry,” I offered. “I suppose we should head upstairs before Riley comes back and bites our heads off. I’m sure dodging casino security wasn’t exactly what you signed up for tonight.”

He chuckled. “I’ve had to lose a couple tails in my life,” he admitted. “Not all pursuers have been large angry reptiles. Tristan and I once spent the night dodging security guards in a museum warehouse. Nothing like huddling under a tarp with a family of cavemen to give you perspective.”

I blinked at him. “Did you have a few drinks before we came down here?”

“No. Why?”

“You realize you just made a joke.”

A cheer went up from the roulette crowd, and one of the drunk guys jostled me, knocking me into Garret. He quickly put out his hands, steadying us both, and my annoyance at Rude Guy was instantly forgotten as I glanced up and met those steely gray eyes.