1
Ashton Bennett
Everyone in this room had secrets. Especially me.
A crystal chandelier glimmered in the ballroom, reflecting men and women dressed for the occasion.
Prominent people clad in sleek black tuxedos and sparkling ballgowns mingled around the elegantly decorated room. On the surface, they all looked the same. No one could perceive the secrets in each person’s thoughts that lurked beneath the surface. Well, no one but me.
There were very few innocent people at this elaborate party.
Only half of those attending were pillars of the community. The others were simply playing a part. I knew the difference. I could hear the lies they crafted in their thoughts. They ranged in part from little white lies to big whoppers full of incrimination. My shiny FBI badge scared away some of the bottom feeders my best friend Grant liked to conduct business with; not nearly enough, but some.
I wasn’t here to point out the bad guys from the good. Sometimes those lines blurred more than even Grant might know. Most hid their secrets well, but not from me. All they had to do was think about their dirty deeds and I’d know what they were up to. Not that it could ever be used as evidence in court.
I wasn’t here in any official capacity tonight. There was only one mind I intended to infiltrate at this engagement party.
I sipped my scotch while scanning the attendees. One seemingly picture-perfect socialite with a waterfall of beautiful diamonds around her neck walked by with her mind a buzz of how she’d stolen the stones just last night. She was still reveling in the memories of how brilliantly she’d pulled it off.
The European man with her was oblivious to her crimes. Nothing I could arrest them on or prove. If thoughts could convict, half the people I ran across might be locked behind bars, including me.
The thoughts coming from the drunk man standing near me were fuzzy. That was probably a good thing. I didn’t need to visualize his thoughts. The latest consisted of fantasizing about undressing his business partner’s wife, and she was contemplating which one was better in bed.
Secrets were everywhere, but I was only here to uncover one.
Grant Michaels was sitting at the open bar with a tall blonde draped over his shoulder, sipping champagne while he ordered a bourbon. She spotted me long before he ever did.
Her gaze slid down my tux to my shoes before she whispered something into Grant’s ear.
Grant glanced over his shoulder and raised a brow before he turned with a drink in hand.
“About damn time you showed up,” Grant said with a genuine grin. “Ashton, I’d like you to meet Jenny Mitchell, my fiancée.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“Jenny, this is Ashton Bennett, my best man and childhood friend.”
The mysterious best man decided to make an appearance. I wonder where exactly he’s been hiding.Her thoughts were loud and easy to read.
She extended her hand, flashing the brilliant four-carat diamond. Triumph flared in her sparkling blue eyes. She’d landed the big fish. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bennett.”
“Please call me Ashton.”
Ashton. The cop. The best friend. Stella’s teenage crush.
Jenny knew more than I’d expected. She’d sized me up and stored my personal information in a nice and tidy box. Had she done that with everyone Grant knew?
“I’d wanted to get back sooner, but a cold case needed my attention.”
I guess a cop’s salary explains the rented tux and borrowed shoes. He runs in Grant’s crowd only by invitation. No matter. I’ll be nice. At least for now. As my momma used to say, fake it till you make it, baby, or in my case, until the vows are said and the ink has dried.
“Ashton. I’m afraid I’m at a disadvantage. Grant hasn’t told me much about you.”
“Grant’s mothertaught him not to gossip. Especially about me. I know too many of his secrets that I might spill,” I said.
Grant pressed his lips into a fine line. He knew I was on the verge of calling his fiancée on her thoughts.
“Actually, it was a tactical move on my part. I didn’t want to give Ashton the chance to get into your mind and steal you away.” Grant kissed her cheek. “He’s a proverbial charmer with the ladies when he wants to be, and I had no intention of introducing you until you said yes.”
