Page 1 of Under the Radar
Prologue
Most weddings boast a little drama, but this was getting dicey.
The groom’s grandmother fainted pre-nuptials in the sweltering July heat, and a few minutes earlier, an overzealous server bearing a tray of delectable crab balls collided with a baker placing orchids on the wedding cake. At the moment, the flustered waiter was removing crustacean pieces from the triple-tiered confection while the baker muttered obscenities in French.
Commander Mac Mackenzie perused the room and relaxed a fraction. The bride and groom stared adoringly into each other’s eyes, blissful and unaware of the cake casualty. Mission accomplished. As the best man, Mac’s job was to ensure that his dearest friend Ethan, and his bride Tia, enjoyed their special day.
As soon as each guest held a champagne glass, Mac would offer his toast to the happy couple and the festivities could begin, but until then, Mac was on duty. He scanned the crowd for his Sanctuary operatives. Each of them had worn their earpiece today—just in case. An overkill, more than likely.
Mac’s gaze landed on the maid of honor, Maureen Reardon. Dressed in a billowing, pink satin ball gown and a frothy, cream-colored chiffon wrap, she resembled a delicious cupcake draped in candy pearls. And considering his fondness for sweet things, she was fast becoming his greatest temptation. A debutante with none of the assumed airs, Mo was an enigma that he hadn’t figured out. Yet.
Not to say her sweetness didn’t have an edge. She had whooped his butt at the pool table after the rehearsal dinner last night. Twice. He’d been distracted by her laugh and the hair clipped on top of her head. As she sunk each ball, his fingers had itched to remove those hairclips, watch her blonde hair fall, and run his fingers through it. But instead, he’d accepted his defeats with a gentlemanly nod and bought her a beer.
In truth, she was the better pool player. He wouldn’t lose his man card over it.
A designer-dressed, corporate-looking man with beefy arms, crew cut, and sunglasses entered the ballroom and made a bee line for Mo. One of the guests? Mac didn’t remember seeing him at the outdoor ceremony. The guy interrupted the conversation Mo was having with one of the older aunts, grabbed her arm, and yanked her aside.
Mac’s neck bristled. He snatched two champagne glasses from a passing waiter and headed in Mo’s direction. Positioning himself a few feet away, he eavesdropped as the businesslike bodybuilder towered over her.
“You changed the passwords, damn it. Where’s your phone? I want you to change them back. Now.”
Mo pried his fingers from her arm and jerked away. “You’re crashing my best friend’s wedding reception, Jason. We can discuss this another time.”
The guy shook his head and stepped closer. “I know you received my messages. You’ve been blowing me off. The only way I could get your attention was to drive down and find you.”
Mo lifted her chin and gave him a pointed glare. “You were not invited to this wedding. We’ll discuss the situation when I’m back in Baltimore.”
Jason’s lip curled as he pointed a finger. “The hell we will. You’re going to the lobby and changing those passwords from your phone. It’ll take you three minutes.” He took a step back, adjusted his tie, and shrugged. “Then I’ll be out of your hair.”
Mo smiled at a guest brushing by her.
“No. I’m not. I asked you several weeks ago for documentation on the donations you’d made from my accounts and you’ve yet to provide any. When I receive your report, I’ll consider reinstating the passwords.”
Jason cracked his jaw and waved a hand. “I’ll ask my administrator to send you those details on Monday. Sorry about that. I’ve been busy. But you’ve tied my hands. I can’t act as your power of attorney unless I’m able to access the accounts.”
Mo nodded. “I understand. But until I see your report on where you’ve donated a quarter million dollars, I won’t know if I want you to continue acting on my behalf.”
Jason lowered his head and spoke directly into Mo’s ear. “Look, you spoiled little shit, I’m a busy man who’s on the board of directors at your father’s company. I’ve spent the greater part of my day off driving to the eastern shore of Maryland because you’ve been ignoring me like a petulant middle schooler. The least you could do is comply with the terms I set up involving your accounts. You wouldn’t happen to be dishing out more retribution because of our breakup, would you?”
Oh. Mac understood now. Her ex.What was his name? Harvey? Hadden? Hadley—that was it. Jason Hadley. Mac summoned two of his Sanctuary guys via Bluetooth, and approached Hadley. He handed the champagne glasses to Mo as he wedged himself slightly in front of her.
“Hey. I’m Mac, the best man, and Mo is our maid of honor. If you’ll excuse us, please, we need to make the toasts now. I believe Mo told you to leave.” He gave Jason a cool, tooth-filled smile. His two expressionless operatives, Nick and Derek, flanked him.
Jason’s eyes gave Mac a head-to-toe sweep. “In a minute, buddy. The lady and I are discussing something.”
Mac winced and leaned in. “Yes, I heard. But the lady requested that you leave, and our wedding duties are calling. I’m sure you can finish your conversation during business hours on Monday.” Mac raised his eyebrows. If the guy had any sense at all, he’d heed the encouragement.
Jason’s right fist clenched and unclenched. “Actually, Monday’s too late, not that it’s any of your damn business. Give us a few. I’ll be out of here in a couple minutes.”
Derek crossed his arms and moved in front of Jason. “Dude, let me see your wedding invitation.”
Jason’s face reddened. He glanced at Mo and puffed out his chest. “Tell them why I’m here, Maureen.”
She shook her head. “No. You weren’t invited. We’ll revisit this subject after you send me the report I asked for.”
Jason narrowed his eyes. “You are such a b—”
Nick grabbed the guy’s wrist, squeezing a pressure point. Pain radiated across Jason’s face. He dropped to one knee. Nick scrutinized him. “What were you going to say? Maureen here is a beautiful person? You know, mister, I’m a boxer, and I haven’t had my workout today. Plus, I’ve been in this tight monkey suit for five hours. I’m just itching to stretch my muscles.”