"It's not safe," he said through clenched teeth.
Jacqueline let out a quiet sigh. "Okay," she murmured.
Damien studied her closely, his sharp gaze searching her face as if he were trying to unravel the thoughts moving behind her eyes. But before he could read anything there, she slipped her arm out of his grasp and walked away with an easy sway of her hips.
Without even thinking about it, his feet followed.
By the time she neared the crowd, Eugénie spotted her. With a bright smile, she grabbed Jacqueline's hand and pulled her toward the center of the celebration where Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz were cutting their anniversary cake.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Damien remained just a step behind Jacqueline the entire time, his watchful presence shadowing her every move. If any man so much as glanced her way, Damien was already there, fixing the poor fool with a glare sharp enough to send him looking elsewhere.
Soon music filled the hall again.
