Hot Shot (A Hostile Operations Team Novel)(#5) by Lynn Raye Harris Page B

this floor is reserved for VIPs.”
    “We can’t,” Jack said. And then he turned to Matt. “But the colonel can.”
    Matt grinned. “Damn straight. I’m calling Mendez.”
    “Who’s Mendez?”  
    Evie gave her that sweet smile again. “A miracle worker, if you ask me. The colonel will get it done, don’t you worry. Now let’s get you ready for that concert.”
    Gina let the other woman hustle her into her bedroom. Two of the women—the ones dressed for an evening out—joined them. The other one stayed with the men.
    “This is Olivia,” Evie said, pointing at the woman with wheat-blond hair. “And this is Georgeanne.”
    “Call me Georgie,” the brunette said.
    “Who’s the other one?” Gina asked, glancing at the closed door.
    “That’s Lucky,” Olivia said with a smile. “She’s part of the team.”
    Gina sank onto the edge of the bed and sucked in a breath. “Oh, God, I don’t want to do this tonight. I really don’t.”
    “I know, hon. But you have to.” It was Georgie who’d spoken. “If the guys think you need to go on, then you really do.”
    Evie came over and squeezed her shoulder. “Matt told me you spent three days hiding in a cave before rescue and that you didn’t fall apart once. I think you’re strong enough for anything, Gina.”
    “Jack was with me.” She swiped beneath her eyes as tears welled up again. “I wouldn’t have made it without him.”
    “Jack’s a good guy to have at your side. But who do you think told Matt you never fell apart?”
    Warmth rolled through her at the thought of Jack saying something nice about her. But he didn’t know that she had fallen apart. It was only after she’d gotten on the plane. Three days in a cave with a man and she’d felt things way out of proportion to the length of time she’d known him.
    Because she was fucked up that way.
    Gina stood and pressed the heels of her hands beneath her eyes. “All right then, I guess I better get over to the venue. Hair and makeup are there, as well as wardrobe.” She nodded at the three of them. “I’m sorry if I’ve messed up your plans tonight.”
    Evie laughed. “You didn’t. We were coming to see you.”
    Gina swallowed as a sudden awkwardness settled over her. She was two people living in this body. First there was little Regina Robertson who was shy and scared and afraid to talk to people because she didn’t know what to say. Regina liked to write songs and play her guitar or piano. But Gina Domenico was different. She was the persona, the star. The one Gina trotted out for fans.
    She was larger than life and always knew what to say or do. But she wasn’t the one in charge at the moment.
    “I, uh, wow, that’s so nice of you,” she said, running her hands down her skirt.
    “Hey,” Georgie said, and Gina met her sympathetic gaze. “It’s okay. You aren’t used to this kind of thing, and you must get crazed fans wanting a piece of you all the time.” She shrugged. “We’re just three friends who happen to like your songs. But I promise you we’re all very normal. We know you aren’t our new BFF, and we won’t be selling our story when this is over.”
    Gina felt herself coloring again, but Olivia snickered. “Normal? Your man blows things up for a living. Mine could start World War Three with the tap of a computer key if he weren’t so darned honest. And Evie’s? I’m afraid of what he could do if he decided to be bad.”
    “I’m sorry,” Gina said softly. “You’ve all been so nice. I didn’t mean to suggest you weren’t normal.”
    “Hon,” Georgie said, waving a hand, “until we walk a mile in your shoes, we can’t judge. So don’t you worry about it another second. There are far more important things to take care of tonight.”
    “If you aren’t comfortable with us there, it’s okay,” Evie said. “We’ll figure something out.”
    Gina’s heart thumped. “Oh please no, don’t leave me. I was surprised, that’s all. It’s fine,