by Maya Blake
“That was fantastic, Joe,” Mariella said.
“The best,” Joe replied. “Even better than last time, and I didn’t think that was possible.”
So this had happened more than once. Fuck.
“I know we’re already late,” Mariella said, “but I really do need to leave for the ball first. Just so we don’t arouse any suspicion.” She wasn’t merely cheating on Harrison—she and Joe were conspiring. Whatever was going on between them ran deep. This concerned Gabe. He’d thought Mariella was leaning most on him. Now he knew that might not be the case.
“Do you have to go at all?” Joe asked. “If you give me a few minutes, we could go for another round.”
A few heartbeats of silence played out, and Gabe had to wonder if they were kissing or fondling or starting all over. The thought turned his stomach. He was ready to bolt.
“I only wish I could,” Mariella said. “But it won’t do for me to be overly late for my own party. The entire family is probably there by now. Also, I invited Vanessa, but she doesn’t know many people and I’d like to spend a few minutes with her. She’s been such a loyal employee, and she’s put up with quite a lot from me since Harrison’s accident. I felt it was the least she deserved.”
“You’re too kind, Mariella. Kind and beautiful, a deadly combination.”
Joe’s mushy sentiments whizzed right past Gabe. He was too stuck on everything Mariella had just said. Vanessa. At the party. So much for his clean and tidy plan. He silently exited Mariella’s suite, stormed down the hall, heading for his rental car, calculating, fuming, and ready to put his fist through a wall.
How in the hell am I going to kill Vanessa in a room full of people?
Chapter Four
Vanessa swallowed down her own nervousness while anticipation bubbled up inside her like the beautiful golden champagne that was now flowing freely around her. This was really happening. She was about to walk into the Marshall family’s Halloween masquerade ball, at Mariella Marshall’s personal invitation. It didn’t get much more exclusive and exciting than that.
Vanessa made a point of taking in everything—the music thumping, clinking cocktail glasses, the beguiling scent of expensive perfume. This was a world of glamour and money she witnessed from her front-row seat on a daily basis. She’d gotten a better taste of it at Elana’s wedding, but tonight she was ready to swim in it. Even if she felt a bit uncomfortable without a date, she was determined to enjoy the hell out of this.
She took each careful step down the staircase into the party room, wishing she’d had the foresight to come fashionably late so she could more easily blend in with the crowd. Arriving the minute the party started seemed like amateur hour. The room was perfectly decorated—shimmery metallic ribbons around floral arrangements of black roses and white branches, dry-ice fog spilling out of glass containers. Shadows of spiders and spinning webs were projected on the walls. The servers all wore masks, just like the guests. Mariella had seen to every detail and it showed. It was as high-class as a Halloween party could be.
Vanessa looked down at her dress for a moment, the black lace so fine it took her breath away. The neckline was so low that Vanessa still couldn’t believe she’d had the guts to wear it. This was only the second time Vanessa had worn a haute couture gown. The first was to Elana’s wedding. This one fit her perfectly. She and Mariella had the same proportions, nearly the exact same size. Vanessa was a modest person, but even she could admit that she looked incredible. The gown showed off every inch of her assets, and she intended to milk that for all it was worth. With a feathery mask on, no man at this party would have to know she was merely a housekeeper. For all they knew, she could be a wealthy socialite, a dear friend of the Marshall family, suitable for dating. Or in her case, probably only seduction, but she could be fine with that. This was her night to mingle with celebrities and the upper crust, not merely serve them. Vanessa was Cinderella, and at the stroke of midnight, she would return to her invisible existence.
She sucked in yet another deep breath, scanning the throng of guests who had already arrived. With everyone wearing masks, it was difficult to determine who was who, but she recognized certain collections of people who’d been guests at Casa Cat. She had yet to set her eyes on Luc, and she tried to calm her nerves by reminding herself that he would not be expecting to see her here tonight. Between that and the mask, she should be safe. She hoped. Even though he had not left her thoughts since their last encounter, seeing him again would only cause pain and quite possibly embarrassment for them both.
A woman in a bejeweled mask floated past her, wearing a voluminous ball gown with a hoop skirt like Scarlett O’Hara would wear. She appeared to be pregnant but carried herself with such ease that Vanessa had to do a double take. The woman wound her way through the crowd as if she owned the place. Ballsy, given whose party it was. Vanessa had to admire the woman’s confidence. She never felt invincible, not even while wearing a mask and a dress that cost nearly her entire year’s salary.
She spotted the bar and hustled over as gracefully as one could in a snug-fitting dress. A drink or two would help her loosen up , although she’d have to stop at that point. She rarely drank, so it often went to her head. Perching on an upholstered leather bar stool, she ordered a glass of champagne. A woman of great taste and stature could never go wrong with a simple, classic order. A few quick sips and the fizzy bubbles immediately went to her head, which was a welcome relief. Her mix of trepidation and excitement over being at the party was a lot to deal with. A drink made it more manageable to look around this room and the other party guests and not be so overwhelmed by the fish-out-of-water feelings.
A man sauntered up to the bar next to her. Vanessa jumped, although she managed to recover quickly when she realized it was Rafe, not Luc. Why her paranoia was so fierce right now was beyond her, she only knew that it was. He looked right at Vanessa, then glanced at the bartender and ordered a Patron. He didn’t recognize her, which was a bit disappointing, but why would he? She was not only wearing a mask, she was like wallpaper to much of the Marshall family, although the brothers had both been nothing but kind to her.
“Rafe. Hello,” she said. She had no reason to hide from him. She knew from experience he was easy to talk to, almost as easy as Luc, and she’d long wanted a chance to get to know him better.
He turned and looked at her intently. “I’m so sorry. Do I know you?”
She looked down in embarrassment, then returned her sights to him. “I’m Vanessa. I work for your mother and father. I’m one of the housekeepers. Your mother flew me in to help her with her gown for this evening.”
A smile broke across his face, and he nodded eagerly. “Of course. Now I recognize you. It’s so hard with these silly masks on.”
She laughed quietly, feeling a wave of relief. “But it makes it easier to be a fly on the wall at a big fancy party where you know virtually no one and are feeling super self-conscious.” Why she had to be so forthcoming with her insecurities, she did not know.
Rafe took a sip of his drink and set his glass down on the bar. “Between you and me, you never get used to these things. Want me to introduce you to anyone? I’m sure I can find a few people who aren’t absolute boors.”
“You know, I’m perfectly happy sitting here and people watching.”
“I like your style. That’s one of my favorite things to do. Mind if I join you?”
Elation zipped through her. Hanging out with Rafe would certainly be better than going it alone. Perhaps this would be her chance to have a real conversation with him, just as she had so many times with Luc. “Please. Sit.”
“So, no date this evening?” he asked, settling in.
“Your mother’s invitation came a bit at the last minute, so, no. No date.” Bernard would have been fun to be with tonight, but he was back in Santa Barbara. Too bad—it would’ve
given her the perfect excuse to keep Luc at arm’s length.
“Well, I’m stag this evening as well. I’ll gladly keep you company.”
“That’s so kind of you,” she said. Rafe was such a comfortable companion. She loved that they had an immediate rapport. She was actually enjoying herself.
“It’s not entirely selfless. You can be my excuse for ignoring everyone I don’t want to talk to. The vultures at these parties are the worst.”
“Excuse me? Vultures? Do you mean the press? It seems as though the security is quite tight outside. I don’t think I saw any cameras or reporters.”
Rafe laughed and took another drink. “You’re smart. The press are indeed vultures, but that’s not what I meant. I was talking about ninety-five percent of the guests.” He held up a finger and looped it in the air.
Vanessa again scanned the room, seeing nothing but jubilant people impeccably dressed, talking, laughing and drinking. No one seemed to be doing anything less than enjoying themselves. “I’m sorry. I think you lost me.”
“These people might seem like they care about my family and the causes we choose to support, but most of them are opportunists. They’ll flock to any Marshall event because of what they think the association might gain them.” Rafe rolled his eyes, and now Vanessa was picking up on what he meant. “With my dad out of the picture, there are a lot of people trying to figure out where they stand and what they can get out of it, whether it’s a financial edge or simply some juicy gossip to spread around town. Please be careful who you talk to tonight.”
“I will. I’d never say anything about your family. I enjoy working at Casa Cat.”
Rafe nodded at Vanessa’s glass, which was close to empty. “Can I order you another?”
She smiled. “Yes. That would be nice.”
Just then, another masked man walked up to them. She recognized his tall, broad frame immediately.
“Gabe,” Rafe said. “You know Vanessa, don’t you?”
She reached out to shake his hand, which was remarkably warm. “Hello, Gabe.”
“Hello, Vanessa. Don’t you look lovely?” he asked, patting her hand sweetly.
She tried not to assign too much meaning to the kind words, but it was so nice to feel welcomed by first Rafe and now Gabe. “Thank you. You look very handsome. I love your mask.”
Rafe cleared his throat, and Vanessa had to wonder if she’d laid on the compliments too thick.
“Thank you.” Gabe stepped closer and took Vanessa’s empty champagne glass from her. “Looks like you need a refill. Can’t let a beautiful woman sit here with an empty glass.”
Gabe was just as much of a gentleman as Rafe. She probably shouldn’t have a second drink so soon. The champagne was already making its effects known, but she was enjoying herself, dammit.
Gabe flagged the bartender, and Vanessa returned her attention to Rafe. He really was so gracious to spend time with her. If things in her life were different, Vanessa could imagine being close to him. “Where’s the rest of your family?” she asked.
Gabe handed her the fresh glass of champagne. “I’m so sorry, but I’ll have to excuse myself. There are a few things I promised Mariella I would take care of.”
“‘Bye,” Vanessa said, hoping she’d have the chance to speak more with Gabe later. “Thank you for the drink.”
“I’m not surprised my sister, Elana, isn’t here yet,” Rafe said. “She’s always late. I know for a fact it drives her husband, Thom, crazy. Which is too bad, because he’s such a good guy.” He swirled his drink in his glass and looked off into the crowd. “A really good guy.”
Vanessa was unsure of what to say. She was surprised Rafe would speak of his sister that way, and the longing in his voice seemed out of place. Either that or he had a special attachment to Thom. “I know siblings sometimes fight, but the three of you have always seemed close.” That wasn’t entirely true. Vanessa had witnessed tension between the three of them many times, and of course, no one could forget that Rafe and Luc had gotten into a fistfight in the hospital parking lot after Harrison’s accident.
Rafe snorted out a laugh. “Is that really what it looks like? Because we’re not. Not that I wouldn’t want to be, but Elana is off in her own little world, and Luc is so busy spending his entire existence on his high horse, it’s impossible to connect with him.”
Vanessa took no joy in having reached the correct conclusion about the relationship between the siblings. It struck her as quite sad that the three of them should be so splintered. From her vantage point, it had seemed to worsen since their father’s coma. Perhaps it would improve if Harrison ever came to. Regardless of what happened, Vanessa had to wonder why she’d ever envied Elana, Rafe and Luc. To hear Rafe talk about it, they were all a bit lost.
A hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes were drawn to the staircase leading down to the party room. Mariella had arrived. Everyone within fifty feet of her fawned over her, admiring her gown and seeming to gush. She was making the entrance Vanessa had fantasized about but was incapable of. Mariella didn’t seem particularly taken with the attention, granting the other guests only a minimum of acknowledgment. She spotted Rafe at the bar and gave him a wave, then quickly made her way down to them.
“Darling, get me a glass of red wine, won’t you?” she asked Rafe. Mariella then turned to Vanessa. “You look lovely. I trust you are enjoying yourself?”
Vanessa wasn’t entirely sure. Was she entertained by all of this money and dysfunction? Yes. Did she want more than a taste of it? After talking to Rafe, she was wary. She was seeing everything and everyone through a much different lens. “It’s a wonderful party. Thank you again for the gown and the invitation. It feels like such a big treat.”
Rafe handed the glass of red wine to his mother, then nodded off into the crowd. “Oh, great. Luc just spotted us. I can’t wait to talk to him.” There was no mistaking the biting sarcasm in his voice.
Vanessa’s sights flew to the center of the room, where Luc was frozen. He was staring right at them.
* * *
Tonight was supposed to be Rachel’s perfect night, but judging by the fact that Luc was hopelessly distracted by another woman, it wasn’t. Who was it? Rachel narrowed her vision, studying the woman’s height, her shape, and trying to figure out what was so damn special. The woman laughed, and Rachel’s blood rocketed to the boiling point. That woman was not supposed to be here. Vanessa was supposed to be dead.
She was so overcome with anger, she thought her head might pop off. Rachel now had two immediate needs—one, to grab Luc’s hand and pull him far away from the woman who wanted to steal him. The second was to finally get rid of her problem for real, which would mean a terse and direct phone call to the Fixer. This situation was, quite frankly, bullshit.
“Luc, love, I’m going to sneak off to the ladies’ room and powder my nose.”
He nodded, unsubtly sneaking looks at Vanessa. “Okay. Take your time.” He was so distracted, he didn’t even look at Rachel.
Even when she knew she should be focusing on her long game, her sense of dignity wouldn’t allow her to keep quiet. “Who are you looking at?”
He glanced at her for an instant, but he was clearly avoiding eye contact. “Just my mom and my brother. I guess I should go say hi, huh?” He nodded in the direction of the bar. “Might as well get it over with.”
Talk about a convenient excuse that Vanessa was sitting with Rafe and Mariella. Rachel didn’t want to arouse any suspicion, though. When Vanessa disappeared for good, Rachel wanted absolutely no one to know how much she hated her. “Don’t be silly. Your mother would love to see you. As for Rafe, I’m sure he’ll behave.” She grasped Luc’s arm and kissed his temple. “Be good while I’m gone. I’ll be right back,” she whispered into his ear. It was sheer torture to watch Luc walk in Vanessa’s direction, but Rachel
decided she would use it as fuel to push her plan. The Fixer was about to get an earful. And then some.
Rachel stalked off toward the bathroom, just in case Luc was watching, but quickly took a detour and walked right past it, ducking down an empty hall. She rummaged through her evening bag and pulled out her phone, making the call. She tried to tamp down her anger, but the truth was that her fury wasn’t going to die until Vanessa did. Why couldn’t Gabe just do his job? Was he really that incapable of following her directive?
“Yes?” Gabe answered, clearly using some kind of voice disguising system he must have installed on his phone, for use when he was in his role as the Fixer.
“I paid you a lot of money to do a job that you’ve still not taken care of, I can see. My fiancé’s mistress is alive and well and at the Marshalls’ masquerade ball!” Rachel hissed into the phone, giving the word mistress all the disdain it deserved. She hated Vanessa with every bone in her body. No one was going to come between her and the life she was destined for with Luc. Absolutely no one.
“I am aware of the situation,” the Fixer answered flatly. “I have eyes on her. Everything is under control.”
“You’re aware of the situation?” Rachel didn’t care that she shouldn’t sound hysterical and slightly unhinged. She was fucking furious. “I don’t care what you’re aware of. I want you to finish her. I don’t want to expend another ounce of energy worrying about this shrew of a woman. She just passed me on the dance floor for God’s sake! How could you let this happen?”
“There’s been a change of plans. I had no idea she would be attending this party, which would have been good information. It’s not my fault you provided bad intel.”
“Yeah. Well, I had no idea this was going to happen. I’m as surprised as anyone that she would even be allowed in here.”
“I will have to gauge the situation. There’s a chance I will have to wait for a more opportune occasion. Someone could get hurt, and I can’t remove a target with so many witnesses around.”
