“All just gossip, Roger. You know from experience that my brothers and I get the jobs done to perfection,” Mercury said.
“I’ve still heard some stories of close calls, and I’m waiting for merchandise to arrive in New York at the warehouse and it should have been there a week ago. I want to hire you again for something bigger, and on a private scale, not with the government, but I have concerns.”
Mercury squinted at Roger. He knew him well and knew what he was after. A fucking discounted price.
“I’m certain whatever it is, we can handle it and at a good price, too. In regards to the products, they’ll be delivered to the warehouse in New York. You know how difficult customs can be sometimes. Let me know when you want to get together to discuss details of another job.”
Roger nodded and then smiled as a tall blonde woman approached, looking both of them over and licking her lips.
“Who’s your friend, Roger?” she asked and placed her hand out for him to kiss. He hated women like this.
He gave a fake smile, not knowing what connection she had to Roger and he needed to play nice. For now, anyway.
“Michelle, this is Mercury James. A very good friend of mine. Mercury, Michelle Senoma, an actress and model. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go mingle with the other guests. We’ll talk Monday, Mercury,” Roger said and then left him with the blonde.
She began her routine of flirting and touching his arm. She wasn’t bad to look at, her body okay, but then she started talking.
“You’re an actress?” he asked and took a sip from his glass of Coke. He pretended it was rum and Coke to be social, but he never drank. He liked his head clear.
“Yes I am, and a model, too.”
“What have you done or been in? Any commercials, ads, television, movies?” he asked.
“Nothing yet. I’m trying to get my foot in the door,” she said and then pretended to fix the collar on his suit jacket. He squinted at her.
“I bet a man like you knows a lot of people.”
He rolled his eyes and looked past her shoulder at the bar and buffet table of food. He squinted and couldn’t believe it. Was that Pina’s friend Rose, the artist?
“I would do anything to get discovered.” The blonde continued to talk but Mercury’s eyes were on Rose, the brunette with the stunning green eyes. She looked different, thinner, and he saw her looking around as if to see if anyone was watching and then she took one of the hors d’oeuvres and popped it into her mouth. She closed her eyes and seemed to enjoy it as if she were starving. His gut clenched when she took a napkin, wrapped a bunch of the hors d’oeuvres in it, and then placed it under the bar.
“So what do you think?” Michelle asked, but he hadn’t a clue as to what she was even saying. She rubbed her palm up his chest and he gripped her wrist, gave her the once over, and then pressed her away.
“I think you should go talk to Winston. You see that man over there with the purple tie?” he asked and pointed. She looked and nodded.
“He knows people who could help you,” Mercury told her and then watched Michelle wiggle her way to the overweight man who instantly ate her up with his eyes. Michelle spoke to him and then pointed to Mercury and Winston gave Mercury a wink and then tapped his thigh for the blonde to sit on. She did so immediately. Mercury shook his head and looked back toward Rose.
Why was she working here? He didn’t even know she did this type of work. She was a talented artist. Maybe things were tight.
He thought about the food she took and her complexion and how much thinner she was than months ago at the gala. He didn’t like the feeling he had and then wondered why the hell he even cared. Then he saw Michael Lawrence approach the bar, smiling wide. He owned an art gallery in Charlotte. Rose’s eyes went wide and then she fumbled while making the man his drink. Mercury continued to watch and once she made the drink Michael remained there talking to her. She smiled and nibbled her bottom lip and looked around. Then Michael reached his hand out to shake hers.
Mercury’s curiosity got the better of him as he approached the food table and listened in on the conversation.
“So you’re an artist, a painter?” Michael asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Have you done any shows?”
“No, I haven’t. I’ve been trying to get my work out there, but it’s tough unless you know people in the industry.”
“Well, it just so happens that I own a gallery in Charlotte.”
“You do?” she asked, sounding so surprised and excited.
Michael continued to draw her in, even promising to look at her artwork. He began to make plans with her as he eyed Rose over. As a friend of Pina’s men, Mercury felt compelled to warn her off. That was what he told himself as he absorbed her beauty, her innocence, and her naiveté as Michael pulled out his cell phone and asked for her number.
“Michael, are you at your old tricks again?” Mercury asked, joining the conversation. He towered over Michael and glanced at Rose, whose eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed. He couldn’t help but feel relieved about that. So strange.
“Mercury, good to see you,” Michael said and put away his phone as he shook Michael’s hand. Someone else came over to the bar for a martini and Rose began to make it but she looked a little worried. Was she hoping Michael did have pull? Hell, her work was incredible. Maybe he should tell Michael to seriously look at her paintings. A break like that could make her professional career.
“I was just speaking to this beautiful young lady about her artwork. She’s a painter,” Michael said and stared at Rose as he licked his lips, but Rose was looking right at Mercury. Mercury held her gaze and those gorgeous green eyes of hers.
“I know she is. I’ve seen her work and it is amazing. You would be a fool not to take her seriously.”
Michael looked back at Mercury and squinted his eyes as Rose’s cheeks turned pink and she looked away and wiped down the bar.
“Is that so? I thought you were more interested in rare works of art and not up and coming artists.”
“I purchase what catches my eyes, Michael, and her stuff calls to me,” he said. Rose glanced up to lock gazes with Mercury. Michael chuckled.
“Ah, I understand. Well, Rose, it was a pleasure meeting you. Here’s my card. Give me a call this week and maybe we can plan on you stopping in with some samples of your work or I could swing by your studio.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Lawrence,” she said and shook his hand but Michael took hers and brought it to his lips and kissed the top. Rose blushed again. When Michael walked away Mercury watched her watch Michael leave and then place the card in the front pocket of her white blouse.
“I’d be careful if I were you. Michael pulls that card often.”
She squinted at him, looking up as he stood by the bar. She was short, maybe five-foot-three, four tops. He was six-four and towered over most men just like his brothers did.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean he may make promises, pretend to be interested in your work to get close to you.”
She squinted at him. “Seriously? God, men can be such scum. Jesus,” she said and pulled out the card, ripped it up and tossed it into the garbage.
“Did you need a fresh drink, Mr. James?” she asked him and he smiled at her.
He looked around them.
“Coke, please.”
“You mean rum and Coke?”
“No, just Coke but put a lime in it so it looks like rum and Coke,” he told her and she gave a nod and made the drink.
“What, do you bartend on the side or something?” he asked her.
She swallowed hard and looked nervous. “Sometimes if my friend is in a jam, like tonight.”
“I figured it was something like that. You must be super busy with your art and keeping up with sales. Are you set for any other gallery events?” he asked and took a sip from his drink.
She opened her mouth to respond and then she shook her head.
; “It’s been slow. I was hoping Michael was serious about looking at my work. I could use some exposure.”
“You were at that event at the museum and school.”
“Only one painting sold during the silent auction. Nothing else did. I mean other things were there and didn’t sell so maybe people just weren’t buying. I don’t know. I may be doing more jobs like this one,” she said. He squinted his eyes and she quickly added, “So how are you enjoying the party?”
He stared at her, his gut clenching with more questions and his desire to learn more about her.
“Not really,” he said and stared at her. She was very pretty, and he felt a bit off his game with her. Most women bored him, and he knew they were after a good time and a rich boyfriend. He didn’t do either. In fact, he was uptight and hated even wasting time keeping the company of women. Why Rose grabbed his curiosity he didn’t know.
His cell phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket and saw that it was Slade.
“Excuse me a moment,” he said and stepped away from the bar. He could see her watching him and then she helped someone by the bar.
“Rome was shot. Niall is working on him now at the place.”
“How bad?” he asked, teeth clenched and instantly upset.
“Bad.”
“I’m on my way,” he said and headed out of the party and right to the valet. He grabbed his keys and walked to his car and headed to the secret location. It was a fully functional facility with a back room specially made for incidents like these.
His heart was racing, his concern for Rome immense as he made his way to the facility and prayed that his brother was okay. On his way, the cell phone rang again. It was Rylan.
“What happened? Explain everything.” As Rylan told him about finding the stolen artwork and there being military-like men waiting on them, Mercury knew it was a setup.
“Fucking Russians? What the hell were Russians doing there shooting at you guys? You’re all lucky to be alive. Whoever organized this could have taken all of you out.”
“Yeah well, we’re always prepared for this shit, and now even more so. How far out are you? Rome is fucking pissed.”
“Fifteen minutes. It’s good if he is. How bad and where?”
“We thought his chest, left side, but it’s higher. He was wearing a bulletproof vest, but multiple shots crashed through the windshield. He took several hits to the vest and two went into his body. Shoulder and arm. He lost a lot of blood on the flight and trip here. He’ll need blood.”
“I’ll give when I get there. He and I are the same blood type.”
“I know. Get here.”
Mercury disconnected the call and gunned it down the highway in his Porsche.
* * * *
Rose couldn’t believe how disappointed she was that Mercury ran out of the party. Whatever kind of call he got, it was important. He didn’t even say good-bye or that he would contact her. Though, why would he? He had seen her work at the small gala event and he knew so many people. The Mondave brothers did as well but dealt with old art, rare pieces, the things people paid big bucks for. She was a nobody. It seemed to her that maybe she needed to ask James for more work. She had to pay her bills, and doing art, even though she loved all aspects, might need to wait.
“Good evening.” A man approached the bar and smiled at her. He was tall and good looking with dark hair, brown eyes, and looked in need of a shave.
“Good evening. What can I get you, sir?” she asked him.
“Dirty martini, two olives, honey,” he said and then looked around the party. She made the drink and poured it into the martini glass and added two olives. She placed it down in front of him.
“I hate these things. They can be so boring,” he said to her. She smiled softly and tried not to stare. He had an accent. It sounded Slavic or something like that. He turned back to look at her.
“You don’t look like a bartender,” he said as he sipped the martini. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. “Damn, that is perfect. You’re a super bartender,” he said and winked.
She chuckled. “Thank you,” she replied and then she served a few more people as this good looking man watched her.
“So are you working your way through college?” he asked and took another sip.
“No, I’ve been finished with college for a few years now.”
“You’re very attractive.”
Her cheeks blushed and she looked away.
“I’m not trying to hit on you, just observing. You have a look in your eyes, an expression that captures me. I’m a jeweler. I collect, sell, and display rare pieces of jewelry, from centuries old to modern day styles.”
“That’s very interesting. What do you own, a store front or something?”
“I have a small gallery in Charlotte, but I actually do private events and display the jewelry on models. Have you ever considered modeling?” he asked her.
“No,” she said and looked away as he chuckled.
“I don’t mean like bathing suit models or fashion clothing lines, I mean being a jewelry model. Let me see your hands?” he asked and she was hesitant until he pulled her hand across the bar and looked at it.
“You would need a good manicure but you have strong hands. Great fingers.” He then looked at her neck and face. “Let me see your ears,” he said and she turned slightly, thinking this guy was a nut.
“You would be perfect as a jewelry model. I pay well too, of course only if you do the full five hours. Fifty dollars an hour. Would you be available next Saturday for an event about thirty minutes from here at the hotel Ambiance?”
She was shocked. Fifty dollars an hour to model jewelry? Was he serious?
“I’ll be fully clothed, right?” she asked and he chuckled.
“God, yes, it isn’t that kind of party. It’s in a private room in the hotel. One of the suites. There will be about fifty guests, but they’re rich and like to see the jewelry on people. So what do you say? What was your name?” he added.
“Rose. Rose Ruthers.”
He reached out his hand. “Mulgoff Lenotz. A pleasure meeting you, Rose Ruthers.” He shook her hand and then he reached into his pocket.
“This is my card. It’s legit. Can you get there by five, so we can go over everything and have the staff decide what jewelry you will wear?”
“Seriously?” she asked, still uncertain.
“Very serious. I do not kid around about my collection.”
She took the card from him. “At the Ambiance, you said?” she asked.
“Yes. Be there by five. The front desk will direct you to the room where other models will be dressing and the staff will be organizing the jewelry.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I was lucky to have met you.” Just then someone said his name and Mulgoff gave her a wink and headed over with his drink. A blonde woman approached immediately.
“Were you just talking to Mulgoff Lenotz?” she asked. “Oh God, his jewelry collection is to die for. A friend of mine, that woman in red over there,” she said and pointed to a woman. Rose looked at her and then back at this older blonde lady. “Bought a piece for thirty thousand dollars. It’s to die for. I can’t believe he’s here,” the blonde said and walked away and toward Mulgoff.
Thirty thousand dollars? Jesus, I can’t believe it, nor fifty dollars an hour. I sure could use the money. I hope Louisa’s men are doing the security for that party. At least knowing that someone from Ultimate Defense was there would be good. God, what are my friends going to say when they find out. I need the money though. Between tips tonight and the job next Saturday, it could put me in a better financial position for a little while. Plus I can actually eat a real meal.
She looked at the food going to waste. Maybe she would stay extra late and take home some of the wasted food. God, rich people didn’t know what it was like to be poor, and to be starving. She never thought things would be this bad for her. Guess her mom was right. Painting is for d
reamers, and it doesn’t pay the bills.
Chapter 2
“How is Rome doing?” Graham Hunt asked Falco. Graham, Jace, Micah, Vaughn, Daxton, and Cooper showed up at the James estate to see their friends and offer assistance.
“Pissed off at the world. The crazy bastard is lucky to be alive,” Falco told them. Slade, Remo, and Rylan shook their hands and offered them something to drink.
“We’re good. We wanted to come by and offer our help. Whatever you guys need, we’re here,” Vaughn told them.
“We appreciate that. Mercury is in the office talking with some people about the guys we took out. We think they were Iranian and Slavic, but the radio chatter of the guys coming in on jeeps was Russian,” Remo told them.
“Iranian and Slavic, what the fuck is this all about? Are you thinking a connection to the shit we all just went through because of the Russian guys? Like maybe there were more people than Aurik and Ivan involved?” Cooper asked.
“That’s exactly what we’re thinking, but figuring out who is involved is not going to be easy. We’ve been doing a lot of business with our connections to the government as well as for private wealthy entrepreneurs. Two of them do business in Russia and in the Middle East as well as Israel,” Slade told them.
“So maybe they aren’t trying to sabotage your business, maybe it’s the clients they’re after. Is it the same client’s merchandise getting targeted?” Graham asked.
A Shot of Love Potion [Love on the Rocks 5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 2
