by Jayne Blue
I put a kiss on the top of her head. It was a moment for me to tell her that I was one of those people. I was. Or I could be. But somehow saying it just now might break the spell we’d seemed to have weaved around us and I didn’t want it to end.
“If it’s in my power,” I said, “I want to help make sure that no one ever hurts you like that again, Tora.”
She turned and looked up at me, her emerald eyes shining. Her lips quivered, like she was on the verge of saying something but thought the better of it. Instead, she brought herself up on her hands and pressed her sun-warmed lips to mine. I ran my hand down the curve of her shoulder.
She pulled back first and broke the spell. “I should probably head back.”
I nodded. I hated it, but she was right. We were completely alone out here but people at the lodge knew she’d taken the kayak out. Seth would probably be gone at least another hour but it would do Tora no good to risk people asking questions.
I helped her find her clothes and mine and held her kayak steady as she stepped into it. She gave me one more kiss on the cheek before she settled in the center and slid the paddle out from under the bow. I pushed her off straight.
“We’re still on for tonight, don’t forget,” she called back.
I almost had. “Wouldn’t miss it!” I hollered. And I wouldn’t. If my sweet Tora was about to go up against George Pagano, my vow to protect her would start this evening.
Chapter Nine
Tora
Seth seemed calm when he finally came back from his golf game. There was a lightness to his step I hadn’t seen since I met him. I sat at the bathroom vanity blowing out my hair as he stepped out of the shower.
“It really went that well?” I asked for about the third time. But talking about his day kept him in a good mood and it was a hell of a lot easier dealing with him that way.
“Couldn’t have gone better,” Seth said. He wrapped a towel around his waist and came over to plant a kiss on the top of my head. I reached back and stroked his cheek. “I’ll introduce you to my new campaign manager tomorrow.”
“Metropolis?” I asked for about the fourth time though I knew damn well how to say the name.
“Moutsopoulos,” Seth said, laughing at me. “Nicholas Moutsopoulos. He’s a dream get, Tora. I swear to God, with Nico as my new campaign manager, there’s no way I lose this. He’s gonna cost a fortune but Dad’s software licenses are gonna help. The other major cash infusion we lock down tonight.”
He was almost singing the information. “Nico wanted to crash our dinner tonight but I told him it’s better he doesn’t. I know how to handle George Pagano and I know how to handle my brother. I don’t need another cook in the kitchen on this one.” Seth took the towel from around his waist and rubbed the inside of his legs with it. Then he threw it on the floor under the vanity at my feet. I picked it up and tossed it in the wicker hamper just a foot away.
“And wear the red dress, Tora,” he called back as he walked into the other room.
The “red dress” was a ridiculously low-cut silk number that I was going to have to tape myself into. It was wildly inappropriate for a simple dinner with three other men.
“Seth,” I said. “The purpose of tonight is for you to come to a meeting of the minds with George Pagano. The red dress is a distraction, don’t you think? Why don’t you just let me wear something a little more conservative? People stare at me too much when I wear things like that.”
Seth came back to the doorway while buttoning his dress pants. “Baby, that’s exactly the point. People notice you, they notice me. People vote for the guy with the lifestyle they want.”
I plastered my smile on my face as I looked at his reflection in the mirror. I swallowed the stream of observations bubbling in my brain. At this whole resort, there were only about ten Illinois voters and I wasn’t even one of them. Of the men he was trying to impress, a few of them brought wives or mistresses who stared at me with what’s-she-trying-to-prove contempt. The dress was wrong. The message was wrong. But again, my goal here wasn’t to get Seth elected. It was to keep him unguarded. Smiling, I rose from the vanity and put a light kiss on his cheek as I passed him. I pulled the red dress off the hanger in the closet and slipped into it.
Not only was it low cut, it was a good size too small. It took three strips of double-sided tape over each breast to keep it from slipping and even then I’d have to watch how I moved and breathed. But when I slipped on my silver-heeled sandals, Seth wrapped his arms around me and pulled me back against him.
“It’s perfect, baby,” he said. “I promise, later tonight I’m going to have fun tearing it off you and treating you to a proper honeymoon night.”
I straightened and smiled. I turned to face him, looping my arms around his neck. “Everything’s already been perfect so far. I’m having the time of my life.”
“Let’s go,” he said. “We should be late enough now.”
This was another huge mistake, in my opinion. Seth insisted on making an entrance at the Boar’s Head fifteen minutes later than he’d told Pagano. He said power players make people wait on them. I grinned my way through that one too.
We walked down to the Boar’s Head Lounge together. He took my hand in his as we crossed into the lobby. The lounge was dark and rustic. There were boars’ heads, yes, but also all manner of other game and antlers decorating the walls. The maître d led us to Pagano’s table toward the back. He sat at a circular booth in a private alcove. Jack was already there and my heart tripped a little when I saw him. He was crisp and clean in a freshly pressed white dress shirt. His face was tanned from this morning and a thrill raced through me remembering how he got it. I, thankfully, thought to wear sunscreen.
Jack’s eyes widened but he recovered as he took in the spectacle of the dress. He rose and I held out my hand. He kissed it, letting his tongue graze over my knuckles in a way that no one else could see but left me gasping.
“You’re stunning as always, Tora,” he said. “I understand you had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Pagano yesterday?”
“Yes,” I said, extending my hand to him. Pagano rose, struggling to get his rotund waistline out from behind the table. He placed a dry kiss on the top of my hand.
“Lovely to see you again, Mrs. Manning,” he said. Pagano made no attempt to cover his lustful gaze, settling it squarely on my chest. I bristled at the name but smiled through it.
Jack shifted, moving closer to Pagano so I could slide into the space next to him and Seth came in on my left.
“I’m sorry we’re a little late,” I said. “I’m afraid it took me a little longer than I thought to get my hair just right.”
“It was worth the wait,” Pagano said while he snapped his fingers to draw attention to our server. We settled ourselves and I ordered a dry white wine. I was grateful when it came. I’d need a little liquid courage to settle my heart sitting this close to Pagano.
They made small talk and I smiled and commented when it seemed appropriate. Mostly, I tried to play the role Seth wanted. Let him throw out enough rope to hang himself with Pagano. There was a dance going on between them. Seth, as usual, was obvious and ham-handed in his hints to gauge Pagano’s head. It was Jack who would interject and steer the conversation to more neutral waters. I could sense Seth growing impatient beside me. He tapped his foot under the table so hard it threatened to rattle the table top. I put a steadying hand on his knee and he stopped for a time. He rubbed at his eyebrow when his telltale tic started to emerge.
Pagano seemed to enjoy toying with Seth. More so because it was clear, at least to Jack, Pagano and me, that Seth had no idea he was being toyed with. Pagano liked egging him on. Changing the subject and watching Seth squirm.
I ordered a second wine with my dinner and as much as I wanted about three more, I said no to the third. I wanted a clear head. There was a subtle undercurrent among these men.
“What is it really, George?” Jack said. “You wouldn’t waste time even sitting
here with Seth tonight if you didn’t see at least some benefit to you in what he’s after.”
George had been cagey and noncommittal. He kept using like phrases like “testing the waters” in regards to throwing any kind of tangible support behind Seth’s bid for his senate seat.
Pagano sighed. On one hand he wore a large red signet ring. It reminded me of the kind you see given out for football championships. He tapped it against his water glass and I got enough of a look at the inscription on it to see that’s exactly what it was. So, George Pagano, despite being responsible for my father’s predicament, was also some sort of college football hero. Lovely.
“What’s going on with your land deals in Lake Bliss?” Jack said. He sipped his own water slowly. I was getting to know him well enough to spot the slight twinkle in his eye, the arch of his brow. Whatever the land deal was, Jack already knew the answer.
“Not much,” George said, sitting back. “We’ve run into a snag with some of the zoning approvals. Apparently there’s some part of it that may or may not be designated a protected wetland. Something about a spotted badger or red-necked owl habitat or some craziness.”
“So it would be good to maybe have someone who could advocate for projects that could bring new jobs into the area.” Jack stared straight at Seth. Seth picked at a cuticle on his left thumb.
“Certainly, that’s a consideration,” George said. His face split into a broad smile and a look passed between him and Jack.
I nudged Seth under the table. Unless the waitress passed out kiddy menus with crayons and George and Jack colored him a picture, it seemed there was a good chance he wasn’t going to get it. I couldn’t resist.
“What’s your take, honey?” I said. Seth snapped his head up and plastered on what I was coming to know as his “politician smile.”
George laughed in earnest. “Look, Seth,” he said. “You’re a smart kid. Probably, anyway. But why don’t you start out smaller, huh? Lattimer’s going to retire in the state house next year. Cut your teeth there. You’re young. What are you, thirty? Thirty-five?”
Seth dropped his hand to the table, making the silverware bounce with a clash. “Because I can do bigger and better things in Washington. You know it, my mother knew it. Now, I’d like to hope that I can count on the support you promised her.”
George shook his head. He ran a beefy finger over his chin. “See, that’s the thing. Your mother and I went way back. That’s certainly true. And I’m nothing if not loyal. But you’re not your mother. As an untested freshman senator, I don’t figure you’re going to have a lot of clout on the Hill. Later, maybe. Ten years. Twenty. But you need to grow some hair on your nuts first. Sorry, dear.” He winked at me.
I raised my glass to him and winked back.
“Anyone you decide to back is going to be a freshman senator, George,” Seth said, making the first shrewd observation of the evening. “Why not back the man you know whose loyalty you can already count on?”
George nodded. “My loyalty was to your mother and it wasn’t blind. She understood the game better than you do. Maybe if she were still around to give you some guidance, I would feel a little more ... ah ... secure. And I’m real sorry if I’m being insensitive in light of your recent loss. But this election is important. I need another Ed Jeffries or Miranda Manning in that seat. You haven’t yet convinced me that you’ve got what it takes to fill either of their shoes, kid.”
Seth’s face had turned purple. He rubbed furiously at his twitching temple now. Jack sat back and put his napkin over his plate.
“I’m sure Seth appreciates the fact that you’re still open to being convinced,” Jack said. He looked at Seth, I think hoping he’d take the opening to say something – anything – diplomatic. Instead, Seth kept staring into his drink.
“He does,” I said, putting my hand on Seth’s knee. He stiffened at my touch and I wondered if anyone else at the table realized just how close he was to a full-blown temper tantrum. “We do. Mr. Pagano, can we at least leave here tonight with the assurance that your mind isn’t entirely made up yet? That you’re still more than open to the possibility of taking a chance on my husband?” It was slight, and likely no one perceived it but me, but from the corner of my eye, I could see Jack’s shoulders tighten on my last word.
“You can,” George said, sipping the last of his drink. “Absolutely you can. Are you listening to what I’m telling you, Seth?”
Seth chewed his bottom lip but he finally nodded. “I won’t beg you; I mean, if that’s what you’re expecting.”
“Don’t be an ass.” This from Jack, though it was on the tip of my lips to say the exact same thing.
“I mean no offense,” Seth said. “But I’m not going to sit here and pretend that you don’t owe my family more than just a passing consideration.”
“Son,” George said, already scooting out the end of the booth. He rose and stood over Seth. “I’d be careful going down that path. There’s loyalty and there’s loyalty. If I owed your mother anything, that debt has long since been paid. The support we showed each other after that came from mutual respect and common interests. You don’t necessarily inherit that and now’s a really good time for you to learn the difference. Now, I said you have my consideration and you do. Don’t say anything else stupid and you’ll keep it.”
Pagano reached across the table and took one of my hands in his. He rubbed my palm with his thumb. “It was a pleasure to sit across from you, darling,” he said. “Jack. Always a treat.”
Jack nodded; his smirk had been fixed in place for about the last five minutes and Pagano shared it. Seth stared straight ahead as Pagano turned and walked away.
When he left, I didn’t want to be the first to try and break the tension by saying anything. It was too thick. There was Seth on one side of me seething with barely contained rage. And Jack sat just inches from me and I was hyper aware of everything about him. The way he breathed, his strong hands as he turned a matchbook between his fingers. My nerves were frayed and I said so.
“I think I’m going to leave the two of you to deconstruct dinner without me,” I said. Jack gave me an odd look, but shifted down the booth and stood so I could get out. Seth sat like a stone statue. He reminded me a little of Rodin’s The Thinker the way he rested his chin in his palm. Though it was more like The Brooder or The Pouter.
I gave Jack a wide-eyed look over Seth’s head and he shrugged. “Have a good night, Tora,” he finally said. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us for dessert?”
I patted my stomach. “I wouldn’t know where to put it.” I put a hand on Seth’s shoulder but he still wouldn’t move. I probably could have stripped naked and set my hair on fire right in front of him and he wouldn’t have noticed.
I waved my hand in dismissal over his head, smiled again and turned to leave. I hadn’t lied for the last five minutes. Walking the tightrope that was Seth wore me down too much tonight. He looked up from his funk long enough to order a straight bourbon and I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about him coming back or being coherent when he did. I would have my respite.
When I passed the lobby toward the elevators, I saw the time. It wasn’t even nine o’clock but I was exhausted. I went straight upstairs and to bed. Just as I hoped and suspected. Seth didn’t come back until the wee hours of the morning which gave me a few merciful hours of peace and sleep. I didn’t realize until later how much I would need it.
Chapter Ten
I woke early, before six. I found Seth passed out, face down on the couch in the sitting room. He still wore his suit from last night and it looked like he’d keeled over while trying to remove one of his shoes. His left one dangled from his toes, his right leg bent at an odd angle beneath him as though he’d fallen forward from a sitting position. For a moment, my heart tripped. He wasn’t moving and his color looked off. Tucking my hair behind my ears, I knelt in front of him and placed a light finger to his neck. His pulse beat strong there and just as I drew my hand awa
y, he gave a great snort and shifted, rolling to his side.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and stood up. If his past history was any indication, it would take another two or three hours before Seth completely slept this one off. With any luck, he’d forget most of what upset him the night before and we could roll into a new day on a more or less clean slate.
I would be able to steal a few precious hours away from his demands or the judgmental glares of any of the other Maples’ guests for a little while, at least. I thought about finding Jack, but there was no way to go to his room without risking someone seeing me do it. The fishing trip had been different. Jack covered our tracks so we weren’t seen leaving or arriving together. Maybe later he could work similar magic, but for now it was my job to stay out of trouble. I opted for some much-needed exercise.
For once, I was grateful for something Seth made me pack. He gave me three bikinis though it was way too cold to swim or even lie out. But the resort had two indoor pools and swimming laps was my favorite way to work out. I picked the black suit and threw on its matching cover-up and headed for the lobby.
“The pool in the north wing has the best chance of being unoccupied at this hour, Mrs. Manning,” the concierge said, giving me a pleasant smile.
I nodded and thanked him though the name still sent a shiver through me. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it. I took some solace in the fact that my marriage probably wasn’t legal anyway. With the discreet help of one of Uncle Charlie’s connections, I’d created Tora Blake out of thin air. Tora McLain was still happily single.
Just as the concierge said, the north pool was empty when I got there except for a college-aged life guard. He smiled when I passed him and I tossed my cover-up and flip flops on the nearest lounge chair. The water temperature was perfect as I slid in. Cold enough to get my blood flowing but warm enough to keep me from shivering. I picked the center lane and kicked off to start my laps.
