by Jayne Blue
By five o’clock, Seth still hadn’t returned and I went to my room to get ready for the event. For once, I wouldn’t argue with Seth about the dress he’d chosen for me. It was his typical preference. Plunging neckline, one size too small, siren red. I embellished it with a set of Miranda’s pearls and wore my hair up. I painted my lips to match the dress and stepped back to gauge the effect. Seth would get what he wanted. I would get noticed and pawed at. That and Pagano’s attentions would hopefully stoke Seth’s jealousy enough to get him fuming and talkative when we came back to the room. The only trick would be to keep him sober enough to be coherent.
I’d just finished sticking the last pin in my hair when I heard the door slam in the outer room. I checked the clock. It was 5:45 and we were due down at dinner by six.
“Baby?” I called out, smoothing down the front of my dress as I turned once more in the mirror. Seth came in and stopped. He leaned against the bedroom door and I caught his eye in the mirror.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a predatory smile as he looked at me.
“Do you like it?” I said, turning to give him the full effect. “Are you sure it’s not too ... ah ... too? It’s the one you picked out for our last night, right?”
“It’s perfect,” he said. “So perfect I wish I didn’t have to take you anywhere in it.”
I crossed the room and put my hands on his face. He leaned down and let me kiss him. “I know. But it’s been such a great week. Right? Tonight could be the perfect way to cap it off. I’m so proud of you, baby. You’ve really shined. Everyone here has to be impressed with you.”
His smile fell and he pushed himself off the door jamb. He brushed past me and went to the closet. Something brewed in him already and I wondered if Pagano had talked to him. Should I tell him about our meeting or wait?
“I don’t think you’ll have time to shower,” I said as Seth tossed the garment bag containing his tuxedo on the bed. “We’re supposed to be down there in ten minutes. Do you know who we’re sitting with at dinner?”
“We’re with Jeffries and his wife. Some friends of theirs I don’t really know or care about,” he said, tearing off his neck tie and then his shirt.
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s neither,” he said. “Jeffries wanted it. I think he wants one last opportunity to lecture me about what I’m supposed to do to earn his blessing. I just don’t think I care anymore.”
“Right,” I said. Seth had pulled his tux together but struggled with the tie. I went to him and stilled his flailing fingers. I smiled up at him as I looped the ends together and tied the knot.
“There,” I patted his chest. “You’re perfect, baby.”
He caught my wrist and held it. “What did you do to keep yourself busy today?”
His grip on my wrist wasn’t painful, but it was deliberate. I studied his eyes. For now, they were clear, but his stare was full of questions.
“I had a totally self-indulgent day,” I said, thankful there was really nothing I had to lie about for the last twelve hours. “I went for a swim this morning, straightened up around here. I went for a run and got a manicure. Do you like?” I waved my newly painted red nails at him.
He kept his grip on my wrist for a fraction of a second longer then leaned down to kiss the top of my hand. “I like,” he answered and I pulled my hand away from his.
“We’re going to be late,” I said. “I don’t think this is one of those events that making a late entrance gets you points. You know? I think I’m going to be really sad to leave. It’s been so beautiful here. Do you think we’ll come back?”
Seth put a hand in his pocket. “I suppose that all depends on how things go in November.”
“But you won’t be finished even then, will you?” I said, grabbing my black clutch purse from the bureau. “Even if you don’t win this time, everyone here seems to think you’ve got a bright future. It’s so exciting, don’t you think?”
Seth followed me as I walked toward the door. “And who exactly have you been talking to about my future, Tora?”
My back was to Seth and I smiled. For the most part, I think I’d gauged right. Seth wasn’t keen on me giving attention to anyone other than him. This would be an easy hook to bait, indeed.
***
Seth was almost normal at dinner. He was easy with me and seemed genuinely interested in what Jeffries had to say. It made the leers and stares I got from Mrs. Jeffries almost easy to bear. I had George Pagano and Jack on my radar most of the evening. Jack sat on the other side of the room. He was much better at hiding his stolen looks my way than I was. For his part, he was wonderful to watch in this habitat and I could see why most of the people here thought he was a better fit for politics than Seth was.
Jack Manning in a tux was a sinful sight to behold. He stood tall and straight with his hair combed back and that devilish twinkle in his eye. As much as Seth wanted attention drawn to me, Jack garnered plenty of his own. He was smooth and charming, shaking hands, leaning in close to give unbridled attention to whomever he spoke with. But at least once every minute, he would raise his eyes and find me. His presence was like a tractor beam, pulling me in. It was everything in me not to go to him.
On the other end of the spectrum was Pagano. He sat at a round table near the front of the room letting those who wished an audience come sit with him like some old school godfather. He, too, kept enough attention directed my way so I had to be careful how closely I watched Jack.
Seth’s shine wore off as the evening progressed. His answers grew more clipped as Jeffries talked. It got to the point where even I felt the need to intervene. I leaned over, holding my napkin before me to shield my lips.
“Honey,” I said. “Do we maybe need to get a little air? I’m getting antsy from sitting here so long. Will you come with me?”
I expected him to protest but he rose to his feet and pushed his chair in with enough force to shake the table. Something was wrong but I’d been sitting next to him the whole time. I had no idea what it was.
We walked out on the terrace. With the sun nearly gone, I shivered in the chill of the evening. I drew my arms around me.
“What’s wrong?” I said.
“Did you see him sitting there?”
“Who?”
“Just sitting there letting everyone come up and have the honor of kissing his ring. Well, I won’t, Tora, and he knows why.”
It wasn’t going to do any good to play coy. “Oh, you mean George Pagano. Yes, I did kind of notice that too. But why get worked up about it? Were you still hoping to talk to him tonight?”
“Yes,” he said. “He called me just before I came back to the room and said he wanted to see me. He said he had something important to tell me that he was sure would make me happy. But now I get it. Now he wants me to crawl over there and fawn over him. I won’t do it, Tora. It’s beneath me. He never would have made my mother do it.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Seth,” I said. “Anyone with eyes and brain cells can see how ridiculous he looks. Just go talk to him. Play his game for one more night and then we can get out of here. You’ll have accomplished everything you set out to when we came. That’s the important thing, isn’t it? Give people what they want so they give you what you want. You don’t really have to mean it.”
Seth smiled and that shocked me most of all.
“I’ll come with you even,” I said. “Let’s just get it over with. And then you can take me dancing or something. We look too good to sit in a corner with Ed Jeffries and his sneering wife. Please, Seth? Can we just do that?”
Seth leaned down and kissed me. “Maybe you’re right,” he said. He walked a little away from me and reached into his pants pocket. He did it so quick I don’t think he meant for me to see. Or he’d just gotten careless. But when Seth took his hand out, I saw him pop several white pills.
“Seth?” I called out. He turned to face me and color had reddened his cheeks.
“It’s okay,�
� he said. “I’m going to talk to Pagano alone. You wait here.”
I walked back into the main dining room behind Seth but stopped near the door. He crossed the room and stood at George Pagano’s table. Pagano nodded to someone sitting at his table, dismissing them, and then Seth took his seat. A waiter came to me bearing a tray with flutes of champagne.
“Miss?” he said.
I smiled and took a glass. “Thank you.”
From this distance, I couldn’t make out what Seth and Pagano said to each other. Pagano had that sly smile plastered on his face and it looked like Seth was doing most of the talking. That is exactly how he got himself in trouble most often.
The air shifted next to me and suddenly Jack was there. I’d been so focused on Pagano’s table I hadn’t seen him walk toward me. My heart flipped and I realized I was already starting to sweat.
“Nice dress,” he said. “Seth’s idea?”
I smiled. “Why even ask me that?”
“How much longer are you going to do what he says, Tora?”
I looked at Jack. His eyes had a smolder to them that he usually held back unless we were alone. It sent heat skittering across my skin and I longed to curl my fingers around the nape of his neck and draw him down to me for a kiss. Instead, I took a slow sip of my champagne, letting the bubbles settle in my chest.
“Not much longer,” I said, hoping it was true.
My gaze shifted back to Seth. Pagano was doing the talking now. He leaned forward, with hands clasped, his elbows resting on the table. Seth’s posture was easy to read. He had his arms crossed in front of him and sat far back in his chair. Even from here I could see his nostrils flare. It was a look of impatience and arrogance and I could only hazard a guess as to what Pagano was telling him.
“Finally decided to go kiss the ring like a good little soldier?” Jack said at my ear.
I smiled, making my face as neutral as possible. To anyone passing by we could be talking about the weather.
“I pretty much used the same expression,” I said. “You know, if he could just get over himself for five seconds, he could have just about anything he wanted from these people.”
“That’s been his deal his entire life,” Jack said, sipping his own champagne. “Miranda cleared a path for him and he believed everything she told him about being the world’s most special snowflake.”
I nodded. Seth’s back stiffened and he leaned down, listening to something Pagano said close to his ear. My heart raced. Was it now? Right now was he laying out the terms of his support?
Seth pounded a fist to the table and looked up. His eyes darted back toward our table and I knew what he sought. He was looking for me. I stiffened and let out a breath.
“What is it?” Jack asked.
“I’m not sure,” I said, hoping to avoid an inquisition from Jack. He was the one person I didn’t want to lie to anymore. Seth scanned the room and a second later he found me. I turned to Jack and gave him an empty smile. Jack’s brow knit and he set his jaw.
“Why are they talking about you, Tora?” Jack said, too astute for his own good, or maybe mine.
I looked up at Jack, trying to keep my expression neutral. There were eyes on us besides just Seth’s, I knew.
“I just need you to trust me for a little longer,” I said.
Jack turned to face me. He put his hand on my arm and warmth spread where he did. “I was deadly serious when I told you not to mess around with George Pagano. Seth’s one thing. If I thought he could do you real harm we’d be having a different conversation. Pagano can do you real harm. Don’t ever forget that.”
I nodded. “I haven’t. And I know how smart he is. I have no intention of cornering him or letting on what I know about him. Not directly. But Seth’s on edge. He’s like a petulant kid. He thinks Pagano should lay down and do whatever he wants because of their past history. Pagano doesn’t feel that way.”
“I don’t understand Miranda on this one,” Jack said. He let go of my arm and turned so we stood side by side. Seth still glared at me from across the room. It made my skin itch but I hoped it meant he was reacting to Pagano’s proposition in the way I wanted. I wanted him off guard, angry and jealous. I could work with that.
“She always understood how Seth was,” Jack continued. “She created him. The Miranda I knew would never have involved Seth directly in what happened with your dad. She was shrewd enough to know that he’d try to use it in exactly the way he’s trying to.”
“Unless she needed his help and had no choice,” I said.
Jack raised a brow and I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine,” I said. “You have a point. But the way Seth carried on the night before the wedding, he made it sound like he’s the one who planted whatever evidence she used.”
“I have no idea,” Jack shook his head. He stiffened and I turned. Seth had left Pagano’s table and was walking straight toward us with murder in his eyes.
“Go away, Jack,” Seth said when he got there. “I need to talk to my wife alone. Right now.”
Chapter Twelve
Jack
When he touched her my blood simmered. When he called her “my wife” it took everything in me not to reach out and grab Seth by the throat. But Tora was cool and calm. She smiled and put a light hand on his elbow.
“I’m right here,” she said. “There’s no need to be rude to Jack.” She smiled up at me with that mask of indifference she had perfected for Seth. It drove me mad to know what really went on behind her eyes. If I even did.
“I’m going to call it a night,” I said, giving Tora a wry smile back. “I’ve breathed in enough hot air for the week.”
Seth still hadn’t moved. He kept a possessive grip on Tora’s arm. She kept her smile in place but I could see a tiny vein pulsing in her temple. She took measured breaths that made her breasts rise and fall as they strained against the thin fabric of the dress Seth made her wear. It wasn’t fear I sensed from her but there was an undercurrent of tension between them that I didn’t like one bit.
“Are you leaving in the morning?” she said, ignoring the powder keg that was Seth beside her.
“First thing,” I answered. “I had planned to leave tonight but I had a feeling things might get interesting. How about it, Seth? Did you get what you needed from George?”
Seth looked at me. “I got enough,” he finally said, his tone unusually flat. “I’ve never really been worried about where his head was.”
“Good,” I nodded, pursing my lips. “Then you’d be the first person to be so confident. I hope it works out for you.”
“Good night,” Seth said. “Have a safe trip back to Virginia. Maybe we can get together. I have meetings in D.C. in a couple of weeks.”
“I’ll put it on my calendar, Seth.” I leaned forward and put a brotherly kiss on Tora’s cheek. Her skin was warm and flushed beneath my lips. I saw the goose flesh raise on her neck and it took everything in me not to linger against her skin. No matter what else happened, I was going to need to find a reason to get her alone again and very soon. I gave her the tiniest wink when I pulled away. Her lips twitched with the makings of a smile but she covered. I loved that we had our own language together now.
Then I left them there. As I turned to go, Seth still had a firm hand on Tora’s arm and his other at the small of her back. It was like he was afraid something or someone might carry her away if he didn’t hold on. He had no idea how close he was to the truth.
Jerry, my room steward, waited for me when I made it back to my suite. “I’ve just about finished packing the last of your things,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said. I hadn’t been lying when I told Seth I’d planned to leave tonight. I should have. Tora had me so turned around that every decision I made lately seemed to stem from her. How could I see her again? What was she doing? Tonight, though, she invaded my thoughts in a much more significant way. She hadn’t lied to me but she was hiding something. I’d seen the look that crossed Seth’s face when
he came back from Pagano’s table. It was dark, possessive and dangerous. I didn’t like it.
“Do you want me to call a car to take you to the airport then?” Jerry asked and I realized I’d been staring into space for several beats too long.
“What? Oh. Thank you, but no. I’ve decided to just leave first thing in the morning. I didn’t mean to put you out.”
“Good enough,” Jerry said. “Do you want your normal breakfast sent to your room before you go then?”
“That would be fine.”
“Mr. Manning?” Jerry tilted his head, regarding me with a puzzled stare. “Is everything all right?”
I shook my head. “It’s just been a long week. I’m fine for tonight though. Why don’t you take off and enjoy the night.”
Jerry smiled. “It is still sort of early. If you need help in the morning, just ring down for me.”
I nodded. “I’m sure I can manage, but I’ll keep it in mind.” I reached into my wallet and pulled out the stack of twenty-dollar bills I meant to leave in an envelope for him. “Can you do me a favor, Jerry?” I said, handing them to him.
Jerry nodded. He cut a straight figure in his neatly pressed red suit coat and black pants. “You know you only have to ask.”
I scratched my chin. “Can you find out if my, uh, step brother and his wife have made it back down to their room?”
If it was a strange request, Jerry showed no sign of judgment. He simply pulled out his cell phone, turned, and asked the question I had put to him. When he finished, he slid his phone back into his breast pocket and smiled back at me.
“Just a few minutes ago, yes,” he answered. “Mr. Manning – the other Mr. Manning –said they’re in for the night and plan to leave right after breakfast. Same as you. Do you want me to arrange so you can ride in the same car together?”
“No,” I said. “That’s all I needed to know, thanks.”
Jerry gave me one more smile and left.
Afterwards, I don’t know what made me do it. But I had some sixth sense that I should. I threw my tuxedo jacket over a chair and walked back out. My steps quickened as I headed for the elevators that would take me to the Mountain Suite and back to Tora’s side.
