The Fair & Foul (Project Gene Assist Book 1)

by Potts, Allie

  She laughed. She had only spent a few hours with Durham, but could guess that Louis's jest wasn't far from the truth. Everything Juliane had done since childhood had been done with precision and had gotten her nowhere. Durham, on the other hand, struck Juliane as one who lived in the moment. And yet he was able to fly in a private jet and party with the rich and famous. Perhaps Alan had been right. Perhaps she should try letting her hair down too. She always did appreciate an intriguing experiment. She nodded at Louis to lead the way.

  Louis’s private car met them at the door. Although Juliane couldn’t see any of the media represented, Louis continued to play the part of the gentleman, waiting by the door as the driver helped her enter the vehicle first. Once inside, he opened the bar compartment while the car departed toward the Vegas strip. It did not take long before Juliane began to feel the alcohol's effects on her empty stomach.

  Traffic was still heavy, resulting in a slow procession down the strip. "Would you care for another?" Louis asked.

  Juliane finished hers before they arrived at their destination, Club Dareeque. Rather than entering through the main lobby, Louis escorted her through a nondescript side entrance protected by some very large individuals in the standard uniform of black t-shirt and black pants. They made no effort to block their passage. Once inside, an extremely scantily-clad woman offered them more beverages, which Louis and Juliane both accepted with enthusiasm.

  The nightlife was alive inside. As Louis predicted, Durham was its heart. He shook his neck and shoulders, loosening his muscles as he halved the distance between them. The multicolored lights throbbed in time with the blaring music. Conversation was futile as Durham pulled her onto the dance floor. Beverages continued to flow freely. At some point, she must have removed her jacket, but she couldn’t recall where it might be. The silky silver camisole she wore underneath shimmered as she twirled and swayed with Durham. She stretched her arms briefly back into her hair in an effort to cool her neck from its weight. She had never felt so alive. A voice inside her head urged her to slow down, warned her of tomorrow's hangover, but she couldn't force herself to care.

  She felt a warm hand on her waist. She spun to identify its owner and was pulled toward Louis’s muscled chest. A glance back informed her that Durham had already migrated back into the crowd. She could see he was well occupied by another energetic partner.

  Time lost its hold. Juliane lost track of how many drinks she had consumed. Others attempted to cut in, but never with long success. Again and again, Louis pulled her toward him. Occasionally, she thought she saw the flash of a cell phone camera, and in her inebriated state, she decided to give them a show. She felt the heat of Louis's leg pressed against her thigh as she grinded her body against his. Her skin glistened as she arched her back suggestively.

  Her heartbeat pulsed in time with the music. Durham appeared by her side. She closed her eyes, giving herself fully to the moment. A hand pulled at her arm. She wasn't surprised that Durham wanted to cut in, but she was surprised by how violently she was pulled to the side. She opened her eyes at the feeling of pain. The hand didn't belong to either Louis or Durham. Instead, Alan had materialized out of nowhere. He grimaced as he pulled her away from the dance floor and into a quieter alcove before unceremoniously shoving her down onto the leather bench.

  A glass of water appeared before her. She hadn’t even noticed Alan ordering it. It must have taken longer to stumble over to the alcove than she had originally thought. Away from the music, her head began to throb as she tried to estimate how much time had passed since her presentation. Why was Alan here? Was it pure coincidence? Juliane wondered.

  “Why, Alan, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”

  “Were you aware that your antics are being broadcast on every gossip rag as we speak?” Alan scowled.

  “I thought that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?” Juliane chortled at her own joke.

  “Apparently when you throw yourself on one of the world’s most powerful playboys, people break that little rule.”

  “I wasn’t throwing myself at him; he’s the one who keeps coming back to me. Besides, we’re just out having some fun. Something, it appears, you need to do more often as well.”

  “Jules, stop acting like one of these children.” Alan gestured toward a small group of scantily-clad females hovering near the edge of the dance floor. One of the group wore a tiara and sash but very little else.

  None of the group looked old enough to be making life-changing decisions like marriage, ruling out a bachelorette party, but they were obviously celebrating a major milestone. Juliane suspected it was the woman’s twenty-first birthday.

  Alan had no right to compare her behavior to theirs. At least half of that party wouldn’t have any recollection of tonight’s festivities tomorrow. She would remember this evening until her dying day. At least she thought she would. Where did that jacket go? she wondered. The room began to spin.

  Juliane was distracted by another group, this one comprised of young but significantly more sober males. They also watched the women, but were doing so like hyenas lying in wait to take advantage of a weakened gazelle.

  One of the men swaggered over to the women with a drink in hand. Within moments, the woman with the sash followed him onto the dance floor. He wasted no time. Juliane could see his hand descend around her buttocks within the first few beats of the song. After losing sight of the couple in the crowd, Juliane returned her attention to the glass of water in her hand. She stared into its depths.

  No, her behavior had been nothing like that at all. She had been dancing with Louis and Durham. It wasn’t as if she had been letting random strangers grope her.

  Juliane savored the feeling of water coursing down her throat. It was not the tap water she was more used to. The liquid tasted delicious on her tongue after the workout she had given her body.

  Alan’s tone softened. Juliane wondered if he had interpreted her action as a gesture of shame and not just parched thirst. “You are better than that. We are better than that. You and I, we are cut from the same cloth. I understand that it isn’t easy for a person like you to work for someone like me. Always in the other’s shadow. Always coming up second. But I’ve always been impressed with you.”

  If Alan expected a response, Juliane made sure he was left disappointed. He continued, “I wasn’t surprised to hear your presentation was a smashing success. I would have demanded nothing else from you. However, I am disappointed that you didn’t stick around long enough to allow me to take you out for a celebration. Had you just asked, I would have been more than willing to show you the town. Hasn't anyone ever told you that great things come to those who wait?”

  “The music is pretty loud in here, but did you just really say that you would have taken me out if I was only more patient?”

  “I did.” Alan smiled, resting his hand on her shoulder. “I still would. You have such great potential. In all ways. You just need to learn how to wait.”

  “And what makes you think I would want to go out with you?”

  “Please, Jules. Consider your available options. Sure, he is rich and powerful . . . now. But that womanizer is only going to hurt you. You would be just another plaything. To be used and discarded after you bore him. And you would bore him, assuming he didn’t bore you first.” Juliane felt her eyebrow rise at the comment. “He wouldn’t be able to understand a fraction of what you say, and men like him can’t handle feelings of inadequacy. You would be wasting your time with someone like that.”

  Juliane plucked Alan’s hand off her shoulder. “You don’t know half as much as you think you do.”

  Alan sighed. “But I do. People like you and I are extremely rare. You have barely seen the world, but eventually, you will realize that for yourself. You don’t have to accept my company today. But believe me when I tell you that spending a night alone in your room would be a better use of your time than what you are doing here.”


  “Not that I need to justify who I want to spend time with to you, but Louis is not the vapid, spoiled rich guy you think he is, and I am not a child. We were just dancing, but if I wanted to take it further, I could. And again, stop calling me Jules!”

  Her attempt at a dramatic exit was ruined when her foot began to slip out from under her as she rose. She felt a searing pain as her ankle twisted in her attempt to remain upright. Alan caught her before she could fall. She fought to push him away even as she attempted to stabilize herself, but he was relentless. “Let me take you back to your hotel. You’ve obviously had enough.”

  “I don’t need your help!”

  “Please, you wouldn’t be able to make it to the door on your own.”

  “I'm not ready to leave anyway. And even if I was, I certainly am not leaving with you.” She attempted to hold him back and was surprised to feel iron muscles hidden behind his shirt.

  “You are being ridiculous, Jules.” Alan pulled her toward him.

  “Jules, is it? I did wonder what your nickname might be.” Juliane stopped her struggles at the sound of Louis’s voice behind Alan. She attempted to draw herself up straight but found she couldn’t quite put all her weight on the injured ankle without wincing.

  “Ah, Louis, your timing is perfect. Some people just don’t know how to respond to rejection.” Juliane smirked. Louis appeared immune to the expression of pure hatred that danced across Alan’s face.

  “Fine, learn your lesson the hard way. Be my guest. Enjoy your time with the common people. You know where to find me when you realize I was only speaking the truth,” Alan spat the words as he threw her at Louis, only then storming off toward the club exit.

  “Well, I have to say, that is the first time I’ve ever been referred to as being part of the common people.” Louis shrugged, his smile, as usual, in place. “I thought that when you suddenly stopped dancing that you were just in need of some air, but Durham mentioned seeing you leave with ‘some guy.' Might I be correct in guessing that it wasn’t entirely by choice?” Juliane nodded. ”You want to get back to the party?”

  Juliane took a step and sucked in her breath as a sharp pain raced up her leg. “Unfortunately, Alan may be half right. I have to call it a night. I must have hurt my ankle more than I originally thought.”

  Louis knelt down beside her, caressing her leg more than was strictly necessary as he examined her injury. She felt her body shiver. She leaned over to inspect her injury herself, using his broad shoulders as support. The skin had begun to develop a purple sheen.

  “That is a nasty mark. You've probably sprained it. You need to stay off your feet and keep that ankle elevated.” His touch to the damaged flesh was a feather-light touch, but it still caused her to hiss. Within a moment, Louis had scooped her up as if she were the child she so recently protested not being. Only now, she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Juliane stared into his eyes. Alan’s parting words played in her ears. There was nothing common about this man. Suddenly she wanted to do something more at her hotel room than ice her ankle. She found herself murmuring, “On second thought, I’m not ready to call it a night after all. I can think of something that can keep my ankle very, very elevated.” She trailed her fingers down the side of his neck, making her intention clear.

  Louis raised an eyebrow, but the hunger in his eyes mirrored her own as they exited the club. Her vision went black as her eyes adjusted to the bright lights and colors of the Vegas strip. The loss of sight accentuated the crush of his lips on hers as the door closed and the car pulled away.

  Ten

  The following morning, Juliane stepped out of the bedroom with bleary eyes and a pounding headache. Had she made a made a mistake? Had she acted the way she did last night only to antagonize Alan, or was it possible that there might be something more between her and Louis? Our bodies certainly connected, thought Juliane with a satisfied grin as she exited the bedroom and stumbled over her suitcase.

  "Oh, I asked Durham to take care of your other arrangements," Louis mumbled from behind her. "I'd like you to stay with me the rest of the weekend." Juliane was troubled that someone had been able to enter the room without notice, but then Louis's hand had begun stroking her thigh and she forgot all about Durham.

  After that, she and Louis rarely left his spacious suite; a series of rooms complete with its own bar, kitchenette, and entertainment area. The hours passed in a lust- and endorphin-filled blur.

  Feeling adventurous the second afternoon, Juliane decided to try sunbathing in the nude next to the room’s private pool. Skin unfamiliar with the effects of sunlight was teased alive by his ministrations. Louis had brought out various exotic fruits and chilled wine which they had sampled together, only to then sample each other once again.

  She didn't recognize herself around Louis. It was as if his very proximity silenced rational thought. No one had ever affected her in such a way. She wondered if she could ever go back to the way she was before. Basking in a contented afterglow with Louis sleeping by her side, she asked herself, Why would I ever need to?

  Durham arrived on the third morning to take her back to the airport. As she opened the door, Juliane noticed that Durham's eyes were covered by a pair of mirrored sunglasses which he never removed. She could see Louis approach in their reflection. Louis's arms encircled her waist as her body melted into his embrace automatically. Louis gently pulled her hair back, caressing her neck with his lips. Juliane wanted nothing more than to spin around and return to their room. She closed her eyes to better enjoy the sensation.

  Durham coughed, reminding her that they had audience. Louis chuckled as he handed a few bills to the bellhop waiting behind Durham. Within the hour, she and Durham were back in the air, and Juliane found herself wondering if the events of the last few days had truly happened. Shortly after takeoff, Durham had placed a travel pillow around his neck and leaned back in his chair without pressing for a rematch of their chess game. After witnessing his partying style, Juliane assumed that he must be still hung over. It was probably for the best. As often as her thoughts returned to the deliciously naughty things she and Louis had done to each other, she wouldn’t have been the best conversationalist either.

  At the airport, Durham lingered only long enough to help load her belongings into her car and sneer at her choice of transport, a fifteen-year-old Tesla purchased for its ability to get from point A to B reliably. She had barely noticed its dings and rust spots before, but each imperfection must have tripled in size during her stay in Vegas. She thought to herself that its like would never be seen in Louis’s collection. Even if he kept a beater vehicle, it surely had to be in better condition.

  Though the hour was late, Juliane decided to stop by her office. After spending the past few days with Louis, the idea of going to her empty apartment just felt too isolating. As she walked down the hall, Alan met her at the door. “What? Mr. Wonderful too busy to make sure you got home safety?”

  Juliane rolled her eyes. “He has to continue the promotional tour. Surely someone as smart as yourself can comprehend that?”

  Alan leaned against the door frame and said, “How convenient for him. Speaking of convenience, did you happen to stop by any of the campus stores on your way here?”

  Scattered among the various ACI buildings were several independently owned and operated convenience stores placed to ensure that ACI employees had few reasons to leave the campus. All should have been closed for the evening hours ago. Puzzled, Juliane replied, “No . . ."

  "And you haven't been home yet either?" Alan asked with a smug smile.

  "I came straight here." Alan's smile deepened. "But you probably already knew that. Why don’t you go ahead and tell me whatever it is you came here to say?”

  “Pity. You might as well go online. I’m sure you’ll find it soon enough.”

  Hating herself, Juliane pulled out her phone to check the news feed. On the screen were a series of sto
ries, many of which alluded to the presentation. “Looks like my emulator made the front page. Funny, I don’t see your presentation anywhere here. That must be terrible for you. I know how hard you must have worked.”

  “Oh yes, terrible. Why don’t you read the article rather than just scan through the headlines.” Alan might as well have screamed 'I told you so.' The words were clearly written across his features.

  Juliane clicked on a link at random. It mentioned the presentation in passing, but the heart of the article centered on speculation of Louis’s relationship with a mystery woman. There were a series of photos of the two of them engaged in several suggestive positions. The photos had been taken while they were enjoying themselves in the suite, not just in the dance club. Juliane felt the blood drain from her face. “How? Why? ” she whispered in horror.

  “I suspect they used a drone just like anyone else. I did try to warn you after all."

  Juliane opened another article link. More photos appeared, each worse than the one before. Exactly how many drones had been hovering outside? How could she have possibly been so unaware of her surroundings?

  Alan reached out and touched her arm, his smile slipping. "You can’t possibly be surprised, Jules. I mean, really? How many times have the media done this to other women in your position? I’m only disappointed that you made it so easy for them. Hotels have drapes for a reason.”

  She had enough of his smug attitude, even if there was truth in his barb. She was no longer his subordinate. They were equals, and it was past time he recognized it. Ice crystals began to permeate her bloodstream as her humiliation was replaced by anger. Alan took an unconscious step backward into the hallway. She had to take a calming breath before she could trust herself to speak again. Even then, her voice was hard as blue steel and sharp as a blade.