Heroes Duet

by Pinder, Victoria

  He shrugged and closed the monitor. “Yes. I’m an investor mostly these days, but these accounts are special.”

  She stood on her tiptoes and whispered, “Because they read Edmond Pearce.”

  He nodded, kissed her forehead, and said, “He doesn’t know the full extent of my holdings, not yet.”

  Great. Her engagement party was a set up for disaster. Her skin heated. “Will he find out before or after our party?”

  He winked at her. “You are perceptive, Sophie. After.”

  The two women motioned that they were ready. Sophie left his side but said, “I’ll be fast. Hopefully these ladies are too.”

  She sat down and the dark-haired woman with dramatic makeup picked up a hairbrush and said, “Your fiancé is handsome, Miss.”

  True. He was right there but didn’t smile or anything to show that he’d heard the stylist. She realized she still held the jewelry. “Michael?” She motioned for him to take the box. “I think so too. Call me Sophie.”

  Michael accepted it and walked back to his desk. “How did you meet him?”

  She met his gaze. Michael was a private person. She decided on what to share and laughed. “I knocked on his door actually.”

  Ms. Dramatic began to pin Sophie’s hair in different layers. “Seriously?”

  She saw Michael’s warning gaze in the mirror. The woman worked on one section of her hair. “It was… raining… and I was lost. His light was on and I wanted to be dry. I had no idea that would lead to a wedding.”

  There—she’d given no pertinent details.

  The hairdresser tapped her shoulder. “Well, that’s romantic—to marry your hero.”

  Yes. Michael was her hero. Sophie smiled as Michael lost interest in her makeup and focused on his plan. Once she was sprayed and her hair was done, the other woman took over.

  She airbrushed her, put lashes on her eyes and worked fast. Within moments, Sophie looked completely different and the chic gray and black traveling outfit seemed out of place. She stared at herself in shock, but then smiled, “Thanks. Are we done?”

  “Yes. Good luck tonight.” Michael, paying attention after all, stood and brought the jewelry back. The makeup lady and hair stylist stayed while he fastened her necklace. She put the earrings in her ear and turned to look up at gorgeous Michael, the dark gray suit fitted to his body.

  “Beautiful.” Michael handed the ladies generous tips, then escorted them out of the room. He closed the door with a wink. “You do realize everything you said to them will be repeated and possibly in the news.”

  “I’ve never been to a hairdresser where small talk wasn’t shared.” She stood and ran her hands across his stomach as she passed and headed into the closet. “Which is why I kept most of our story to myself.” Sophie glanced behind her and Michael was at her heels. “I figured it didn’t snow in Miami and we didn’t want her to guess we met out of town too. It would lead to more questions.”

  Sophie turned her back to him to pick up her dress and change, but Michael held her and kissed the base of her neck. “You handled it beautifully, Sophie, just as you are my jewel.”

  She stepped out of her cute pant outfit and picked up the dazzling white dress with hints of blue through the seams and he zipped her up again. She held still until he finished, though she glanced in the mirror in the corner of the closet and saw how the jewels really made a statement—the blue sapphire heart nestled at the dip in her throat. “And this necklace is stunning!”

  He turned her around and claimed her lips in a quick kiss. Her heartbeat grew fast, but he let her go as tingles raced everywhere inside her. He fixed his blue tie. “It’s nothing compared to you.”

  Sophie slipped on sapphire blue heels and accepted Michael’s offered elbow. “Michael, I don’t want to live without you anymore.”

  He guided her to the elevator and pressed the button. “You won’t have to. After I finish this plan, we can have every day.”

  The doors opened, but she tugged his arm back. She couldn’t lose him now that he had a huge hold on her heart. “I’m scared.”

  He hugged her waist and kissed her neck. “Don’t be. Think of tonight as a party meant for you.”

  Right. If this was only an engagement party, she’d not want it ruined with set ups and plans.

  She walked beside him and they crossed the street without incident. People already milled around the restaurant as the sun set. A few she recognized from the society pages. Peter Morgan and his wife. The movie stars Matthew Morgan and Jennifer Gonzales spoke in the center of the room. The Hawke family where the father had been shot in the street for helping at a homeless shelter seemed healthy and happy surrounded by his family, including a Royal European prince.

  Sophie never moved in these circles, ever. She clung to Michael’s arm, but then she saw a few people she knew near the bar. “Everything is beautiful.” Her former coworkers walked over, in their more simple cocktail dresses and Sophie hugged them all as they interrupted her and Michael. In between hugs, she said, “Oh wow, my old coworkers are here. Valentina, hi.”

  The blonde with red streaks in her hair grinned and said, “Thanks for inviting us, Sophie. We were shocked to realize you were getting married so quickly.”

  Sophie tugged Michael’s arm, he studied each guest who came through the door after them, and introduced him to Valentina. “This is Michael.”

  He briefly gave them his full attention, smiled and shook Valentina’s hand. But then a man came in and Michael motioned that he needed to go. Sophie nodded and let him.

  Valentina leaned closer like they were best friends. “No wonder you had the guts to stand up to Daniel in court. We were all petrified of the consequences. I had no idea you had a boyfriend, never mind one that was rich and could protect you.”

  So her coworkers were clearly smarter than her. Her stomach clenched, but she smiled like she was completely calm and collected. “I’m lucky to have Michael.”

  Valentina turned to watch Michael as he walked away. Sophie remembered how hard his muscles were, everywhere, when he touched her and blushed.

  Valentina laughed. “And smart enough to marry him.” She sipped her champagne and gestured to three other girlfriends that had joined them. “We’re going to go check out the single men. Good luck, Sophie.”

  Michael came back and brushed her shoulders to get her to turn.

  Tonight was supposed to be special. So why was her stomach knotted?

  “Is everything okay?” Michael asked.

  “Yes, I’m going to the bathroom to freshen up before more guests arrive.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

  “Hurry back.” He hugged her one more time and let her go.

  Inside the ladies room, she tried to breathe out the tension. Everything so far was amazing—Michael had thoughtfully invited friends from her work. Nothing was wrong. Right now, there were people she’d read about mingling at a party with her name on the invitation.

  Sure, her cousins had both married rich men but that never effected her life.

  She rolled her shoulders and tried to relax, but the bathroom door opened and a dark- haired woman in a short red dress bounced in the room. Mercedes. She washed her hands to hide their trembling beneath the stream of water. The woman stood next to her at the sink.

  Mercedes said, “Hello.”

  “Hi.” Sophie lowered her gaze as her heart pounded. She’d sworn to leave if they were alone.

  Mercedes smiled at her like a vulture. “Your Michael Haniel looks very familiar to me.”

  Goodness. Perhaps Mercedes would unmask Michael faster than he intended. Her skin felt electrified, but she picked up a soft cloth towel to dry her hands. “Oh? I have no idea.”

  Mercedes didn’t blink. “When did you meet Michael?”

  No information from her would reveal Michael’s real name. She gave a casual shrug. “This year.”

  Leaning over the sink, Mercedes touched up her red lipstick, then put the tube ba
ck in a slim red leather wallet. She took a card out and handed it to Sophie. “I see. Well, it was nice meeting you. Here’s my number if you wish to talk or go shopping together.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Good. Sophie tried to walk at a normal speed as she left the bathroom ahead of Mercedes. No knives went in her back and soon she was elbow-to-elbow with Brandon Campbell, a Hollywood producer, and Eva Bishop, the newest movie actress, as they discussed Christmas in Paris this year.

  She walked past these socialites and found Michael, who was in conversation with Simon Villefort. He saw her and left the man’s side, cupping her elbow to guide her to a quiet corner. “Michael, I just met Mercedes.”

  “Where?” He held her but stared toward the door, clearly interested in who was coming inside.

  Sophie glanced up at his smooth chin, his tight jaw. She whispered, “In the bathroom. She believes you look familiar to her.”

  He cupped her face with both hands and leaned lower, giving her his full attention. “Relax. I promise nothing will happen, but stay with me the rest of the night.”

  There was no need to cry or let her nerves race up her spine. “Absolutely.”

  His gaze narrowed above her head. She turned but stayed at his side, his arm tight around her waist. Mercedes and Edmond walked toward them. Edmond was at least six inches shorter than Michael. He had an easy confidence as he offered his hand to shake. “Michael Haniel, thank you for inviting us both. We’re pleased to meet you.”

  She caught the glance Edmond gave Daniel Villefort behind Michael’s head and froze.

  She couldn’t breathe. He tried to kill her and her sisters. Michael rubbed her back and she snapped her attention to him. He leaned closer and said quietly, “Stay with me. Trust me right now.”

  Right. The plan. Michael promised tomorrow she’d be free. She took a deep breath and nodded.

  Michael shook his hand and said, “It’s my pleasure to have Mr. and Mrs. Pearce at our engagement party. I’m hoping, Mr. Pearce, that you can set up a small shipment for me.”

  Edmond slapped Michael’s shoulder and nodded.

  Mercedes’ face was white as she stared at Michael.

  Edmond then said, “Let’s talk away from the ladies for a minute, Mr. Haniel.”

  Her heart raced, but Michael kissed her cheek. “Be right back, Sophie. Don’t go anywhere without me.”

  “Of course. I’ll be right here.” She tried to smile but then turned toward Michael’s ex. If Mercedes understood who Michael really was, did that ruin everything? Sophie hoped she could pull this off as she stared at the woman who had broken his heart and left him for dead years ago. Unlike Mercedes, Sophie would never betray someone she loved.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sophie walked toward the bannister that circled the dark dance floor while a band set up to play on the stage across from her. The sun had just gone down but outside still had some of the sun’s daytime glow. Soon everything would be dark.

  Mercedes stayed beside her, though she paused to accept champagne from a passing waiter. “Michael is a blast from the past. I’m at a loss really how much he looks like the man I loved.”

  Sophie took a glass as well, but she held it low, unable to drink. Her stomach churned as Mercedes words burned down her throat. “You loved? How does my Michael seem like that to you?”

  Mercedes swallowed a sip and took a deep breath. Then she nodded and tried to smile though her face was white. “It’s his face, his actions, his expressions, though your Michael is harder than my Dante ever was.”

  “Dante?” Sophie heard the squeak in her voice. She wasn’t sure how to respond—it was obvious that Mercedes had cared. Hopefully Mercedes hadn’t caught her slip.

  She and Mercedes focused on the group setting up on stage, along with most of the women at the party. “Yes, my childhood boyfriend,” Mercedes said. “He was taken from me far too young.”

  “How?” Sophie asked and lowered her head, unsure if she did anything else then Mercedes might catch on she knew more.

  Mercedes gripped her hand. “He was arrested and died in prison. I’m sorry to bring all of this up at your engagement party. I’m just at a loss.”

  Fair enough. She’d never loved and lost. Sophie patted Mercedes and, like she did with her sisters, tried to channel something comforting her mother might have said. “If we don’t settle with our past, then it has the ability to haunt us, and it sounds like you were unable to put his memory to rest.” Her mother would then say something personal to connect her wisdom. Sophie met the woman’s troubled gaze. “Having both Daniel and Simon Villefort here after I just testified in federal court means the world is small.”

  “Agreed.” Mercedes stepped away. “Here comes your Michael. I’ll leave you to your party.”

  Good. Comforting a woman she didn’t want to get to know or like had not been part of her engagement party plans.

  She turned and zeroed in on Michael’s deep brown eyes. He leaned against the stairwell motioned for her to join him. “Sophie!”

  Sophie walked right into his open arms—exactly where she wanted to be so she kissed his cheek and hugged him tight.

  His protective hold made her feel safe and warm. Then he took her hand and led her toward the back of the restaurant that overlooked the sunset and the ocean.

  The yellow sparkles of the remainder of the day made the ocean seem magical. However the huge balloon with people milling around took up most of the night sky. She tugged on his arm. “What’s going on Michael? Why is there a hot air balloon?”

  He held her and they both waved to the guests who cheered them. “I hired it for entertainment. Guests can have a fun, unique time.”

  She took a sip of the champagne finally from her flute and turned her attention back to the ocean. “I’m impressed.”

  He then leaned closer to her, so no one might hear him. “What did you and Mercedes discuss?”

  Of course, he’d been watching them. She took another sip, hoping the liquid gave her courage but she looked into her glass as she said, “She mentioned you look like her dead love, Dante.”

  Michael winced and accepted a glass of champagne from an attentive waiter. He drank deeply and stared out at the ocean. “The consummate actress.” He turned toward her and took her hand. “Sophie, don’t stress yourself over my past. I don’t want you ruined by their ploys.”

  Now that was a strange word choice. Her eyebrows gathered. “Why would I be ruined?”

  He shrugged, sipped his champagne, but then looked down at her. “Hardened, like I was, when you’re so full of light and life. Part of what I love about you is that you can still trust.”

  If she truly trusted him, this party would be for just an engagement and she’d not have anything to stress about. However she kept the thought to herself. “I trust you because you’re a good person, Michael.”

  His fingers sent trembles through her from his simple touch. She looked up at him as he said, “See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” He then kissed her forehead and whispered, “Let’s start saying goodbye to people.”

  Her eyes widened. “But we just arrived?”

  He pressed her toward the back wall and the door, giving them privacy. “I don’t like being with people—especially ones I will never trust.”

  His lips then met hers and her eyes fluttered closed. His kiss made everything better and she forgot where they were.

  All that mattered was Michael.

  A guitar strummed and the music echoed, signaling that the world had returned to normal. She took a deep breath and pushed off the door and wall while Michael moved to let her out. She nodded and checked that her hair was still in place. “Okay, let me say goodbye to my friends and I’ll meet you at the bar.”

  They entered the restaurant again and Axel Morgan was on stage setting up for a performance.

  In another life, she’d have stood in front of the stage all night and just stared at the man who’d been her favorite childhood star fr
om the clubhouse to now.

  Her old friends were gathered on the dance floor, so she walked over to the group. As she didn’t know anyone else at this party, she wanted to say goodbye to them. Then she’d run off with Michael. Home. “Valentina, how is the single scene?”

  Valentina wrapped her arm around Sophie’s shoulders. “Sophie you’re inviting us to all your parties,” she joked. “I’ve never seen so many movie stars in one place. And I just ran into Axel Morgan, who’s about to perform. I’ve been a fan of his since I was little.”

  Every girl her age probably was. The Clubhouse was on TV every week, and he sang to them when they were little, just as he touched her heart with being one of the backup singers of his band now. “All of Indigo 5 are here. I’m in heaven.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw Michael walk out of the main room with Mercedes. It was time to go. She untangled herself from Valentina and said, “I’m just happy with Michael. Enjoy the fun!”

  Valentina winked and took her drink back from Natalie, another friend and coworker. “If you find another, please send him to me.”

  Right. She’d been lucky to find Michael, hidden away on his island. She hugged them all and stepped back. “I have to go, but I hope you all have a great evening.”

  Once she extradited herself from her friends, she walked to the lobby in front of the restaurant but didn’t see either Michael or Mercedes. She mumbled to herself, “Michael, where are you?” The she walked down the bathroom hallway and heard voices inside the ladies room.

  She opened the door a little and glanced at the mirror. Her Michael kissed Mercedes.

  Her stomach trembled like a knife stabbed at her gut and tugged higher to ensure she was murdered, right here, on the spot, but she stayed absolutely still.

  Mercedes stepped back, and Sophie stared at them through her small opening, unable to move as Mercedes said, “Dante, Villefort told me you were murdered in prison.”

  Michael answered by shaking his head. “Did he?”

  Mercedes had tears in her eyes as she glanced at him. “Oh God!”