“No.” She gave Veda a smile as Veda held open the door for her. “We’ll talk then. Bye, Mom.” She ended the call.
Alexi was right. It wasn’t fair to him to have a wife who’d never be in love with him, but she wasn’t even sure he was in love with her. Their families just might be creating the picture they wanted rather than what was good for them.
“Reservations for two,” Veda said.
“Okay, I have two techs ready for you,” she said. “I’ll show you to a room.”
They were put in a spacious room where a massage table stood against one wall and a couple of comfortable leather chairs another, with a tabletop fountain and an array of greenery creating a pleasant environment.
“I can’t believe we got an actual room just for a mani-pedi.”
“Money talks,” Veda said with a smile and leaned back in her chair. “Are you still seeing Ewan Beals? I heard he won a big case last week.”
“He did.” He’d been over the moon about it afterwards, and it seemed to give him an even more inflated ego at times.
“I guess your parents are pretty glad you’re marrying the guy whose dad’s in business with your family.”
“I can’t marry him,” she said softly. “I break out in hives just thinking about spending my life with him.”
Veda gave her an assessing look. “I thought you were bi with a strong leaning toward women.”
“I’m not,” she said. “I like women and only women.”
“You haven’t come out to your family yet?”
“No, but it’s not like I haven’t tried. My mom hijacks the conversation every time I try to. It’s like she knows, but she doesn’t want to hear me say it out loud ‘cause then that will make it real.”
“I’m sorry,” Veda said. “My stepmom is cool, but my dad is still coming to terms. He loves me, so it’s easy. Maybe your parents will be the same way.”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I think my mom will come around in time, but she’s worried about our legacy.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess she thinks if you’re married to another woman you won’t have any kids to pass the magic on to,” Veda said. “It’s kind of odd how it is with your family. Only women have the power.”
“I know—and imagine how hard it’s going to be telling the woman I do eventually marry that I’m a witch and my daughters will be witches, too.”
“Sabrina accepts who I am,” Veda said. “I’m sure the woman you marry will be the same.”
“I don’t know, it’s complicated, you know? I mean, just—” She broke off when the door opened, and two women strolled in.
“Afternoon, ladies,” one of the women said giving them a smile. “Do you know what kind of treatments you want today?”
Veda smiled, and Tatiana frowned. She needed to keep hers simple.
“Simple but pretty,” Veda said.
****
Carrington shook his head as he studied Trevor. “I’m not going to risk exposure. You can do what you want.” He closed the file on his computer. He’d had to sell off some of his few remaining assets, but it was better to do it this way than to force Alexi’s hand.
“She can’t do anything,” Trevor muttered. “She won’t tell them about the girl. She could go to jail, too, and not just for being a whore.”
Carrington leaned back in his chair. He would lose his wife and the respect of his children if he didn’t find his way back from the darkness.
“I’ve asked around about her,” Carrington told him. “Alexi has a rep for being quite a brutal woman if thwarted. I’m not taking the chance she’ll screw me over. I’m paying her.”
Trevor laughed. “What? She squeals to one of her clients—a judge who then does her bidding to keep from being exposed?”
His tone was one of mockery that set Carrington on edge. “Laugh all you want,” he replied. “The last guy who hurt one of her girls, is dead.”
“You’re kidding? She doesn’t have the balls to hire a killer.”
“You’re not getting it,” Carrington cried as he got to his feet. “Alexi has been linked not only with the Russian mob, but with assassins. She’s no pushover.”
“You found out all this in a few hours?”
“Yes,” he hissed. “You’d be surprised at what’s going through the dark grapevine.”
Trevor laughed. “Dark grapevine?”
That’s the best name he could think of. He dealt with some unsavory people, and they knew who was rumored to be nothing more than a big dog with no bite. Alexi was rumored to have a wicked bite when pushed.
On the other hand, the people he dealt with didn’t consider her a serious problem for them. Still, they advised him not to get into a pissing contest with her.
“I don’t care what you’ve heard,” Trevor scoffed. “I’m not going to give in to her. She can kiss my ass and so can that fucking dead whore’s family.”
“Whatever,” Carrington said. “I’ve got to get home. My wife is expecting me.”
“You better not say a word to my grandfather,” Trevor told him coldly.
“It’s not my problem,” Carrington retorted. “I’ll see you later.” He meant it.
He wasn’t looking for any trouble from anyone. He’d won last night, and he would use that money to pay her off with and he’d already checked out a program for gamblers.
He was going to get his life back on track and put some distance between himself and the Raynes. That would mean splitting the business.
Carrington had a feeling not only would he regret it if he prolonged this partnership, but so would his family.
Chapter Six
The event wasn’t really Alexi’s style, but she’d bought the ticket for a good cause, so here she was at the hospital’s gala. She glanced around, not surprised to see the women all dolled up, and the men, most looking bored, in their best suits and rented tuxes.
“I am so glad you agreed to come,” Sabrina Cain murmured from next to her as they lounged at their table in the well decorated and spacious ballroom of the hotel.
“I bet,” she muttered. “Couldn’t get Ace, huh?”
“Nope, but Darice and Chloe are here somewhere. Darice is shooting the damned thing, and she brought Chloe along.”
“I’m surprised that’s holding up.”
“It’s solid,” Sabrina commented. “Now, Blade and Kya make a strange couple.”
Alexi laughed in agreement. Blade was as crazy as they came, and Kya was sweet and definitely insane for holding on to Blade.
“If there was anyone who ever needed mental help, it would be Kya,” Alexi said.
“Don’t let Blade hear you say that,” Sabrina drawled ruefully.
“Veda’s looking good,” Alexi said. “You proposed yet, Ms. ‘I’ve gotta have a normal life’?”
“Not yet,” she said making a face. “But I will soon. I’ve been waiting for the ring to come in. I had the wedding and engagement rings specially designed.”
“Can’t wait to see them,” she said. “Veda’s a lucky woman.”
“No. I am,” she said. “You came alone?”
Alexi shrugged. “I wasn’t in the mood.” No. She’d been too busy with making arrangements to ship Naomi, her murdered girl, home. Most of that time, her mind had been split between duty and last night.
She didn’t know why she couldn’t stop thinking about Tatiana. There was something about her scent, about the way she’d responded to her, that had both woman and cat so intrigued—eager to see her again.
Their picture was taken, and she blinked. “Damn, Darice,” she muttered.
“Relax,” Darice said. “Loosen up. It’s a party, not a firing squad.”
Alexi gave her a cool stare. She knew Darice well enough to know that she wasn’t unlike herself. She’d had to do unsavory things for the life she had now. Like her, Darice had no regrets about the path she’d walked, but Darice’s present life was free of the danger and threat of jail.
“How is b
usiness lately, Darice?” Alexi asked, a veiled threat in her tone that she had no intentions of carrying through.
“Don’t even joke,” Darice told her darkly.
“Down, girls,” Sabrina said with a hint of humor in her tone.
“I’m going to get a drink, and maybe I’ll find your woman and dance with her,” Alexi muttered.
“You do that,” Darice said. “I’m sure Chloe would love a spin around the floor.”
Alexi headed to the bar and got a drink. She was sipping it when a vaguely familiar scent drifted to her, more potent than the alcohol in her glass.
“What are you doing here?”
Alexi looked down at Tatiana. She was very lightly made up and clad in a black dress that enhanced the lines of her curvy body.
“Wow,” she breathed. “You look beautiful.”
Tatiana smiled shyly. “Thanks. You look pretty hot in that suit.”
“Here with the family or the boyfriend?” Alexi had to remind herself this one was off limits, no matter how attracted to her she was.
“Ewan,” she said and averted her gaze. “But I did think about what you said last night. I can’t go on living this way.”
“You can’t.” Alexi faced Tatiana fully.
Her black hair was pulled back in a sleek bun with a single tendril hanging down the side of her face. The corkscrew curl was begging for Alexi to curl her finger around. The necklace at her throat was a simple one of gold.
She would look better in diamonds.
Still, Tatiana was the picture of understated elegance and just the kind of woman Alexi’d want on her arm.
“I guess you brought a date?” Tatiana asked, and there was a hint of anger in her tone that flashed in her eyes for only a second before Tatiana looked away.
“No.” She shook her head. Her cat was more than a bit thrilled by Tatiana’s resentment of another woman enjoying her company.
There was surprise in her face as their eyes met again. “Why? You’re an attractive woman, nice.”
Alexi grinned. “I am nice,” she said. Would she think she was nice when she killed her brother? Would she still think she was nice when she found out what she did for a living?
Yeah. Tatiana was off limits.
Tatiana leaned toward her, resting a hand on Alexi’s arm, and electricity sparked on her skin from the simple touch. Her cat strained to get closer, wanting those soft hands all over it.
“I enjoyed last night,” Tatiana said softly, her stare heating, and pheromones came off her as if she was sending a clear signal to the cat.
Hunt me. Catch me. Take me.
Alexi fought back a growl as her primal instincts threatened to take over. “Me, too. You look stunning.”
“I—thanks for taking care of my car. You must be one of the club’s favorite patrons to get them to do that.”
“I’m glad you got it back intact.”
“It was stupid not to check the gas gauge and to walk,” she said with a frown. “I thought someone was out there following me, but I guess it was just a dog.”
“Probably was,” Alexi agreed. She had seen a wild dog on that stretch of road before.
“I got your flowers.” She smiled. “They’re lovely. Thank you. I guess you got my work address from my application?”
“I did,” Alexi agreed. “I guess it would be inappropriate for me to ask to see you again?” Alexi stepped closer to her, and the quick thud of Tatiana’s heart reached her, exciting her animal.
The cat already loved the scent of her, the silky feel of her skin and the almost inhuman warmth of her energy. It intrigued, seduced, but not frightened.
“Oh, hey.” Veda joined them with a grin. “Alexi, you look downright handsome tonight.”
“Baby, you’re looking hot yourself.”
Veda gave her a shy smile. Veda had lost a few pounds since Alexi had last seen her, and she glowed with happiness.
“Thank you. I was just looking for you, Tatiana.”
“Here I am,” she said.
Alexi’s cat was annoyed by the interruption, but she pushed it away, taking the animal nature of her in hand. It was probably good they’d been interrupted.
The jaguar wasn’t like its animal counterpart in all things. In the wild, the animal didn’t really mate for life; it bedded candidates for childbirth and moved on. On the other hand, melded with the human, the cat did claim a woman for life.
The animal was as territorial about its mate as it was about its property and clubs. No one got between them.
“I wanted to know if you wanted to get out of here with us in about thirty minutes,” Veda said with gleaming eyes.
“Sure,” Tatiana said quickly with a look at Alexi.
“We’re going to the club for a little while. Is that a problem?” Veda asked. “Some drinks and hanging out.”
“No.” Tatiana shook her head. “Which club?”
“No Dice.” Veda gave Alexi a look. “Are you going to join us?”
“I might,” she replied. “Excuse me, ladies.” Alexi headed for the patio in need of a little air. Her head was so full of the enticing scent of Tatiana she was on the verge of doing something stupid, like asking her out.
She knew she had to be careful about who she brought into her world, and this woman was one she had to take care with. Tatiana was part of a family that could become a problem for Alexi in more ways than one, and she doubted if Tatiana was even aware of it.
“What the hell were you doing talking to my sister?” Trevor demanded.
She shrugged. “None of your business.”
“You stay away from her,” he said pointing a finger at her. “If you so much as breathe a word about last night to her, I’ll make you sorry.”
“I doubt that,” Alexi drawled. “This is what I’m going to do, Trevor. I’m going to fuck your sister and break her neck.” Horror crossed his face while her cat snarled at the very idea of her hurting Tia. “Then, I’m going to toss her in a box and mail her to you.”
“You bitch.”
“I want the money. You have one day now since you decided to threaten me further. If you don’t, your sister and I have a hot date. I wonder if she’ll understand when I tell her she’s paying her brother’s debt.”
“If you touch her, my father and grandfather will bury you,” he snarled.
“By then, it’ll be too late, and I’ll move on to you, lover boy,” she drawled. “Enjoy your evening, now.” She went back inside.
She’d never touch his sister in regard to his debt. However, Alexi might touch her tonight if Tatiana came to the club and kept giving her that “come hither” look. She was struggling as it was to control the savage nature that wanted her.
Chapter Seven
The party was boring Tatiana now that she’d talked to Alexi. Ewan was droning on next to her with an arm around her waist, and her father looked a little tense despite his cheerful demeanor. Her brother was definitely uptight while her grandfather bantered merrily with Ewan.
“You guys could open the new stores fairly soon,” her mother said.
“Maybe,” Carrington replied. “Early next year.”
“I was thinking later this year for one of them,” her grandfather said. “There’s a building I want you to look at, Carrington.”
“Okay,” Carrington agreed, but his expression was anything but excited.
“We could buy you two a house for your wedding present,” Aileen, Ewan’s mother, said with a grin. “If Ewan ever pops the question.” She gave him a pointed look, and Tatiana cringed.
“I’m sure he’s getting to it,” Charles said. “A man just needs the right moment, right, Ewan?”
“Exactly, sir,” Ewan agreed and slipped an arm around Tatiana’s waist, pulling her to him.
Her magic snaked toward him in a spill of hot anger that shocked her, but Tatiana eased out of his grip before any damage could be done, and he gave her an angry glare.
“Joining our families is going
to be quite the event,” Charles said with a wink at Ewan and a look at his father. “Don’t you agree, Carrington?”
“Definitely, but if the kids aren’t ready or aren’t heading down that road, who are we to pressure them?” Carrington asked, and Charles gave him a questioning look.
“Oh, bite your tongue,” Aileen admonished, nudging her husband. “I’m sure Ewan and Tatiana have already been talking about it.”
“Of course, they have,” Melissa exclaimed and gave her daughter a smile.
“Then, the magic of our families being joined will only multiply,” Aileen said with a grin and a look at Melissa.
Tatiana groaned inwardly. They were so going to hate her. She knew why her mother wanted her with Ewan. His mother, like her own, came from a line of power.
With her being Tatiana mother’s only biological daughter, her mother was counting on her to marry into the right magical bloodline and produce at least one girl. Aileen was obviously counting on Ewan to do the same.
After all, both families were old magic, which carried as much weight as money in the magical community.
“Let’s dance,” Ewan suggested.
“I have a headache.” And a sudden aversion to him touching her, she thought as her gaze drifted across the room.
Alexi was dancing with a cute woman who seemed to be enjoying her company. Then, Alexi leaned down to hear something the woman said and grinned. Jealousy snaked through Tatiana, making her wish she was the one in Alexi’s arms.
Tatiana wished the bodice of that woman’s too-tight dress would just rip and send her running from the room and away from Alexi.
Tatiana’s fingers curled, and magic danced on her fingertips, but she resisted the urge to use her power for ill. That wasn’t right, and she had no right to decide who Alexi danced with, no matter how she felt about it.
“Why don’t you take something and stop being a killjoy?” Ewan asked as he ran his hand up her arm.
She gave him a sharp look, and this time her magic curled around his fingers, giving them a shock that caused him to jerk away.
“Probably because I don’t want to,” she retorted and stalked away. Tatiana rubbed her temple as she headed out of the ballroom.
The Madam's Lover Page 4
