Piers
He wanted to follow the woman, find out about her but he knew that Mumma had arranged a celebratory dinner at home and he needed to get back and change. Claude drove back with him, both the brothers lost in their thoughts. Danielle had also been invited and she was going to be there with her partner, Grace. And of course, Mumma’s best buddy, Melissa Lord. As for Uncle Schwartz, he was practically family but Piers wondered if he intended to bring along Aiyana Laughing Water, the dark and reticent woman who had been with the FBI and who had been Uncle James’ lover off and on.
He just hoped that Maja Nord and her obnoxious children had not been invited; Mumma was a sucker for sob stories so one could never say but he did not really like those kids or their mother. Philippe would be returning in the evening after his battery of tests at the hospital had been completed. He was under observation in the hospital, heavily guarded by Lucien Delano’s men. The sorrow of having lost three of their own from the crew was uppermost on their minds but Piers was determined to find Dusak and his dastardly uncle and make them pay.
Claude was brooding, which was quite unlike his outgoing nature. Something in the manner, the way the woman had walked down the corridor, had reminded him of someone, but who? He simply could not place his finger on it and it was bothering him endlessly.
*
Tara
She stared at the phone dejectedly. Mumma had not invited Maddie and her family for dinner at first but Tara had thrown a tantrum and finally, Mumma had acquiesced although it was clear that she was not happy.
But Tara wanted someone who would share her secret with her. She wanted to tell Maddie how Ben had invited her to meet him, face to face, soon!
Now she waited; the phone in her hand, waiting for Ben Iusuf to respond to her texts.
*
Maja
She had not been too keen to accept the dinner invitation issued by Proserpina Delano; something in the other woman’s voice seemed to suggest that she was doing it under duress. Not because she truly wished to have Maja under her roof along with the rest of the family.
Bristling, Maja scowled as she stared at the heap of unwashed plates in the sink and shook her head. No, she would get to her housework later in the evening. She hated housework and Maddie shared her loathing. For a minute, she allowed herself to heartily envy Proserpina Delano who had a retinue of servants at her beck and call.
Then she heard the front door slam and scrambled to her feet. Was Magnus back, she thought in joy and shot to the door. Her son was nowhere to be seen but Maddie was slinking up the stairs and she felt a twinge of unease. Where had the girl been?
*
Sweeping such distressing thoughts away, she ran her hands over her hips and thought of how she would need to find a dress for the occasion. Left to herself, she would not have gone.
But Maddie had been so gung-ho, Maja had decided to go. And then, of course, there was the off chance that she would meet up with James Schwartz again…?
She ran her hands over her shirt and slacks reflectively.
Now there was a handsome, unattached man; wealthy too. Why was he still unmarried?
*
With a sigh, she went to the window and peered at the reflection, faint as it was, which appeared in the window. The wild red curls and the blue eyes appeared the wide mouth too. She ignored the lines on her face, She was still young and attractive, she thought, tucking in her stomach, and taking a deep breath.
And James Schwartz was a man after all; surely, she could make him feel attracted to her?
The image of herself, lording it about in a large house like Schwartz’s, never having to cook and clean again, made her smile, a distant look on her face. It would also be good to have a man in her bed, which went without saying too. And then there was the matter of Magnus and Maddie. A man’s touch in the household would probably work wonders for them. They would be more disciplined, perhaps Magnus could be absorbed by the Delano mob too…
She twirled a red curl around a finger and smiled to herself, lost in her dreams.
*
Melissa
She drove up the large circular drive and reached the Delano entrance, the main one, and was quickly herded into the hall by the security men.
Her son Leo and her daughter were at home; school work came first, she had told them crisply. Leo had scowled and mumbled something about having a Headteacher for a mom. He had wanted to meet his friends, Dom and Lou but Melissa had very firm ideas on completing schoolwork.
Luckily for her, her eldest son Jack had also turned up on a sudden short break from college, so Leo had agreed to stay back without making too much of a fuss. But he had gamely agreed to take care of his younger sister when she had promised to take him fishing in the lake house that weekend along with his siblings.
*
Now she frowned as she saw Maja Nord’s little car coming up the drive.
Something about the woman annoyed her but she forced a smile on her face as she met the other woman’s eyes.
*
Proserpina
I welcomed my guests as they entered the kitchen, my eyes moving to Maddie unwillingly. I hoped that my innate dislike of the child was not reflected on my face.
My eyes swept over m friend, appreciatively. Melissa was, as always, impeccably dressed. She was wearing a show-stopping cowl-neck dress. Featuring a champagne satin material with a flattering cowl neckline, a midi length, and a split in the leg, it was something that would make heads turn but was sophisticated without being over the top. In a stunning silky material this side split midi dress suited her to a T. She looked elegant and sexy in the strappy satin dress styled with clear strappy heels and some layered necklaces for a look that was perfect for any occasion. As always, she exuded confidence in spades, I thought as she threw her arms around me and hugged me fervently.
Maja Nord was another matter altogether. Today the woman had obviously dressed to kill, at least, that had been her intention. But she looked out of place and was beginning to feel awkward too, I guessed as she shifted uneasily, trying to smile confidently.
She was wearing a shocking red dress featuring a clingy red material with a Bardot neckline, frill detailing, and a midi length, it hugged her full plump figure and did not do anything for her, I thought sadly. In her enthusiasm to look attractive, she had teamed this up with strappy heels and hoop earrings for a sassy look. As Melissa whispered to me later, poor Maja only ended up looking like a middle-aged hooker, desperate for attention.
But I smiled warmly nevertheless and took her hands pleasantly.
Maddie slunk away without a word of acknowledgment and I was a trifle taken aback when she disappeared up the stairs, yelling for Tara. Beside me, Melissa said pointedly,
‘Is she always like this?’
Maja glared at her as she snapped, ‘What do you mean?’
Melissa inclined her blonde head as she said in a cool voice,
“Strolling away without saying Hi?’
Before Maja could make a nasty retort, Schwartz walked in through the doorway with Aiyana and I saw the daggers come out as the tall, sleek brunette ran her eyes over Maja as though someone had brought in the trash. Maja’s fists curled as Schwartz came to me and took me in his arms, kissing me soundly.
‘As always, easily the most beautiful woman,’ he said in my ear and I blushed, pushing him away.
He was a damned flirt!