Initiating Amy (Dominion Hotel Book 3)

by Michelle Peters

  Amy saw the lights of the Dominion Hotel from several blocks away. The hotel was lit up by two huge searchlights placed on opposite corners of the building, just like they did in Hollywood on big awards nights.

  Throughout the ride over, Amy was trying to decide what to do about Lance’s request, or was it a demand? After she hung up, she finished getting dressed and added the final touches to her makeup. She applied ruby-red lipstick, a deeper shade than she normally used. The effect set her lips on fire in stark contrast to her pale, white skin. She even made her eyes look darker, like the young kids were doing these days, with a wide bold stroke that carried on to a tapered finish past her eyes and towards the side of her face. Before grabbing her coat and red clutch purse she stood for a moment in front of the mirror, looking at herself, pleased. For a very brief second, she thought about reaching under her dress and sliding off her panties—he told her to— but she didn’t, she couldn’t.

  So here she was, sitting in the back seat of a chauffeured sedan, going to the Lover’s Ball, and rather than being excited for the night ahead all she could do was worry about what Lance would think when she showed up with her panties on. Amy marvelled at the things this man could do to her. However, as the sedan pulled into the driveway of the Dominion Hotel and the door was whisked open for her by a tuxedo-suited valet, all those anxious thoughts washed from her mind.

  She was at the Lover’s Ball.

  Amy stepped out of the sedan and stood in the driveway. The initial elation and excitement she felt quickly gave way to nervous energy. Now what? She stood, wondering where to go. She knew she had to go into the hotel, across the lobby and up the staircase, but as much as she consciously knew this, her body wouldn’t move. Amy held her breath.

  “I knew it.”

  Upon hearing Lance’s voice, Amy exhaled. She quickly turned her head to the left, where his voice came from, to see Lance just outside the doorway walking towards her. He looked so tall, so handsome in his back tuxedo and bow tie. She remained motionless, letting him come to her. Thank goodness he was coming to her.

  “I knew it,” he said again, “I knew you would look amazing.”

  Under Lance’s gaze, she felt amazing. He turned his body slightly to the side, tucking his hand on his hip, offering her his arm. She took it, leaning her head onto his shoulder. She felt safe, able to breathe again.

  “I thought you were working?” she leaned in and whispered.

  “I am,” he said, “but you didn’t think I wouldn’t be here for you, did you?”

  She replied by nuzzling her head into his shoulder.

  “I’m always going to be here for you. Don’t you ever forget that.”

  Lance escorted her through the open doors and across the expansive hotel lobby. They didn’t speak as they walked. Amy didn’t need to, nor did she want to. All she wanted was to be in this moment, the moment that had her in the most expensive dress she ever owned, on the arm of the most handsome man she ever met, walking towards the grandest staircase she had ever seen. No matter what else happened this evening, Amy knew that she would always have this moment. Even if the night ended now, she would be happy.

  As they crossed the lobby and reached the staircase, Lance stopped. He looked at Amy and said, “Are you ready?”

  She nodded, lifting her head off his shoulder, standing tall at his side.

  “Okay, beautiful, here we go.”

  Lance took the first step and Amy followed. Slowly they made their way up the staircase. It was as if Lance knew what she was thinking, and he was taking his time to draw out the whole thing just for her. As they took one step after another, the sound of the band grew louder in her ears until finally, with only a few steps left, she could see the throng of people gathered at the top of the staircase, waiting in the outer lobby of the ballroom, mingling, drinking, talking.

  At first all Amy saw was a blur of people among the buzz of room. However, as she placed her foot on the last stair, reaching the outer lobby, sounds and faces came into focus. She recognized a few faces, although these were not people she personally knew. They were faces she recognized from the news and local magazines, the leading citizens of the community. Then one face stood out from the others, and then a few more.

  A short distance away, she recognized Matt Warrington as he stood talking to Tony. Beside Warrington and Tony was Miranda.

  “Miranda?” She called out loud. Miranda didn’t hear her, she was too far away, but Lance did.

  “Yes, I see her.” Without hesitation, Lance began maneuvering Amy through the crowd, towards Miranda. Miranda smiled when she saw them coming towards her.

  “You’re here?” asked a shocked Amy.

  “Of course. I couldn’t leave you to fend for yourself tonight. Besides, it’s the Lover’s Ball, and I’m just a lover at heart. Just like you.” When she said this, she cast her eyes and nodded her head ever so slightly towards Lance.

  Amy gave Miranda a friendly shove. “Shut up.”

  “Besides, this dummy has to work.” She tried to shove Lance, pushing his upper arm, but he didn’t budge from the push.

  Miranda turned back to Amy. She seemed excited. Amy had never seen her this way before. Miranda said, “Let’s drink martinis, dance with our shoes off and make a night of it.”

  Amy laughed. “Exactly.”

  Miranda turned to Lance. “Lance.”

  “Miranda.”

  Amy watched the brief exchange, and thought she noticed something between the two.

  “You guys know each other?”

  “Yeah, a little,” said Miranda.

  Amy turned to Lance. “How do you know Miranda?”

  Lance shrugged. “You know. Around.”

  Amy looked at Miranda.

  “Yeah, around.” She smiled.

  “Did you?” Amy was looking at Miranda, waving a finger in the air between Miranda and Lance. “You didn’t?” She then began waving a finger between herself and Lance. “Did you?”

  Lance ignored the look, gently putting his arm on Amy’s elbow, drawing her attention. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I have to leave you for a bit.”

  Amy’s smile disappeared, disappointed. “Okay, I know, you’re working. Are you coming back?”

  “Are you kidding me? Of course.”

  Amy reached up and kissed him on the cheek.

  Lance leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Did you do as I asked?” His voice was sweet, but also direct.

  Amy hesitated before confessing. “I couldn’t.”

  Lance stood up straight and fixed Amy with a severe smile. He didn’t look happy. “That’s okay. We’ll deal with that later.” He leaned into Amy again, kissed her on the cheek, and moved towards Tony. Tony saw him coming, clapped Warrington on the back and went off with Lance. Warrington quickly disappeared into the crowd.

  Amy stood looking in Lance’s direction long after he disappeared into the crowd. Miranda grabbed her by the elbow and spun her around.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll be back. He loves you.” She put a playful emphasis on the word love. “Let’s go find a bar and start drinking.”

  Miranda took hold of Amy by the hand and dragged her into the crowd. Amy followed as best she could, trying to avoid bumping into people, but not always successful. Somewhere in the crowd Miranda picked up Carmen, grabbing her with her other hand. They were three abreast making their way through the crowd.

  Amy wasn’t sure how she felt about Carmen being with them, but then again, Lance did meet her at the door and escort her up the staircase and into the ball. But what if was all staged? Maybe that’s why he sent the car, so he could control her arrival. Maybe he did the same for Carmen, arranging a car for her too, getting her here earlier so that he could meet and escort her as well. Should she ask Carmen how she got here? When she got here? Would that be to cheeky? Did she even want to know? All this was beginning to give her headache. She wanted to stop thinking about it. She wanted a drink.

  Mir
anda was dragging the two of them towards the bar in the back corner of the foyer. Amy kept shooting Carmen furtive looks, but Carmen never looked her way, focusing on the crown in front of her.

  When they finally made it to the bar, Miranda leaned in to the bartender and yelled—“Martinis, gin!”—showing three fingers. She spun around to face the other two.

  “Carmen, wow, you look great.”

  Carmen did. She wore a long flowing champagne-colored, backless gown, her hair pulled up and tied neatly at the back, diamond stud earrings on her lobes. Her blue eyes sparkled as bright as the diamonds she wore.

  “Thanks.” Carmen reached past Miranda, taking one of the martinis the bartender had lined up on the bar for them.

  When Miranda saw this, she reached around, grabbing the other two, offering one to Amy. Amy took it, and they all took a sip of their drinks.

  Carmen looked at Amy and tipped her glass towards her. “Congratulations,” she said.

  Without knowing why Carmen said it, Amy tipped her glass anyway. They sipped again.

  “What are we toasting?” Miranda asked.

  Amy shrugged her shoulders, looking back at Carmen.

  “Amy and Lance,” Carmen said.

  “What?” replied Amy.

  “Don’t be coy,” replied Carmen, smiling at the two others. Speaking to Miranda, she said, “Did she tell you they are exclusive?”

  Miranda smiled a broad smile, looking at Amy. “No. No she didn’t. Amy?”

  Amy looked back blankly.

  “Yeah.” Carmen turned to Amy. “I don’t know if you knew, but I had a little thing for Lance myself.”

  “No, I didn’t know that,” Amy lied, but a white lie, so no harm in it. She looked over Carmen’s shoulder to see Miranda making an exaggerated face of shock and amusement. Amy gave her a scowl.

  Carmen sipped her martini. “Yeah, well, look at him. Who wouldn’t?”

  “Not me,” said Miranda, amused by all this.

  “You’ve got Tony, so I’ll give you that,” said Carmen. She turned at Amy. “I thought you knew?”

  Amy shook her head no, sticking to her lie.

  Carmen continued, “Well I knew about you. He mentioned you a little while ago. Right after that, I only saw him once. At first I thought it was because we were both so busy, but then when it stayed that way I knew something was up. So, I asked him two days ago. That’s when he mentioned you.”

  “What did he say?” asked Amy, excited, breathing quickly.

  “He said that we couldn’t see each other any more because he was falling for you.”

  “Falling for me?”

  “That’s what he said. Those were his words.”

  Amy paused to let it sink in. He was falling for her. He is falling for me. Then another thought crossed her mind. Nice of him to tell me. She then realized that Carmen was still looking at her, waiting expectantly, as if she had something more to say and was waiting for her attention.

  When Amy focused on her again, Amy said, “Sorry.”

  “No, no,” said Carmen. “It’s fine.” The expression on her face told Amy that it actually was fine. “I was just having fun. I don’t have time for a relationship right now, what with running two hotel kitchens and the Culinary Olympic Team. No, it’s fine. Besides, when I see you two together—I saw you guys come up the stairs—and the way you look at each other, I can see it. He’s falling for you and you’re falling for him.”

  “Correction,” interjected Miranda. “Fallen. She has fallen for him. Hard.”

  “Miranda,” objected Amy.

  “I mean hard. Thump, hard. Hard.”

  “Okay, enough.” Amy was laughing as she said this. “She gets it.”

  All three shared a laugh, sipping their martinis at the same time. Miranda began looking around the room as she drank, scanning the crowd.

  “There’s a lot of money here,” she said. “Oh shit.”

  Amy and Carmen quickly looked around, trying to see what caught Miranda’s attention.

  “What, what?” asked Amy.

  “That Racocco asshole. He’s here.”

  Miranda slammed her empty martini glass on the bar. Amy scanned the crowd and saw what Miranda saw. Racocco was a short distance across the room, speaking to Eve.

  “We’ve got to get Eve away from him.”

  “I don’t know,” Amy said with trepidation. “He’s the last person I want to see here tonight. I don’t want to go over there.”

  “Well, I’m going.” Miranda dove into the crowd, making her way across the room, a beeline for Eve and Racocco.

  Carmen turned to Amy. “Who is that guy?”

  “Nobody.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Stay here, hide.” Amy paused, knowing she couldn’t do that. “Shit, let’s go.” She grabbed Carmen by the arm, nudged her way through the crowd, trying to catch up to Miranda. Despite gaining some ground, Miranda reached Racocco and Eve first, Amy and Carmen right behind her.

  Racocco was surprised to see Miranda, and even more surprised to see Amy.

  “Well, look at all these lovely ladies coming to see me tonight.”

  He flashed a sneer of a smile, looking from one to the next, settling his eyes on Carmen. “And who is this enchanting creature?”

  He extended his arm towards Carmen and Carmen reached out her hand. He took her hand in his. As he was lowering his lips to kiss the back of her hand, Miranda pulled Carmen’s hand away. Racocco sneered at Miranda, and she sneered back. Quickly, his sneer twisted into a perverted version of a smile.

  Racocco turned his attention to Amy. “So nice to see you again, my dear.”

  Racocco’s words made Amy recoil.

  Miranda turned to Eve. Before she could say anything, Eve spoke, “Angelo?”

  Hearing his name, Racocco turned, an awkward smile pasted on his lips. All of a sudden, he looked very uncomfortable surrounded by these women.

  “You know him?” Miranda asked.

  “As the new manager of the Executive Floor at the Dominion Hotel, it is my responsibility to know all of my hotel’s guests.”

  “You took the job.” Miranda said with a smile, her features relaxing.

  “I did.”

  “Tony told me he was going to offer it to you.” Miranda leaned in and gave Eve a hug, then stepped back again. “Congratulations. Good for you.”

  Eve stood smiling at the group, obviously pleased with her decision. Racocco stepped forward to give her a hug. Quickly, smoothly, Eve raised a hand and placed it, palm out, on his chest, halting his advance.

  Pushing him slightly backwards, Eve said, “I know you Mr. Racocco, I know all about you. Mr. Marino may have given you a pass last time, that was his call. But now I’m in charge. I make the decisions.” Eve paused, focusing her gaze more intently on Racocco. “You’re currently staying at the Dominion Hotel, are you not?

  “Yes, of course. I always do.”

  “Did. You always did.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Racocco was confused. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean your current stay will be your last stay. When you check out tomorrow, you will no longer be welcome at the Dominion.”

  Racocco was speechless. Amy stood, a look of amazement on her face. Miranda stifled a laugh. For Carmen, the whole scene had little context, but she was enjoying the drama playing out in front of her.

  Racocco gathered his wits. He puffed out his chest, ran a hand over his bald head and fixed a look at Eve that may have caused others to quake, but had no affect on her.

  “This is unacceptable.” Racocco began to bluster. “I will speak to Mr. Marino. I will speak to Evelyn.”

  Eve smiled a half smile. “Speak to whomever you wish.” Eve paused. “It will make no difference, they’ll defer to me, but please, go ahead.”

  Eve stared at him, Racocco staring back. A long silence hung in the air, all that was heard was Miranda struggling to hold back a laugh.

  “I wish yo
u a pleasant evening, Mr. Racocco.”

  Eve turned her back on him, walking away. Amy, Miranda and Carmen followed. Amy took a quick look over her shoulder, but Racocco was gone, swallowed by the crowd.

  Looking behind her and not where she was going, Amy bumped into someone in front of her.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  Looking up, she saw Lance standing right in front of her. “Hey,” she said, “it’s you.” She had a big smile on her face.

  “It’s me.” He was smiling down at her.

  “Where’ve you been?”

  “Here. There. Watching.”

  “Your cameras again?”

  Lance smiled. “No, walking around and watching.”

  “And now you’re here.” She reached out and hugged him, burying her head in his chest. She looked up at him again. “You’re here.”

  “I’ve got a little time,’” he said, reaching down and grabbing her by the shoulders, unwrapping her arms from around him. “I thought we could spend it together.”

  “I’d like that. Do you want a drink?” Amy pointed towards the bar.

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “Oh yeah, you’re working.”

  “I thought maybe we could get away from this crowd for a few minutes.”

  “Do you want to go outside?”

  “No, I need to stay close.” Grabbing Amy by the hand, he said, “This way.”

  He led her through the crowd. She stayed close behind, his big frame cutting a path for her through the room. He pushed his way through a door that led to one of the corridors behind the ballroom. Still holding his hand, now at his side, she kept pace with his long, fast strides. Lance popped open another door that led to the stairwell.

  “Where we going?”

  “You’ll see.” He led her down a flight of stairs and then back through another doorway that led to the area behind the front desk. They walked a short distance before Lance stopped in front of a door. He pulled out his key card and waved it in front of the scanner. Amy heard a click. Lance pushed the door open, leading her into the room.

  Amy was standing in the dark. Lance let go of her hand and walked across the floor, switching on the desk lamp. The little pool of light was enough for Amy to see that they were standing in a well-appointed, spacious office, with a drink trolley, a plush leather couch, desk and chairs, and oddly enough, a cappuccino machine.