“Slade, stick nearby that. Make sure everyone is in their positions, Falco,” Mercury said.
“Where will you be?” Slade asked.
“Wherever I feel I’m needed most.”
Chapter 7
“Mulgoff, you’ve done it again,” Weiller Onsanna told him as Mulgoff joined him and Molokai in the private booth.
Mulgoff chuckled. “The piece is quite incredible. I hear there is a bit of a bidding war on the piece,” he added.
“We haven’t been able to offer any bid as we haven’t seen the item close up. Will your model be making her way closer?” Molokai asked as he glanced past Mulgoff to see the radiant woman in blue stop and talk to someone. When she turned slightly he saw that it was Mercury James. Earlier he saw Slade James approach her and smile like he knew her.
“I’ll get Corpias to bring Rose right over. She is very sweet, a little shy, but doing fantastic in showing off the diamond,” Mulgoff said and told the guard to get them over here to the table.
Molokai held back his emotions and the anger and disgust he had for the James brothers. He had a feeling they might be here, and it reminded him of the current plan in motion. He needed to do something. Their brother lived when he should have died.
“What’s the relationship with her and the James men?” Molokai asked.
“Relationship?” Mulgoff asked, squinting his eyes, seeming confused.
“I saw one of them talking to her as if they were close friends.”
“Ah, I believe she is friends with the girlfriend of the Mondave brothers.”
“Ah yes, I know of them. Surprised they aren’t here with all these magnificent paintings around,” Molokai said.
“Yes, that is surprising. There are even some unique paintings from some unknown artist as well. You had liked that one of the flea market, Molokai,” Weiller said to him.
“Ahh, I know the one, and I know the artist,” Mulgoff said with a smile and a hint of arrogance, like he had a secret and was bursting to tell.
“Who is it?” Molokai asked.
“Did you bid on the painting?” Molokai asked.
“Not yet.”
“You will want to. It’s Rose. She’s the unknown painter,” Mulgoff said, shocking Molokai just as she approached with Corpias. His guards gathered behind them, blocking anyone’s view from seeing Molokai as he stood up and stepped down from the booth along with Weiller. The moment his eyes locked on to the green eyes and then the sexy body, he needed to know more.
“Rose, I would like you to meet two very good business associates of mine, Molokai Volupus and Weiller Onsanna,” Mulgoff introduced them.
Molokai reached out and took her hand, brought it to his lips and kissed the top of it. He held her gaze and he was stunned by her beauty. She shyly looked away and his dick hardened. His first thought was if she was for sale, and how much was this going to cost him. He released her hand and Weiller matched his move to kiss her hand and then stepped back.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rose. You are a very gorgeous woman. That diamond suits you well,” he said to her.
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Mr. Volupus, I’m kind of looking forward to taking it off,” she said to him and he roamed over her body with his eyes, thinking he would like to take off that dress and explore every inch of her body.
Mulgoff chuckled and patted her hand.
“You’re doing fine, Rose. I’d say another thirty minutes tops and Corpias can remove it and put it in safe keeping as the bidding should come to an end any moment,” Mulgoff stated.
“What’s the current bid?” Molokai asked, not letting his eyes leave Rose’s. She stared right back at him and then at Mulgoff, who smirked.
“Fifty-five million,” Corpias stated.
Molokai remained staring at Rose.
“I’ll pay sixty, if Rose is willing to be my guest at my table this evening and will join us for dinner,” he said and her eyes widened, her lips parted and she looked at Mulgoff.
“I cannot speak for Rose in regards to that, Molokai. She is not part of the price. However, if it is just her company you would like for dinner to get to know her and that is all then it is up to Rose,” Mulgoff said.
“Rose, would you like to get off your feet, have a drink and some delicious dinner with us to help me celebrate purchasing that gorgeous blue diamond you wear so well?”
She licked her lower lip and then swallowed hard.
“She is precious,” Weiller whispered.
“Go ahead, Rose. I’ll be nearby,” Corpias told her and she nodded.
“I appreciate the invitation and would be happy to join you and celebrate,” she said to him and Molokai smiled. He reached out his hand and offered her to sit alongside him in the booth at the table.
“We should remove the diamond and place it into the velvet box and safe keeping until you’re ready to leave,” Mulgoff said to him.
Molokai looked at Rose then leaned over and caressed the necklace as he inhaled her scent. “It will be safe right here around Rose’s neck with her sitting beside me for a little longer. If that is okay with Rose,” he asked.
She nodded.
“Wonderful. Let’s celebrate with some champagne,” Mulgoff said and clicked his fingers.
As the waiters brought over champagne glasses and bottles, popping the corks and adding to the excitement, Molokai locked gazes with Mercury James and saw the daggers in his eyes. So Rose was someone of importance to Mercury James, maybe even his brothers. Interesting.
* * * *
“What the fuck is Molokai Volupus doing here?” Slade whispered to Mercury.
“I don’t know, but I would say we have a big fucking problem,” Mercury replied.
“Did you say Molokai Volupus?” Falco asked through their earpieces.
“Affirmative, and Weiller Onsanna is with him as well as Rose,” Mercury said.
“Fuck. What do you want to do?” Falco asked.
“Right now, nothing,” Mercury said. He gave Slade a nod and they walked away.
“What about Rose? What is she doing with them?” Falco asked.
“Mulgoff looks happy, so I’d say that either Weiller or Molokai just purchased a fifty million dollar blue diamond,” Mercury stated and Falco whistled as Slade took position near the door, his eyes glued to the corner booth that servers now mobbed with champagne and food.
Mercury headed out of the room and into one of the hallways. He ran his fingers through his hair and thought about what could possibly be going down around here. This was not some coincidence. He pulled out his phone and called Graham.
“Hey, a couple of unexpected guests arrived. I need you to do me a favor,” Mercury said to Graham and explained what needed to be done to investigate why Molokai and Weiller were here and what they may be after.
* * * *
Rose was truly uncomfortable sitting at this table with all men, and men that could spend sixty million dollars at the drop of a hat. That wasn’t even normal.
She felt Molokai’s arm on the back of the seat over her shoulders. Sitting forward, she locked gazes with Mulgoff, who was chatting away with Weiller.
“So, Rose, tell me about your paintings?” Molokai said to her.
“My paintings?” she asked, seemingly shocked that he brought them up.
“Mulgoff mentioned them to me and about how outstanding they are. I believe all of them sold tonight, isn’t that right, Mulgoff?” he asked and took a sip from his champagne. She was shocked and looked at Mulgoff.
“What is he talking about?”
“Ah, he ruined my surprise,” Mulgoff said and she felt Molokai stroke her skin by her shoulder.
“I don’t understand,” she added.
“I had them placed on display and many people complimented them and started to bid on them. I’m not sure what the numbers are but I think you’ll be quite pleased,” he told her.
“Bidding on them? On my paintings?” she asked, feeling her eyes fill with tears. He smile
d and winked at Molokai.
“I was too late. Damn,” Molokai stated.
“Well, I’m sure Rose has more paintings in her studio. Perhaps we could make plans to check them out there?” Weiller suggested.
“That would be wonderful. Where is your studio located?” Molokai asked her.
She gulped. “I don’t have a studio anymore.”
He scrunched his eyes at her. “Why not?” he pushed.
“Honestly, I couldn’t afford the rent anymore.”
“That’s terrible,” Weiller said to her.
“Well, as embarrassing as it is to say, I’m a struggling artist and, well, I can’t pay bills in artwork.”
“What do you do for money?” Weiller asked her. She felt truly uncomfortable.
“I’ve worked as a bartender for private parties, that’s where I met Mulgoff, and he introduced me to modeling jewelry. Not sure what’s next.”
“I think you won’t need to bartend again,” Mulgoff said to her.
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t know the numbers on the paintings that sold but I know one went for thirty thousand dollars.”
“What?” She raised her voice and then leaned back against the seat and pressed a hand to her forehead. All of the men chuckled at her but she felt about ready to pass out.
“God, she is precious,” Weiller said and took a sip from his champagne.
“I don’t believe this. I can’t believe this is happening to me. People liked them that much? I’m a no name,” she said to Mulgoff.
“Not anymore. I was already asked about your gallery showing. I said it’s in the works.”
“Gallery showing? Mulgoff, seriously?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied and smiled.
She leaned forward and leaned her elbows on the table and tried taking slow breaths. She felt the warm palm against her back caressing her skin.
“Easy, Rose. It is going to work out fine,” Molokai said to her and she felt his fingers stroke her neck and his warm breath hit her bare arm. She lifted up.
“I’m sorry. I think I need a moment.”
“Let’s take the necklace off first,” Mulgoff said and looked at Corpias. He approached with a velvet box.
“Allow me,” Molokai said and she turned sideways and he stroked her neck as he undid the clasp to the necklace and lifted it toward the box. Corpias took the box and headed out of the room with it.
He looked at her neck and made a funny noise.
“You need something to replace it.”
“I’ll be fine. The pendant was heavy, and my neck could use a break,” she said to him. He gave her an odd expression before he looked at her cleavage and then her neck.
“You’re a very attractive young woman. Sweet, authentic, and should be showcased as such.”
“Meaning what?” she asked.
“Struggling to make ends meet, not being able to afford your own studio is unacceptable. I can change all that for you, Rose. All you need to do is accept whatever I offer you.”
“Which is what exactly, Mr. Volupus?” she asked.
“First of all for you to call me Molokai. Secondly, that you’ll keep an open mind and discuss possibilities.” He licked his lower lip and she had the feeling the man was trying to seduce her.
“Molokai, we have a visitor,” Weiller stated.
She looked up and saw guards blocking a man from approaching. She recognized him from the other night at the party.
“Roger Hiatte. Let him through,” Molokai said. As the man approached, he looked pissed off.
“What are you doing in South Carolina, hell, here?” Hiatte asked in a strong tone.
“Remember who you’re speaking to, Roger,” Molokai replied firmly and even Rose felt the seriousness in the man’s tone. Molokai was an attractive older man with black hair and dark grey eyes. He had a look about him that made her gut clench in warning. She was definitely out of her element here.
“How am I supposed to be calm and respectful when I know you’ve had a part in stealing product from me? Do you think I’m stupid?” Hiatte stated.
“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she said to Weiller who sat next to her, not wanting to be here to listen in on the conversation. Molokai heard her and looked at her and gave a soft smile.
“See what you have done, Hiatte. You’ve frightened the young woman away and we were just getting to know one another,” Molokai said and narrowed his eyes at Hiatte.
“It’s okay. I’ve been walking around all evening and now that I don’t have fifty million dollars hanging on my neck I could use the break,” she said and shyly smiled.
“Of course,” Molokai said and he stood up and then offered his hand for her to take. When she accepted it and he assisted her off the seat he held her close and whispered into her ear.
“Be sure to return quickly,” he ordered and she pulled back, locked gazes with him and his eyes swept over her breasts. She didn’t like the way he said that to her and she glanced at all the men and hurried away and toward the ladies’ room.
After she took care of business and checked herself in the mirror she took a deep breath and debated about what to do. Head to the dressing room, change, and go home? How could she when supposedly her paintings sold? Hell, one for thirty thousand dollars? Jesus. Plus the money for working tonight. She would need to stay.
She was pacing and then headed out of the ladies’ room and right into a very angry and serious Slade James. He grabbed her upper arm and brought her into the opposite direction of the party and into a hallway.
“Are you okay?” he asked her, staring down into her eyes. She could see his concerned expression. Then his eyes grazed over her chest and she felt needy as well as pleased that he was checking her out. It was different than when other men did tonight. She liked his eyes upon her.
“I’m fine. What’s going on?” she asked.
“What’s going on? Well, let’s see, besides you parading yourself all over the joint with a fifty million dollar diamond and letting men stare at your body, hell, I don’t know. Isn’t that enough to piss me off?” he snapped at her.
“What? You’re pissed off at me?”
“You’re gorgeous and sweet and those men are criminals and untrustworthy. What were they talking to you about?”
“My paintings and how they sold tonight.”
“What?” he asked, shocked.
“Yes, I was shocked too, but apparently they all sold and one sold for thirty thousand dollars, Slade. Can you believe it?”
“No.” She narrowed her eyes at him and he quickly corrected himself. “Not that I don’t think your paintings are worth that, I meant it is shocking and in a good way. So selling the paintings tonight and this modeling thing should put you in a great place financially and you won’t need to work for Mulgoff or any of those other assholes with him. Great.”
“Wait, what do you mean work for Mulgoff? He may need me for something else. I can’t beat the money or the connections. He’s changed my life,” she stated.
“He can’t protect you. We can,” Falco said, joining them. He came closer and looked her over.
“Those men at that table are bad men. They could be part of the operations that hurt the Mondave brothers and even tried to hurt Pina.”
“What? How can that be? They seemed so—”
“Nice, wealthy? How many people do you know can buy a fifty million dollar diamond in a snap?” Falco asked her.
“Sixty million, actually, and me joining him for dinner as his guest tonight,” she added.
“He bought you, too?” Slade asked.
“No. God no, that isn’t what I said. He mentioned the purchase as long as I joined them for dinner as their guest.”
“Fuck, he wants her in his bed,” Slade stated then brought his wrist to his lips.
“You getting all this?”
“Who are you talking to? Are people listening in?” she asked and stepped back. Falco
placed his arm around her waist and she gasped and looked up at him.
“Trust us to keep you safe. We think you should get out of here.”
“I can’t. I said I would have dinner with them and also I’ll need to get paid from Mulgoff and find out how much my paintings sold for and what’s the next step.”
“It isn’t a smart idea,” Slade said to her. She felt desperate. The tears filled her eyes.
“I can’t walk away from this. Don’t ask me to walk away from it. It’s thirty plus thousand dollars that I don’t have. Now maybe you don’t know what it’s like to be starving, to not be able to pay your bills, to eat once a day and still be hungry, but I do. I have to stay and find out the next steps and to get paid. If they’re dangerous, I really don’t care. I need that money,” she said and pulled her arm free and went to walk away.
Slade grabbed her and pressed her up against the wall. She gasped and gripped his sides.
Slade stared down into her eyes. She saw the intensity, the seriousness in his expression and swallowed hard.
“As soon as dinner is over you excuse yourself. You say you aren’t feeling well and you ask Mulgoff to settle up with you so you can leave. Then you wait for Mercury or one of us to come get you. Do you understand me?” Slade asked her. She nodded her head, was caught up looking in his dark brown eyes and feeling the intensity of his words when he just stared at her lips and then lowered down and kissed her.
She didn’t think and boy, was it incredible as he plunged his tongue in deeper, hoisted her up against the wall and his body and ravished her mouth. When she felt his palm cup her breast then his finger stroke over her cleavage she moaned into his mouth.
When he finally released her he suckled along her neck and she caught her breath.
“Oh God, what was that for?” she panted.
He pulled slightly back and set her steady. “Staking a claim, woman. This is just the beginning. Now trust us to protect you and do as we say. Your safety is top priority.” He stepped back and then fixed her lipstick. She reached up and wiped away a smear of her lipstick off of his lips. She glanced at Falco, who just stared at her.
A Shot of Love Potion [Love on the Rocks 5] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 8