Torrid - Book Two

by Jayne Blue

  I cut through the water in smooth, strong strokes, counting off my breathing. With the quiet solitude, I quickly got into a hypnotic rhythm, my muscles craving the exercise. It could have been an hour, it could have been five minutes, but sometime later, I saw a pair of feet on the deck at the end of my lane.

  I came up for air and looked up into the cold, inquisitive eyes of George Pagano. I slipped under the water and threw my head back to clear the hair from my face. When I came up, I flicked the water out of my eyes and grabbed the side of the pool near where he stood to keep from sinking back down. I couldn’t touch here.

  Something was off. I looked back toward the life guard station and the kid was gone. We were completely alone and I knew Pagano had probably slipped the kid a twenty or more to make it that way. Then the bigger picture slammed into place. It wasn’t a coincidence at all, him finding me here. The concierge in the lobby must have called Pagano the second after he gave me directions to the north pool.

  “Good morning,” I said, looking up at him. Pagano wore a terry cloth robe that stretched over his bulging midsection. He scratched the side of his jaw as he regarded me, a slow smile creasing his face.

  “Mrs. Manning,” he said. “I don’t mean to interrupt your workout. Nothing gets my blood flowing like a nice dip in the Jacuzzi over there.”

  I raised a brow. So we were going to play games, it seemed. “Is the one in your suite not to your liking?”

  He smiled wide. “The view is better from the one down here,” he said, making a broad gesture with his hand toward the window. Circumstances being different, he had a point. The pool area was surrounded by glass on two sides, giving a panoramic view of the lake and the hazy mountains in the distance.

  Pagano slipped off his robe and threw it on the lounge chair next to my things. He wore brightly colored swim trunks and black pool shoes. He walked over to the hot tub and kicked his shoes off. Grabbing the metal railing, he slowly lowered himself into the steamy water letting out a great “ahhhh” as soon as he settled.

  “Please,” he said. “Finish your laps. Then the jets in here work wonders on sore muscles.”

  I looked at the wall. I’d been swimming for about a half an hour. My plan was to keep at it for an hour, but there really was no point in avoiding the inevitable. If I didn’t figure out what was on Pagano’s mind now, he’d no doubt arrange another encounter like this one. I debated scheduling something on my terms but my own impatience won out. I pulled myself up out of the water, toweled off my face and walked over to the Jacuzzi.

  Pagano opened one lazy eye at me. I smiled and stepped down into the bubbling water. It seared my skin coming from the relative cool water of the pool. I slid to the other side of the small, kidney-shaped hot tub and splayed my arms wide, resting my hands on the marble sides.

  “Thank you for inviting us to dinner last night,” I said. “I’ve been made to feel very welcome by everyone I’ve met so far.”

  Pagano laughed. “Depending on their gender, I believe you. I hope your husband made it back in one piece.”

  “More or less.”

  Pagano laughed again. “He ought to lay off the bourbon. Tell him to stick to beer.”

  “I’ll pass it along,” I said. “Though I imagine Seth takes that kind of advice from me about as well as you take it from Mrs. Pagano.”

  He raised a bushy grey brow at me. “Does your husband listen to any of your advice, Mrs. Manning?”

  “You can call me Tora. And we’re still working those parts of our marriage out.”

  “I am sorry I couldn’t make the wedding. Your husband seemed pretty upset with me about that.”

  I nodded. “Your support is something he recognizes as worth having. And he’s very ... passionate about his ambitions.”

  “That’s a good quality,” Pagano said. His head and torso beaded with sweat. He reached behind him and turned the knob controlling the jets. They gurgled and then stopped, stilling the churning water. My ears rang from the sudden silence.

  “What do you think your husband is willing to do to secure my support?”

  I shrugged. “Isn’t that something you really ought to lock down with him?”

  Pagano leveled his dark eyes at me. “Tora, let’s be real. Your husband isn’t as shrewd as he thinks he is. Even his mother knew that. And that’s okay. He doesn’t have to be sharp to be of use to me. He just has to be compliant. And since we’re being real, I’m not convinced he’s capable of that.”

  I smiled. How far could I go with him? Surely, I couldn’t flat out threaten the man with secrets I knew. But how dangerous would it be to imply that I knew some of them?

  “You and the Mannings have a long history together, though, don’t you? I mean, you’ve benefited from your past associations. Surely that history is worth something to you today.”

  He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes at me. My heart thumped a wild beat in my chest. “I’m a hell of a lot more focused on my future issues, Tora. And I can’t promise your husband or anyone a win in November.”

  I nodded. “Right. Of course not. But your influence could carry Seth far. I think that’s all he really hopes you’ll provide.”

  “Well,” he said. “You sat there long enough last night. What’s your read on where I stand?”

  He continued to tap his football ring against the edge of the tub.

  “Why does that matter?”

  Pagano stopped tapping his finger. “Because we’re being real, remember? You’re married to an idiot. You’d have to be one yourself not to be aware of it. Like I said, that’s not necessarily a deal breaker for me. But I need to know there’s someone managing him like Miranda could. And if it’s you, then now you get why we needed to have a conversation.”

  “You could have called me on the phone,” I said. “Why corner me here?”

  “This is a face-to-face kind of conversation and from the looks of your husband last I saw him, I don’t figure he’s going to be in much condition to eavesdrop before noon.”

  “What do you expect from me in terms of management, Mr. Pagano?” I knew I was now treading on dangerous ground. Up until now, I could at least give the man credit for making eye contact. Now, however, his gaze was firmly affixed on my chest and then lower down. If he expected me to flinch or squirm because of it, he was a different kind of idiot. I was Dex McLain’s daughter. I spent my formative years in biker bars and foster homes and knew how to deal with thugs.

  When Pagano’s eyes finally meandered their way up to mine, he was met with a cold stare. His widened and he threw his head back and gave a great belly laugh. Droplets of water slid down his bloated chest, making his gray chest hair glisten.

  “You don’t miss a lot, Tora,” he said. “That’s what I was counting on.”

  “Then let’s get down to it,” I said. “What’s your real price for backing Seth?”

  Pagano moved like a snake through the water. I balled my fists as I rested them on the sides of the Jacuzzi but he wasn’t going to get the satisfaction of me moving. Guys like him operate a hell of a lot like junkyard dogs. You need to stand your ground or plan on getting rolled.

  “You heard what I told Seth at dinner,” he said. “Tell me what you think?”

  I sighed. He slid onto the bench next to me; his hip touched mine under the water. I looked straight ahead when I answered.

  “You blew a lot of smoke about land deals and protected wetlands and zoning problems. And what I’m wondering is ... what the hell help would a U.S. senator be able to provide on that issue? Seems like you’re better off rolling someone at the state level or a town councilman.”

  “See,” he said. “You were paying attention.”

  “Always, Mr. Pagano.” I turned to him. “So, since you know that, and I know that, I figure you just like jerking Seth’s chain for the sport of it. Now, I can respect that. He’s easily jerked. And it also means that it really doesn’t matter to you, at least short term, who the hell ends up with Ed Je
ffries’s senate seat. And since we both know about your history with the Manning family, I don’t think there’s ever really been a doubt that you were going to throw your backing behind him when it comes down to it.”

  There. I fixed a hard stare right between his eyes and waited for something to register in his expression. Something flickered in his face, a bit of shock maybe. Was my meaning clear enough?

  “What history do you mean, Tora?” he said. He grew bolder, running his thumb along my bare shoulder.

  I was banking on the fact that Miranda had been smart enough to protect herself where Pagano was concerned. He had to know she had enough ammunition to put him away for the rest of his life. The trouble was, she couldn’t do it without implicating herself in framing my father. Now that she was dead, he should be very concerned with who else knew about it and what they could prove.

  “Well,” I started. “Judge Manning was your lawyer for a very long time. She did good work for you. Surely that’s worth something after the fact, isn’t it?”

  “Not enough,” Pagano said. “But she’s not you, Tora. What if I told you what I really want is something a hell of a lot baser than any of that?” His thumb went to the strap of my bikini, sliding underneath.

  I moved this time, shifting away from his touch and turning so I faced him now. I’d put about a foot of water between us but if he really wanted to force himself on me, it wouldn’t stop him.

  Pagano wore an odd expression now. Lust clouded his eyes a bit, yes. But more than that, he was still sizing me up. My heart thudded behind my rib cage but I can’t say I was exactly fearful. He was bigger than me, stronger. There was the chance if he went for me, he could gain enough of a physical advantage to hold me down. But, somehow, I didn’t think rape was George Pagano’s style.

  “I’d think you were lying, Mr. Pagano,” I said. “You don’t strike me as the type of guy who clouds business with pleasure. Maybe you don’t need Seth in the immediate future. But you’re playing a longer game than that. You have as much dirt on him as he has on you so it’s going to benefit you to have him somewhere where he might be able to do you some good someday. That’s why Miranda was such a good fit on the federal bench, I’m thinking.”

  Pagano cocked his head again and gave me a half smile. Something slammed into place for me as I said it that I hadn’t completely considered before. Miranda got appointed to the federal bench not very long after my father went to prison. Maybe Pagano’s reach was far enough that he could have had a hand in putting her there. He might have threatened her, yes, but of course Miranda would have held out for something big.

  The twinkle in Pagano’s eyes told me I’d likely assessed the situation correctly.

  “I think I’ve judged you right, Tora,” he said. “You’re more than shrewd enough to manage Seth. But that doesn’t really answer all the questions I have.” He moved a few inches closer to me. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. I was still banking on the fact that he wouldn’t be so bold as to try to force himself on me, but I needed to survey my options in case he did. I’d fight like hell and that’s all there was to it.

  “So ask them,” I said.

  “You were good at reading the situation last night at dinner, but so was I. It’s not a love match between you and Seth. That’s okay. It makes me think that much more of you. You need Seth for whatever your long game is as much as maybe I do. If we’re going to go to bed together in at least a figurative sense, I need you to be straight with me on what that is.”

  My turn to arch a brow at him. “Can’t it just be the obvious, Mr. Pagano? Seth has money. He has a certain degree of access to power. He’s poised to have more.”

  Pagano nodded. “Fair enough. So then what are you playing Jack for? It might not be obvious to your idiot of a husband, but it’s obvious to me: you’ve got him wound around your finger or some other part of your anatomy good and tight.”

  My breath went out of my lungs. I hadn’t expected the conversation to veer into these waters. Was Pagano a danger to Jack? He could be if I let on how much I cared about him.

  “What you see is what you get with me,” I said. “And Jack is Jack. I’m sure you know him better than I do.”

  “Hmm,” he said. “Are you thinking you maybe hitched yourself to the wrong brother, then?”

  I shrugged, playing it cool. “Jack’s not Miranda’s son. Haven’t you heard? He’s been cut out. Seth got everything. Even old Jackson’s company and software rights. Jack is prettier, but we live in the real world, don’t we?”

  Pagano moved closer and I steadied my breath. He reached out and ran his hands down my arms. Then he gripped them and pulled me close to him. “I think you’re a hell of a lot like Miranda. That could be good for me or bad for you. I think maybe one out of three things you say are true. Right now, I don’t really care which ones.”

  “What do you care about?” I said as Pagano’s breath came hot in my face. He leaned forward and kissed me. His lips were cold and hard and I froze. If I struggled I had a sense that it would ignite something in him I’d rather keep contained.

  He pulled his face away but didn’t let go of his death grip on my arms. He held me so tight I expected to find bruises there later. “Self-preservation,” he said. “You’re smooth, Tora. But you better also be careful.”

  Then he let go of me. It was so hard not to be a McLain in that moment. I had a boxful of threats of my own I could use. It was in me, but I needed to be Tora Manning more right now.

  “Consider me warned,” I said. “And I think the two of us can pick up where you and Miranda left off if that’s what you want.”

  He let go of me and my skin burned where he’d gripped me. “See,” he said. “That’s what I mean about being careful. You think Miranda had more on me than I had on her. She probably thought that too. I have no history with you, though, Tora. Which means you don’t have any currency with me at the moment. You’re wrong about something else too.”

  I took this moment to turn and step out of the pool. No matter what else he did or said, I didn’t want to give George Pagano an easy chance to touch me again. “I’m listening,” I said as walked over to the lounge where’d I thrown my towel and cover-up. I leaned over and wrung the water from my hair and wrapped the towel around my waist.

  Pagano had settled himself back on the bench in the Jacuzzi, signaling the end of his immediate physical threat.

  “Where you’re concerned, I have every intention of mixing business with pleasure. You don’t think Seth is a complete idiot, do you?”

  At this, he finally got the reaction out of me I think he’d been trying for – surprise. I kept my face as neutral as I could, but something must have flashed in my eyes because he smiled wide.

  “If I tell your husband you’re part of my price, you think he’s going to fight for your virtue?”

  “Am I?” I said. “Part of your price?”

  Pagano shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. But I’m thinking it would very interesting to let him think so. In fact, I think I’m going to pay your husband a visit a little later this afternoon once I’m sure he’s slept it off.”

  I straightened and pulled my cover-up over my head.

  Pagano was laughing now. “What, no righteous indignation about how Seth would never pimp his wife out?”

  I swear, I couldn’t tell anymore if he was kidding and didn’t want to stick around to find out. I shook my head and started toward the door.

  “We’re going to have a hell of a lot of fun, Tora,” he called out after me and I refused to turn. “Don’t make any plans for this evening, sweetheart!”

  I white-knuckled the door handle as I pulled it open and left George Pagano laughing at my back.

  Chapter Eleven

  When I came back to the room, Seth was gone. He didn’t leave a note or any other indication where he’d gone. My head was reeling from my confrontation with Pagano. Was he serious about Seth trading me for his support? I didn’t know the man well eno
ugh to read him or even know yet whether he had a tell. But if I were a betting woman, I’d say he was dead serious. If he didn’t have some leverage with me to get what he wanted, he’d create it.

  I wasn’t sure what my next move should be. I wasn’t naive enough to think I could make Pagano get sloppy and reveal anything about his role in my father’s bust. He wasn’t just going to get talky one evening and say, “Oh, did I ever tell you about that one time I got my lawyer to frame this other guy for my felony drug deal?” But I had to have something concrete in order to get that case reopened. My best chance of getting any kind of details or admission still came from Seth.

  Seth had been possessive and territorial where I was concerned. How many times a day did he ask me to reassure him I belonged to him? The outfits he made me wear were all aimed at him showing me off to men he wanted to make jealous. If Pagano was serious about propositioning him to “loan me out,” I could work with that. Seth might get angry enough at the prospect that he’d reveal something to me in the heat of it.

  I found myself pacing the room as I weighed the possibilities. Do I tell Seth about my encounter with Pagano myself or do I wait for it to play out on its own? What would make him angrier? Hearing about it from me or letting Pagano blindside him with it?

  I was jumpy and anxious, trying to work everything out in my head. More than anything, I wanted to talk it out with the only other person on my side in this. But I couldn’t risk bringing Jack into it. He had just enough alpha male protectiveness in him he was liable to expose me rather than risk me getting between Seth and George Pagano. I was way too close to an end game to make that a possibility. No, telling Jack would have to wait.

  I spent the day doing the normal things husbands and wives of the “power players” do at Legacy Foundation functions. I took a run, took a bath, and waited for Seth to come back. There were a series of seminars scheduled today and I assumed he must have pulled himself together enough this morning to attend some of them. I was glad for the solitude. One way or another, he was going to find out about Pagano’s proposition tonight. We were leaving The Maples tomorrow afternoon and the main benefit dinner would take place tonight.