Crime

by Cruz, Sofia

  It was too painful to see her family and not be able to talk to them, so she twisted a little in her chair, towards Lonna. This gave her back to her family, which Lonna took as a public snub and grinned her approval, but Felicia had done it out of a sense of self-preservation. She had to survive tonight's party, and silently prayed that Melanie really would rescue her. She just couldn't take living with Lonna, practically in captivity, much longer.

  Jessica's eyes darted from Lonna's smarmy face to the back of her sister's head. When Felicia had walked in, it took everything she had not to jump up and run over to her, but Melanie's words from this morning kept ringing in her head, 'We'll be a family'. After tonight, they'll all be together, she just had to keep calm and play along, just for this one night.

  She felt Mama lay a reassuring hand on her arm. Jessica covered it with her own and turned towards her, returning the smile. On her other side, she could hear Uncle David grinding his teeth together, the one sure sign that told her that he was barely able to keep his temper in check. For some reason, she found it more reassuring than Mama's efforts, and felt her insides calm down a little. She started scanning the room for Zorro's. To her dismay, there were quite a few of them tonight, more so than any other past party, that she could remember. Jessica shook her head at the odd though. Lord, she was so nervous she had resorted to counting costumes!

  Across the room, two particular Zorro's were whispering back and forth to each other while they drifted around the buffet, trying to pretend they didn't already know each other. A third stood somewhere in between, smiling into her cup of punch as she listen to the other two trying to play super spy. Bowing her head to take a sip, she whispered into the minuscule microphone clipped inside the neck of her cape.

  "Sit tight a little longer, David, maybe another half hour, twenty minutes, then go over. I can see the bitch's smug smile clear over here, so she's really enjoying the show at the moment. Let her eat it up a little longer before you strike up a conversation."

  Melanie heard David's whispered, "Ok," in her earpiece. Taking her time, she turned away from the buffet table and started to meander towards the two tables. "Pipe down," she ordered Trina and Sam as she walked past. The two lovers' conversation was starting to increase in volume, and she was afraid someone would soon notice their bickering and realize they were together.

  They instantly shut up at her command and she shook her head, chuckling. Nearing the tables where Lonna, Felicia, and the rest of the Matthewss sat, she quickly grew serious as she concentrated on the business at hand. She stopped at the table in front of Lonna and Felicia's, at the farthest end away from them, and struck up a conversation with the middle aged couple occupying the chairs closet to her. She had no idea who they were, but it didn't matter. This was the kind of event that was chocked full of the upperly mobile types, who would rather die before they ignored a stranger, just incase it was someone really important.

  The wife was something of a chatterbox, which suited Melanie's needs just fine. This way, she could watch the tables she needed, without having to put too much concentration into the conversation, just nod her head and agree at all the key points. Minutes later, she watched David get up from the table and walk towards Lonna. Glancing at her watch she noted that it was exactly twenty minutes from when she last spoke to him. He must have sat there and timed it.

  As he came around the edge of the table, farthest from Felicia and closer to her, she watched Lonna stand up and intercept him. She was being careful not to let David get too close to Felicia, but thankfully they stood off to the side just enough to not block her view of Felicia. She glanced briefly at Jessica, watched for a moment, then tried not to smile when she realized Jessica was scrutinizing every person in the room dressed as Zorro. The fact that Jessica was looking for her gave her a warm feeling. Yeah, she was really getting used to this partners thing.

  She and David were wired with the same equipment, so she could easily hear his conversation with Lonna. David was trying to play it casual, "Oh, Lonna, nice to see you again. It's been so long. How are you?" He was doing a good job of it. Melanie almost couldn't tell that he was fighting the urge to knock Lonna on her ass, and she knew David to be the last man on the planet to ever hit a woman. Well, she was hoping one of them would get that treat later tonight.

  Melanie nodded at the woman she was chatting with, noting that Lonna was playing right along with David, but she could tell Lonna wasn't buying any of it, not for a minute. This was what she had been afraid of. Lonna was too sharp to fall for something so simple, but Melanie hadn't realized it until after the party invitation had already been mailed out. It was ok though; this would work in their favor because now, Lonna would think this was it. The Matthews's had played their hand, they failed, and she'd spend the rest of the night smug and happy in the fact that they hadn't been able to trick her into confessing anything. Actually, everything was working amazingly well for such a last ditch, spur of the moment plan.

  She heard David turning the conversation towards her relationship with Felicia and was now actively trying to trip Lonna up, trying to get her to admit that she was blackmailing Felicia and had set this whole thing up from day one. Melanie had to give him an A for effort, but could tell it wasn't working. Lonna was easily deflecting his attempts, steering the conversation away, onto other topics. Melanie took that as her cue.

  Saying goodbye to the couple she was chatting with, she walked past Lonna and David to one of several mini bars that were scattered around the room. She ordered a Jack with ginger ale for herself, and tequila with orange juice. Staying close to the wall, she walked back towards Felicia's table; careful to make sure she was behind Lonna, who was facing David and the rest of the ballroom. Lonna was too busy enjoying her little war of words with David, to notice her as she slid into the chair beside Felicia.

  Felicia glanced up as she felt someone beside her. She looked up just as a woman in a Zorro outfit placed a mixed drink in front of her and slid into the chair.

  "You're way too beautiful to be sitting her all alone." Melanie gave Felicia her best smile and she saw her eyes widen in recognition at the sound of her voice.

  "You've never seen me before," Melanie whispered under her breath. Felicia gave her a small nod, moving her head just enough to acknowledge she heard her, but not enough for anyone else to really notice.

  "Thank you, for the drink. What is it?"

  "Tequila and orange juice. You know, if you drink enough of those, they start to taste like Tootsie Rolls."

  Felicia laughed and Melanie smiled, putting on the charm, which really wasn't all that hard. If Jessica really hadn't been interested in her, she probably would have stayed with Felicia. The two of them had always found it so easy, and fun, to flirt with each other, so this would be cake.

  Felicia sipped her drink and studied Melanie, looking her over as if she was a new, interesting prospect. "Mmmm. This is really good." Felicia took another sip. "I have to tell you, I'm not here alone."

  Melanie made a show of looking around at all the empty seats at the table, then turned back to Felicia and then arched a brow. "Who are you with? The Invisible Man?" she quipped.

  Felicia laughed and waved a hand towards Lonna. "No. And I'm with a woman."

  "Well," Melanie drawled, "that answers that question."

  "Which was?"

  "Wither or not you're into women. Walking over here, I was praying pretty hard, hoping you wouldn't turn out to be straight."

  "What if I was?"

  Melanie gave her a wicked grin. "I'd work it like a tent evangelist and try like hell to cure you."

  Felicia's burst of laughter had Lonna whipping around. "Who the hell are you?" she snapped.

  "The woman taking your neglected date for a dance." Melanie stared Lonna down as she grabbed Felicia's hand and lead her towards the dance floor, mentally taking a snap shot of Lonna's shocked face as she took off with her date. That would be a Kodak moment to treasure.

  They
reached the dance floor just as the band struck up a nice slow song. She turned around to face Felicia and pulled her into her arms. The two of them glided around the floor in silence.

  "Lonna's madder than a wet hen," Felicia whispered in her ear. "You better damn well know what you're doing, Melanie, or I'm going to pay for it later."

  Melanie tighten her hold on Felicia, the thought of Lonna hurting her making her stomach clench. "Just play along, act like you're enjoying all of the attention, and I promise, you're walking out of here with me before the night's over."

  The conviction in Melanie's voice strengthened her own resolve, and Felicia let herself enjoy the feel of being in the arms of someone who cared for her. Seconds later, she felt Melanie's hand slide down, dangerously close to cupping her ass. She glanced back at Lonna as they turned, saw the rage on her face, and sent up a silent prayer.

  The song ended a few minutes later and Felicia started to step away, but Melanie pulled her right back into her arms for another dance, the band switching to some Latin music. Expertly, she spun Felicia around the floor, people stepping back out of their way. An audience was gathering to watch them and Melanie was trying hard not to check for Lonna's reaction. This worked only if Lonna thought she wasn't paying her any mind, acted as if she didn't even exist.

  The song ended and the crowd began to applaud as Melanie dipped Felicia one last time. Swinging Felicia back up, onto her feet, she bowed to the crowd, and then led Felicia to the mini-bar farthest from Lonna. She ordered two drinks and turned her attention to Felicia.

  "Ready?"

  Felicia narrowed her eyes. "For what?"

  "Well, darling, the show, of course," Melanie answered with a smile.

  It was the wicked gleam in Melanie's eyes that was making Felicia nervous, or excited, she wasn't sure which. The thought of getting away from Lonna, for good, was a joyous thought, but the consequences if Melanie's plan, whatever it was, failed, was something she didn't want to linger on. Her smile faded and she grew solemn as she stared down at her drink.

  "Melanie..."

  Melanie cut her off. "No, Felicia, there's only one way this will end. You, Jessica, and I are walking out of here together. Then we'll go home, sit on the porch and have a few shots of tequila. From now on, we're family, and we stay together." Felicia's fear wasn't lost on her, and she could tell her words didn't go far in the way of reassuring her. Leaning over, she pressed a kiss to her temple and, grabbing her hand, walked with her towards a deserted table.

  "Now, we're going to sit here and talk, share a few laughs, just relax. When I think Lonna's good and mad, we'll go back over and finish this." Melanie laid a hand against Felicia's cheek, cupping her face and guiding her head up so she could look her in the eye.

  "Do you trust me?"

  "Yes," Felicia whispered.

  "Do you want to go home?"

  "Yes," Felicia answered vehemently.

  "Then stop worrying and ride with it, baby. I know you know how to do that." Melanie's grin was wicked and she felt relief flood through her when Felicia returned the grin with a sheepish one of her own.

  "Jessica's not too happy." Felicia nodded towards Jessica's table. Following her gaze, Melanie's eyes quickly found Jessica and could tell she was fighting to control her temper and tried not to stare at the two of them, sitting cozily at a corner table. Jessica's gaze flicked to them and their eyes locked for a split second. It was just enough for Melanie to hear her own breath quicken, feel her heart speed up. She cared for Felicia, a great deal, but there was only one woman who made her go from 0 to 60 with just a look.

  "Jessica will make me pay for this later," she thought, and then smiled as memories of their lovemaking played through her mind.

  "Penny for your thoughts, cher," Felicia quietly asked. Melanie looked over to find deep blue eyes watching her every move. Felicia was so beautiful, it was hard to imagine that she'd been so lonely that she'd fallen in with a viper like Lonna.

  "What in heaven's name where you doing with this bitch in the first place? Don't tell me women weren't lined up at your door to go out with you?"

  Felicia smiled weakly and went back to staring into her glass, "sad and lonely" written all over her face. "They weren't, lined up at my door, that is. Jessica and I, our family, have quite a reputation in this town, and a scandalous past that every single soul knows about. Women are either afraid that we're both a mental and emotional mess, because of our parents, and don't want to get tangled up in all that, or their afraid of our money, or interested in us just because of it."

  Felicia inhaled deeply, slowly exhaled, and then looked up to face Melanie. "I guess that's why we fought over you. For the first time, there was this beautiful woman who wasn't afraid of us, or interested in cashing in on the Matthews name. Yes, I seduced you when you first came here. I thought it would be a fun, and convenient, way to keep tabs on you and the progress of your investigation. I was so use to all of my relationships being just about sex; I didn't expect..." her voice trailed off. Melanie waited a few moments, but she didn't continue.

  She chuckled. "I sure as hell didn't expect you and your sister, either, but here we are. And I think the real reason there isn't a line at your door is because you and Jessica are intimidating as hell. Both wild, fiercely independent, and tempers that should require you both to wear warning labels." Melanie laughed at her own comment, saw Felicia's face transform into a genuine smile, and continued. "I mean, face it Felicia, you two are a hell of a hand full. I think most women around here just didn't think they could hold on for the ride. They were probably afraid you'd trample them, and you would have, both of you would have, have even, I'll bet."

  Melanie leaned towards Felicia. Anyone watching would probably think she was asking about to whisper sweet nothings in her ear. "I'll let you in on a little secret, my friend," she patted Felicia on the knee under the table, "I'm not that strong. Matter of fact, you and your sister scare the hell out of me, every single day." She sat back in her chair. "No, honey, I'm with you two because I'm too crazy, or maybe too stupid, there's a thin line between the two, to know when to run like hell."

  Felicia burst out laughing and several heads swiveled their way, but neither one of them noticed. They talked a little longer and Melanie soaked up every minute. She started envisioning what it would be like, once Felicia was back home, the three of them hanging out, shopping together, sharing their lives together, and it made her smile. For the first time in a very long time, she had a family again.

  She glanced over at Lonna's table and decided it was time to wrap things up. Tucking her Hallmark images into the back of her mind, she stood up and offered Felicia her hand.

  "Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

  Felicia looked up into Melanie's dark brown eyes, her smiling face, and felt momentarily jealous of her sister's good luck. Then again, maybe she was lucky too, in a different kind of way. Returning Melanie's smile, she accepted her hand and stood, then let Melanie guide her back to the table she was sharing earlier with Lonna.

  As they neared the table, Melanie could tell Lonna was spoiling for a fight. They were inches from the table when Lonna stood up, grabbed Felicia's arm and pushed her into a chair, then turned on Melanie.

  "I hope you enjoyed yourself," she snarled, "because it's over. If we weren't in public, I'd stomp you into the ground."

  Melanie just smiled and casually reached out to smooth the lapels of Lonna's suite. "Relax, lady. No need to get your panties in a bunch." She considered Lonna for a minute. "Well, maybe there is, because the lady is leaving with me. You obviously are too stupid to know what to do with her, or she wouldn't have been so eager for my attention."

  It was really satisfying to watch Lonna's face turn beet red as she glowered at her. "Why you little shit! Do you know whom you're dealing with? I can ruin you with the snap of my fingers! Who the hell are you, anyway?"

  "Ruin me, huh? I find that extremely doubtful," Melanie answered with a cocky gri
n. She could tell Lonna wasn't use to anyone being insolent with her, amused even, and Melanie happily listened as Lonna started to sputter.

  "You...You..."

  "Bitch?" Melanie helpfully offered. "Yeah, I get that a lot. So much so, it's probably true. Looks like you met your match, sugar."

  Lonna's eyes were beginning to go red with rage. If they weren't in the middle of a party, she'd probably attack her.

  Melanie folded her arms across her chest, bent one arm at the elbow and rested her chin in the palm so she could tap a finger against her lips. "I'm curious though, who exactly YOU think you are, that you've got the power to ruin me. Wait, let me guess, you're the DA's wife, right?"

  She made a show of looking around the ballroom, found the DA and his wife seated several tables away, and then she pointed to them. "No, that's not right, because she's right there with her husband."

  At this point, Lonna was vibrating with anger. "I'm the woman who can crush Matthews Enterprises with a single phone call."

  "Ewwwww. That's impressive, but I don't think there's anyone to answer that call."