High Stakes Seduction - Book 5

by LeCoeur, Ami

  The Oak room had a large abstract painting, with splashes of garish primary colors. Not my particular taste, but the people in the room seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a happy kind of buzz around them.

  As I stepped back into Maria's room, I spotted her talking with a tall, distinguished looking man who seemed vaguely familiar. I realized he was the alderman I had seen in the photo with Walker and Naomi. Cartoli? Nice, I thought, Maria was gaining stature in the community tonight.

  I waved at her when she looked up, noticing me on the other side of the room. She smiled. The alderman turned toward me as he noticed her glance, and something about his face made me stop in my tracks. I had this sudden visual memory—I had seen this face before. But where? He had a distinctive, splotchy-looking scar on his left cheekbone. Where had I seen his face before? I kept remembering the image, but couldn't quite place where I'd seen it. After a moment, he moved away to shake hands with a man in a nearby group.

  I watched as others spoke with Maria and realized she'd probably been too busy to even think about getting something to eat. I couldn't remember her eating anything before the show, there hadn't been enough time.

  Well, that was something I was happy to do for her. I grabbed a plate and began to make my way through the buffet line. I knew what Maria liked, we had pretty much the same taste. So I grazed along the table, picking out a few choice pieces.

  Midway through the line I stopped, my thoughts interrupted by the tinkling laughter and unmistakable fingernails-on-chalkboard voice that I would recognize anywhere. How the hell did she get here?

  I looked toward the end of the table, and there she stood. Naomi, my nemesis. This time she had her hand tucked through the arm of a man I recognized as Brad Stephens, our own D.A.. In shocked silence, I watched the two of them. It was undeniable that she was beautiful, but there was a cold-edged heartlessness about her that should've been obvious to anyone who looked beyond the surface.

  Okay, maybe I was just being catty, but there was no denying the woman pushed me over the edge. So much so, that nausea overcame me as I suddenly felt ill. I wanted to leave, to go anywhere where I wouldn't have to deal with this woman. This was supposed to be a celebration for my sister, but it's amazing how quickly the wrong person can turn any celebration around.

  I moved away from the table, nearly tripping over Maria. She'd apparently come up behind me while I was so focused on Naomi and I hadn't noticed her there.

  "Sis!" she said, spying the plate of hors d'oeuvres in my hand. "That looks so good, and I'm famished! Can I steal a bite?"

  "Oh, yes. Certainly! Here," I thrust the plate toward her, still flustered by the realization that Naomi was in the same room. "In fact, I was getting these for you."

  "Mmm, these are yummy, you know what I like!" She smiled at me, popping one of the little tuna puffs into her mouth. "Do you think we could get out of this crowd for a few minutes, so I could enjoy my snack?"

  "Sure," I said. "Here, let me carry that for you."

  I spotted a little alcove over by the palm trees. Someone had set up a couple of chairs that were out of the way. As we stepped past the harpist, Maria dropped a five dollar bill into her tip jar, smiling at the young woman. "Your music is lovely, thank you so much for being here." The woman nodded and smiled, never losing a beat as she strummed her beautiful song on the strings.

  "This is so crazy, Sis" said Maria to me. "I've already sold two paintings."

  "That's fabulous!"

  "Yeah, but here's the kicker, I also got a commission to do a painting for someone."

  "Well that's a good sign, isn't it?"

  "Yeah, but it's not a landscape. It's a picture of the guy's dog." She giggled. "I don't think I've ever painted a dog."

  "What? Is he going to bring it by? How will you get it to sit still long enough to paint it?"

  "Oh no," she laughed again. "His dog is gone. But he has photographs, so this will be like a memorial for him. Something special he can hang in his den."

  I'll admit I was relieved. The last thing I wanted was someone's dog traipsing through our house, and I'm not so sure I would be any happier if Maria went to someone else's house to paint. Especially someone I didn't know. But, I wasn't going to tell her that. She'd just think I was being overprotective again. And I guess I was.

  "That really is a beautiful dress," Maria said to me. "I don't remember seeing it before, did you get it on the cruise?"

  "Yes." I looked down at the gown, remembering when Antonio had selected it for me. "Tony bought it for me. And he picked out the shoes too."

  "The man certainly has a flair for what's attractive. I can't believe how much he's changed our lives. And for the better."

  Well, mostly, I thought. I knew Maria appreciated him, and I did too. But still, there were certain things…

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  MARIA

  I wondered why every time I brought up Antonio's name lately, Angela seemed to withdraw. I didn't want to upset her, but the man had been more than generous with us. I knew she was working off a debt, but seriously, who else would have given her the kind of leeway he had? Or invited her on a cruise… or bought her beautiful dresses… or set up this gallery showing for me?

  "Ange, what's bothering you? You're not mad that we tricked you?" I hated seeing my little sis worried or upset. Especially tonight when everything was going so well for me.

  "Heavens no! You know I love surprises. It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it. I don't mean to rain on your parade."

  "Nonsense! This is more than nothing. Come on, spill."

  Ange shook her head, but answered anyway. "You remember that woman I told you about. The ice queen?"

  "Naomi."

  "Yes, well… "Angela stopped suddenly.

  "What?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows, putting a finger to her lips in the universal "SHHHH!" sign. Then she pointed to the other side of the palm cluster.

  That's her? I mouthed pointing at the platinum blond with the tall dark haired man. She nodded back, eyes still large. She put her finger back to her lips.

  "Well, well. There certainly are a lot of high rollers here," came the voice from the other side of the bushes. "Wouldn't it be nice to tap into some of that?"

  "Naomi, my dear, aren't you ever satisfied?" came the deep, resonant voice of her companion. "How much do you need, anyway? Or is it about something else?"

  "Brad, darlin', there is never enough to satisfy me. But you come pretty close," she purred. "I was just thinking about the poor little Children's Academy. What we could do with a little extra money there."

  "Do you mean what the Academy could do, or what you could do?"

  "There's a difference?" she laughed, the ice shards tinkling around her. "You know, we should hold a fundraiser here."

  "Hmm, that would take a bit of coordinating. We might be able to do it in the fall."

  "Well, my goodness, if Tony can arrange this fundraiser for a cripple, then he can certainly help arrange something for the little brats at the Academy."

  I heard Angela's sharp intake of breath. I put my hand on her arm. If I knew my sister, she was just about to jump into the snake infested waters.

  "Hmm," said Brad again, as they strolled away from the palm trees. "I suppose one of us could talk to him about it."

  Naomi laughed, but I couldn't hear what she said. They'd already moved out of our hearing range.

  I looked up at Angela. Her face was flushed with anger.

  "That… cold-hearted… bitch!" she said between clenched teeth. I held on to her arm. Then she shut her eyes and shook her head. When she opened them, they were bright with tears. "Sis, I'm so sorry you had to hear that. I can't understand why anyone would ever say such a thing."

  "Ange, you can't apologize for someone else's bad manners. It's not your fault. But I do think you're wrong."

  She scrunched up her face and gave me a 'what the heck are you talking about' look.

  "I think you
were far too kind when you described her to me before. She's not just a bitch, or an ice queen. She's certainly beautiful, but I doubt the woman has a heart of any kind."

  Chapter Thirty

  ANTONIO

  I spotted Naomi with Brad, standing near the entrance of the room. They seemed deep in conversation, and by the way she was holding on to him, I figured she was well on her way to 'convincing' him that he was the world's most prized possession—at least in her eyes.

  I noticed Maria and Ange over near the harpist, and neither one of them looked too happy at the moment. Before I could check up on what was wrong, Naomi managed to snag my attention.

  "Tony, darlin', would you do me the biggest favor? Brad and I have been admiring the lovely paintings here, and I would just love to meet the artist. I understand she’s one of your current… projects? Would you be a dear and introduce me?"

  I looked over her shoulder at Brad. He seemed to be enjoying his conversation with one of the city council members.

  "Sure," I said. "And how are you tonight, Naomi? Lovely as always, I see."

  She smiled at that, a cat-eating-the-canary smile on her lips. "You know I would much rather be here with you. Brad Stephens can be rather… stuffy."

  "It's all in a day's work, Naomi."

  "Don't I know," she sighed, leaning in closer. "But I'd much rather be 'working' with you."

  Angela had moved over to the far wall by the time we reached Maria. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see she was watching us.

  "Maria, may I present Naomi Ferraro. She's been admiring your paintings and insisted I bring her over to meet you."

  Naomi reached out her hand to Maria. "I was just telling Tony how much I admire anyone with talent. Your pictures are just so precious. You must be so pleased to have this kind of turnout."

  "Thank you," Maria took her hand. "It's kind of you to say so."

  "Oh, darlin', I never say anything I don't mean," came Naomi's response.

  "Yes. I imagine that would be difficult for someone like you."

  "Why, that is so true. I don't even think about it, I just speak my mind."

  "I should have guessed. That explains a lot," Maria smiled.

  A little mystified by the exchange I'd just witnessed, I glanced at Maria. She looked up at me, straight-faced as I was, but I caught the glimmer in her eyes as she winked at me. It took everything I had to stifle a grin.

  "I'm sorry to interrupt," Brad said, coming up beside us. "But could I steal Naomi away for a moment?"

  Maria smiled politely, but she sighed with relief when the two of them walked away.

  "Well, that was an experience," she said to me.

  "One of a kind," I answered.

  "Never to be repeated?"

  "Sometimes that's easier said than done."

  I watched the two of them walk away, stopping briefly to chat with people they knew. I couldn't help but notice how Naomi kept glancing back at me, as if she was making sure I noticed her.

  "Where's Angela?" I asked.

  "She slipped away when she saw Naomi coming. You know there's no love lost between those two."

  "Angela's a smart girl."

  "Antonio—maybe you should take Angela home. Or at least someplace where she won't have to run into Naomi."

  "What's wrong, Maria?"

  "You know Naomi is poison, especially to my sister. There was a little… interchange that we overheard earlier. I'm just afraid Angela may say or do something she'll regret. I think she'd be safer with you."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  ANGELA

  I grabbed a glass of wine, making myself scarce when I saw Naomi heading toward Maria. I couldn't help watching from the corner of the room.

  I wondered again what the attraction was, how this woman could have so many men wrapped around her little finger. I sighed, guessing that wasn't a talent I was born with, although it certainly would've come in handy.

  "Don't you love the light in this one?" said the man standing next to me, admiring Maria's painting.

  "Yes, I think she captures the essence of the scene quite well."

  "Where has she studied, do you know?"

  "Oh, she's painted for years," I smiled. No need to go into her background with a stranger. And besides, education only improved talent, it didn't replace it.

  I glanced over at Maria, and noticed that Brad Stephens was leading Naomi away. I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched the two of them stopping to chat with various people along the way. Maybe I could rejoin my sister now.

  Then I felt daggers, and I turned to look at Naomi, noticing that she was watching me over her shoulder as she and Brad chatted with a couple near the buffet table.

  My stomach tightened as I realized she had stopped suddenly, leaning in to say something urgent to Brad, laughing and shaking her head. Then she turned and walked quickly back toward Tony. What was she up to?

  Tipping her head slightly, and glancing over at me, she placed her hand on Tony's arm. Then she leaned in to speak to him, pulling him close. He seemed to put up a slight protest, but she was insistent. I couldn't read what was going on between them, but he had that silly grin he sometimes gets when he's amused at something.

  Well, he might be amused, but I certainly wasn't.

  Especially when she managed to pull him away from Maria's side, using her coyest flirtation moves. At that moment, part of me wished that I could be a fly on the wall, overhearing what she had to say. What was this magic hold she had over Antonio? I shook my head, frustrated and fascinated at the same time.

  "I'm sorry," I said to the man standing next to me. "But would you excuse me please? I need to talk with the artist for a moment."

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  ANTONIO

  "Tony, darlin', we need to talk."

  I turned, surprised to hear Naomi's voice again. Hadn't she just left with Brad?

  "Naomi, can't it wait until later?"

  "No, Tony, it's important," Naomi pouted. Then she leaned in toward me, placing her hand on my chest and leaning up to whisper in my ear. "It's about Brad. And it's important." She ran her hand down my chest.

  I grasped her hand, pushing her slightly away from me so I could look in her eyes. Was this a game, or was she telling me the truth? There was little she could tell me about Brad that I didn't already know.

  "Naomi, this is not the time, or the place. Surely we can talk about this later." I was doing my best not to get angry.

  "No darlin', this is something you need to know."

  I turned to Maria. "I'm sorry, please excuse me." Naomi grinned gleefully, nearly dragging me into the hallway. I shook my head, the woman was certainly persistent when there was something she wanted.

  Once we were away from the door, I spun her around. "What is this, Naomi? It better be good."

  "Well, I don't know how good you'll think it is, but Brad is simply not cooperating." She pouted again. "I can't convince him to go along with transferring the funds. I mean, I've tried everything, and he's just not receptive to any of my suggestions."

  I narrowed my eyes, staring at her for a moment. "Everything? That doesn't sound like the Naomi I know. Surely you haven't tried everything."

  She giggled at that, fluttering her eyelashes at me. "Well, maybe not everything. I do have a couple of ideas to make him more… compliant. And that," she smirked, "should put him in the perfect position to be… persuaded not to run again for office."

  "Now that's more like the Naomi I know."

  She reached her hand up, stroking my face and cupping my jaw. I did my best not to flinch. "Oh, Tony, you know I'll do anything for you."

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  ANGELA

  I couldn't help myself, I had to see what was going on. I grabbed another glass of red wine from the table as I passed. I had seen Naomi drag Antonio into the hallway, and I was determined to find out what she was up to.

  As I stepped through the door, I spied them several feet away, about m
idway down the hall. They were standing close together, Naomi giggling as she fluttered her eyelashes up at Tony. Then she reached up, her hand caressing Tony's cheek. That was enough for me. I couldn't just stand here and watch the two of them any longer. The last thing I wanted to see was some romantic embrace that would only tear my heart out.

  I walked toward them quickly. "Hey Tony!" I said, swaying my hips and smiling at him with my brightest, sweetest smile. “There you are. I wondered where you were hiding out.” As I approached, Naomi’s eyes narrowed and she looked me up and down. Then, I was ‘tripping’ and tossing my crimson wine down the front of her dress.

  "Oh, oops! So sorry! Here, let me help with that," I said, dabbing ineffectively at her dress with a napkin as she shrieked at me. "Sorry, so sorry," I lied.

  She pushed me away, her face becoming the color of the wine I'd spilt. "You stupid, clumsy, inadequate fool!" she sputtered.

  "I'm sorry, it was an accident," I said innocently, shrugging my shoulders as I continued to act the part. It was everything I could do to not laugh out loud. I wasn't normally a mean person, but my goodness this felt good.

  "Tony!" Naomi turned to Antonio, speaking through clenched teeth. "You had better do something about this arrogant child! And now!" She stomped off, still muttering hateful words under her breath.

  Tony stood there watching us. I suspected he knew I’d tripped on purpose. And suddenly, I didn't care anymore. Naomi was definitely out of my league, and I was so fed up with this game.

  He opened his mouth to say something, but I didn’t give him the opportunity.

  "Tony, thank you so much for everything you've done for my sister and me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. And, I'm sorry, I know this was childish of me. It really wasn't my intent to create a problem for you." In my mind I completed the sentence that I wasn't able to say in front of him: but I'm fed up, I'm tired of being hurt, and I'm leaving.

  I turned and walked back into the gallery, heading for Maria.