The smile on his face, along with the meticulously wrapped gift from Gucci, widened when he saw his nephews. They both wrapped their arms around him, one on each leg.
“Uncle Mike! Uncle Mike! Mommy made a strawberry cake for her birthday.”
He smiled and looked up to wink hello at his family.
“Really?”
“Yes, but daddy said we can’t touch anything until the people bringing the rest of the food get here,” replied Moses. Blond and green-eyed, he was a first-rate scamp.
Michael closed the door and walked in, surrounded by his nephews, answering their prattle with sentences designed to encourage them to chatter even more.
“I think you deserve a good gift for putting up with this fool,” said Michael when he greeted Lara. “Happy birthday, Lara.”
The beautiful brunette with the baby blue eyes laughed melodically.
“Thank you, Mike.”
“Where’s the princess of the house?” he asked his sister-in-law, referring to his niece, Galia. She was a fun, bubbly girl who had him at her mercy.
“She’s a bit constipated, and fell asleep.”
“Oh, I hope she feels better soon.”
“She’ll ask about her usual present.” Michael smiled and pulled a bag of the strawberry gumdrops Galia loved from his pocket, handing it to Lara. “She’ll be upset about missing the party, but especially because you did not give her the gumdrops personally. We’re glad you could make it today; I know you’re very busy.”
“Oh, come on, honey,” interjected Douglas, looking at his wife. He shook his brother’s hand. “When this scoundrel wants to, he finds time for family. Except when he is, ahem, with this season’s conquest.” He broke out laughing, but immediately stopped when he saw the severe glance shot his way by their mother, Louisa. “In any case, the catering service we hired is the best.”
Louisa Whitmore walked up with her husband, Jack, to hug her oldest son.
“It’s been some time since we saw you, Mike,” she said lovingly. “The party is in the backyard, but we decided to have the family come earlier, to talk a bit.”
“I think that’s fine, mother, but I won’t be staying for long. I have an important case I’m preparing.”
“You would not have so much trouble preparing for cases if you hadn’t left the family firm,” interjected Jack’s firm voice, hoarse from years of smoking.
“Please, let’s not rehash the same old argument,” said Louisa. “Let the boy enjoy an evening without your legal inquisition. All right?”
Jack grudgingly agreed.
“Let’s go get a drink, dad. What do you say? I could use some advice from you,” added Michael. “I have to deal with some acquaintances of yours in court soon. Nobody could give me a better perspective than you.”
This comment Jack’s gray eyes sparkled. He liked to feel useful and missed practicing the law. He had a heart condition, and the stress of dealing with complex cases was not good for him. He had retired a year ago, just two months after Michael’s grandfather died. Now, W&W was in Douglas’ hands, along with three brilliant lawyers that were not part of the family.
“That’s it, go to the study,” suggested Louisa, relieved that Michael had not started an argument with his father like he usually did. She turned to Douglas, “Why don’t you go with them? I know you can help solve any problem.”
Douglas laughed. He knew that his mother wanted him to make sure Michael’s quick temper did not flare when his professional opinion clashed with his father’s, as it often did.
“Just for you, mother. But make sure Lara doesn’t take charge of anything, okay?”
“It’s only my birthday...” Douglas’ wife protested.
“Exactly, darling,” he said before kissing his beautiful wife. “So today, I don’t want to see you worrying about anything except having fun with your girlfriends, who will be here any minute, and enjoying time with your family. Do you promise to do that?”
“Only if you promise to force your workaholic brother to stay until the end of the party, or at least dance with my friends.”
“My Mike needs to have some fun, he works too much,” added Louisa. She knew how devastating her son’s divorce had been and, though she wanted to heal his heart, she knew that could only happen with time, or when a special woman managed to penetrate the suit of armor Michael had built around himself. “Right, Douglas?”
The youngest Whitmore lawyer shrugged his shoulders. He knew that his brother was very successful with women, and he was sure Michael did not need any help in the bedroom, but that was a detail he could not share with his mother. Much less when that mother was a hopeless romantic who had been trying for the longest time to play matchmaker for his womanizing brother.
“Sure, mother.” He looked at his wife. “Darling, I’ll do what I can to make sure he stays a bit longer. Do you have a friend you could introduce him to...?”
Lara laughed, and Louisa rolled her eyes before she walked off to spoil her grandchildren.
“Wasn’t your brother dating that ceramics expert?”
“Heidi Antholl. They’ve been together for almost six months, but I know he’s getting tired of her.”
“Has he said so?”
“I know him, and the usual duration of a relationship with any of his lovers is no more than half a year.” He shrugged his shoulders. “The day my brother falls in love again will be a sight to behold.”
“I doubt any of my friends has the potential to woo him.”
Douglas frowned.
“Why is that?”
Lara smiled and hugged her husband.
“They’re all married.”
With a laugh, Douglas joined his father and brother, but not before kissing his wife deeply, knowing that nobody was watching them. He hoped that Michael could get over Ingrid’s betrayal someday.
***
Twenty-eight years old, with a promising career as an accountant, and she had to dress up as a Moulin Rouge dancer, she thought wryly. Rachel glanced at herself sideways in the mirror. She did not like to feel exposed. Not when the costume, a modern version of what they wore at the famous Parisian cabaret, was a sequined G-string barely covered by a long train made of fake peacock feathers, a matching bra that made her breasts look larger than usual, the makeup she would never in her right mind wear, a high, stylized hairdo (at least her best friend had made that concession), and very chic can-can heels. A somewhat eccentric combination, but there was no denying that it looked like a modern Moulin Rouge outfit.
“Rachel, please, do your best. If this client is satisfied, she’ll recommend my services to her friends,” said Delaney Garth, blowing her nose. She had come down with a nasty cold.
“I’m already dressed, I don’t think I could make any more of a fool of myself,” she said, looking at her friend with her bright blue eyes. “What time will your driver pick me up, Del?”
With her black hair, in contrast to Rachel’s red, Delaney Garth was a stunning brunette. She looked like a Victoria Secret’s model.
Rachel often reminded Delaney that the gorgeous outfits that fit her friend a glove would never suit her. For example, this costume, which instead of making her look sensual, made her look like a lustful display of sensual pleasures and experiences that she was not offering at all.
Delaney laughed. She took a pill for her fever, and lay down on the living-room sofa, looking at Rachel. They were like sisters. They spent their vacations together unless one of them had a boyfriend, and they usually went to Kentucky in the summer, to the Garth family ranch on the outskirts of Louisville.
They both lived in the same building in the center of Chicago, along the Gold Coast. They did very well for themselves, so living in one of the city’s most expensive condos was no problem. Rachel was on the twelfth floor and Delaney on the ninth.
The only time they had ever spent apart was when Delaney was engaged to a very promising electronic engineer, five years ago. The man, Mauricio McCor
mann, had died of a sudden aneurysm, and since then, Del preferred her solitude, and threw herself into her business, organizing themed parties for bachelors. Just like tonight’s, which was called Desire at the Moulin Rouge.
“I already explained the dynamics,” she replied, folding her legs onto the plump sofa. “Jim will pick you up in a few minutes. When you get there, stay in the company van, and Jim will help you with additional instructions. The dance it the most important part.”
“That requirement is such a cliché,” grumbled Rachel, covering her breasts with her hands. “Look at this, Del! They’re almost spilling out,” she moaned wearily, “I’m a size eight, not a four like you.”
“It’s a bit snug on your figure, but you don’t look cheap. I think you should wear tighter clothes, and show off your curves.”
Rachel rolled her eyes.
“It’s hard enough keeping them at bay by going to the gym. Ugh. Anyway, continue your explanation before I decide to ruin your company by skipping out on your commitment,” she jokingly threatened with a smile.
“Take it in stride. Listen. Once Jim helps you, well, you sing and dance, and then go up to the birthday boy and hug him.”
“What?! You never told me that.”
“It’s just a hug Rachel. You don’t have to ask him to sleep with you.”
“And then what?”
“You say goodbye and disappear with Jim, who will drive you back home.”
“Or I can simply stuff myself with all the catered food at the party,” she said, crossing her arms.
“At least you’ll be doing something other than staying in your office, buried in numbers, and analyzing expansion strategies for a company that exploits you.”
Rachel let her arms fall to her sides, but not before handing a new box of tissues to her friend, noticing that the last one had just landed in the trash.
“The pace at work is hectic and I’m a perfectionist. They don’t exploit me, Del, don’t exaggerate.”
“Ah, yes, I’d forgotten that your boss is crazy about you and is hoping you’ll stay long enough so he can convince you that you make the perfect couple.”
Paul Eckhart, Rachel’s boss, was stunning. Why deny it? He was only five years older than her and was the head lawyer, as well as Executive Vice-President, of the most in-demand industrial plastic company, Eckhart Enterprises.
Paul could be irresistible sometimes. He never pressured her, but he had made his intentions clear. She had found it hard to make her way in the business world; Delaney’s contacts had been invaluable to get job interviews, and she did not want to toss it all overboard because of a mere attraction.
Academic merit played its part after those job interviews, and she received several job offers. The one from Eckhart Enterprises was the best. She had been at the company for six years, and it was an opportunity she did not want to destroy over an affair with the boss, when there were other interesting and handsome men out there, like Henry Duncan.
“I’m dating Henry, in case you forgot,” she reminded Del. She had been dating the charismatic physician for a month. They had met through mutual friends. She liked Henry, even though they’d only been on five dates since he asked her to go out, and she liked the idea of seeing him again. “Before you ask, we’re not dating exclusively, though we have talked about it and it seems that, like me, he has no time to flirt with several people at once when he likes someone in particular.”
“I like Henry, but I feel like he’s missing a spark. Don’t you think he seems too perfect...?”
“I think I’ve dated many creeps, so the answer is ‘no.’ If I find a wonderful man, why would I complain that he’s too perfect?”
“Hmmm... maybe because in the long term, there are no challenges or goals to stimulate you if it’s all easy going. At least...” she stopped talking when she saw Rachel’s impatient look. Del shrugged her shoulders. She looked at her watch. “No more lectures, I’m sorry.”
Rachel walked in and sat next to her friend.
“I don’t take them that way, Del. I think that, after the horrible end of my relationship with Ian, I prefer a calm relationship. Henry seems ideal. He treats me like a queen and knows how to listen.”
“In bed, too?”
Rachel could not help blushing.
“We haven’t gotten that far...”
Delaney raised an eyebrow.
“Then there are still things to debate about the ‘perfect’ Mr. Duncan, right?”
“Del!” she laughed. “You’re impossible.”
“But you love me, so you’d better get going. And remember, you need to dance suggestively to the rhythm of the music...”
“... and sing like Marilyn Monroe,” completed Rachel before standing up and grabbing her purse. She put on her coat.
“You’re my savior,” said Delaney with a wink.
“Or your scapegoat.”
Delaney smiled.
“You know Elizabeth quit to go live in the suburbs with her sick mother, and I can’t take over for her, even though I’m the owner, for obvious reasons.” As if her body wanted to prove her point, she sneezed.
“Just don’t forget that you owe me a manicure and a haircut next weekend. And of course, we could include Piper in the deal... if I manage to talk her into it.”
Delaney rolled her eyes.
“If that’s the payment you want, consider it done. Piper could use some pampering when it comes to girly whims,” she said, nodding in agreement. “No, there will only be forty people at that bachelor party. Jim will watch out for you at all times, just in case someone gets the idea that you’re more than a dancer from the Moulin Rouge doing a special number. All right?”
“Great. I’ll get going,” she said when the intercom in Delaney’s apartment buzzer. They both knew that six short rings could only mean the driver, Jim. “I’ll take that bag of almond cookies. I’m hungry, and I won’t be able to eat anything until after the performance. Byeee!” She closed the door behind her, and then pressed the button to call the building’s elevator.
Piper Galloway had been let out of prison four months ago after a judge granted her parole for good conduct and for providing information to help the police find one of their most wanted suspects, who belonged to the small gang of drug traffickers that worked in Chicago’s schools. Rachel was still troubled by the many years of her life her sister had missed out on because of Michael Whitmore; the idea of getting revenge on him would not leave her mind.
She and her sister had an unspoken agreement to avoid talking about Piper’s time in prison, as well as the criminal trial. Rachel did not like the idea, but she would let her sister go at her own pace, and maybe, in a few years, she’d be able to open up and talk about it. Despite knowing that Michael lived in Chicago, she had been too busy making her way in the business world to find him.
However, the idea of seeing Michael humiliated still appealed to her. Her sister was doing better, but she was still not the happy girl she remembered. She believed in karma, and she knew that, sooner or later, she would make Whitmore face his own.
CHAPTER 4
“Uncle Mike!” said Moses when he saw the amount of food the catering team had spread around the backyard. “Uncle Mike!” he insisted when he noticed that his uncle was talking to his mother and some other guests. He did not hesitate to walk right up to him, but not before he grabbed his twin brother’s hand and dragged him along.
“What’s up, kiddo?” asked Michael, looking into his nephew’s excited eyes. He rumpled the boy’s hair. Undeterred, Moses pointed to the far end of the yard, towards an opening in the tent.
Michael squinted. He did not see anything except for the waiters scurrying from side to side, the DJ, and guests milling around, looking very lively at Lara’s birthday party.
“There, uncle Mike!”
“All I see is the tent, Moses,” he replied, smiling at the boy.
In less than one hour the blue tent, strategically placed in the la
rge backyard, had filled with people. Used to the city’s cold weather, the outdoor heaters were more than enough to keep the guests warm. There were close to fifty people.
Both Lara and Douglas loved celebrating their birthdays. Michael, since his divorce, preferred to take a flight to some beach paradise with a beautiful woman by his side and forget that it had been his birthday when his marriage had gone to hell.
“Stop bothering your uncle, sweetie,” Lara intervened.
Douglas hugged his wife and kissed her on the cheek.
“Daddy, a giant cake arrived!” exclaimed the boy, flapping his little hands with excitement. “I want to eat the whoooole thing.”
The grownups smiled.
“I want to eat it too!” yelled Alan, always on board for anything his brother, older by only two minutes, said or did.
Suddenly, the lights went out. The guests murmured with trepidation. The only person who was not uneasy was Douglas. He’d hired the best magician from Las Vegas because he knew Lara loved that kind of show. He held his wife in his arms, and whispered in her ear:
“Surprise, darling!” Enjoy Jasper Blake’s show.”
“You’re the best,” murmured Lara, smiling.
Little by little, soft lights starting to rise at the back of the tent. Michael finally understood what his nephews were excited about when he saw a giant cake coming in. His brother had a habit of coming up with silly stunts to make Lara smile. Sometimes he wondered whether he would ever believe in a long-term relationship again. But this wasn’t a thought that kept him up at night. As long as he could still enjoy his professional prestige and had a woman who understood their agreement was of pleasure and convenience, the rest did not bother him at all.
Douglas had no idea what the famous Californian magician’s trick was, but he played along when several candles lit up suddenly around the three-tier cake. That artifact was large enough to fit a person inside.
The Happy Birthday song started to play on a guitar. A musical band improvised, and the DJ watched the show. This time, the guests clapped when the cake got to the middle of the backyard, pushed by a couple of waiters dressed in tuxedos and red bowties.
Flirting with Revenge Page 4