The Set Up (Triplets: Three Aren't One Book 1)

by Dani Haviland

  “Come on, Grace,” Alex said, his arm around her shoulder. “Let’s get some real food into that cute little belly of yours. Alcohol on an empty stomach is just inviting trouble.”

  Rather than move away from the man she had just met, Grace leaned into him, appreciating the warmth and solidness of his body, a reminder that there was someone who could literally stand between her and her abusive mother. “I assume you know the way?” she asked whimsically.

  “If I didn’t, I’d still find sustenance for you. You’re as skinny as a maverick separated from the herd.”

  Thunk!

  His soft-spoken comment was a reminder of her mother’s advice to be thin to get a man’s attention – to entice him to want to take care of little girl lost. Alex had certainly meant nothing by it, but it still made her feel as if her heart was a six-pound stone that had been dropped into a puddle of mud – dirty and worthless.

  Grace was in a daze of disappointment as her broad-shouldered champion led her through the maze of gala attendees. Most of the chatter among the couples and small groups was about the upcoming regatta. Evidently, Robert Van der Cleft’s wife was to make an appearance. Bets were being taken as to whether she’d be as stunning as she had been in the past. The woman was due to have a baby by Christmas. She insisted that regaining her figure would be ‘no big deal;’ that women who didn’t take care of themselves were just lazy.

  “I saw Zelda Van der Cleft last week,” Alex said, holding his hands out to indicate a big belly. “I don’t know much about pregnancies and babies, but if she can shrink down to a bikini body two months after she delivers, she deserves her husband’s money.”

  “What’s a shapely figure have to do with anything?” Grace asked, accepting the plate from the caterer with a nod and a quick smile. “Do you think a woman has to be built like a brick shithouse to be worthy of her husband’s money…or his affections?”

  “No, no, that’s not what I meant. Oh, crap,” Alex said, looking into the crowd, trying to find a reason to leave the uncomfortable conversation. “Hey, I see someone I have to speak with,” he lied. “Would you excuse me?”

  “Of course. I don’t have any claim on you. It’s your party. I’m just the teenager whose mother decided…” She blanched at her near confession, turned away, and swallowed her groan.

  Certainly, he already knew or suspected that her mother had brought her to the party of rich single men to find a husband. What did he care about her and her feelings as long as he had a good time? She was just a warm garage he hoped to park his hot rod in before the night was over. If she wasn’t available, there were plenty of other skinny, painted females around.

  “What happened to him?”

  Grace tensed at her mother’s hissed question, the canapes and curled carrot sticks slipping off her plate onto the grass. She quietly counted to five, then answered, “He had to speak with someone. Why?”

  “What? Why?” Victoria sputtered. She looked around to make sure they didn’t have an audience, then whispered harshly through a fake smile, “You’re here to make a good impression on at least two if not all three of the brothers. You haven’t been here twenty minutes and you’ve already scared him off!”

  “Au, contraire, Mama.” Grace stepped back to the ornate expanse of hors d’oeuvres, picked out a couple of crab puffs and at the same time, kicked her spilled food under the table. “He and I were connecting very well before he spotted an important business associate. You don’t want him to lose his wealth by spending all his time with the new love of his life, do you?” Grace nodded to Alex who was speaking with an elderly gentleman. She gave a perfect Miss America wave to him, her smile as inviting as an engraved invitation.

  Alex paused his conversation with his father’s chauffeur when he saw Grace waving at him. He waved back. It looks like she needs to be saved from Mother Imperator. Rescue the damsel and I still might get lucky after all.

  “Excuse me, Gregory,” Alex said, accepting the fob with two keys. “This should do for tonight. Thanks for letting me in. I know it’s supposed to be reserved for special occasions for Dad, but tonight is special for me. Or I hope it is.”

  Gregory followed Alex’s gaze. The innocent standing beside Victoria Stillwater must be her daughter. He hadn’t seen her since she was in grade school. If she was who Alex was planning to devour, he’d better make sure the young man spoke with his father first. There was more at stake than just a little romp in the rose garden.

  “By the way,” Gregory said, his hand covering Alex’s key-clutching fist. “I believe your father wanted to speak with you on a very important matter before you get carried away. Make sure you let him know you’ll be using the garden house, too. Oh, and he’ll be interested to know that you’ve made the acquaintance of Hal Stillwater’s daughter. Those two go way back. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled at the prospect of a family alliance.”

  Alex’s hand went limp at the hint of what was in store if he dallied with this new infatuation. Now he knew why Gregory had made the odd gesture of holding onto him. He would have dropped the keys like they were molten metal if he had known. “Why?”

  “Does it make a difference if you’re already attracted to her? She’s a wonderful young lady. Her mother, not so much. Your father will let you know more. I do believe he’s at the boathouse now.”

  “I smell a skunk,” Alex said, his lips pursed in frustration.

  “No, not a skunk,” Gregory said. “That’s Chuck. He’s down the way, smoking with a few of the guests.”

  “Let’s hope Dad doesn’t have much to say. If I’m more than a few minutes, would you make sure Grace knows I won’t be long?”

  Gregory smiled devilishly. “I think I’ll go over there now and make your excuse. I’d love to trade jabs with Victoria. I have no attraction to that woman at all, but it would almost be worth having an affair with her just to get it on tape. Having proof like that is the only way Hal would be able to divorce her.”

  “What are you talking about, Gregory? Have you been smoking with Chuck and the boys? Your brain-mouth filter seems to be missing.”

  “As a matter of fact, I am slightly stoned. Of course, if I weren’t, I wouldn’t be admitting it. Nevertheless, talk to your father. You’ll see why tonight my restraints are made of tissue, not leather or steel.”

  “Thanks for the warning.” Alex reached up and patted Gregory on the shoulder with his free hand, letting the long-time chauffeur and family friend know that he’d regained his composure. “And see if you can insulate Grace from that monster mother of hers. I hate to say it, but that skinny Medusa is the number one reason I wouldn’t want to get serious about Grace. She gives me the shivers.”

  “You and me both.”

  It didn’t take long for Alex to find his father. Evidently, he had been watching for him. As soon as the son was over the rise and in view of the boathouse, ‘Papa Doc’ Armstrong was out from the shadows of the painted wood enclosure and out in the open.

  “How’s my favorite eldest son tonight?” his father asked brightly.

  “I’m fine. Gregory said you wanted to talk to me. He also said to make sure to tell you that I’ve taken a shine to Hal Stillwater’s daughter. She and I might be spending more time together,” Alex said, then brought the cabin’s keys up and jingled them.

  “Hal Stillwater?” Papa Doc asked with a frown, then a smile rose as he remembered who he was. “Oh, I so would appreciate you getting along with his daughter. Her name’s Faith, isn’t it?”

  “Close. It’s Grace. She’s here with her mother tonight. I have the sneaking suspicion that they crashed the party. At least, that’s what I read in Silas’s face.”

  “Yes, that man has a way of hiding his true feelings but letting what he wants to say be read with a twitch or sneer or lift of an eyebrow.”

  “So, Dad, what’s going on? Gregory said you wanted to speak with me about something.”

  His father sighed and shook his head, the harbinger of bad news.
“Looks like the big C might be back. I’m okay for right now, but I might need your help in making some transitions. I don’t trust Ben farther than I can shove him, and Chuck has no interest in the business. In other words, the funds ain’t what they used to be so don’t go buying any new houses or Picassos.”

  “Dad, I haven’t used your money for anything since I got the firm going. My architectural designs are in high demand. I didn’t expect to be this successful for years. And if I’m reading you right, you’re saying that all those high risk-great rewards stocks my sweet brother Ben told you to buy were not only duds, they were devastating.”

  “It wouldn’t be so bad, but after the first round went south, he tried to get me to make it up with another investment. I finally had to say no when he tried to salvage it with a third swing. ‘Three strikes and I’ll be out,’ I told him. I finally had to walk away. Anyhow, it can be repaired. If I can entice Stillwater to joint venture with me, we’ll both be sitting pretty. There was some bad blood between us a few years back. And by that, I mean nearly twenty years ago. It had to do with that evil woman he wound up marrying.” Papa Doc shuddered as he recalled her seducing him right after her honeymoon. “How he could live with that evil witch is beyond me.”

  “I’m in agreement there, even if I’ve never met him. You might want to stay here for a while. Sweet Grace is up there with her now. You don’t want to bump into her.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Be nice to Grace. If you two spark up a romance, be polite. And careful. Not that I wouldn’t want a grandchild or two, but if our two families are going to be working together, I don’t want there to be animosity over a soured affair.”

  “Our family businesses working together,” Alex corrected. “And I’m always gentle in my goodbyes. I learned from the master.” He reached over and gave his father a quick hug. “And Master, please stop acting on Ben’s crazy schemes. You can listen to him; just don’t sign anything or give him money. Remind him that you started with nothing and have the world.” He spread his hands out, indicating the vast properties. “He, on the other hand, started out with millions and is winding up with nothing.”

  “Well, just don’t go rubbing it in. He already has short bald-man syndrome. He doesn’t need any more insecurities. Now, go put a smile on that young woman’s face. And see if you can get one of those paparazzi to get a picture of the two of you for the tabloids. That will definitely work in our favor.”

  “No problem there. I’m sure Old Mother Stillwater has already nudged them in that direction. Plus, all I’d have to do is look like I’m trying to avoid them, and they’ll be on me like gnats on a jelly donut. I’ll tell you all about it at lunch tomorrow. Or not, depending on how the evening goes.”

  “Go! No details required,” Papa Doc said. Just don’t do anything that would piss off her father.

  Alex half-walked, half-sprinted up the hill, his pace quickening when he saw Grace turn to watch him approach.

  “I thought you’d ditched me,” she said, her eyes squinted in playful admonishment.

  “I couldn’t get back here fast enough,” Alex said, glad to see that Mother had left the immediate area. “One important conversation led to another. By the way, the last one was with my father. He remembers you from long ago. Did we ever meet?”

  “Not that I recall,” Grace answered. “I don’t think I’ve ever met any of my father’s friends or their families. All social events are coordinated by Mother. Maybe she knows your father.”

  “Shush,” Alex said, then winked. “Let’s not talk about parents tonight, shall we? How about a walk. I have something special I’d like to show you.”

  “If you mean ditch my mother, I’m all in, even if it’s just to watch windmills turn.”

  “Not quite as exciting,” Alex said drolly, then kissed the side of her hair. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t have done that. Must be the champagne.”

  “I’d like to think at least a little bit of it was me.”

  “All of it was you. The alcohol removed the last little bit of inhibition. Come on, let’s split. If your mother tries to give you any flack, just tell her the host wanted you to mingle. Or to show you off, depending on how she feels about me.”

  Grace opened her mouth to continue the playful banter, then shut it again and silently considered what to say. She decided it was best to remain mysterious; to squeeze his arm playfully and remain mum. She’d let him lead. Anything was better than going back to Mother.

  Ah, smart woman. Not too gabby. She knows it’s better to be coy and mysterious than chatty and annoying. Alex looked around for the ever-present society photographers. Drat! The one time he wanted them in his face, they were taking a bathroom break. Or with the marijuana smokers.

  “Let’s walk this way,” Alex suggested, rerouting them to the garden house via the shrubbery maze where the pot party was.

  A hundred yards into their trek, Grace couldn’t help but ask, her nose twitching, “Are there skunks around here?”

  “Are you kidding? This is a high society party. There are dozens of skunks!” Alex laughed at his own joke, glad that she was chuckling, too. And then he saw them: two of the most ambitious paparazzi on the eastern seaboard. He looked over and caught Jimmy’s eye and winked. Got one for you. It’s okay to follow.

  Jimmy nudged his partner, causing the man to quickly drop the joint and step on it, hiding his evidence. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Good find. They’re going to eat this one up,” he whispered. “She’s a hottie. Young, too. Do you know who she is?”

  “Not a clue,” Jimmy answered. “I’ll let Jaylene figure that one out. She knows everyone and their kids. Let’s just hope for his sake that’s she’s legal. Looks like he’s taking her up to the garden house.”

  “Yup,” the assistant whispered. “The infamous house of deflowering.”

  Jimmy glared at him and he rephrased the comment. “Okay, so most of the gals who go up there aren’t innocent, but quite a few petals have been pushed and poked within those four walls.”

  “Yeah,” Jimmy chuckled, “what I wouldn’t give to have a spy camera in there. We’d never have to chase society snobs and actors again.”

  Jimmy started following the couple, knowing his backup cameraman was running ahead, snapping photos of their approach to the hideaway. And if I can sneak in after their tryst, odds are that there’s already a hidden video camera. All I have to do is snag the tape. I don’t even have to sell it to the highest bidder. I’ll just let it be known that I have it and get a monthly blackmail check from the family!

  “And here’s one of the most beautiful gardens on the eastern seaboard,” Alex said, opening the gate of the white picket fence.

  “How beautiful!” Grace said. “Is this where you stay or is this just for special occasions?” she asked, winking at him.

  Alex moved closer, changing the atmosphere of their casual friendship with his nearness, their skin-to-skin contact hopefully leading them into the lover zone. “I think you still have a little champagne in your system,” he cooed into her hair, nuzzling her ear, making sure there wasn’t a tree or building in the way of the photographer’s lens.

  “Very little,” Grace said softly and turned to look at him in the soft light afforded by the garden’s floodlamp. “And I think I could get used to the taste. Do you happen to have more inside?”

  “Ooh, I like that,” Alex said. He gently touched her elbow again, leading her to the front porch. He pushed in the access code and opened the door. Looking back into nothingness, he shook his head briefly, letting Jimmy know the photoshoot was over. The rest of the evening was just for him and his latest lady love.

  “Are you ready for what waits inside?” he asked.

  Grace’s fake smile fell as fear covered her in a nervous sweat. It hadn’t been too bad – the teasing had actually been kind of fun – but now it was pay-up time. Could she be intimate with someone other than Dusty? Her blank features darkened as she considered her options. Or her single optio
n. It was either spread her legs for the handsome and charming man or go home with Mother. Try to find as many likable aspects of the billionaire’s son or listen to her abusive parent chastise her for being a failure. Or worse: feel her mother’s blows. Yes, bring on the liquor. Hopefully, it would make it all tolerable. At least Mother wasn’t trying to hook her up with some ancient rich widower.

  ***

  “Are you sure she knew where I was?” Grace asked, pulling the sheets up over the bottom of her face to contain her morning breath.

  “Positive,” Alex said. “I texted Silas and asked him to tell your mother that you and I had made plans for the rest of the evening.”

  “What kind of plans did you say?”

  “I didn’t. I left that up to him. He’s pretty creative. He reads people well. He’d be able to tell if she needed to hear that I was flying you up to New York City to watch the opening of a highly acclaimed off-Broadway show or take you out for a midnight sail. Or anything else.”

  “So, this is a usual party night for you? Find a sweet young thing and have your way with her?”

  “No,” Alex said, then chuckled. “Now, come on. We’re both adults. Or at least you did tell me you were eighteen. That means that legally you’re an adult, even if you don’t have a lot of life experience under your belt.” He looked over at her clothes laid over the chair beside the bed. “Or lack of belt. No, most of the women who come up here are older and more experienced. I try to stay away from anyone who is marriageable if that even is a word.”

  “I believe it is,” Grace said dryly, remembering that she still had to bed at least one more of the brothers. “Does that mean the women you usually ‘entertain’ are already married?”