Page 94 of Charmed Forces

Lily appeared by my side. “Hey,” she said to me, then loudly for everyone to hear, “Aren’t they so brave? Let’s give these courageous gentlemen a round of applause for saving us all.” She clapped wildly, nudging everyone near us, and encouraging everyone else to clap. Then a few cheers of “well done!” and “bravo!” sounded, signaling the fire was out. Smoke drifted into the sky and the impromptu firefighters took a bow before the party atmosphere returned. Everyone began talking about that grand moment of excitement and was more than eager to relate what they’d seen.

I noticed Angelica gesticulating wildly at Tom Victor as he nodded along, placating her, his hands stroking her upper arms before he spoke calmly. Then he kissed her cheek, walking towards us, and stopping at Louise. “Don’t let this mishap spoil your fun,” he told her, and she started to apologize. “No harm done, dear. It’ll all be fixed like new in a day or two and the gardener will replant everything.”

He caught my eye and nodded to me. “Enjoy your time with your friends and your future husband,” he said as I returned the gesture before turning back to Lily. “We can go soon,” I said to her softly. “We’ll make an excuse and...”

“Have we met?” asked Tom Victor, appearing by my side. “You’re one of Louise’s friends?”

“We both are,” said Lily, hooking her arm through mine. “Beautiful house. It’s a pleasure to celebrate such a momentous occasion here.”

“I hope you’ll have another glass of champagne,” he said, signaling to a waiter to circulate. “I don’t like to see my guests empty-handed. I didn’t catch your names?”

“Lily and Lexi,” said Lily.

“Are you sure we haven’t met?” he said, looking directly at me.

“Briefly. At the salon,” I said.

“Of course. Excuse me, ladies.” He stepped away without another word, moving through the crowd, exercising damage control.

“Was it my imagination or was he sizing you up?” asked Lily with a shudder.

“Let’s slip away now,” I said but before we could even try to leave, Angelica had pressed glasses into our hands and started complaining about the mess in the garden. She remarked how pleased she was that the photos were already done before it happened, and weren’t the men so wonderful? She hoped the party would continue late into the evening.

“My husband is picking us up soon,” I said.

“So early? He should come inside,” she said.

“He’s a grouch,” said Lily. “You don’t want him to ruin all the fun at this party.”

I held back a laugh, knowing Solomon and Delgado were listening to every word.

Angelica gave a knowing nod. “Is he ugly?” she asked.

“Repulsive,” said Lily.

“Then I hope he’s rich,” she said, air-kissing us. “I’ll call you soon. Let’s do lunch. The four of us will have a great time. My treat!”

The town car was idling at the curb by the time we made it to the sidewalk. “I hate that I like her,” said Lily. “She’s so bubbly and fun and generous.”

“And dating a mobster,” I reminded her.

“We all have our blind spots,” she said.

“Most of them won’t actually blind us if we cross them,” I countered. I opened the door and Lily slid in and I followed.

“Creative,” said Solomon.

“Thank you,” said Lily.

“What exactly did you do?” I wondered.

“I stuck a branch in the firepit, then I threw it onto the grass by the fence, and waited for the grass and fence to catch fire before tossing alcohol all over it. It went ‘whoomph!’,” said Lily, casting her hands upwards. “It was so exciting!”

“Said the future arsonist,” said Delgado.

“Actual arsonist,” I pointed out. “It gave me just long enough to snoop. Tom Victor came into his office and I had to hide behind the drape.”

“We figured,” said Solomon. “We were poised to enter.”

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