Page 30 of Sloth
“Why?” Sloan frowned.
“So we can stay on top of things,” he replied.
“So you can micromanage, you mean.”
“Don’t take it personally, Sloan. Just activate your mic.”
“Whatever.” She pushed her finger behind the strap of her dress and pressed. After giving Parker a stare, she exited the suites.
Max went to follow, but as he got to the door, an arm blocked his way. Jerking to a halt, he turned to find Tony’s scowling face, inches from his.
Max frowned at him.
“I know I said she’ll come around, and I don’t know what happened between you two, but you two need to sort it out.”
“Got it.”
“I don’t think you do, but I have an idea on how to fix that.”
“Oh?”
“Just wait for the opportunity.”
Now Max was getting suspicious. “You playing match maker, Tones?”
“If I was playing matchmaker, I’d say something like, break her heart again, and I’ll break you.” A few seconds of charged silence passed between them and then Tony’s lips split into an impish grin. “Just kidding.” He deadpanned again. “But, seriously.”
“I get it.”
“Good man.” Tony pushed through to the hallway, taking his champagne bottle with him despite Parker’s scowl. “Now, let’s have some fun.”
Max turned to Parker and almost wished he hadn’t. He’d caught every word of the exchange. The wilderness stared out of Parker’s eyes, promising many dangerous and violent things without words.
Max nodded and stepped into the hallway, following the first two down to the elevator. Message received, loud and clear.Don’t fuck it up this time.
* * *
The gala was wellunderway when Max walked into the ballroom behind Sloan. Music from a string quartet softly rolled over him as he surveyed the room and checked for exits. For an environmentally conscious charity, the wastage was obscene. Plastic plants hung from chandeliers. Fake pink flowers frothed at the center of tables. Sparkling butterflies dangled from fishing line. There was a bar to one side, a big screen and stage at the front of the room, and a few hundred people gliding about, laughing, drinking and eating their fill.
Tony blanched. The corners of his mouth went white. For a moment, Max thought Tony would hurl, but the man snatched a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one gulp. Parker shot him judgmental eyes, then immediately replaced his exasperation with fake excitement. He clapped his brother on the shoulder and shouted for another waiter. Of course, upon catching the celebrity faces of one of the country’s richest men, and his movie star brother, nearby heads swiveled their way.
Operation Distraction was a go.
Max sidled up to Sloan and leaned close. “How you want to do this? You do east, and I do west?”
“No need,” she said, eyes shrewdly locked in one direction. “I know where he is.”
Really? So soon?
She nodded toward the bar. Max followed her gaze. When gaps in the crowd parted, he spotted where Barry sat looking morose, nursing a glass of Scotch.
“How did you know?” he asked.
She took his elbow and drew him to the side, out of the path of commotion her brothers caused, and near a wall where bored husbands and delinquent teenagers sat.
“Remember when I felt that negligence at the clothing store?” she whispered.
“Before the… uh… dog thing?”
