Page 92 of Pride
The string quartet and press had arrived twenty minutes ago. As far as the public believed, Parker was retiring because he wanted to travel with his brother, Tony. Everyone knew they liked to chase adrenaline seeking adventure together, so it wasn’t a far stretch to believe the corporate life bored him. Unless you really knew him. Any Syndicate leaders arriving, and of course the blackmailer, would be expecting a different reason for tonight’s events. His big announcement would happen about two hours after the party had started. That left them two hours to mingle and gather biometrics.
Tightening the knot on his tie, he gave his reflection a nod. His bionic hand worked perfectly. The Windsor knot was flawless. His stylish suit was impeccable, and the purple rose corsage matched the one he would pin to Alice’s breast. There would be no doubt in anyone’s mind that she was with him.
He found her exactly where he’d suspected, the large walk-in closet, sitting down on the chaise. Behind her was a long display cabinet that housed his ties, watches, and now her jewelry—none of it she’d touched. Beyond that was the gauzy curtain covering the window separating them from guests. Since Lazarus House wasn’t the highest building in the neighborhood, every single penthouse window was mirror tinted for privacy. The light was dim in here, they could see out, but none could see in.
In only her underwear, Alice looked down as she stroked the short sword on her lap. But there were no holsters strapped to her skin, just two garters holding her pantyhose.
Her tightly coiled chignon contrasted with the weapon in her lap and the seductive silk lingerie. She was a queen, a beauty, but a deadly one. Respect and admiration poured through him. This woman was a chameleon for everyone else. To him, she was simply Alice. His mate.
He unzipped the dress bag and his breath hitched. Inside was a floor-length gown made from sparkling diamonds. The dress was worth more than the gross domestic product of a small country. He’d wanted her to know she was worth more than any of this, and that he’d never put her in jeopardy. But she wasn’t impressed. She’d not even noticed him unzipping the dress bag.
“Alice,” he said.
Someone laughed boisterously outside, drawing his brief attention. Shadows moved outside the window.
“I know,” she replied without looking up, her gaze locked on her reflection in her sword. “We need to get out there. First impressions are everything.”
“Look at me.”
She didn’t. Her shoulders hunched and for a moment, he thought it was the dress.Too much.Would it show her back and the scars? No, he’d told the designer exactly what he’d expected, and it was perfect.
He kneeled and palmed her thighs. She tried to lift him up.
“You’ll wrinkle your suit,” she said.
“What is it?” he asked, searching her face.
Her expression shut down. So this was about him.
“You need to trust me, Alice.” He pushed her knees apart and moved closer.
“Of course I do.”
“But…”
“But why won’t you tell me what you have planned, because I know you’re not really planning on handing over your company.”
He grinned. “If I tell you, you’ll find a way to dissuade me.”
“Now I’m really concerned.”
“Alice,” he chided. “This is something I need to do on my own. That’s all. Please.”
He was pushing the limits of their new relationship, but the more people that knew about his plan, the more variables he had to be mindful of, and the more ways it could all burn to the ground if he wasn’t careful.
“There’s more, isn’t there?” he asked. “What is it?”
“I guess I’m questioning everything about myself.”
“Did you have a chance to speak with Flint?”
She shook her head. “I’ve been avoiding him. Keeping busy with prep for this event. But it’s not him. It’s me.”
“You’re perfect.”
“You’re just saying that because I’m your mate.”
“You think I’d lie?”
