Page 4 of Blade's Return
“I hear he’s slumming with the newly elected county judge,” my boss—being the mayor—jokes back.
William—the county judge—laughs as he’s intended to, before turning his attention back to me. “Hey, Olivia, you’re looking gorgeous as ever.”
“Thanks, William,” I laugh. “I’ll leave you two alone to discuss business. I’m just going to make sure everything is ready in the conference room.”
With a muttered goodbye, I walk in that direction, only to be waylaid by the county commissioner. I resist the urge to bang my head with my palm. What is with my luck tonight?
“Olivia, you’re looking beautiful tonight,” Marty says. He’s almost as bad as my boss. The only thing that gives him a slight edge at being a better human being is that other than staring at my tits, he leaves me alone.
“Thank you, Marty. You’re looking pretty dapper yourself. Wasn’t Ella able to join you tonight?” I ask sweetly. I know already that he won’t bring Ella anywhere that he is close by Josie—the circuit clerk here. She’s married to a good man, who is a deputy on the police force. It doesn’t stop her from spreading her legs to other men—one being Marty.
“She’s not much for crowds,” he says, and I want to roll my eyes. I want to explain that Ella doesn’t like crowds who are talking about how much her husband is cheating on her. I have to bite my tongue. I seem to have to do that a lot.
“Miss Davis, I was wondering if I might bother you for a second.”
I turn behind me to see the man that came with Bear. “Of course, Mr. Aetos. What can I do for you?”
“Mr. Aetos?” Marty interrupts. “Are you the attorney representing the Cherokee delegation tonight?”
“I am,” Blade answers, instantly assessing the other man. Maybe it’s my imagination but I get the feeling that he finds Marty as lacking as I do. Something about that makes me happy.
“I hear you were a partner in a prestigious law firm in New York,” Marty replies. “What made you give that up to come here and represent people who can’t even afford to pay you a quarter of what you used to make?”
“I’m sorry, Mr.—”
“Oh, Mr. Aetos, this is the City Commissioner, Marty Stephenson.”
Blade gives me a smile before turning his attention back to the commissioner. “Mr. Stephenson,” he says, shaking the man’s hand. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”
“I bet you have. Did that asshole Bear tell you how he was treating the people here that could help him?”
“Marty!” I gasp, wanting to wade in to try and diffuse the situation that could have very bad repercussions.
“It’s fine, little one, why don’t you go see if uh … Mr. Golden needs anything in the conference room while I speak to Mr. Stephenson?” Blade suggests.
“Mr. Golden?” I ask, confused.
“He’s talking about that damn gang leader. His Cherokee name is supposedly Golden Bear,” Marty replies, his voice thick with disgust.
“Marty, seriously. I’d like to remind you that tonight is about coming together to help this community bring in money that we desperately need. Bear and Mr. Aetos have a very comprehensive plan to fund housing, education, and bring jobs for individuals here who are living below the poverty line. I would think as the city commissioner that you’d do everything in your power to help those who elected you.”
Marty snorts, taking another drink of his scotch, which he’s probably already had too much of. “What I think is the Cherokee?—”
“Make up the majority of your voting pool, I would imagine,” I snap. “Blade, may I show you where the meeting is to be held?”
“Why thank you, Miss Davis. I would appreciate that very much. I’m sure you and I will have more to say to one another later, Mr. Stephenson.”
“I’m sure we will,” he grumbles.
“Perhaps you can even introduce me to your wife. I was going to introduce myself earlier, but you two looked to be enjoying a private moment—though maybe not so private since several of us saw you. It must be wonderful to be so in love even after marriage. It’s a dream we all have, I’m sure.”
“Uh …,” Marty stutters.
“I’ll show you where the conference room is,” Olivia says quickly, all but pulling me away. “Oh, God, Mr. Aetos,” she says, sounding a delicious mix of worried and amused.
“Blade,” I correct her, not liking that she used my surname—and it’s not even because I hate the name in general.
“Blade,” she murmurs, looking up at me and blushing. “I feel I should warn you that Marty’s wife isn’t here tonight.”
