Episode 13
EPISODE 13
A MISTY ROAD
River
Normally, I’d have stayed on the dance floor and enjoyed the show. Sebastian’s eyes are glued to all the boobs. I admit they’re spectacular, but at the moment, my mind is on something far more important.
“Seb,” I say.
He ignores me.
“Seb!” I give him a punch.
“The fuck, Riv?” He rubs his arm.
“We need to talk. Now.”
“What I need right now is to decide who has the perfect pair of tits.” He glances two tables over where Rachel and Ginger sit, their dresses still in place. “How do we get those two to join in?”
I’d love to see Rachel’s tits myself, but not like this.
Okay, maybe like this…but at another time.
“I can’t dance worth a shit, but I’m going out there.” Seb rises. “Why should Brett have all the fun?”
I pull him back down in his chair with a harsh yank on his arm. “No. We need to talk. As soon as Brett gets off the damned dance floor?—”
“You think he’s going anywhere? He’s got the two hottest women here in his arms. And I’m going to take one away from him. Emily should be dancing with me.”
“Not now,” I say through clenched teeth. “This is important.”
“What the hell is more important than the reason why we’re here? To get to know these women? See if there’s anything there?”
“I’ll tell you what’s more important. The reason why we’re here.”
“Isn’t that just what I said?” He shakes his head. “How much have you had to drink, Riv?”
I didn’t want to mention this until we were all together, but I have no choice. Only one thing will get Seb to stop staring at boobies. “Misty knows something.”
Yup. That got him.
He meets my gaze with wide-open eyes. “ What ?”
“She said she knows all my secrets.”
“Fuck. Okay. Give me the context.”
“I was sitting with her and June, and I asked them both to tell me something that wasn’t in their bios. And that’s what she told me. That she knows all my secrets.”
Seb rubs his hand over his forehead. “Fuck.”
“Right?”
“What did you do?”
“I panicked inside, but I think I kept a calm exterior. I couldn’t ask her what she meant because June was there. So I just flirted a little?—”
“You’re a shitty flirt, Riv.”
“You’re telling me, but I did my best. Anyway, a few minutes later, Emily started dancing topless, and not to be outdone, Misty and June dragged me to the floor and bared all.”
“So you don’t know what she meant.”
“I don’t. But I’m thinking the four of us need to approach her together. Find out what she knows.”
“That’d be optimal,” he agrees, “but how? Alex is AWOL. Besides, the four of us together might seem threatening. Or she’ll think we want a gang bang.”
“My God, your mind is always in the gutter. That’s a good point, though. We don’t want to seem threatening.”
“Seriously, what could she know? We’ve kept everything under wraps for twenty damned years. Misty runs in celebrity circles, but so do I, and not one paparazzo’s managed to dig up anything. We didn’t leave any stone unturned, Riv. We’re good.”
“I thought we were too, but this woman has almost as much money as we do, which begs a question. What does she stand to gain by being here?”
“A rich husband?”
“She doesn’t need a rich husband.” I shake my head, wishing I had another drink.
“Maybe she’s secretly in love with one of us.”
“If that were the case, why come here and compete? She’s got access to men like us. If she wanted one of us, she could have made her interest known before now.”
“I don’t know,” Sebastian admits. “Damn. Just when I was ready to jump on that dance floor and look like an idiot.”
I nod to Evangeline, who’s standing near the doors to the mansion. “She may know something about why Misty’s here.”
Sebastian glances toward our matchmaker. “She looks like she’s about blow her stack.”
“Yeah. This topless dance session seems to have her on edge. I’m not sure why, since the whole clothing-optional excursion tomorrow was her idea. But now may not be the best time to approach her.”
“Are you kidding? It’s the perfect time. Enter Seb. I can calm the most turbulent waters.” He stands.
“Man, you do think highly of yourself,” I mutter as I follow him toward Evangeline.
Our matchmaker smiles as we approach, her painted black eyebrows arching. “Gentlemen.”
“You look like you could use a beverage,” Seb says in his raspy low voice that I’ve seen make women swoon.
“God, no.” Evangeline shakes her head, her straight black hair hardly moving. “I’ve got to be up early tomorrow to see to our boat ride. Why aren’t you gentlemen on the dance floor? I can’t believe you’re not interested in that…needless display.”
“Oh, we’re interested,” Seb replies. “But Riv and I need some information on one of the young ladies.”
“Which one? I gave you detailed biographies, and you’re certainly welcome to ask any of them anything.”
“Misty Holmes,” I say. “She’s a hotel heiress. Why exactly is she here?”
Evangeline looks down—only for a split second, but I notice. “She’s beautiful, intelligent, and available. I wanted to give the four of you a pool of women from all walks of life. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” She raises an eyebrow.
I look toward the dance floor. Emily and Ariel still have Brett’s rapt attention. Heather and June are dancing close to them, but Misty…
Misty is swaying her hips gently…and looking straight at the three of us, a sly smile on her pretty face.
“Good enough,” Seb says. “Thanks, Evangeline. Come on, Riv.”
Seriously? He’s satisfied with that response? I follow him back to the table and sit down.
Sebastian’s gaze seems focused on Misty. “She’s lying.”
“Who? Evangeline? Or Misty?”
“Evangeline.”
Anger curls at the back of my neck. “ Lying to us? After what we’re paying her for this?”
“Yeah.”
I narrow my eyes. “How can you tell?”
“She looked down for a minute.”
“Yeah, I caught that. But it could mean anything. It’s getting late. She’s tired.”
“True, but she also got defensive.”
I raise my eyebrows. “She did?”
“Yeah, when she said, ‘that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?’ She volleyed back to us when all we were asking was why she chose Misty. Misty is independently wealthy and has no need of our money. We weren’t accusing Evangeline of anything. It was a valid inquiry. So why would she justify her actions by shoving it back in our faces? Why not just leave it with her initial response, which was acceptable?”
I look toward Evangeline, who’s still standing by the doors, her gaze on the dance floor.
“Trust me,” Seb continues. “As a performer, you learn how to interpret not just the words but also the facial expressions and body language of your audience, of your fans, of your agents and attorneys. Of everyone. Without that skill, you’ll get eaten alive in my business. I’ve been reading people for the last ten years.”
I focus my attention on Misty Holmes and the short pink number that clings to her hips as she gyrates. She’s blond with light-blue eyes and full red lips…and a damned worthy rack. She also has a wallet that could do significant damage to the four of us if she really does know something.
“It’s not possible,” I insist, trying to convince myself more than Seb.
“She may have just been trying to bait you,” he offers, sounding a hell of a lot less concerned than I feel.
Probably.
But I can’t escape the chill of her words. I know all your secrets.
“One way to find out.” Seb rises. “Come on.”
I follow him onto the dance floor. Sebastian gives Brett a menacing look but saunters toward Misty and pulls her into his body.
I don’t have to wait long because June and Heather swarm at me like vultures. I move to the music with them, and when the song is over, a new one doesn’t begin.
“That’s the end of my time, ladies and gentlemen,” the deejay says. “I’ve enjoyed the party. Now don’t get into too much mischief the rest of your night.”
We all applaud him as he and a few staffers clear away his equipment.
Emily and Ariel are still flanking Brett, though Emily is treating Seb to a major “fuck you” look. Seb is still holding Misty, and both June and Heather are smiling at me and undoubtedly waiting for me to invite them somewhere.
I look out into the courtyard. Rachel and Ginger have disappeared.
And Alex and Sienna are still gone.
With no more music and the chatting dying down, the night seems suddenly ominous.
Seb appears to be whispering in Misty’s ear while a giant grin splits her face. He hangs his arm over her shoulder and they walk toward me.
“Come with us, Riv,” Seb says, giving Misty a wink.
Say what? I might be up for a threesome with two of the women, but with Seb? No thank you.
But by the jealous gaze Sebastian is giving Brett and Emily, I’m pretty sure a threesome with Misty isn’t what he’s after.