Chapter Three #2
Cheating her frame away from Elis and the other man, Alex focused on Roy. He, too, wore a plain gold band on his left-hand ring finger. “Is your wife with you tonight, Roy?”
The question made the other men stiffen.
“No,” Roy said swiftly. “She, ah ... she doesn’t care to attend this particular event.”
Alex wanted to ask why but didn’t.
“Perhaps your wife and I can get acquainted the next time,” Alex suggested. Knowing in her circle, there was always a next time.
“She would like that,” Roy said.
“I promise to remember your name when we see each other again, Roy. If you’ll excuse me.”
Alex made brief eye contact with Elis and stepped away from the trio.
“ ... she doesn’t care to attend this particular event. ”
What was so special about this event ?
These mixers were a staple in Alex’s new world. The one with multimillion-dollar portfolios and businesses that spanned several countries. Husbands and wives both attended, often offering an early out for the other should the event prove to be a waste of time and energy.
Alex fumbled with the strap on her clutch to wrap it around her wrist before she relieved the passing waiter of a glass of wine from his tray.
If the evening and this event were filled with men like Elis, she’d need a little something to get through the night.
She took a sip and once again skimmed the attendees.
Men.
The place was absolutely overfilled with suits and not evening gowns.
There was a woman on her right, young ... a bit too bubbly and almost hanging on the arm of the man she was with. There had to be at least a twenty-year age difference between the two of them.
With the distinct lack of women in the room, the ones that were there stuck out like children running around wheelchairs in an old folks’ home.
A blonde wearing a low-cut red mermaid dress stood beside a man who could be her grandfather.
Alex’s gaze moved back to the couple closer to her.
The man wore a wedding ring.
His companion did not.
“ . . . this particular event. ”
The light in Alex’s head turned on.
This was the cocktail party that men took their mistresses to.
No wonder no one was going out of their way to make eye contact with her.
Another sip of wine, and Alex placed the still-filled glass on a tray of a passing server and made a straight line to the hosts.
She needed to make an introduction and get out of there. There was no way in hell she’d be able to look a man’s wife in the eye if she knew he was stepping out.
And since a few faces were starting to look familiar ... faces that avoided her ... Alex knew the men were thinking the same thing.
Alex was not welcome. And she’d bet ten grand that Floyd knew exactly what kind of party this was. And she’d up that bet by another ten that there wasn’t an invitation in her inbox ... buried or not. And Floyd knew that.
She’d have Dee do a dive into Chase’s inbox first thing Monday.
With Alex simply moving close to the circle of men surrounding the Bakshais, their conversations faded.
Ashraf Bakshai met her eyes directly. His eyes started to travel down her body, in a way a man would at a nightclub.
Alex quickly extended her hand and made a hasty introduction. “Mr. Bakshai. I’m Alexandrea Stone. I believe you and your son were acquainted with my late father, Aaron.”
That kept the man’s gaze north of her chest.
Ashraf clasped his hand in hers and doubled it with his other hand. His grasp was a little too warm and held on way too long. “Yes ... Aaron. I was sorry to hear of his passing. I wasn’t able to attend his funeral, I’m afraid.”
“It was rather unavoidable for me.”
Ashraf released her hand with a final squeeze and lifted a corner of his mouth. “My condolences.”
“Thank you,” she told him. She was somewhat thankful he didn’t wax on about what a good man her father had been.
A young woman started to move close to Ashraf’s side.
The younger Bakshai made a gesture with his hand, halting the woman, while a larger man stepped forward and escorted her away.
At that point, Alex looked around and noticed at least one man watching them with an earpiece connected to a wire that disappeared into his suit.
They have bodyguards?
“Would you like a drink, Miss Stone?” A snap of his fingers, and a waiter turned toward them.
“No, thank you. I can’t stay long, I’m afraid. I have another event I committed to before I received your invitation,” she lied without pause. “Although I wanted to, at the very minimum, make an introduction.”
“I’m glad that you did,” Ashraf said in a tone that she actually believed.
“I admit that I did a little research and couldn’t find any business relationship between Stone Enterprises and the Bakshai name. Were you and my father strictly friends?” Alex played dumb, ignoring what Floyd had told her about their relationship.
“I believe Aaron and I were always open to doing business with each other, should the occasion present itself.” While Ashraf spoke, his son stood with silent, rapt attention.
“Good to know. I’d hate to be kept unaware of a venture between both our companies.”
“No. You are correct. We have signed no contracts.” Which didn’t necessarily mean they didn’t do business with each other.
The son stepped forward. “We were informed that your brother and you were taking over for your father. Is your brother here?”
Alex made a point to glance at the others standing around, listening to their conversation. “Chase is with his lovely new wife and their first child. I’m sure you remember those early days. I’ve taken on the evening events for now ... at least until Chase manages a full night’s sleep.”
Ashraf smiled.
Alex hoped that her words sent the message that Chase wouldn’t be attending the mistress event.
Not now.
Not ever.
“He is available at the office. I hope you’ll feel just as welcome to reach out to him as well as me if that business occasion ever arises.”
Nasser opened his mouth to speak.
His father cut him off.
“Are you sure we can’t convince you to stay longer?” Ashraf asked.
Alex couldn’t tell if that was her cue to leave or if the man was sincere.
It didn’t matter. She wanted—no, needed—to get out of there.
The bodybuilder in a suit that had escorted the other woman away was back, his eyes kept flickering to hers.
Then it happened.
A familiar face caught her attention.
The CFO of Regent Hotels stood beside a woman who was not his wife.
Their eyes met.
Chester Sherman took a step away from the woman at his side, his smile fell.
Dammit. Alex liked Chester’s wife.
“I really should go,” Alex said slowly, turning her attention back to her host.