Page 7 of His Gamble

Then he brushes and powders and paints my lips and cheeks. At the end, he sprinkles the finest dusting of glitter into my air and on my face.

At last, they agree to let me see in the mirror as they mist exotic fragrance at me from all sides.

“Eyes front,” Florian says. “Chin up. You are going to knock their eyes out.”

Pearson takes a breath. “Sweetheart. Trust me. Wherever you go tonight, you’ll need the fire department.”

Chapter Four

Adam

Shifting my weight from foot to foot in the golden glitter of the cocktail lounge, I make small talk with shiny society ladies and stiff-shirts in tuxes. I’ve spoken with the governor to let him know that we will need a little time together. I hope she isn’t going to be too much longer.

I told the governor that we have to meet before midnight. That was where he started getting evasive and slippery, so I may have clued him to what’s coming in the dossier.

But it is what it is. He isn’t going to like any part of this, but he never was. The sooner I can show him his way out and exactly how and why he needs to step up and cut his ties to the mob, the better for all of us.

Politicians, business luminaries, and journalists mingle and brush shoulders with models, entertainers, and an ever-present seam of gangsters. Glamorous faces shine, teeth flash and gossip hums in every part of the mansion. Deep-carpeted hallways, the cocktail room, the ballroom are all thick with expensive scents and thronged by the local glitterati.

Most people here recognize me. Taking over the family corporation brought me more of a public profile that I would ever have wanted, and I’m still not comfortable with it.

“Still planning to go through with your mad scheme, Adam?”

Lucas is at my shoulder, facing away. He speaks low, under his breath.

I tell him, “I know what I’m doing,” also under my breath, not looking in his direction. “I appreciate the concern, but I’ve got this. Thanks, man.”

“There are a couple of us here, a few members of Pinnacle, in case you need us,” Lucas tells me.

“No worry,” I tell him. “I appreciate the thought.” I don’t need the help, but I’m glad of the comradeship. The Pinnacle don’t reach out very often.

“Well,” he says, “keep it in mind. Looks like the whole menagerie is out to play tonight.”

He’s right. As well as the politicians, fixers, and business people here, the Irish mob families are particularly well-represented. I saw the Felloni’s consigliere, senior members of the Gilligans, and the Rattigan family.

Colm Kinahan, the Irish prince of darkness himself, the casino boss I’m about to oust, arrived a short while after I did.

Behind me, I hear a bustle and buzz from the doorway. The ripple in the crowd must mean a major celebrity arriving. A movie star, or some other kind of an A-lister.

“Well.” I hear Lucas take a breath. Finally, I turn. The woman in the doorway must be a megastar. She is fabulous. A red dress, like a waterfall of sin sculpted in silk, drapes over the most fantastic curves. My eyes are lured up to the light in her face. Damn! It’s Indi.

My heart hammers so hard I can hear it pulse. It probably shows through the front of my tux.

She swings and sways, almost swaggering as she walks. Stalking like she owns the room. And almost every eye peers over a glass to watch her shoulders, the creamy tops of her breasts.

She walks straight up to me and puts a hand on my forearm.

I put my hand on hers. “Good evening, Indi. I’m so glad you could come.”

“Why, Adam,” she tells me, “it’s a pleasure to be here.”

I can’t deny the thrill I get from the jealous eyes of every man in the crowd. Though I don’t want to admit the even bigger thrill that I get just being near to her.

I lean closer to talk confidentially.

“I need to get a look over the document, but let me get you a cocktail first.”

“Thank you. I would love a margarita.”

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