Jeanne Adams - Dark and Deadly

Her expression must have been shocked because a grinning Paul shifted forward to tap her lower jaw, pat it back up into place. “Really. C’mon.”

“Where?”

“Pack up, I’m taking you to lunch. We’ll start our celebrating early.”

Chapter Twenty

“Good evening, my dear.” Mr. Pratt greeted her in the lobby later that night with a satisfied smile and a single rose. “Beauty needs no adornment, but I thought you might enjoy this.”

“You are delightful, Mister Pratt.”

“Call me Pratt, my dear. My late wife was fond of that, and I find I like it.”

“Well, then, Pratt, shall we?”

“With pleasure.” He offered his arm, and they strolled out to the limousine parked under the portico of the hotel. Torie tensed slightly, scanning the parking area and the street. “Something wrong, my dear?”

“A little nervous, I guess, about the bodyguards.”

He patted her hand where it lay on his arm. “Not to worry, they’re there. No worries, either, about the group. They don’t bite. Quite the contrary, in fact. They’re a remarkably friendly crew for lawyers.”

“For lawyers, yes. I guess I don’t want anyone to feel that there’s an outsider in their midst.”

“Nonsense. Here we are,” he said, holding the door. She slid into the limo to find a small table holding hors d’oeuvres and champagne. She also found a smiling Paul Jameson.

“Hello, Torie.”

She couldn’t help it. Her heart began to race.

“There now, my dear,” Pratt said as he settled into the seat. “Have a canapé. We’ll ask Paul to pop that cork so we can have a little private celebration. I quite surprised our Paul by inviting you to be my guest, you know.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“He’s a stubborn lad, our Paul,” Pratt said, smiling fondly at Paul. “I’ve told him that life is short. He listens politely, then does what he wants, much like any young man.”

There was a muffled pop and Paul directed the frothing bubbly into flutes clipped into the small table.

They each took a glass and raised them.

“To friendships long and dear. To life, and new beginnings.” Pratt raised his glass and drank, and she and Paul did the same.

“So, Torie dear, are you going to let us represent you and harass your employers?”

He said it with such jovial good humor that she almost agreed before she realized what he was saying. “I’m not sure, Pratt. I’m considering…” she hesitated, but Paul gave a subtle nod. “I’m considering going out on my own. I’ve built a reputation and have been asked several times if I would consider jobs outside the office.” Once she got started, it all came out in a rush.

“Well, not to push our business on you, but we’re here to help with that as well. Still,” he mused, “you ought to at least let us get you emotional damages from the bastards.”

Paul laughed. “Sounds good. Don’t worry, Torie. I won’t let them get too mean with it, but you deserve something for all they’ve put you through. They haven’t called you to come back yet, have they?”

“No.”

“There we go,” Pratt said. “That’s settled then. Paul tells me you’ll be in on Monday. We’ll talk about it then. For now, it’s an evening to put work aside and have a little fun. Will you let me steal her for one waltz, Paul?” The older man was enjoying himself playing the matchmaker, Torie could tell.

“Of course, sir.”

“No sirring tonight, Paul. I’m just Pratt. So, have some more champagne. Now Torie, tell me about your plans.”

Their enthusiastic interest buoyed Torie’s ideas for her business so much that she was nearly giddy by the time they arrived at the exclusive mansion near Fairmont Park. The limo let them out at the door, and Torie entered on Pratt’s arm with Paul coming in behind them. Most of the invited staff were already there, sipping cocktails and holding full plates of hors d’oeuvres. When Pratt and Torie rounded the corner, the volume of conversation dropped, but picked back up again.

“Paul!” Several people hailed him, one dubbing him the man of the hour.

“Thanks for the excuse to have a party on the old man,” another partner said as he slapped him on the back and shook hands with Torie. She never got his name. She, Pratt, and Paul made the rounds, and when the chimes sounded for dinner, the two men escorted her to her seat, flanking her at the table.

“This is lovely, Pratt. I feel like a princess.”

“You look like one, too, dear.”

Melvin Jr. and his date, an attractive dark-haired woman, sat down. “Hello, Father. I believe you remember Sylvia.”

“Yes, good evening.” Pratt’s welcome was less than warm, but he was courteous. Introductions around the table got to Torie, and Sylvia’s eyebrows arched nearly to her hairline.

“Ah, you have been in the papers of late.”

Before Torie could speak, Pratt rose to her defense. “We won’t be discussing that tonight. We’re here to celebrate.”

“Of course.”

The meal progressed, and Torie found it hard to keep her mind on the conversation. Underneath the table, Paul had found the slit in her dress. He wasn’t doing anything that could be seen, merely running the tip of one finger up and down her leg as far as the fabric would allow.

She was about to die from wanting him.

When she thought she couldn’t take it anymore, Pratt stood up. At that signal, the soft music the band was playing died away, and a microphone was brought to their table.

“We’re here tonight to celebrate another fine partner at our firm,” Pratt began. He outlined some of Paul’s achievements, introduced him, and joked with him a bit. “Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us, everyone. Let’s clear that dance floor and enjoy, shall we?”

As if conjured by magic, staff appeared to clear several tables and reveal a wooden dance floor in the heart of the room, near the band. The band struck up a waltz and Pratt held out a hand to Torie.

“If I might have this dance?”

“Of course.”

Paul cut in as the music finished, and Pratt selected another partner as well. The music ramped up to a faster pace, but Paul kept their dance slow and sensual.

“Paul,” she whispered in his ear. “People are staring.”

“So?”

She laughed. “So, you have to work with these people.”

“Uh huh,” he said, but didn’t change the tempo one bit.

When the song ended and the band started on rock, he relented and led her back to the table.

Martha stopped them on the way there. As a longstanding employee, she had been invited as well.

“Hello, Martha,” Paul greeted her warmly.

“Good evening, Paul. Torie.”

So, it was still friendly, Torie decided with an inner smile. “Hello, Martha, you look lovely tonight.”

“Thank you. I wanted to tell you that I admire you.”

The words came as a total shock to Torie. “I beg your pardon.”

Martha’s smile was prim. “You’ve been dealt some difficult blows. I was not, I confess, a fan of yours. I cared very deeply for young Mister Todd, and I wasn’t as fair as I should have been about the situation between you.”

“Oh,” Torie squeaked out. What the hell was she supposed to say to that amazing statement?

“However, I believe you to be a woman of considerable courage. I want you to know I wish you the best.” With that grand pronouncement, Martha bid them a good night and moved off through the maze of tables.

“Did she just apologize?” Torie asked.

“Sounded like it to me,” Paul said with a smile, guiding her to the table.

“Your phone rang,” Melvin spoke up as they approached. “I had to catch your purse to keep it from falling off the chair. You must have it on vibrate.”