Adduné - the Vampire's Game (38 page)

Miranda’s brown eyes were a private insecurity. She’d never shared it with anyone. At first, she’d thought it was obvious, but no one else ever seemed to notice. In fact, the reverse was true. Everyone seemed to comment and compliment her on her beautiful, expressive brown eyes. It never convinced her of anything as she still harbored a hatred for their color – as if they had ruined her chance at happiness on purpose. She knew that if her eyes had only been her mother’s color, she would have been startling beautiful instead of just alright. The color change would have upgraded a pretty girl into a knockout. The question was how he had known, but then perhaps he didn’t know anything. Maybe he only saw what was there. Maybe he’d only stated the obvious.

Miranda’s face was burning hot. She threw her almost full champagne glass into the trash and wet a paper towel with cold water. She used it as a compress, patting it against her forehead and cheeks. She dabbed at the twin trails her tears created – reapplying her powder just in time. A woman entered followed closely by three more. She gave a cursory smile and touched-up her mascara before leaving. She wasn’t going to turn this affair into a pity party. She’d been insulted before. It wasn’t going to get any better hiding. She harnessed her resolve. She needed it to face the world head-on – and with her brown eyes.

She smoothed her dress down over her flat stomach and tweaked it so the seaming fitted in at her waistline. She left her hideaway for the big, bad world. She was handling things a bit better and was in a reasonable position to finish out the night in style. She would just avoid the wet-blanket detractor like the plague. Yes, he had looks, and he obviously felt those alone justified him judging others shortcomings, but looks were not everything. It really was a person’s insides that made them what they were, and there must be a whole lot of ugly going on inside of him.

She found Jake easily. He was involved in a conversation with an elderly couple that he had introduced her to earlier. What was their name? The Jacobis. She was doing better. She had remembered that bit of trivia. It was a better trick than pulling a rabbit out of a hat since she’d met so many people this evening. Actually, now that she thought about it, one too many.

She eased next to Jake. Without missing a beat, he squeezed her hand - giving her a tactile welcome back. The Jacobis’ faces were pinned upon Jake. He was holding them in rapt attention. He had a gift of gab – no doubt. It was how he brought money into this institution and why he’d been appointed director.

She had come in on the tail end of a discussion. Within another minute, the couple took their leave. Miranda slid her arm under Jake’s. Jake could now devote his full attention to his ravishing Miranda. He grabbed her arms and planted a quick kiss on her forehead.

”
There you are! I wondered where you had …”

The sentence was abandoned in midstream. Jake cradled Miranda’s hands and stared into her face.

“
Baby, you okay? You look kind of sick.”

Miranda was surprised he even noticed or cared. She was just another plaything to him. A plaything that came with perks – like this exhibit. That was worth fucking her for.

“
I’m fine. Just ate too much too fast.”

“
It’s the food? I’ll go over there and tell them off if that shit got you sick. I’m not paying for them to get people hospitalized.”

“
No, no, Jake,” she responded putting her hand in the crook of his arm. He felt good – comfortable. She let it linger. “The food was delicious. It’s just me.”

She didn’t want to fight. She had her confidence badly shaken – the proverbial rug had been pulled out from underneath her. If she hadn’t been raised to be a Perry, she might not have made it through the evening, but she would. Jake was being attentive, but right now she didn’t feel she deserved love. She had been told she wasn’t beautiful and every girl wants to feel they are to someone no matter what the truth. That was what was so damned unfair.

Jake grabbed her around her waist and pulled her towards him. Miranda awkwardly conceded. She felt him push his groin into hers.

“
I haven’t told you yet, but you look sensational.”

Had he picked up on her mood and delivered that remark on cue? Or was he being sincere? Miranda wouldn’t have been unsure at the start of the evening, but was now. All this questioning of sincerity because of a thoughtless remark? A remark said by someone she didn’t even know? She was being ridiculous and tried hard to pull herself out of the mindset she’d adopted, but it was difficult. Women hinged a lot on their appearance. When confidence in it is ripped away, they’re left to question everything.

She spoke in a faltering voice.

“
Really? Do you really think so?”

He scratched her bared back lightly with his fingers.

“
Of course! Why else would I say it if I didn’t mean it? And why would you ask something like that? You gotta know you’re the best looking girl in at least a 1,000 mile radius or more. Is this the Miranda that was strutting around last night? The one that just a few hours ago pulled me into the shower by my kite tail? What the hell’s gotten into you, baby?”

Miranda lifted her chin and threw back her shoulders. She felt herself tearing up again, but she’d be goddamn if she let the remark of one asshole get to her. She was a fool for wavering back and forth and letting it wound her so deeply. And if she needed proof that the remark’s sentiment was wrong, here was Jake of all people opening her eyes. It was silly to rise and fall on the peevish opinion of one louse.
Just Peter
was a complete and utter insufferable, conceited buffoon. She bet the only image he found acceptable was the one he found when looking back at him in the mirror. Well, she’d rather be a bit insecure than stuck on her own appearance. Narcissism and cruelty were not components of a happy life.

Miranda smiled for the first-time since the cutting insult. Jake, her inner pep talk and reasoning had won out over needless insecurity. She wondered if men acted so ridiculously and whether Jake would run into the bathroom and cry if he was told he wasn’t the most handsome man at the party. She doubted it. God, women were such blasted idiots sometimes! Not only had she set herself up for the blow with her mewling, but she’d actually given it validity. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

“
Oh, no!” Jake exclaimed hurriedly taking Miranda’s hand and tugging her towards a handsome, middle-aged man helping himself to a glass of champagne. Miranda didn’t recognize him. She wondered if he were someone she’d already been introduced to. She hoped she wasn’t put in the position of having to admit that she’d forgotten his name. It would be more than slightly awkward.

She searched her memory, but didn’t remember seeing him before. She took an extra good look to make sure. He was Mediterranean – most likely Italian. His white jacket set off his olive complexion and matched his thick, salt-and-pepper hair. His dark eyes were deep and soulful – the eyes of a poet, but a bit more determined. He took care of himself – his waistline attested to that. He was the type that would age well – Miranda had no doubt about that since he already had.

“
What the hell are you doing here?” Jake challenged rather nastily.

Miranda stood to the side trying to figure out the source of contention between the two. Were they archenemies? Rivals? Was the man the cuckolded husband of one of Jake’s numerous conquests?

“
Hey, calm yourself, Mr. Monroe. I’m just getting some champagne. And I suggest you lower your voice if you don’t want to cause a scene. I’m assuming that’s what you think I’m here for … to cause a scene?”

Jake spread his legs out to the width of a fighting stance and placed his hands on his hips.

“
The thought had crossed my mind! Man, you have one hell of a nerve coming here.”

“
Jake,” Miranda interrupted taking care to keep her voice even so as not to heighten a volatile situation. “What on earth is going on?”

“
Sorry, it’s just I didn’t know the Fairfield police were going to crash this event so they could harass me and my employees.”

“
Police?”

So that was it. Miranda had no idea. No wonder Jake was so upset. Miranda wondered why the police were here. It couldn’t be security as Jake hired a private firm to take care of that.

“
Relax, Mr. Monroe. I’m not here in any official capacity. Look,” he said reaching into his inside pocket. He pulled out one of the museum’s invitation and held it up so that the calligraphy was visible for only a minute. “See? I was invited. I’m on your guest list because I’m a regular contributor. We police officers don’t make much, but I like to put what I can to where it’ll do the most good. It’s why I’m on your guest list. I’ve been a patron for many years.”

Jake rubbed his nose and shook his head. There was the smallest trace of a smile.

“
Well, you got me there, Perrone. On behalf of Fairfield Museum, let me be the first to extend an apology,” he said offering his hand. “We can’t afford to piss off any supporters – not even poor ones.”

Perrone reciprocated and shook Jake’s hand. Bridges mended, Perrone turned his attention to Miranda.

“
I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said extending his hand to Miranda. “I’m Anthony Perrone. Detective Anthony Perrone in the daytime, but tonight you can call me Tony.”

“
Miranda Perry,” she said shaking his hand.

“
Ah, the lady of the hour! What made you bring your collection to Fairfield?” Perrone caught the silent exchange between the pair of lovers. “Never mind, I think I know.”

“
Is it that obvious?” Miranda tittered.

“
To an old pro like me it is.”

She liked Perrone. Detective or not, he knew how to comport himself unlike some people she’d recently met. It was an instantaneous decision, but Miranda often formed these kind of opinions. It helped in business to give people smell tests. Perrone was smelling like a rose right now.

“
I think I’ll have what you’re having. She said taking a glass off the tray passing by. The waiter was weaving in and out of the crowd as if in an invisible conga line. She caught sight of
Just Peter
peering from the outskirts of the throng, like a cockroach not wanting to get crushed underneath the heels of the crowd. She gave him a sneer and like the insect he was, he scurried.

“
Probably under some rock,
” she muttered to herself.

“
What was that?” Perrone asked. He’d been taking a sip of the bubbly.

“
Nothing, just thinking out loud,” was her reply. No use involving him in the feud unless he were willing to shoot him in the leg or something. It would be endlessly entertaining and add a certain excitement to the proceedings. One look into Perrone’s no-nonsense and yet friendly face told her that most likely he wouldn’t.

Jake followed her lead and grabbed a glass for himself. He was careful about drinking alcohol at events as he needed to present himself professionally to investors and patrons. Miranda had to admit that for a lech, he did a very good job of acting respectably. If only these people knew.

Miranda was coming around and starting to enjoy the gala again. It really had been very grandly and tastefully done. She decided to comment on it to Jake and give credit to the person that had made the arrangements. Why shouldn’t they get a pat on their back for their Herculean efforts?

“
Jake, I must say that this party is smashing. Whoever planned this did a truly excellent job.”

Jake scratched his temple and grimaced.

“
That would be Rachel.”

The irritation showed in Jake’s voice. Miranda was left to wonder why.

“
Funny you should mention her. Where’s she hiding these days?” Perrone commented while perusing the large gathering.

“
Well, it’s a huge crowd. She might be here,” Miranda offered trying to defend her. She remembered that it was Rachel that had noticed the mistake in the shipment. And now knowing she planned the affair, she reasoned that a lot of responsibility must fall on her shoulders. Miranda bonded immediately with the idea of another woman being dumped upon unfairly. It happened so often in business. Then there was the informal talk Jake had with Miranda on the ride from the airport to the hotel. He’d spoken about the shipment mix-up and said that he was glad the mistake didn’t happen on his end of things. He said he’d been so sure it was Rachel behind it. Miranda had been in too frivolous of a mood to follow-up on what he meant, but she was getting some idea tonight. Perrone was looking for her and Jake had her on top of his Most Certain to be Guilty list. That was enough to make Miranda sympathetic to Rachel’s plight.