Cat 'N Mouse (23 page)

“Excuse me?” His started at her, his eyes cold. “Are you saying it was my fault?”

“No. I’m saying we’ve all made bad decisions in our life because of circumstances. Sometimes they are circumstances that we have no control over. We should learn from them instead of blaming other people or ourselves.”

She was also talking about herself and the lessons that she’d learned in the past few days. Sam took it to mean she was passing judgment on him.

“Melanie’s dead because of her father,” he spat the words at her. “Let just say fathers don’t always know best.”

Sam wasn’t just talking about Melanie’s father; he was also referring to her father. She didn’t like his tone.

“Melanie’s father was a monster. My father never touched me. Not in that way.”

“He paid off Damien to get him out of your life because he didn’t want to share you with anyone else.”

“You make it sound dirty.”

She knew what her father had done was wrong, but he was still her father. He loved her. He was all she had.

“How many fathers do you know who would pay off their daughter’s boyfriends to get them out of her bed?”

His tone was condescending and it cut through her defense of her father. Her only response was to lash out at him.

“At least my father stuck around. Where’s yours?”

•  •  •

“What is it?” Prescott lifted his head out of the files when Matt busted into the office and slammed the door. “I told Mimi I didn’t want to be disturbed.”

Matt threw a device on the desk that looked like a long tube with an eye on the end of the tube.

“What’s this?”

“You tell me, Mr. Prescott.”

“I don’t have time for this,” Warren said with annoyance. “I’m about to lose the Columbia deal because the board of directors don’t want to accept my latest offer. Pardon me if I don’t participate in your little game of show and tell.”

Columbia Electronics was his latest venture and he was losing money on the deal. What the board of directors failed to realize was that without him, the company would go under within a year. He wanted the company and he would get it. It was worth more money dismantled than together. The workers will have to find another job. People lost their jobs every day. It wasn’t his problem how they were going to feed their families.

“This is a video camera. Sam ripped it out of the vent in Alexandria’s bedroom.”

“When?”

“A couple days ago.”

“Why didn’t she tell me? I spoke to her and she kept it from me. This is Sam’s doing.”

“Do not put this on Sam. I want to know if you had anything to do with this.”

“I didn’t authorize this.”

“What did you authorize?”

Warren stood up slowly, examining the device Matt had thrown on the desk. He felt the color drain from his face.

What have I done?

“Are you insane? I can’t believe you went through with it. I thought it was the liquor talking when you got wasted after she moved out.”

“He was only supposed to scare her.”

“Scare her? Jesus! He threw blood in her face.”

“That wasn’t supposed to happen.” Warren felt sick to his stomach. The gravity of what he had done weighed heavily on him. Matt looked at him in disgust.

“Call it off, Prescott. Sam is not stupid. He’ll figure it out and when he does, he’ll tell Alexandria. She’ll hate you—that I can promise.”

“I can’t call it off. Mr. O’Malley will have to find him. That’s why I hired him.” Warren sat down and dropped his head in his hand. “I didn’t mean for it to get this far. I just wanted her to come back home.”

“That’s why you wanted someone from the outside. You thought you could control Sam like you do everyone else.” Matt turned to leave, his hand on the doorknob.

“Wait,” Warren said. “Can you fix it?”

“Not this time. I’ve told you before I’ll go to the line, but I won’t cross it. Not for you. You need to fix it yourself. In the meantime, I’ll continue to help Sam.” Matt shook his head. “I had a feeling you were involved, but I didn’t want to believe it.”

“Name your price.”

Matt flung the door open and stalked out of the room and Warren ran after him.

“Come back here!”

By the time Warren got to the front door, Matt was already in his car tearing down the driveway. He could ask Colt to stop him but didn’t bother. Matt would come around. He always did. The price had to be right. This time he had a feeling it would cost him more than he was willing to pay.

“Why are you shouting?” Mimi asked when she came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands in the apron tied around her waist.

“It doesn’t concern you.” He closed the front door and headed for his office.

“I’ve never seen Matt this angry. What have you done?”

S
am stood in front of the mirror in the of the guest washroom buttoning his shirt, tucking it in his trousers. He had left the master washroom with its marble and glass décor all to Alexandria.

An hour ago they had been out on one of the private balconies enjoying the panoramic view of the lakes, pool and gardens from the presidential suite. It was theirs for two nights, but when they’d checked in Alexandria had told the lady at the front desk only one night was required. He figured the blow out at the restaurant had something to do with it.

Even though the stalker was still a threat, she’d made him promise not to spoil the evening by mentioning it. And he’d kept his promise.

While she did her final inspection to ensure that every centerpiece was perfectly placed on each table and that the band was setting up in the right spot, he’d made his final arrangements with security.

Three hundred and fifty tickets were sold at five hundred dollars a piece. Only those with tickets got access to the function. Extra security was posted at every entrance and everyone had a radio to report anything suspicious. The venue was ready awaiting the arrival of the Princess at the ball.

They planned for everything and even Matt was in on the security detail. Sam had nearly taken Matt’s head off when he’d caught him outside of Eduardo’s, an order Matt had said came from Prescott. Since Sam was working for Alexandria, then Matt was working for Prescott to ensure the Princess was being protected. It didn’t hurt to have his back watched but Matt should’ve told him. Anyway, that wasn’t important now.

Keeping Alexandria safe was all that mattered. Sam figured, as he brushed his hair, if anything was going to happen, tonight was as good a time as any. He and Matt would be ready.

Sam entered the master bedroom and grabbed the jacket Alexandria had laid across the bed for him. He heard her humming in the adjoining washroom. She’d wanted a soak before the event. She should’ve been finished by now and dressed. It was almost time to go.

He shrugged into his jacket then did a double take when he saw his reflection in the round mirror hanging over the large dresser. The tuxedo was delivered to their room an hour ago. He’d gotten it in twenty-four hours. Even though the garment fitted him perfectly, he felt out of place. This wasn’t his life. He didn’t belong here.

Money talked. In Alexandria’s world you can get anything you want with money. He headed for the living room, with a full entertainment center, where the gala committee had met briefly after they’d checked in.

Sam had never stayed in any place remotely close to this palace and unless he won the lottery, it was safe to say it was unlikely he would do so again. Princess was used to this kind of living every day of her life. What was he thinking when he crossed the boundary and landed in her bed. Did he think for one moment she would give it all up? For him?

When the bedroom door opened, she floated out wearing a diamond collar red sleeveless evening gown that hugged her waist and flowed softly down her legs. A slit at the back showed enough leg that made his mouth dry, and sent his heart beating so loudly he thought for sure the guests in the next suite could hear it.

Sam had never understood the phrase ‘time stood still’ until that very moment. Never had he seen anyone so beautiful and he stood there watching her.

Speechless.

Breathless.

She moved with grace, hips gently swaying and she walked toward him in red stilettos. The next time they made love—and there would be a next time—he was going to insist that she keep them on.

Mine
.

At that moment, it didn’t matter that she was out of his league. He staked his claim.

Mine.

The dress wasn’t like the other dresses he’d seen her in. There was no statement, no showing off. This was different. She was different.

Mine.

It seemed every time he opened his mouth, he said something that ticked her off. Yesterday, he’d taken shots at her daddy and she had hit back, hard. She was different all right. She wasn’t the spoiled Princess he’d met days ago. No. She’d emerged as a strong and confident woman.

“You’re beautiful,” Sam said when he removed his tongue from the roof of his mouth and swallowed.

“And you look very handsome.”

She stopped in front of him, hair piled high in a mass of sexy curls, lips luscious, red, and kissable. He wasn’t content in just looking. He wanted to touch and ran the back of his hand along her cheek then cupped her face.

“You really do look like a Princess.”

Sam wasn’t just content with touching. He wanted to taste. She tilted her head to one side as if anticipating his kiss, and his lips touched hers. Soft and sensual. He took his time exploring her mouth with his tongue. When the kiss ended they stood staring at each other.

She smiled, looking warmly into his eyes. “And what does that make you, my Prince?”

“What?”

“You said I looked like a Princess. I wanted to know if that meant you’re my Prince.”

“I guess it does.”

•  •  •

Prince Charming indeed, Alexandria thought as she entered the grand ballroom with Sam by her side, smiling and greeting the guests.

From the delicately draped sheer satin that swagged from the ceiling around a massive chandelier with lights that sparkle from a thousand crystals, the fairytale theme was perfect.

The tables were covered with white linen. In the center, four high vases with white calla lilies and roses submerged in water. Gold napkins lay next to white china with gold around the edge and gold silverware.

Everything was perfect including Sam on her arm, who smiled at her as if she was the only one in the room. The outside world was forgotten as she focused on the man whose arm rested comfortably around her waist, and she liked it. Sam was gorgeous and he was
hers—
at least for the evening—in the make believe world centered around this gala.

He could definitely be a male model. Eduardo had asked Sam if he wanted the work and the question was met with a dark scowl. She didn’t want any other woman’s hands or eyes on him.

The gala kicked off with a Nat King Cole impersonator—her idea—and the music of Motown reigned throughout the evening. They sat at the table with Robyn and Dennis and two other couple who also volunteered at the Foundation.

Dinner conversation was light, thanks to Dennis. His light bantering about who had the prettiest date even pulled Sam into the conversation. Alexandria thought Robyn looked wonderful in her long black evening gown. The two other couple bowed out of the discussion so Dennis and Sam declared it a tie.

After dinner, Alexandria made the rounds to talk with the guests, wanting to ensure they didn’t forget to leave their large donation checks. Sam was an arm’s length away. When anyone came too close he was right at her elbow easing her back into him with his arm gently around her waist. She could get used to that and smiled at him.

The dance floor opened up and she thought Sam would ask her to dance. A couple of the donors asked, but she turned them down waiting for Sam’s invitation. His eyes focused on the room watching for any sign of trouble. She wanted his eyes focused on her, and was about to ask him to dance when Matt took her hand and wheeled her to the dance floor.

“You cut your ponytail off,” Alexandria laughed, letting him lead as he twirled her around the dance floor while the band cooed their rendition of
Unchained Melody
. “You dance very well for daddy’s hired help.”

“Ouch. I deserve that. Sorry about what happened at your place.” Matt became serious when the song ended. He pulled at his bow tie. “I hate tuxedos. Let’s get some air.”

Matt took her hand and led her out to a private terrace. His eyes had lost the playfulness he had on the dance floor. They hadn’t spoken since finding the hidden camera at her apartment. She was still a little upset with him, but couldn’t stay mad at him. They had been through too much together over the years. When Damien left he’d stayed up with her all night while she cried in her ice cream.

“You look beautiful,” Matt said as he leaned over and kissed her. Not on the cheek like he usually does, but on the lips.

She was too stunned to react. “Matt?”

For as long as she’d known him he had never made so much as a pass at her. When she tried last Christmas to move things along between them, he turned her down. And tonight he was…what? She was confused.

“I chose your father’s money over you,” he said with regret in his voice. “We could have had something great. O’Malley is the smart one. He chose you from day one.”

“Matt…” Alexandria didn’t know what to say. She had always flirted with him, but he’d never acted on it. Now she knew why. It was all because of daddy’s money.

“I just wanted to…” Matt leaned in to kiss to her again but this time she saw it coming and pressed her hand to his lips.

“No.”

He caught her hand and kissed it. “I know, you’re in love with Sam. I can tell. I guess I didn’t want it to be true. You’re different. It’s as though you’ve stepped out from your father’s shadow and came into your own.”

Alexandria didn’t say anything. Matt took her hand and they sat together on the bench in silence. Music and laughter drifted though the open door from the ballroom. A couple came out and headed to the other end of the terrace. Turning to Matt, she could see the hurt in his eyes. He touched her face and she turned her cheek into his hand.