Deadly Valentine (2 page)

He glanced her way. "Just don't draw this out too long, Asa."

Tess rolled her eyes. 

"Finally," Asa said as Walter handed out flutes of golden bubbly. Tess passed on the champagne. She was beginning to feel more wobbly and didn't need people to think she was drunk.

"More water, Ms. Madison?" Walter asked.

"No. Thank you."

"Stop flirting with the guests," Asa said.

Tess bristled at Asa's treatment of his butler. She looked to the others to see their reaction, but there was none. That's how it was, Tess reminded herself. Few people ever really looked at or noticed the help. Her own parents treated the servants more like furniture; functional when needed, forgotten when not in use.

"To big business and even bigger money." Asa held up his glass. Everyone joined him, raising their glasses then sipping the champagne.

"As usual Asa, the champagne is wonderful," Tom said.

"I’d never be able to serve less than the best champagne."

"Oh I don’t know. I imagine you could get away with whatever you wanted,“ Jack said with a hint of accusation.

"He usually does," Tom said.

Asa laughed, "You know me too well, Tom. But as my lawyer and brother-in-law you've shared in the fruit of my efforts. I don’t hear you complaining. You know there’s way too much of that in business today. I marvel at the new breed of entrepreneur pushing the business envelope. Too bad government keeps poking its nose in with regulations and anti-trust acts."

"Seems to me that without the anti-trust act, young entrepreneurs would have a difficult time being allowed in the game," Tess said trying to sound matter-of-fact instead of annoyed. It always bothered her how rich people felt entitled to special treatment.

Asa's smile was patronizing. "I believe Darwin’s theory exists in business, Ms. Madison. The strongest succeed and survive no matter what. That’s the point I was making earlier. Too many whiners running large business today."

"Good evening everyone," a young man said as he entered the room alongside a woman who did the Posh Spice look better than Posh did.

"Philip," Asa said looking at his watch. "I’d have thought with you and your wife staying here for the weekend that you’d be on time."

"Mother called as I was coming downstairs." Philip’s eyes asked his father not to embarrass him.

"Needed more money no doubt," Asa said in disgust.

Philip was a duller version of Asa with lackluster gray eyes and black hair. Even the sophisticated wife with the severe haircut and pout did little to enhance Philip's presence.

"What does it matter to you, Asa?" Posh's look-alike said.

"I would think it matters to you, my dear. The more she takes, the less there is for you."

"There's plenty for everyone," Philip said.

"That's why you'll never run the business!"

There was a noticeable silence at the venomous in Asa's comment. While it was known that Philip wasn't the bulldog in business that his father was, he did work alongside his father, and as a family run business since its founding by Asa's great-grandfather, it was assumed that Philip would be the next leader. The only Worthington not to run the company was Asa's father who instead had gone into politics. He'd been a Virginia senator for nearly forty years and would likely die of extreme old age in his D.C. office.

Or maybe everyone's shock was the fact that Asa made no attempt to hide his contempt toward his son. But anyone acquainted with Asa knew that he had high expectations and low frustration when those expectations weren't met, even by his family. Especially by his family.

"Have you met everyone, Philip and Shelby?" Tom interceded. "You remember Tess Madison, Daniel's friend. This is Jack Valentine from D.C." Everyone exchanged pleasantries.

"Philip’s wife and mother, and Helen, my wife, along with a few other of their friends just got back from New York on their yearly girls weekend out. I understand y'all made out pretty good this year," Tom said clearly trying to steer the conversation into a more pleasant direction.

"We did alright." Shelby said in a tone that made Tess think she didn't make out as nearly as well as she would have liked. She wondered if Asa had them on a tight allowance.

"Just what is it that women do when they’re together?" Asa asked looking at Tess.

"I couldn’t tell you." Tess forced a smile. "I've been too busy with my practice to socialize much."

"Damn right!“ Asa boomed. "You’re dedicated to your career. Good for you! You prove my theory. Hard work will make you a success no matter what."  He glanced at Philip. "You aren’t riding someone’s coat tails to get to the top."

Asa was right, Tess conceded. She was where she was now because of her own efforts. At 29 years old, she had built a modest private practice in a town in which lawyers were a dime a dozen. She felt she should be proud, but pride wasn’t what she felt when her past came to mind. She gulped down the last bit of her water and immediately regretted it.

"Looks like you need a refill, Ms. Madison," Asa said. "Jack, why don’t you escort her to the bar and get her something?"

"Ms. Madison," Jack said extending his hand to lead the way.

"I just need to sit down a minute. Don't let me disrupt your meeting," she said excusing herself. She hadn't gone two steps when she felt a hand on her lower back. The zing in her blood let her know it was Jack. She felt him lean toward her, his breath tantalizingly warm on her ear.

"You don't really think I'm going to let you go now that we're together again?"

Chapter Three

Tess moved away from the group and Jack hoping for respite from the tension. She wasn't sure which was more irritating, the hostility of the Worthingtons or the sensually charged energy emanating from Jack. Her nerves were unable to take any more of either.

She sat in a love seat near the fireplace, shivering even though the warmth of the fire embraced her. She wondered what accident or crime scene Daniel had run off to and how long he was going to be. If he didn't call or come back soon, she'd have to ask Tom to drive her home or get a taxi.

"I could drive you home."

She looked up to find Jack handing her a glass of water. He'd replaced his champagne with something more potent looking.

"What?"

"You don't want to be here anymore than I do," he said. "I could drive you home and solve both our problems."

She took the glass, but didn't dare take a sip. "I should wait for Daniel."

Disappointment he didn't try to hide showed on his face. She wondered if it was because she wasn't giving him an excuse to leave or because she was waiting for another man. She shook her head at the latter thought. The Jack Valentines of the world weren't attracted to the Tess Madisons. She knew that for a fact.

"So you're seeing Asa's nephew?" Jack sat next to her on the love seat crossing one ankle over his knee.

She nodded.

"Is he anything like them?" Jack gestured to the group bickering in the middle of the room.

"No. He's more like his mother, Asa's sister. He shuns the lifestyle of his uncle."

"Like you did with your family. I guess that makes him perfect for you."

He was, she thought, except for the fact that she didn't love him.

"I hope he's good to you. You deserve that, Tess. You always did."

She thought so too. That's why she'd left Washington D.C. and moved back to Jefferson Tavern. She had suffered too much betrayal and rejection to stay. In Jefferson Tavern she'd built a new life, a new career and didn't appreciate having reminders like Jack invading her world.

"He is," Tess said. She knew Jack wouldn't be serious about a woman like her, but on the off chance he was thinking of taking her up on a long ago offer, she decided it was better that he think that Daniel was her boyfriend. She hoped that Jack wouldn't share this news with Daniel. It was hard enough to keep the relationship at the friendship-only level as it was. Daniel didn't need anything to suggest that it could be more.

"How's Ava?" Tess asked.

Jack grinned. "You've kept tabs on me."

"Not really. The tabloids were hard to avoid." In truth, she had kept tabs for a short time. Until he started dating the Hollywood starlet Ava Dumont. Tess suspected her real name was something like Jane Dinklemeyer, but of course a Hollywood star needed a fancier name. And it fit her. Ava was tall, curvy and gorgeous.

"That ended awhile ago." He watched the bronze colored drink as he swirled it in his glass.

"So who is it now?"

He laughed, but there was a sadness behind it. "No one now."

"Losing your touch with age?"

"No." He looked at her then. "Just being more discriminating."

Tess didn't want to know what he meant by that, so she didn't ask. They sat in silence, Jack returning his gaze to his drink. Finally he said.  "Asa is right. If I do decide to join him on whatever business venture he has planned, I'll need a lawyer in town."

"I thought you weren't going to do business with Asa."

Jack shrugged. "I may change my mind."

"I'm sure one of your army of lawyers would be more than able to make the trip here. We aren't that far from D.C."

"Probably. But you don't seem to have trouble standing up to Asa. And with your connection to Tom and Asa that could give me an advantage too. You know a bit of how they think and work."

"What are you working on?" Tess asked trying not to sound too interested. The truth was that while her practice was surviving, she really could use the money and clout Jack's business could bring her.

"I don't know."

She looked at him in confusion. "I thought Asa said you were working on a joint project."

"That’s what he keeps saying, but so far he hasn't given any details. I don’t like it. He's been checking up on me." He swallowed the remaining contents of his glass.

"Don’t you usually investigate each other before entering into a partnership?“ Tess asked.

"Yes. But Asa’s latest digging is deeper. More personal. It feels underhanded."

"Sounds like paranoia."

"Maybe." Jack looked directly at Tess. "I do well in business, but I don’t have the benefit of thirty years experience in the tactical aspects like Asa does. What I do have are my wits and a healthy amount of paranoia. I don’t trust Asa and to be honest, my intention tonight is to find out why he’s been poking around in my past, not to learn about a business venture. But if I have to do business with him to find out what's going on, I'll at least hear him out. Which means I could use a good lawyer."

Tess nodded. She knew of Asa’s reputation in business and figured Jack’s caution was justified. On the other hand, Jack was no babe in the woods when it came to business. He'd built an empire in computer security and technology, and had vast real estate holdings. His offer felt like a hand out, but he was kind enough to veil it in need.

"I guess you'll find out this evening. If you do decide to partner with him, you can let me know."

"Fair enough."

"You bastard!" The shrill voice interrupted the relative calm in the room "What are you up to now?“

"Jesus, boy, did you invite her?" Asa said turning on Philip.

"He didn't invite me," the woman said as she charged towards Asa, swinging her long silver hair over her shoulder. "But he told me you were having a business meeting. I may not be your wife anymore Asa, thank the lord, but I
am
on the board."

"This doesn't concern you, Lauren. Leave before I have Walter escort you out."

Walter looked up from his place behind the bar. He picked up a tray and left the parlor. Tess couldn't blame him. Lauren Worthington was as much of a force as Asa.

"If it's business it does concern me."

"Tonight is for family only."

Lauren scanned the room. "Family my ass. They aren't family," she said pointing towards Jack and Tess.

"I wasn't aware there would be entertainment." Jack whispered to Tess.

"It makes you think twice about doing business with them."

He nodded.

"I'm not going to ask again Lauren. I
will
have you removed even if I have to do it myself."

"What's going on?" Senator Worthington said as he entered the room in the distinguished way that older southern gentlemen did. "Ah Lauren you're looking lovely this evening. I didn't realize you'd be here."

"She's not staying," Asa said.

"Oh, well..."

"Tell me what you're up to, Asa. You know I'll find out eventually and then I'll make your life miserable," Lauren promised.

"You've already made my life unbearable." Asa moved towards her.

"This could get bad." Tess said.

"My money is on Lauren," Jack said.

Tess snorted. "I don't think I'll take that bet."

"Asa. Lauren." Tom moved between both of them. "You're making a scene."

"He's making a scene," Lauren said pushing Tom aside.

"You'll see that Helen isn't here." Tom made a second attempt to get between the couple. "Maybe you can stop by the house and visit with her."

"Just because she doesn't care about her inheritance, doesn't mean I don't."

"You don't get an inheritance." Asa said tightly as he shouldered Tom out of the way.

"Philip does and I intend to protect him."

"You are well planned for," Tom said.

Asa grabbed Lauren's arm jerking her towards the door.

Jack stood. "Asa!"

"Get your hands off me." She yanked her arm from his grasp. "You're a bastard!"

"You've told me enough times. Now get out!"

The two stood, eyes glaring, The guests held their breath as they waited to see who would make the next move and what it would be. Tess hoped it didn't involve bloodshed. Her stomach was already uneasy.

"This isn't over," Lauren said throwing her scarf around her neck. "It's not over."

"It will be over soon enough." Asa said under his breath.

Lauren ignored the remark. She spun away from Asa, her scowl replaced by a shallow smile. "Kiss, kiss kids," she said towards Philip and Shelby. Then with one last glare towards Asa, she turned and left. The room stayed quiet until the front door slammed shut.