Misfits, Inc. (4 page)

T
he dining room was elegant yet had a tropical appeal.  There
was a wall of glass overlooking the terrace with more intimate seating.  The
classy, wicker chairs along with the high, faux thatch ceiling gave the room an
added tropical feel.  Intimate booths lined the side walls and live palm trees
appeared to be growing from the marble floor.  The charming room was filled
with men and women dining by romantic candlelight while soft music created a
soothing backdrop.  Lucinda and Hailey followed the properly dressed host to an
elegant table with the most stunning ocean view.  As they approached the table,
they were greeted by a man in his mid-fifties already seated at the table. 
Nevin Brody was probably the richest man Hailey would ever meet.  He certainly
had more money than Lucinda had, but he was known to be fairly cheap.  She
couldn’t help but feel that his expensive suit and gold watch supported a
different version of that story.

Brody was far from attractive, at least in Hailey’s
opinion.  His hair plugs were painfully obvious and the color was excessively
dark for a man his age.  His grooming screamed he was attempting to hold onto a
youth that no longer wanted any part of him.  Physically, he seemed to be in
excellent shape, undoubtedly exercising religiously.  Hailey couldn’t help but
wonder if his tuxedo cost more than what she made in a year.  As he took two
quick steps to greet them, Hailey noticed the second man at the table, who’d
been standing behind him.  She took in an eyeful of Rafe.  From only a few feet
away, she marveled at how handsome he actually was.  Despite Talbert’s warning,
she couldn’t contain her attraction toward this man.  Unlike Brody, he didn’t
bother dressing in his finest tuxedo.  His expensive, signature suit was more
than adequate.  Hailey was so caught up in his straight stance and mildly
muscular build; she hadn’t even realized he showed no emotion to their
approach.

“Lucinda, you look absolutely stunning,” Brody
announced cheerfully while taking both her hands in his and kissed her warmly
on the cheek.

Whether she liked him or not, she greeted him with
enthusiasm and grace.  “Charming as always, Nevin, dear.”  She pulled away and
indicated Hailey alongside her.  “This is Hailey Aramis, my new assistant.”

Brody was quick to sweep a glance over Hailey,
almost certainly admiring her revealing dress into which Lucinda so graciously
stuffed her.  “It’s a pleasure, Hailey,” he announced politely.  “You can call
me Nevin.”  He then indicated the serious man remaining at the table.  “This is
my personal assistant, Rafe.”

Hailey eagerly took in another eyeful of Rafe,
excited finally for an introduction.  He stared back at her with a cold
expression and showed no reaction.  His complete lack of response baffled her. 
If she couldn’t gain his attention in Lucinda’s borrowed dress, she should
probably give up.  Hailey managed a smile but found it difficult without any
emotion from him.  Lucinda guided Hailey to the window seat across from Rafe. 
Brody was quick to pull their chairs out for them.  If nothing else, Brody was
gentlemanly.  As Brody took his seat, Lucinda placed her hand on Hailey’s lower
arm and casually indicated Rafe across from her.

“Despite his poor manners, Rafe rarely bites,”
Lucinda informed her.  She turned her attention to Brody once he was
comfortably seated and sipping his expensive drink.  “Let’s get business out of
the way, shall we.”

“Not so fast.  First we dance,” Brody announced,
surprising both, and looked at Lucinda while extending his hand across the
table to her.  “My dear?”

Lucinda managed a smile but appeared put off by the
diversion.  She accepted his hand and both stood from their seats.  Lucinda
reluctantly joined him on his side of the table.

Brody looked at Hailey and offered a slightly
devious smile.  “You’re next, my dear.”  He then glared at Rafe and turned
stern.  “You; behave.”

Brody guided Lucinda to the dance floor.  Hailey
watched him pull her a little closer than necessary as they slow danced.  She
had to admit; she wasn’t looking forward to her turn and wondered what the
dance conversation would entail.  When she looked back, she realized Rafe was
staring at her from across the table.  She tried to ignore the wonderful scent
of his cologne wafting her way.  Rafe casually leaned back in his wicker chair
and sipped his expensive glass of brandy.  With his expression remaining unchanged,
she couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his handsome head.  At this
point, she was almost certain it had nothing to do with her. 

“Do you know why you’re here?” he suddenly asked,
void of emotion.

She was slightly surprised by the question.  It
wasn’t exactly the conversation she had hoped to have with the handsome man. 
Hailey shifted in her wicker chair and attempted to make the best of the
conversation she was given.

“Ms. Keenan wants Nevin Brody to invest in her
hotel,” she casually replied.

“That’s why
she’s
here,” he replied dryly. 
“You’re here as her sexual sacrifice to Brody.”

His candor and bully mentality surprised her, but
she attempted to show no reaction.  “You’re certainly offensive,” she snapped
then cocked her head to the side.  “Is intimidation a service you offer, or are
you just amusing yourself?”

“Just making an observation.”

He was so casual with the conversation; it
irritated her to no end.  She should have taken the high road and ignored him,
but she felt cheated, having been so attracted to him just to find out Talbert
had been correct.  He was a prick.

“Sounds like you’re calling me a high priced
whore,” Hailey scoffed.

He didn’t take his eyes off her and offered no
emotion.  “I doubt Lucinda pays you that much.”

She could barely believe his nerve!  Anything she’d
found attractive about the man was immediately gone.  Her eyes narrowed while
glaring at him.

“Shut up and drink your brandy before you’re
wearing it,” she growled lowly.

Rafe suddenly grinned, appearing pleased with her
response.  “And she has claws--”

Hailey glared at him.  She’d never wanted to hit a
man before, but she entertained a fantasy where her fist found his mouth.  She
wanted to wipe that smug smile from his face.  It seemed a long time before
Lucinda and Brody finally returned to the table.  Both were laughing at
something the other had said.  Brody boldly took the seat alongside Hailey,
forcing Lucinda to sit next to Rafe.  Hailey could tell by her expression,
Lucinda wasn’t pleased.  Brody placed his arm on the back of Hailey’s chair and
smiled at her.

“Are you and Rafe getting along?” he asked.

She glared at Rafe and offered a twisted smirk. 
“He’s an absolute angel.”

Brody suddenly chuckled.  “I somehow doubt that.” 
He straightened and looked at Lucinda across the table.  “Why don’t we have a
look at the proposal before I steal your assistant away for a dance?”

Hailey handed him the folder from the briefcase
between the wall and her chair.  Brody halfheartedly browsed through the papers
with one hand and kept the other on the back of her chair.  His hand caressed
the bare skin on her back.  Hailey was immediately uncomfortable by his touch. 
Brody returned the folder to Hailey after barely skimming it.

“Pretty detailed,” he remarked with little
emotion.  “Why don’t you bring these to my suite later tonight around nine? 
We’ll go over them there where it’s quieter.”

Hailey stared at him with surprise to the
suggestion.  Lucinda’s expression almost matched Hailey’s expression.  Lucinda
suddenly forced a smile and shifted in her seat.

“It’s been a long day,” Lucinda announced a little
too quickly while casting feral glances from Brody to Hailey.  Her eyes finally
settled on Brody.  “Why don’t we get together for brunch tomorrow and discuss
the proposal then?”

Lucinda collected her purse and stood without
awaiting a response.  Hailey collected the folder and briefcase, standing as
well.  Both men stood respectfully.  Rafe’s expression never changed, but
Hailey could feel his eyes mocking her.  Although disappointed, Brody managed a
polite smile.

“Yes, brunch,” he announced.  “Say ten?”

“That will be fine,” Lucinda chirped while grabbing
Hailey’s arm and hurried her from the table.

Hailey had never been so happy to leave a
restaurant in her life.  She had a difficult time keeping up with Lucinda’s
long strides.  How the woman walked so fast in her high heels was a mystery to
Hailey.  Her boss slowed once they entered the corridor just outside the dining
room.  Lucinda seemed flushed from the experience. 

“I appreciate that timely save,” Hailey announced
and was finally able to relax.

“Men can be so difficult,” Lucinda scoffed while
defiantly shaking her head.  They walked along the elegant corridor a moment in
silence.  Lucinda finally spoke while glancing at her assistant.  “This
investment is extremely important, you know that.  If you could indulge Brody
and get him to sign the contract, I’ll promise you one hell of a promotion.”

Hailey suddenly stopped short of the lobby and
stared at Lucinda.  Lucinda realized Hailey was no longer walking alongside her
and turned to look back.

“Are you suggesting I sleep with him?” Hailey
suddenly demanded in a tone louder than she had anticipated.

Lucinda fidgeted and moved closer to her while
attempting a timid smile.  “No, of course not,” she announced and gently
brushed a stray lock of hair from Hailey’s face.  “Just a little harmless
flirting, that’s all.”

Despite what she
wasn’t
suggesting, Hailey
felt the color drain from her face.  “I doubt that’s what he has in mind.”

Her boss straightened and held her head up
proudly.  “Hailey, this is a multimillion-dollar investment.  You have to be
ambitious,” she announced firmly.  “What you do and how you do it doesn’t
matter to me.  I need Brody to agree to a partnership in this hotel.  Without
his name and funding, I could lose everything.”  Her look turned slightly
venomous.  “And if I lose everything, I certainly won’t have any need for an
assistant, will I?”

Lucinda snatched the briefcase from Hailey and
continued into the lobby.  Hailey followed more slowly.  Her mind was cluttered
with the possible threat of being fired if she didn’t play by Brody’s rules. 
Lucinda didn’t seem to care that Hailey was no longer behind her.  She entered
the elevator, leaving Hailey practically alone in the empty lobby.  She
suddenly lost the will to approach the elevator.  Apparently, her job
opportunity of a lifetime wasn’t as great as it had originally sounded.

Hailey heard a stern, scolding voice across the
lobby.  As she looked toward the front desk at the opposite end, a man whom she
could only assume to be a security guard argued with Skyler behind the desk. 
The security guard, Delaney, was an arrogant looking man in his late twenties. 
He was built solid like his boss, Marcus, although not nearly as handsome a
man.  Delaney was giving Skyler a healthy verbal lashing, and Skyler seemed to
be taking it like someone who’d been bullied all his life, tail firmly between
his legs.

“You’re a major screw-up,” Delaney barked at
Skyler, who was barely able to look up at the intimidating man.  “If Talbert
didn’t feel sorry for you, you’d have been fired years ago.”

“I’m sorry, Delaney,” Skyler replied timidly.  “I
just thought maybe I could help find that missing--”

Delaney slammed his index finger on the front desk
with frustration.  “There is no missing girl,” he lurched.  “They always show
up, and they always give the same excuse.  Stop making something out of
nothing!  It upsets the guests!”

“I never said anything in front of--”

“Enough, Skyler,” Delaney snapped hotly.  “Just
give the town crier act a rest.  No one wants to hear it, especially me!”  He
pointed his warning finger at him.  “I don’t want any more trouble out of you,
understand?”

Skyler frowned, lowered his head, and nodded
gently.  Delaney turned and stormed away from the desk in the direction of the
staff wing.  Skyler leaned on the desk while holding his head and rubbed his
temples.  Hailey felt bad for the desk clerk.  He was possibly having a worse
day than she was.  She considered continuing on her way and leaving him to his
misery, but her sympathetic side told her she should talk to him.  After all,
she wasn’t the only one with problems in the world.  Hailey approached the
desk.  Despite the clopping of her uncoordinated heels on the stone floor,
Skyler didn’t even notice her presence.  As she paused before the desk, he
still didn’t look up, but instead rubbed his temples, digging deeper into his
skin.

“Pretty quiet out here tonight,” she finally spoke
aloud.

Although not entirely startled, he jerked slightly
and sprang to attention.  He stared at her only a moment in silence this time
before finally responding.

“Free cocktails in the lounge,” Skyler replied
casually then attempted a smile.  “Did you have a nice dinner?”

“We barely got past drinks,” she replied with a
dreary sigh.  “I’ve never been in such bad company before.”