Shadows of Doubt (39 page)

He grabbed a bottle of goop and poured some into his hand, then worked it through his towel-dried hair until it was glossed back and off his face. He brushed his teeth and used the skincare products that Abby had lined up on the vanity and numbered with huge white stickers. So far he had completed everything on her list, right down to the spritzes of the cologne she left him, so it was time to get dressed and be done with it already. By the time he was nearly dressed and fastening his cufflinks, he had worked himself into a nervous pitch and it was infuriating him.

“You’re thinking too much.” Abby startled him as she walked into his room. “If it makes you feel any better, so is she.” She grinned at him as she approached to help him with his cuffs.

“You look stunning as ever.” He smiled as he admired her finery. Her hair was a mass of curls and the combs she wore were rich in jewel tones that matched the twinkle in her eyes. The deep forest green velvet gown she wore was lovely on her and reminded him that she wasn’t the little girl he always saw her as.

“I do, don’t I?” She grinned at him. “You know I love these kind of things. I think I have dresses stored up for the next ten events in anticipation.”

“I am sure you have more than that, but it’s the shopping for them that you love, don’t think I don’t know it.”

“And this would be another classic example of why you are my wise and beloved Dom.” She started on his tie once she finished with the last cufflink. “The boys are ready when you are.”

Max sighed and fidgeted while she fixed his tie. “Do I look ridiculous?”

How the man was not riddled with conceit over how gorgeous he was would always baffle Abby. “Ridiculous is definitely not what comes to mind. You look dashing, I promise.” She grabbed his jacket and helped him into it as he snorted.

“I’d settle for presentable.” He turned to inspect himself in the mirror. The bespoke tuxedo fit him perfectly and the three button with vest was Abby’s personal favorite, which is why she set it out for him.

“More than presentable, so lets get a move on and present you already!” She grabbed his gloves and overcoat and headed for the door.

When they entered the living area of the suite, Finn, Connor, Yuri, Niko and Frank were all there waiting. Properly pressed and polished. It was times like this that Abby remembered she was constantly surrounded by magnificent looking men. Too bad they were all virtually her big brothers.

“Abby give that to me!” Max ordered as he snatched his coat and gloves from her. “You are the lady, I should be fetching your things.”

“Allow me.” Finn stepped up, holding Abby’s wrap up for her to step into.

Abby grinned. “Why thank you!”

“I have your bag.” Frank waved the small clutch that was encrusted with the same jewels as her combs.

With a deep sigh, Max waved his hand toward the door. “Then I guess we are off.”

Niko chuckled and slapped a hand on Max’s back then pushed him out the door.

Lou had been
standing in front of the mirror for at least ten minutes and still was unable to calm herself. She felt ridiculous. Like she was looking at a stranger in the mirror and that Max would laugh the minute he set eyes on her. There was no way in hell she was going to this gala. Unfortunately for Lou, there was also no way in hell her mother or Caroline would allow her not to.

“Whoa!” Caroline gasped as she walked in to the closet and saw Lou all dressed and ready to go. “You look utterly amazing!”

Lou looked as if she had stepped off a movie screen in her bronzed dress and matching shoes. The earrings and bracelet that her mother had suggested could not have been more perfect. While Lou did in fact feel pretty, it was too far off the beaten path from her normal jeans, lip-gloss and go. Insecure was far too light of an adjective for how she currently felt.

“I can’t do this.” She said as she turned to her friend who in her mind was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, besides her mother, of course.

Caroline wore siren red satin that was cut just low enough to be tasteful with a slit up the side that was just high enough not to be tacky. Giant pearls surrounded in diamonds adorned her earlobes and on her wrist was a matching three strand bracelet. The up-do she had chosen along with her bare shoulders just added to her already long and graceful stature. Lou felt small and drab next to her.

“You can and you will! So come on, we are going to be late.” Caroline grabbed Lou’s coat and bag then shoved Lou out of the closet with a body check.

“Ow! Seriously?” Lou nearly fell over.

“Seriously. Now move, we don’t have time to cover up another black eye, so move before I send for your mother. They are waiting for us at the door.”

The look on Joe and her mother’s face when she came down the stairs made her feel a little better. They were smiling proudly like they had when she walked up on stage at her graduation from the academy. Her stomach stopped flopping but continued the flipping.

“You look so beautiful!” Joe gushed when she finally made it to the door.

“I feel ridiculous.” She huffed as Joe helped her into her coat.

“Of course you do sweetie pie, you’ll get over it.” Her mother gave her no solace as she ushered her out the door.

Limousines and town cars inched their way up the boulevard with the
direction of traffic cops to take their turn letting off passengers that ranged from rock stars to foreign dignitaries to homicide detectives. Lou watched the searchlights pan the sky from out the car window and cringed at the logistical nightmare this event must have been for local law enforcement. When the top hat and tails clad valet opened the door to the limo, Lou stepped out onto the sidewalk to the barrage of flashbulbs from the paparazzi that lined the barricades on each side of the pathway. It was a bloody zoo.

They were immediately met by a formally dressed gentleman wearing a headset who was typing and stabbing his finger at his tablet while trying not to look immensely frazzled. To his credit, he knew precisely who they were and escorted them up the pathway to the reception area where a horde of guests were already mingling and sipping from cut crystal champagne glasses. After being relieved of their coats by another attendant, they stood at the top of the steps before descending down into the sea of other guests and took in the spectacle of it all. The reception area was actually the front gardens of the museum that were tented for the occasion like a circus big top, but in creamy white rather than primary stripes. Soft string music played just below the din of chattering guests and tinkling of water from the myriad of fountains that jutted up out of the streams and ponds that were dotted and woven throughout the gardens. Huge gilded freestanding candelabras that stood at least eight feet tall and held candles the size of Lou’s leg, were placed strategically about and gave an ethereal glow to the setting. Clearly no expense had been spared for the event.

Lou looked out at all the people, the beautiful and finely dressed people and wondered once again, what the hell was she doing here? It was precisely then that something instinctual led her eyes to his. Across the throng of people, at least thirty yards away, Max beamed a smile at her that made her feel warm and instantly lightheaded. Dear God, he looked like something off the pages of a magazine and she had to grip the railing to steady herself. Max was surrounded by people nearly clawing to get to him, but he seemed not to notice or care as he started to make his way toward her. She had forgotten her mother, Joe and Caroline and descended the stairs to meet him without thinking. Lou hadn’t noticed the thousands of eyeballs that had landed on her, clearly wondering who had captured the attention of their Dominor. Max could care less about protocol or manners and could only think about getting to Lou. She took his breath away when he saw her.

When they met at the bottom of the steps, he extended his hand, which she took without thought. He drew her closer and breathed in her jasmine and vanilla perfume as though it were the only thing that could sustain him.

“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” It slipped out of his mouth without hesitation.

Lou blushed instantly and grinned despite herself. “You clean up pretty good yourself.” Her eyes met his and they both were lost for several moments. The whole of the affair melted away into the distance as they took each other in. Not a word was spoken between them but volumes were said in that stare.

“Uh, hello?” They both started as Caroline butted her way in. “Remember us?”

Lou’s face grew hotter as she turned to Caroline and her parents. “Sorry.”

“Caroline, you look ravishing.” Max took Caroline’s hand and politely kissed her knuckles, turning to Shevaun to do the same. “And you my dear Shevaun, look magnificent as always.” He smiled brightly to Joe. “To borrow a recent quote, you clean up pretty good too Joe.”

Lou chuckled as Max greeted everyone and couldn’t help but notice how he postured himself close to her as if tucking her under his arm. It made her feel warm and lightheaded again.

“Where is the gang?” Caroline asked him as her eyes scanned the crowd looking for signs of the others.

A waiter approached them to offer glasses of champagne, which they all were happy to accept. Max took two glasses and handed one to Lou with a beaming smile. She didn’t think there was enough champagne in the world to calm the flutter in her stomach.

“As you all are fashionably late, I am sure they are moving about the garden politicking as per proper form.” Max sipped from his glass.

After a carefully measured sip of her own, she looked up at him again. “I’m certain you have a good deal of that to do yourself. Please don’t feel obligated to hang out with us.”

Max looked down at her with a whimsical grin. “I don’t think I could ever classify hanging out with you as an obligation. More an indulgence.” Shevaun and Caroline grinned at each other as they watched the invisible sparks flying between Lou and Max.

“It’s quite remarkable all those in attendance tonight.” Joe observed. “A veritable who’s-who of Sanguinostri. Have you seen Albert yet?”

“No, not yet.” Max absentmindedly turned to face Joe, placing his hand on the small of Lou’s back without thinking. Lou nearly melted into a puddle at the sensation and bit her tongue to refrain from humming aloud. “His assistant told us when we arrived that he will be making some grand entrance once all the guests have checked in. I shouldn’t imagine it will be much longer.” Max nodded and smiled as people passed and greeted him with a degree of reverence that only added to Lou’s fluster.

Lou had begun to notice the eyes surveying her and it was becoming a bit disconcerting. When a couple finally approached them that looked like old world royalty, the woman looked down her nose at Lou as she extended her hand for Max to take. She was a good bit taller than Lou, probably due to the impossibly high stilettos she was wearing. Her skin was pale as porcelain and her long mane of hair was equally pale. It was styled to sweep around the nape of her neck and cascade down in front in rolling waves. Her dress was a nude satin that was so tight it left nothing to the imagination, which was probably the plan all along. Her ears and neck dripped in diamonds that were obviously real since the woman was definitely the type who would never have stood for anything imitation. The only color she wore was the red lipstick that was far too bright for her skin tone but her continued pursing and pouting made it clear to Lou that the woman felt it was the perfect shade.

“Maximilian...” The snobby woman spoke. “...we had expected to see you much sooner after you arrived. Naughty boy staying away from me like that.” Lou found the woman’s voice grating with overly seductive tones.

“Corinne.” Max greeted the woman, taking her hand and barely touching his lips to her knuckles. “A pleasure to see you. I’ve been very busy since my arrival and haven’t been able to make the rounds as of yet. Allow me to introduce you...” Max released the woman’s hand and stepped in closer to Lou, drawing his hand up her back while the other skimmed her arm as he nudged her more in front of him. “Lou Donovan, my companion and newest Principate.” The woman’s eyes nearly popped out of her head at the declaration and Lou wondered what the implications of being referred to as his companion were, but simply smiled brightly at the woman who appeared to be trying not to choke.

“Lou, this is Corinne Corgan, an old friend and devoted patroness of the arts.” He looked at Lou and gave her a reassuring wink that went unnoticed by the goggling Corinne.

“Good to meet you.” Lou extended her hand.

Corinne reluctantly took Lou’s hand in hers very briefly and obviously only for appearance’s sake. “Yes, likewise I am sure.” She studied Max’s face carefully as he looked at Lou, and raised an eyebrow.

“And these are her parents, Shevaun and Joe McAllister, as well as Caroline Devereux, of the Richelieu Devereuxs” Max turned slightly and gestured to the three.

Corinne’s eyes goggled again at the mention of Richelieu. “Really?!” Her voice squeaked slightly.

Joe and Shevaun shook the woman’s hand politely but Caroline had Corinne’s number and relished dealing with her type.

“Really.” Caroline said smugly. Obviously knowing something about the woman that Lou didn’t. “Corgan? Aren’t you the Corinne Corgan from the Falsbey films?”

Corinne instantly puffed up. “Why yes, one and the same. You’re a fan of my work?”

“Well, actually I just took a historical cinema class as a filler in college. I remember you from a paper I did on the failure of burlesque on film. Too bad things didn’t catch on for you back then.” Caroline smiled at the woman cheerfully.

Shevaun hid her laughter under a cough as the steam almost visibly rose off of Corinne’s face.

“Corinne, darling...” The man who had gone unnoticed by the group stepped in as if trying to diffuse a bomb. “The Duke has been asking for you since he arrived. I think it’s cruel for you to keep him waiting any longer. If you all will excuse us.” He ushered the fuming Corinne away from them and as soon as she was gone, they all started to laugh.

“Pompous bitch.” Caroline declared as she took a solid gulp of her champagne. “I always hated her type growing up. My momma taught me early on how to deal with the likes of her.”

“You’ll need to learn to ignore those bitches, Lou.” Abby said as she suddenly appeared next to them. “They are so old and crusted with self importance that they forgot how to be discreet about their jealousy.” She reached for Lou’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. “And this guy is oblivious to it most of the time so you gotta thump him on the head when someone is being so overtly rude.”

“That was very overt.” Max admitted. “I despise having to deal with that woman.” He scowled and swapped his empty champagne glass for a fresh one as a waiter walked by.

“Well it would be nice to know if I am allowed to be rude back to them or if I’m required to play nice with the shrews?” Lou glared across the crowd at the woman as she tossed her head back with phony laughter over something a short, fat, bald and shiny man had said.

Max couldn’t help grinning at Lou. “You have my blessing to be rude right back to anyone that annoys you” He skimmed his hand up and down her arm again which gave her goosebumps. “Remember though! You still have to deal with your normal strain of politics within the departments as always. I can’t step in there on a daily basis. The normal world still turns as usual.”

“I understand all that and am used to it. Don’t worry.” She tore her eyes away from him briefly to catch Corinne scowling at her from across the crowd. She simply couldn’t help herself and stuck her tongue out at the woman who gasped in reaction. “It’s nice to be able to do that though.”

Max erupted with laughter, nearly doubling over and drawing even more stares from the other guests. The sight of Lou in all her sophisticated splendor resorting to such a juvenile, albeit effective, tactic, was priceless.

“Okay, enough fun and games, we need to make some rounds and introduce all of you to key people and get it out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of our evening.” Max regained his composure and looked to Abby to lead the way.

“Probably wise to start with the east coast admin.” She led them away from the base of the steps and into the throng.

Forty-five minutes later Lou had forgotten more names than she could remember. Everyone she had met after Corinne had been genuinely glad to meet her and very kind. She had stuffed at least a dozen business cards in her purse with all the givers insisting she contact them for any reason if they could ever be of assistance. Of course there was a new level of brown nosing which she found highly amusing. At least it was sincere with kindness rather then poorly veiled attempt to gain favor from Max. Lou had just finished listening to a bad joke told by the agent from the Department of Justice when she heard a tap on a microphone from the sound system that had been piping in the stringed music.

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests and friends, our Dominor...” Lou found the source of the voice perched at the top of the entry steps. He was a pleasant looking fellow though he appeared a bit worse for wear with his tie askew and his hair slipping out of place. He placed his fist over his heart and nodded to Max as he addressed him. “It is my great pleasure to introduce our host and benefactor for this exhibit, Sir Albert von Massenbach.” The man stepped aside from the microphone and began applauding, which cued everyone else to applaud.

It suddenly occurred to Lou that all in attendance were Sanguinostri only. Even the media that had been allowed to cover the event must have been. She would have to remember to ask Max about that later. For now she spied the man that was evidently throwing the shindig step up to speak. He raised his hands up in a gesture to stall the applause. He was hardly an aristocratic looking man despite his finely tailored clothes. His wiry ginger hair was pulled back tightly into a pony tail and secured with a black ribbon. Complete with bow that reminded Lou of how men may have worn than in the seventeen hundreds, right along with stockinged feet. His facial features were obscured, thankfully she thought, by a well groomed beard and his eyes reminded her of a dead fish. This man was not at all what she had expected as the host of such an elaborate event.

“Dear friends...” He finally spoke once the applause had died. “... and my Dominor.” He made an overly fancy bow, complete with rolling hand gesture towards Max. Lou could hear Niko chortle at the move from behind her. “It is my greatest honor that you all have joined me this evening! I am humbled to see all the faces of so many dear friends and even dearer loved ones...” To Lou’s delight, he waggled his eyebrows toward Corinne, making her fluster uncomfortably. “... at the unveiling of my most prized collection that I have allowed the museum to exhibit for the next year. Many of you who know me are well aware that the antiquities contained in this collection represent a very fond period of time in my long lived life.” Lou sensed Max tense at the words. “I was very fortunate to have held on to so much when the Empire fell. Even more fortunate to be able to retrieve so many other pieces back from the clutches of oblivion to which precious and beloved things were lost to quite a few of us.”