He leaned even closer, pressing his thumb to her mouth. “You didn’t say or do anything wrong. Just beat me to the punch is all.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
“Well, she would’ve had to be told sooner or later.”
“Told? Told what?”
Alex pushed his massive frame from against the wall and curled one arm about Topaz’s waist. “I think we should have this conversation someplace else. I hope you’re in the mood to discuss it.”
Topaz’s gaze sparkled with anticipation as she rested her head against his chest. “Oh, believe me, right now my mood is definitely shaping up.”
Eric and Patra Emerson held an incredible dinner at their lawyer’s waterfront club in Rhode Island, New York. The event was in honor of their daughter and her fiancé. The guest list included close friends and a few family members. The Emersons had even arranged for Alex’s mother, Lynetia Rice, to be in attendance. The wonderful seafood menu complemented the lively conversation and gregarious toasts to the engaged couple.
“You think they’ll be all right over there?” Topaz asked, casting a sly gaze toward their loud dinner companions at the table near the huge bay windows.
Alex smoothed his hands across her hips and grinned. “We’ll make this a short dance,” he playfully decided, then brushed his lips across her forehead.
Topaz sighed her contentment, turning her face into his neck. “Not too short,” she urged, feeling Alex’s chest vibrate beneath the rumble of his laughter.
The lovely couple simply held each other, barely swaying in response to the sweet jazz drifting overhead. The show of peace and happiness on their faces was an added testament to how utterly blessed they felt in light of all that had passed. Even to those who were unaware of their relationship, let alone their engagement, it was more than obvious that the two were deeply in love.
The soft sound of a throat clearing roused their interest sometime later. The waiter standing nearby squeezed his hands as he smiled uneasily.
“So sorry to disturb you. Mr Rice, you have a call at the bar,” the young Puerto Rican man announced.
Alex grimaced. “Who the hell tracked me down here?” he whispered.
Topaz reached up to tap her fingers against the muscle twitching along his jaw. “Shh ... it must be important.”
“Still ...”
“Listen, go take care of it and we’ll meet back at the table, all right?” she urged, slipping her hands beneath his maroon suit coat and stroking his back. “All right?” she repeated, slowing the strokes against the crisp material of his shirt.
Alex’s gorgeous gaze narrowed with desire as he traced her exquiste dark chocolate face. His lips followed the path of his eyes and soon he was kissing her thoroughly.
“Mmm ...” Topaz moaned, eager to experience more, but deciding not to give in to her desire just then. “Go,” she ordered, turning him in the direction of the bar.
Alex didn’t bother to remove the frown from his face or voice when he answered the call.
“Mr. Rice, thank you for taking the call. I realize this is a bit unorthodox.”
“ ‘Unorthodox’ wasn’t the word I had in mind.”
The caller cleared his throat, realizing he would be better suited in getting to the point. “Sir, the purpose of my call is to inform you that your fiancée is not safe.”
Alex’s frown deepened into a murderous scowl. “Who the hell is this?”
“I work for someone who has an interest in the situation.”
“What the hell do you know about ‘the situation’?”
“Mr. Rice, please, I urge you—”
“And I urge you to pray I never find out who you are.”
“Mr. Rice, please. You must listen to me. The threat against your fiancée is still in effect. Her life is still in danger.”
“Who—”
“I promise you, steps are in place to remove this danger. We believe you’ll be pleased to be made aware of them.”
Alex closed his eyes, massaging them with one hand, while the other threatened to break the receiver in two. “You listen to me. I’m in no mood for games, riddles, or anything even remotely similar.”
“I understand, Mr. Rice. Mr. Carlos Fines would like to meet with you tonight and discuss the matter further.”
“Fines,” Alex repeated, his lips twisting at the bile rising in his throat. “Tonight is no good,” his voice grated.
“Mr. Rice, I understand your reluctance and Mr. Fines does realize the inconvenience this poses, but in light of what’s at stake—”
“Where and when?” Alex questioned, checking his wristwatch as he listened to the instructions.
When Alex returned to the table, the exciting mood there had not diminished. He kissed his mother, then excused himself and asked Topaz to walk with him.
