He held her around the waist. “Much better.” His lips found hers and he kissed her hard. “Are you ready?” Miller asked, out of breath and wanting to skip the match. He much preferred the idea of staying in bed with her naked.
On the way to Westbury, Hadley decided to learn a bit about the game she was about to watch, so she didn’t sound as clueless as she felt, that is if she ended up speaking to anyone other than Mac. He would understand her cluelessness.
“Tell me about this sport. How much yawning will I do?”
“Yawning?” Miller scoffed. “You think it will be boring?”
Hadley imagined it to be as exciting as watching a chess match on television.
“Did I hit a nerve, Mr. Genetti?”
“I’ll have you know, polo is the ultimate sport. It’s dangerous and thrilling. I assure you that you will not be bored.”
“Okay, then, how do you play?”
“In short, there are two teams with four riders mounted on horses. We play on a field roughly equivalent to nine football fields with goalposts at either end. The object is to move a ball downfield with a mallet and through the goal.”
She held her hand over her mouth pretending to yawn. Miller laughed.
“How long do you have?” she asked.
“A chukker is seven minutes long and we play six of them.”
She giggled. “A chukker?”
“Yes, like a period in hockey.”
“But with no real action or fouls.”
“On the contrary, there are plenty of fouls and it’s a lot like hockey. Riders play the line, but while on an animal that weighs a ton. It’s dangerous, thus crossing the line is a foul, as is the many blows received by another player’s mallet. The reward is a penalty shot.”
It actually sounded more exciting that Hadley initially thought. “I’m intrigued, but I’ll hold off forming an opinion until I see for myself.”
“You do that, Love.”
Miller took a sharp turn and the grounds came into view. White fencing and green grass stretched for miles. Grandstands in the distance filled with people who looked like spots from their distance.
Miller parked and they walked hand in hand, passing by a sign that read Hickok Fields, to a sea of pop up tents. Sunshine stung her bare shoulders. An exceptionally humid August, the thick air felt like being in a sauna, and she could feel the wetness on her skin. When her shoes sunk into the dense moist grass, Hadley was grateful she opted not to wear a larger heel. They met Mac in front of an ivy covered brick clubhouse. Standing tall behind him were Antonio and Armonno. Hadley grumbled her displeasure.
Miller squeezed her hand. “They’re only going to stay close by in case you need them. You won’t even know they’re here.”
“They’re kind of hard to miss.”
She rolled her eyes and hugged her friend.
“Hey, you. I have escorts.” Mac jerked a thumb over his shoulder. Hadley shook her head. “I thought the guy following you worked for your grandmother.”
Hadley didn’t want to share the new reasons for her escorts yet. “Just being cautious.”
“Mr. Walsh, nice to see you again.” Miller said and shook Mac’s hand. “I have to go to the locker room to get ready for the match. Armonno and Antonio will escort you to my box. Quinn and Aggi will be there and maybe some of the rest of my family. I’m not sure who all is coming. Enjoy yourselves, and I’ll see you after the match.”
Miller kissed Hadley goodbye.
As he walked away, Mac said, “What’s really with the beefy-twins?”
Hadley giggled. “He’s still worried, that’s all.”
“Okay, you don’t have to tell me.”
His response was welcomed, given Hadley had no intentions of telling him anyway until her former guardian was locked away.
The field level box contained seating for ten. Hadley introduced Mac to Aggi and Quinn. Once aquatinted with Mac, they both hugged and kissed Hadley. As Adele approached from the grass, Hadley noticed Mac right his posture, his chest swelling and his signature flirtatious grin forming.
She remembered his behavior with the waitress when they were at dinner. Since then, he shared a few more stories that confirmed his trampish ways. But Adele Lorino was not a woman to trifle with.
Quietly, Hadley said, “MacElroy Walsh that is Miller’s cousin.”
His grin deepened. “And?”
“And Vito Lorino’s daughter. If you get my drift.”
“It’s all good.”
She sighed when Adele came close enough to hear them. Mac had better not attempt a quick fling with Miller’s cousin. Hadley liked her a lot, and Adele had been through enough, dealing with a failed marriage. A tawdry one-nighter would not interest her.
“Hadley.”
“Adele. Lovely to see you again.”
The two women hugged. Over Adele’s shoulder, Hadley saw Mac still wearing that love-struck look on his face. She narrowed her eyes at him and mouthed, “No.”
In addition to Adele’s feelings being hurt, Hadley didn’t want her dear friend to end up swimming with the fishes. Hadley introduced Mac. He held Adele’s hand a little longer than Hadley felt comfortable with. She nudged him and he released Adele’s hand with a polite greeting. Adele hugged her uncles next and took a seat.
Hadley needed a drink if she was doomed to play cock-blocker all afternoon. She was about to make the suggestion when Miller entered the box. On second thought, maybe the clubhouse had rooms, or a storage closet, she could drag Miller too. Her heart nearly stopped as she stared at him. He wore snug white pants that were tucked into knee high black boots. His polo-shirt was red and black nylon with a Genetti Industries logo embroidered on the left sleeve. It hid none of the muscled man underneath. He smiled, that sexy dimple deep, and leaned in to kiss her cheek. Before his lips contacted her skin, Miller whispered, “Drooling again, Ms. Walker.”
Hadley blushed, her cheeks burning feverishly.
Miller chuckled and kissed her, before hugging Adele. He then shook hands with Aggi and Quinn. Otto came into the box next, looking pretty hot in the uniform as well, and Hadley tried not to let her eyes linger long. Mac didn’t try nearly as hard. His eyes bulged out of his head. All of the men in Miller’s family were handsome, genetically gifted in a way.
Miller introduced Otto to Mac. Otto was oblivious to how long Mac held his hand, and Hadley laughed silently.
When Miller and Otto left to warm up, Hadley couldn’t resist teasing her friend. “Sorry, tramp, but that one is straighter than straight.”
Mac frowned, but perked right up when Adele proposed they go to the clubhouse for drinks before the match started. She also noticed the way Adele fluttered her long lashes and the blush shading her cheeks.
On the way to the clubhouse, Hadley stood between Adele and Mac, trying to deflect the sexual tension buzzing between them, but the force was attached to a metaphorical boomerang that kept coming back.
Cold air whooshed against Hadley’s skin when Mac opened the door to the bar. She shivered but welcomed the reprieve from the thick humid air outside. They gathered at a small table and ordered Vodka tonics. When Hadley tried to ease her way between Mac and Adele, he stopped her by moving closer to Adele and forcing Hadley to stand on the other side of him.
The rich dark wood throughout the bar created an old English feel. Flat screen televisions were displayed on every wall, airing various sporting events and results from horseraces around the country.
“Have you ever been here before?” Adele asked politely.
“No,” Hadley admitted. She and Adele were raised on two different planets. “But it’s lovely”
“Meadowbrook is the oldest polo club in the country. I think it opened in the eighteen hundreds.”
Mac’s phony expression gave away his feigned interested. Adele didn’t know him well enough to see through it, but Hadley did. She rolled her eyes, exasperated with her friend’s efforts. Mac politely asked questions. Adele answered all of them, her giggling almost as bogus as Mac’s interest.
Hadley no longer heard them talking as her eyes fixated on the television above the bar. Mac, Adele, and the rest of the patrons were unmindful of how important the news was for her.
Harold Duwatski’s photograph stared at Hadley from center screen, his evil eyes threatening her.
Hadley read the headline
Breaking News:
Arrest warrant issued for local
Manhattan Attorney and State Guardian
. The subtitle sent her nerves into a frenzy.
A manhunt is currently underway for the suspect, who remains at large.
“New York PD announcing moments ago that an arrest warrant has been issued for Harold Duwatski on multiple counts of sexual battery, child pornography, and human trafficking. Duwatski is an established estate attorney here in Manhattan. He is also on retainer with the state of New York as a court appointed guardian. Late last night, New York police detectives raided the Manhattan home of Duwatski, seizing evidence. An arrest warrant was issued this morning, but police have been unable to take Duwatski into custody. At this hour, Duwatski’s wife is said to be cooperating with authorities and denies having any knowledge of her husband’s whereabouts. She remains unavailable for comment concerning the charges against her husband, or if she was aware of the accusations that led up to these charges. It’s being reported that a handgun from the home is missing and police are warning Duwatski may be armed and dangerous. If you come in contact with the suspect, police are urging the public not to attempt to apprehend him, but rather to contact local law enforcement with any information.”
“Susan, do we know how these charges came about, or who filed the report.”
“At this time, we are waiting on a press conference, set to take place in about an hour. We do know the accuser is a former female ward assigned to Duwatski for guardianship when she was a child. The name of the accuser; however, is being withheld as it appears she was a minor when the inappropriate relationship began. We are hoping to have more information available after the press conference, and of course, the real priority for NYPD is to bring Duwatski into custody quickly and safely, so he can answer for these charges.”
She pulled her eyes away from the television. Mac and Adele were still flirting with each other as though Hadley wasn’t in the room.
Inappropriate relationship?
Her guardian hadn’t been apprehended yet, her case not heard, and the media had already began insinuations.
Hadley left her cell phone in the car and wanted to call Don. She excused herself and went outside to find her two favorite baby sitters flanking the entrance. She hated to admit it, but damn if Hadley wasn’t thrilled they were there. They followed her to Miller’s car. Hadley cursed when she found it locked. She didn’t think Miller would take kindly to her breaking into his luxury sports car, not that she knew how, but she needed her phone. Then the car chirped and she turned her head to a grinning Antonio.
“We have spares to all of Mr. G’s cars,” he announced in his gruff voice.
“I could kiss you, Antonio.”
The big guy smiled.
“Please, don’t. I like this job.”
Hadley opened the door and took her phone from her purse. Ten missed calls from Don. She hit the call back button. He answered instantly. “Tell me you’re safe.”
“I’m fine. We’re at Meadowbrook for a charity event.”
“Thank God. I called you as soon as the warrant was issued, and then the slimly bastard turned up missing. I panicked when I couldn’t reach you.”
“I’m sorry, my phone was in the car. I saw it on the news in the clubhouse. They’re reporting more charges than I expected. Does that mean you found something in the raid?”
“We did. I’d prefer to discuss the details in person. Will you be home tonight?”
“Were staying at Miller’s, but yes. I can text you the address.”
“I know the address and I’ll be there at seven. In the meantime don’t go anywhere alone.”
“Not possible. Miller has his two body guards with me.”
“Perfect, you’re safe. Say hello to Armonno and Antonio for me?”
“You know them, too?”
“They’re ex-force. You’re in good hands. Stay tough, little one, and I’ll see you tonight.”
“Don.”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I still have to catch the son of a bitch! I got to go. See you tonight.”
“All right, bye.”
Hadley ended the call and put her phone away.
Mac and Adele were still chatting when she returned to the clubhouse bar. When Hadley sat down, Mac said, “Did you see this story?” He pointed to the television.
Hadley’s stomach sunk and the color drained from her face. She felt nauseous. Adele may have missed her reaction, but Mac didn’t.
“It’s a little suspicious, if you ask me.” Hadley whipped her head around to Adele’s voice. “I mean if she’s an adult now and the relationship started when she was a child, why wait so long. The guy is married. Sounds like a jilted lover to me. The girl probably thought he was going to leave his wife.”
“It sounds like the police think otherwise,” Mac added.
“You’ll see, it will all come out. I see these stories all the time on talk shows. These kids from broken homes are always looking for attention. They’ll make up anything to get it. I feel sorry for the guy. His life is ruined.”
Hadley tried to sit on her hands. She attempted to seal her lips closed, but the fury inside of her was too close to the surface to be contained.
“What about the life he ruined?” she asked bitterly.
Mac got the definite impression Hadley was about to explode. Either she knew the guy from the television or someone like him. He started to speak, but Adele opened her mouth first.
“Who? The girl? Her life was ruined the minute she entered the system, but just because she’s bitter and angry doesn’t mean she can have an affair, and then destroy the guy’s life when he chooses his wife over her. I mean, did she actually think he would want common trash for anything more than a dirty fling? He’s an upper-class New York attorney for God’s sake. It amazes me how these women are so easily manipulated. Have a backbone.”
Tears burned Hadley’s eyes. It was the nasty, ignorant opinion she knew some people would form, but it hurt like hell for her to hear it from Adele.