“This fall will be their last year. They’re friends and roommates.”
“I can’t remember my college days,” he says as if he’s confessing some intimate piece of knowledge. Michelle leans toward him. “Tell me your sister and her friend’s most outrageous exploits. It’ll remind me not to be such a stick in the mud.”
“You could never be boring,” she says breathily. And for the next twenty minutes, Kaga expertly interrogates Michelle on all the details she knows about Sabrina, as I watch Lauren.
She’s bait tonight, even if she doesn’t realize it. Both Richard and I are tracking her, and I can tell by the rigid way she holds herself that the attention is making her uncomfortable. Play with the wolves, prepare to be eaten or bite back. She doesn’t have it in her to bite back. Not like my Tiny.
As she ducks out with an empty tray, Richard makes his move.
“Excuse me,” I murmur to Kaga and Michelle, uncaring whether they hear me or if they were even talking to me.
The layout of the ball has the caterers set up in the rear antechamber, just off the left arm of the museum. There are several alcoves where Howe can corner Lauren.
I walk quickly and with purpose, and no one stops me.
A quick survey of the gallery reveals that neither Lauren nor Howe are present. But a flash of black to the left catches my eye. I exit left and then head down a short hall. Gotcha. Howe is holding Lauren’s arm in a tight grip. Her tray is rattling against her leg as he shakes her arm.
“Didn’t like your tuna tartare? I hardly think that complaining to the staff is going to help your indigestion.” I lean against the wall and cross my arms. Act I of the play has just begun. This part calls for nonchalance and boredom, even though I’d like to leap forward and crush his skull between my hands.
“Kerr,” he huffs and lets go, all his social training kicking in. No scandals in public. Lauren takes the opportunity to slip away.
“Have your fortunes fallen so far that you’re now begging the wait staff to warm your cold bed?”
“Just following your example,” Howe sneers. “I hear those girls give stellar blow jobs. They’re so eager to take a step up the ladder. How’s Tiny’s mouth? Tighter than a vacuum?”
I nearly bite my tongue in half to prevent myself from launching at him. “Every time you say her name, the cost of your redemption goes up. I don’t think you’ll be able to buy your way out of this one. In fact, I’d think twice about trying to buy anything in the near future. And by near, I’m thinking five, maybe ten years. How’s bankruptcy look in the polls these days? Think your father will win his nomination if he can’t balance the books at home? How long will Cecilia remain married to you when her cards are declined at Barney’s? Because every debt you have, I’m calling tomorrow.”
Howe takes two steps forward, and I drop my arms to my side. He glances down to see my hands curling into fists and steps back.
“You can buy all my debt, but you’ll never be a Howe.”
“That would be a great comeback if I cared about that,” I said dryly. “No one has wanted to be a Howe in a very long time.”
His face tightens at this insult, but because he’s a coward, he turns on his heel and walks away.
The curtain falls. I glance at my watch. Act II is about to start very soon.
Swiftly I return to where I left Kaga and Michelle. Tiny has returned, and she looks amused. Perhaps because she knows why Kaga is interrogating Michelle.
“Did you enjoy your little chase?” Kaga asks as I rejoin them.
“It was a good start to the evening, but I’m not going to be satisfied until I’ve had the main course.”
I glance over at Richard’s wife, who is glaring daggers at me.
“She looks unhappy,” Tiny observes.
“I think her husband may have just delivered bad news about their credit.”
“Ouch.” She winces. “I don’t want to be with them tonight.”
Michelle looks avidly between us, as if she is dying to ask what we’re talking about, but her own good manners prevent her from speaking.
Fairchild returns before she can gather up her nerve. “Mr. Kerr, Ms. Corielli, perhaps you’d like to step up to the podium.”
He waves his hand toward a small dais at the center of the atrium in front of the string quartet.
Tiny gives me a questioning glance. I’ve shared most of what would happen tonight, but not all. And for a moment I feel a twinge of guilt. Perhaps another day and another event would be better suited for this. But I had to put this behind us once and for all. Not just for my sake, but for the future safety of our family.
I lean over and kiss her on the cheek. “Trust me.”
“I do.” She places her hand in mine and squeezes. Together we walk toward the dais. Howe is standing there.
“What’s he doing there?” she whispers.
“He’s the chair of the Frick Foundation,” Ross informs her. “He’ll be announcing the generous donation Mr. Kerr has made in honor of your mother.”
“What?” She stops short and turns to me. “Ian, what?”
“It was a surprise.” I give him a dark look—but then, it’s really my fault. “I made a modest gift to open up the private member gardens to the public.”
“Modest!” Ross laughs but at my next glare, sobers up quickly. “Yes, my dear. The gardens have been available to members only, but Mr. Kerr came to us a few months ago asking if we would be interested in opening them up much like the museum is open, on a pay-what-you-wish basis. The gift is
substantial
enough,” he gives a tight smile as if to say that he’ll call the donation whatever he wants, “to fund the renovations, maintenance, and staffing for several years. We will be naming them the Sophie Corielli Gardens.”
Tiny gasps and then covers her mouth with both hands. Her eyes are wide, and I suppose behind her hands her mouth forms the same perfect circle.
“A minute,” I tell Ross. He nods, his face alight with concern.
“Certainly, Mr. Kerr. Take all the time you need.”
I draw Tiny behind one of the pillars. We aren’t hidden, but it provides us a small measure of privacy. Sweeping my hands up to the bare flesh of her shoulders and down to the bracelet cuff, I try to rub some of the shock away.
“I would have told you before, but I wanted it to be a surprise. I see now that was a poor idea.”
“Months ago, Ian?” she says with a trembling voice.
“Months.” I nod. “I knew from the minute I saw you that I wanted you. If I had to buy my way into your heart, I would. It’s my flaw, you know. I need you. And now, since you’ve foolishly fallen for me, I thought to make the donation to honor your mother. Consider it a wedding gift.”
“Before my mother’s death?”
“Even before then, but I upped the donation and made the naming a condition of the gift after she passed.”
“I’m pretty angry with you right now,” she says. I brace myself, wondering how I’ll be able to talk or buy my way out of this. “Because I really, really want to reward you, and I know I’m going to have to wait.”
I exhale in relief. “This’ll be over in less than thirty minutes, and then we’ll be in the car and I’ll make sure you come twice before we’ve passed midtown.”
She laughs at this. “I might hold you to that.”
“Do. After this is all over, I’m going to need a challenge.” My smile fades then. “I’m sorry for tainting your night with the Howe business, though. I felt like this was our best chance, and I wanted to get it over with.”
“Don’t apologize.” She brushes my cheek. “I want this as much as you. And I know my mother is probably cheering you on right this minute.”
And what is there for me to do but kiss her until all her lipstick is smeared between us? Her mouth tastes like scotch and Tiny—a sweet, heady brew. Her lips are lush, ripe fruit that beg for my teeth, and her tongue is a swift, darting thing inciting lust with every caress.
A loud cough from Ross breaks us apart. Panting slightly, she points to my mouth. Whipping out my handkerchief, I wipe at my lips and cheek until she gives me a nod and wink of approval. Leaning forward I give her another kiss. After all, I’ve destroyed her lipstick already. There’s no point in restraint now.
“Kill him,” she whispers, and it’s with her bloodthirsty words in mind that I join Howe at the dais.
“Kind of you to join me,” Howe says tightly. “Hope this isn’t uncomfortable for you, old man.”
“Not at all. I’m still feeling spry, given that I haven’t even reached my mid-thirties yet. Are you feeling poorly? Perhaps Ross has a chair for you.” I start to raise my hand to gesture for Fairchild.
Howe tugs my arm down. He is a remarkably easy target. In my mind, he’s been built up as this soulless monster ravaging everyone around him, too dangerous for a child to attack. But I am not a child or even the orphaned teen I used to be.
“I’m fine.” He scowls and then at a signal from his father, smoothes his face into a placid expression. “Good thing you got your check in early. Wasn’t sure if we would be able to continue with the ceremony. Did this come straight from the Kerr Inc. coffers? What would your shareholders say to that?”
“Unlike you, Howe, I don’t need to dip into my shareholder funds. I have plenty of my own to draw from.”
“That old canard? Is that what your father told you? That I borrowed some funds from a few portfolios?”
“Not at all,” I counter smoothly. “I was thirteen when he died. It was you who admitted to your wrongdoing. Don’t you remember?”
He pales, and I forge on.
“He came to you with a request that you return some of the funds he had lent you to cover up your embezzlement. You refused. You told him that he of all people should know that the code of the street was to eat or be eaten and that he shouldn’t have let you gobble him up.” I stare at Howe steadily as he turns ghostly white. The lilies lining the atrium have more color. “Want to know how I know this?” I ask quietly.
It’s hard to say whether the movement of his head is a nod of affirmation or a negative shake, but I proceed on. “Because my father recorded it. I still have it.” I reach inside my jacket pocket. “Shall I play it for you?”
Howe reaches for my hand. “Stop.” His breath is labored and sweat dots his brow. “What do you want? You told me that my credit is no good. I assume you’ve bought up my debt. What is it that you want? For me to leave Tiny alone? Done.”
“What I want from you, Howe, is to admit your wrongdoing once and for all.” My words are barely above a whisper, but he hears every word. “Confess your sins here and now, and I’ll make it right for you.”
The buzz of the crowd has all but dissipated, but Howe doesn’t recognize this. He is too wrapped up in his own panic to be aware of his surroundings—including the fact that I don’t have a recorder.
He nods, slowly and jerkily. “Then all will be returned to the way it was?”
“Yes. All will be made right.”
“Wh-what specific sins?” He licks his lips.
“Why not start with my family? If we have time, you can recount any others you’ve done wrong.”
“I did turn your father away, but I want you to know I’ve regretted it.”
“Did you regret taking the money from him? Or allowing him to cover up your embezzlement? Or did you regret turning him away?”
“All of it. It’s been eating at me.” He thumps his chest.
“What about the people you stole money from? Do you regret that?”
“Y-yes.” When he doesn’t say anything further, I take a menacing step forward. He starts talking again. “I regret taking the money from my clients.”
“Is that why your father’s funds are so depleted now? Why he’s had to rely on his friends for so many big donations? Do they know he’s not matching them with his own funds because he’s covering up your mistakes?”
He shakes his head. “It’s an expensive lifestyle we lead.” He grabs for me, but I move away from him. I don’t want his filthy hands on me. He loses his balance and grabs the podium. “You know this.” He raises his voice even higher. “You know this!”
“I’ve earned every penny I’ve spent,” I respond. “Can you say the same?”
In an instant, his pale face turns red with anger. “Your golden goose is cooked. I made sure of that. Kerr Inc. isn’t going to be controlled by you much longer, and then how many things will you be able to buy yourself and your whore?”
I might have swung at him if not for Tiny’s hand at my back. She’s right behind me, telling me with her touch that I should go on and not deviate from the plan.
“What else have you done? Tell me,” I command.
He’s too angry now to watch what he’s saying. “I’ve fucked women for their money. Is that what you want to hear? That I’ve taken advantage of old hag socialites to get their accounts and slept with daughters to ruin their fathers?” he sneers. “This dick has stuck more women in the city than a porn star in the valley. And I’ve made more money doing it. I don’t need you,” he says, straightening and trying to gain composure. “There’s a hundred stupid women out there right now whose dickless husbands can’t get it up. You offer to eat them out, and they’re all too willing to open up their checkbooks as well as their legs. Easy pickings.”
Complete silence is in the room now. “Easy, is it?” I peruse the crowd. Howe is still bloviating. “You know what your problem is, Howe? You have no imagination. You aim low and achieve low.”
“Fuck you,” he grunts. “I’m Richard Howe. I can trace my descendants back to people who rubbed shoulders with Henry Frick. You could have aligned yourself with me. My father could have put you in a position of power. Your mother didn’t even know how to dress herself when she married Duncan Kerr. And now, blood tells, because you went and tied yourself to an illiterate bike messenger. How stupid can you be?”
“Not so stupid that I say indiscreet things when there’s a hot mic in front of me.” I tap the microphone and the
thump thump
reverbs back. It’s almost as satisfying as hitting Howe in the face. Almost, but not quite.
So I turn and punch him right in the mouth so that the flesh of his lips is pushed hard against the line of his teeth. He stumbles back off the dais. No one helps him, and he falls to his knees. I jump down beside him. The crowd is rushing toward us, scenting blood. No matter how rarified the air, everyone loves a fight.