Matthew wasn’t happy that Sasha was leaving. Standing in the back of the ballroom discussing business of their own, Matthew and David quietly watched Renee make a federal judge feel like a horse’s ass with tact and decorum.
Nodding in the direction of where Kristin and the judge were standing, David said, “You’ve done well with her. If Elise were here—”
“Elise isn’t here,” Matthew interrupted with an abhorrent tone.
David ignored Matthew’s tone and felt the need to point out the obvious. “Don’t underestimate her. She’s a smart one, and determined at that. She will go far in the Family.”
“If Sasha wasn’t leaving, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
Matthew knew David didn’t care how he felt about Sasha’s relocation. David took a draw of his cigar and caught a woman watching them from across the room. She looked to be just a few years younger than Matthew and was striking in her red evening gown, sitting decorously while patiently waiting for the moment to do whatever she was planning.
“Do you know the remarkable woman in the red dress?”
Matthew looked in the direction David was and froze in irritation. Matthew inhaled deeply and spoke in a tone that told David he wasn’t happy seeing her. “Her name is Madeline Frost. She was an acquaintance of Wyatt’s for a time. She is also a bit of competition. Her specialty is loans and laundry, but I hear she is trying her hand at the funny money trade. No confirmation on that yet.”
David showed slight concern on his face. “You’re sure about that?”
“She has been trying to get into bed with us for a few years, but we have no interest in coupling with her.”
“Why not?”
“She’s more of a black widow than a trusting business partner.”
Matthew very much disapproved of Madeline’s presence and made a mental note to speak to his daughter to find out how Madeline Frost had received an invitation to this celebration. Madeline took extreme pleasure in testing his desire for her, and while Matthew did find her beautiful and secretly admired her determination, he couldn’t deny that he often thought about fulfilling the fantasies that sometimes slipped into his thoughts. Sex was her weapon of choice, but sleeping with the enemy was dangerous and he wouldn’t risk everything he had worked for just for the pleasure of her company.
“She’s very beautiful,” David noted with a smile.
“Do not be taken in by her siren song. It can sometimes take considerable effort to resist her charms. She’s very persistent when she chooses to be.” David gave Matthew a questioning look. “Rest at ease, David. I have resisted every time.”
The band slowed the music down and David clapped his hands in front of him, rubbing them together in anticipation, and handed Matthew his cigar. “Ah, it’s time to dance with the birthday girl.”
As David walked away, Madeline floated toward Matthew, the epitome of sophistication and grace. Matthew turned to the table behind him to both extinguish David’s cigar and take a moment to compose himself. Up until he saw Madeline, he was enjoying himself.
“Good evening, Matthew.” She had a honeyed quality to her voice that made it hard for Matthew to think of her as only an acquaintance.
With an unfettered tone he replied, “Madeline.”
“It’s a lovely party,” she said as she scanned him from head to toe with an approving grin.
It was, Matthew thought to himself, casting an eye over Madeline. Instead of saying what he was thinking, he simply nodded to acknowledge that she had spoken.
“I was invited to accompany Mr. Jamison tonight. My feelings were hurt, Matthew. Then I assumed that my invitation must have been lost in the mail.”
Matthew took a deep breath through his nose to try to calm his agitation. “That’s must be it.”
“Your daughter is lovely tonight. You must be very proud of her.”
Matthew turned to stub out his own cigar, knowing Madeline had that sly smile working overtime. David and Renee glided across the dance floor, amused to watch Matthew have to gather his composure before addressing Madeline.
“Is there something in particular you wanted, Madeline?”
She seductively smiled at him as he turned his head to look at her. Not since Elise had he wanted a woman this badly, but he was not about to give in.
Innocently, she gently rested a hand on his arm. “I wanted to come over and say hello and let you know I have been thinking about you.”
Matthew had to put a stop to this conversation. She frustrated him in more ways than one.
He gently removed her hand from his arm. “What is it you really want, Madeline?”
She gave him a defining look. “The casino being built in Atlantic City.”
“What about it?”
“You know my business would benefit yours.”
A smile formed at the corner of his mouth. “Is business that bad, Madeline?”
“Bad? No. I want the percentage for my own reasons.”
“What’s in it for me? More importantly, why would you think I would agree to this?”
The sly smile came back to her as she sidled up close to him, this time resting a hand on his chest and looking up at him with those eyes that made him want to throw her into the nearest closet and have his way with her. Though his posture slightly stiffened at her touch, his expression was blank and unreadable as he bent his head and met her gaze. He couldn’t help but sweep his eyes across her chest, giving him a clear and deliberate view of the curve of her breasts and how they rested nicely behind her dress.
This woman is the devil.
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t you think about it and let me know what it is you would like in exchange? I’m sure I can accommodate your request, within reason, of course.”
Matthew cleared his throat and regained his composure. “I’m sure. Excuse me, Madeline.”
He knew he would have to relay this conversation to David later so he took the opportunity to discretely slip out of room and go outside to get some air.