Matthew’s eye caught sight of Chloe and Jack moving toward the dance floor and it made him scowl. He glanced toward the table and saw David staring at him, unable to read his thoughts, which made him nervous.
“You need to find out everything you can,” Matthew spat at Crescent. “I need to know exactly what’s going on so I can plan accordingly. I’ll be damned if I’m going to go down. I have worked too hard to get this far.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I know something,” Crescent replied.
“You will also eliminate anything you deem a threat to me. Go take care of this and let me know when everything is in place.”
As Crescent walked away, Matthew tried to keep his composure despite his quickly rising adrenaline and anxiety. While he tried to focus on the party, he couldn’t stop thinking about the video. He knew his heart was beating faster than it should, and he also knew there was a chance his plans could fail. Paranoia began to sneak up on him while watching Jack and Chloe dance together. What were they talking about? And what was David so intently talking to the others about over at his table? Matthew decided not to give in to his own irrationality and stopped short when he caught a shadow moving across the back wall of the room. As he watched the figure glide along the way, his eyes slightly widened when he caught a glimpse of the owner of that shadow; the man stopped, pausing for only a second before disappearing back into the crowd. Just for a moment, Matthew thought he knew that man, but his brain told him it was impossible.
Matthew turned to scan the crowd. His blood froze as he saw James and Lawrence Garafola enter the ballroom, each with a Parnell girl on their arm and laughing at something apparently hilarious.
There was no letting go of his paranoia at the sight of the Garafola brothers. If Matthew was going to get what he wanted, it had to be before the brothers caught David’s eye. Matthew searched the room for Crescent and saw him standing in the opposite doorway, watching him. Matthew casually nodded to the brothers as they continued to move through the room, and made it known to Crescent these two needed to be removed immediately.
“Hey! There he is!” James shouted as they made their way to Matthew.
Shit! Matthew thought as he watched James and Lawrence approach him with their escorts in tow, Lawrence kissing Matthew soundly on the cheek.
Lawrence gave a raucous laugh. “This is quite a party you throw.”
Matthew turned to the girls. “Why don’t you get your dates another drink, ladies?”
Disappointed as the girls silently and obediently walked away, Lawrence said, “Aww. You didn’t have to do that.”
Matthew’s teeth clenched and he leaned close to the brothers. “What are you doing here?”
Confused by the question, the brothers exchanged a look, and James asked, “What do you mean? We were invited.”
“Do you have any idea…” Matthew started, but his body tensed as he was cut off by a voice behind him.
“Gentlemen,” David said as he shook the brothers’ hands. “Welcome. You look familiar, but I’ll be damned if I can remember from where.”
“Vegas, maybe?” Lawrence asked, and David’s eyes lit up.
“Garafola, is that right?” David gave Matthew a casual but knowing look, then turned back to the brothers. “You work for my savior in Sin City.”
Matthew took a minute to scan the room again, looking for Crescent and making sure his men were where they should be. Instead of locking eyes with Crescent, however, he locked eyes with someone else for only an instant, but in that instant, Matthew’s heart started beating faster and panic was just about to set in. I’m seeing things that aren’t there. I’m letting fear get the best of me. Just as quickly as the emerald eyes appeared, they were gone. Matthew shook off the eerie feeling and turned back to David and the brothers.
“That’s right, Mr. Lundy,” Lawrence said. “It’s an honor to see you again, sir.”
Raising his glass, David said, “I just wanted to come over and say hello. I’m sure we will have an opportunity to talk later.”
“Anytime, Mr. Lundy,” James said. “Anytime. Just let us know.”
“Enjoy your evening.” David gave a short bow from the waist and, without taking a second look at Matthew, walked back to his table to resume his conversation.
Matthew hurriedly snapped his fingers to get the brothers’ attention. “It would behoove the both of you to keep a low profile this evening. Better yet, leaving the hotel would probably be best.”
“What are you talking about?” James asked. “We just got—”
“Matthew!” Madeline called as she approached with open arms. “I have been waiting all night for the opportunity to speak with you, but you haven’t come to see me.”
The Garafola brothers took Madeline’s appearance to excuse themselves to look for their dates.
“Madeline,” Matthew said, “I really don’t have time right now.”
“Make time,” she said sternly. “What is going on?”
Before Matthew could respond, the music changed to “Happy Birthday” and the lights in the ballroom came down, only to be replaced by one spotlight on Matthew and another on the cake being rolled into the center of the room. Guests started singing as Chloe approached Matthew with open arms to lead him to the center of the room where the enormous six-tiered cake was waiting for him. Ever the picture of sophistication and modesty, Matthew played his part as he casually scanned the room again.
“Is there a problem?” Chloe asked.
“I know you know something,” Matthew said, “and I intend to bleed every last piece of information out of you before this night is over.” When she didn’t reply, he said, “I notice you’ve been dancing with quite a few people tonight, particularly Family members.”
“I can dance with whomever I please.”
“Enjoy it while you can, because it will be the last fun you will ever have.”
The birthday song ended and guests started clapping and cheering on Matthew. Chloe let go of Matthew’s arm and, as expected of a daughter, gave him a kiss on his cheek. Unaffected by his words, she whispered in his ear, “So you’ve said.”