Chapter 60

The thin spikes of Justice’s Louboutin pumps tap, tap, tapped against the marble floor. The sound echoed in the wide hall as she made her way to the gym.

With each step through the main corridor of the Mantua Home, the energy increased. Electric anticipation warmed by the promise of rich food, rich conversation, bubbly drinks, and the anything-can-happen vibe.

Though it was early, barely eight, the house was a hive of activity. Caterers buzzed in from the kitchen, through the dining room, into the hall and gym. The gym was set up with lights and music like a high school dance to delight the kids. The main celebration would be out back on the lavish patio.

The serving staff, dressed in black-and-white uniforms, familiarized themselves with the home’s layout. Six bartenders were already set up, some inside the house, most outside on the patio.

Her sisters flitted around here and there, many in flowing ball gowns, but some in shorter dresses. Three in tuxedos. Well, Tony, Romeo, and the youngest girl in Vampire Academy wore tuxedos.

Everyone had their marching orders. Dance. Mingle. Strike up conversations. Ask questions. Meet eyes. Shake hands. Be polite. Don’t leave the party without permission. That was typical. Momma was big on courtesy to guests. No wallflowers here.

Music played softly through the entire house, even in the gym. The music made the room seem even more high school prom. Momma had let the Troublemakers pick the playlist. Kind of surprising they liked the acoustic stuff.

The overall effect as her feet clicked against the wood gym flooring was theatrical. Bright and warm and full of opulent promise. Sort of perfect. If you were into that kind of thing.

Tonight, she was. But only because of whom she waited for. She was aware of her every movement in her gown. Silk swept her legs. The same blue silk that plunged at the back hugged her breasts and butt. Long slits up both sides made it easy for her to move. Never knew when a girl might need to run. Or leave herself open for groping.

Sandesh was going to love this dress. That thought made even her jaded nerves tingle.

Speaking of Sandesh. She peeked out one of the long windows as guests arrived in droves of sleek, black limos. It was like watching the Academy Awards. Drivers escorted ladies and gentlemen from polished limos. The people gathered out front chatted, commented on the home, laughed, flirted, looked hot and wealthy and successful for the hired photographers.

The warm night was growing cooler. Many of the guests milled about in small groups before making their way into the house. Leland and Momma stood outside the large front doors, at the top of the stone stairs, welcoming everyone. Leland looked sharp and handsome and confident in his tuxedo. Momma looked elegant in her silver-and-turquoise gown with matching niqab.

The little Ruskie, Bella, had grabbed a fistful of Momma’s ten-thousand-dollar gown and clung to it like a lifeline. Momma didn’t protest or try to drag the girl away. Her hand merely directed her guests around the little girl as she greeted them. From where she stood, Justice never saw her once ask Bella to engage anyone who came inside.

Unusual. Momma had a thing for making sure each of her daughters interacted with the outside world in a forthright and open manner.

The fact that Bella got special treatment meant that her story, more than any other Momma had ever heard, prompted a great deal of sympathy. Sometimes new adoptees were quick to tell their stories. Sometimes not. Justice wasn’t sure she wanted to know Bella’s story.

“Looking good, J.” Tony strode up to her. She turned from the window. He wore a black tux. His dark hair brushed back, hazel eyes playful and amused.

“Right back at you.” She ran a hand down the front of his tux. “Planning on getting laid tonight?”

He grinned. “You offering?”

“Gross, Tone. We’re practically twins.”

He shook his head. “Last I checked, you’re an American Indian and I’m Italian.”

She cocked her head at him. Was he serious? Where had this come from? She leaned in close, smelled his breath. Vodka. “You drinking already?”

He took a step back. His shoes shuffled against the wood floor. He averted his eyes. “You see them?” He gestured out the window, then around the room, and toward the hall. He didn’t say feds, but she knew.

“Yep. They kind of stand out. But it’s to be expected.”

The attack had rattled the government and the locals.

She took a longer look around. Lights low, disco balls, streamers. And though most of the people in here were kids, both family and the children of guests, she spotted the outsiders easily. Stiff. Capable-looking. Dressed nice but not too nice. Muscular and thin, like they ate nothing but knowledge and worked out as a matter of survival.

These were the people she and Sandesh would have to fool. Not a problem. If there was one thing she could do well with Sandy, it was let sparks fly. Her insides fluttered.

The plan was for her to take the microphone in one of the outdoor tents and give her speech thanking everyone for coming. She’d say something embarrassing, slur her words as if drunk, mention how hot Sandesh looked, then drag him out to the dance floor. Yeehaw. She kind of liked the idea of being the center of attention that way.

But Sandy wouldn’t be here for a while. Ah, well. She’d have to entertain herself with Tony. “Okay, Brother, let’s show our siblings how it’s done.”

She grabbed his hand and threaded her fingers through his. He didn’t complain or pull back as she led him out of the gym, down the hallway, past the library, dining room, and entrance to the kitchen.

They exited through french doors held open by well-dressed servers, past a bartender bent over stacking crates, and the event coordinator aggressively speaking into a headset.

Outside, the air smelled of the numerous flowers that now decorated the patio.

Music played over speakers.

Stone clicked under her heels. Tony made some comment about her birthday present being a pony now that she was thirty and a big girl. She laughed as they descended the three-tiered stone patio.

“Shut up and keep up, old man,” she said as they walked down the walkway and through the garden maze to acres of open expanse, better known as the “bunting.”

She suspected the name had something to do with the numerous ceremonies held here that were often decorated with triangular flags.

Heaters ringed the area. It had warmed up this week, but the nights were still cool. Huge tents were set up on the bunting, one with a makeshift dance floor. They walked inside and stepped out onto the floor.

Lights were strung along the inside of the tall, circus-like tent. The beat of the music thrummed under their feet as they circled the dance floor. Some couples were already dancing.

Tony put a hand at her waist and drew her closer. He was warm. Even his smile was warm. He grinned from ear to ear. “J, remember when we’d play wedding when we were kids?”

She laughed. “Yeah, I remember.”

When Tony had first been adopted, she’d told him they were going to get married one day. She’d forced him to practice the wedding. He’d been an extremely patient twelve-year-old. He’d never complained or tried to reason her away from her delusions. It was Gracie, sharp as nails, who clued them into the harsh realities.

Justice increased the pitch of her voice, clipped her words like Gracie, and said, “You can’t get married. You’re related. Losers.”

They laughed. Tony pressed closer. “But we aren’t.” He looked away. “Not like Jules and Rome.” His voice lowered. “Or me and Leland.”

“What?”

Tony twirled her around, avoided her eyes. After a moment, he said, “Manipulative fucks.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Last year…”

His voice trailed off. His eyebrows drew together. He flicked his chin at something coming up behind her.

She spun, searched for what had caused him to freeze. Gracie. The redhead strolled across the dance floor. She wore a deep-red gown. Her hair and body might have been on fire as fast as she moved.

Justice’s heart leapt, skipped, and avoided the next beat. As if it could leap, skip, and avoid the truth. Something was wrong. Gracie was on the dance floor? She hated dancing. Hated touching people. She was headed right toward Justice and Tony.

Gooseflesh. Like someone had ghosted past her window, screamed in the night.

Tony sensed it too. His body tensed. “What the hell is she doing?”

Gracie neared.

“My turn,” Gracie said and swung herself at Tony. He was so shocked he nearly bobbled her.

His arms came up even as they released Justice.

Gracie laughed. She turned her head away from Justice but gave directions most definitely meant for her. “Don’t panic. Go to Momma and Leland’s office.”

Already panicking, Justice threaded her way through the growing crowd of dancers. She noticed some of the agents along the perimeter moved too. Her heart picked up speed. Her feet did too. No one had to say it. She knew.

Sandesh.