****
April had imagined the cocktail party as a smallish event full of boring business talk. Why else would he want her to accompany him, if not to take notes and keep track of who said what? But once they arrived, she realized there was nothing small about the party, and there would be no business discussed that evening. For the briefest of moments, April considered that maybe he simply meant her to be his date, but that hope was dashed when the most gorgeous woman she had ever seen attached herself to Mads’ arm.
“Darling, it’s so good to see you again.” Her long red hair glowed under the chandeliers and her skin had the beautiful golden hue of the California sun.
“Savannah, dear, it’s been too long.”
“You haven’t called on me in, well, eons!”
“I know, dear, and I have been remiss. But business—”
She playfully hit his chest. “Oh, poo on your business. I don’t want to hear another word of it. That’s all Charles can talk about these days, and I’ll tell you, it’s perfectly boring.”
Mads chuckled good-naturedly and gestured at April. “This is April Bancroft, my personal assistant. April, this is Savannah Maelstrom.”
“Maelstrom? As in Maelstrom Media Group?”
Savannah laughed. “Of course, darling.”
“She is the queen of the empire. And a delectable one at that.” He bent low and kissed her hand, prompting a giggle from her.
“Oh, you old flirt.” Her eyes flickered over April and dismissed her just as quickly. “Have you met Angelica Preston, darling? She’s come in all the way from Europe.”
“I haven’t had the pleasure. Angelica?”
“Yes, you know, Miles Preston’s daughter? Come, she was dancing just a moment ago.”
And just like that, he was gone. April tried to track him through the crowd, but quickly lost sight of him and was unable to find him again, even when she checked the dance floor. She did spot the open bar and made a beeline to the only friendly face in the crowd—the smiling bartender. She ordered a champagne and turned to survey the party, feeling more comfortable with a glass in her hand.
When they arrived in the town car Mads had hired, she assumed they were at a hotel. A very large, opulent hotel. An impression that didn’t change once inside—the sweeping stairs, the enormous chandeliers, the fine marble, the gold leaf accents, and the plush, leather furniture were all things she’d only seen in hotels. Well, pictures of hotels. She’d never been so out of place, and she was certain everybody there knew she didn’t belong.
April looked down at her dress, inwardly cringing at the sight of her breasts and the swell of her belly encased in shiny, emerald green. It was not her favorite color, but what could she do? There was not an abundance of pretty dresses in her size 28. This one fit her well and covered enough of her breasts that she didn’t feel like she looked cheap. In fact, for a brief moment at the hotel, she actually felt surge of pride at the sight of her reflection. She’d had her hair, makeup, and nails done at the hotel’s spa—on Mads’ insistence and his dime—and the dress did look good on her. Mads’ smile when he saw her only reinforced her sense of pride. He had looked genuinely taken aback by her, and he’d offered her his arm, and it had all felt very real.
But now, she knew for a fact that she looked cheap. Who else here was wearing off the rack clothes?
God, why did he bring me here at all?
“Hello there. I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”
April twitched and looked up into a pair of blue eyes so bright the seemed to glow. “Hi, I’m April. I’m Mads Durkheim’s assistant.”
“Assistant? Not his date?”
“No, um...just his assistant.”
“I’m Chester Maelstrom. And I’m sorry, that was terribly rude of me, I just wanted to know before I asked.”
“Before you ask what?”
“Can I have this dance?”
“Dance? I’m flattered, thank you, but I’m not much of a dancer.”
“Neither am I, to be honest. Can I buy you a drink?”
“It’s an open bar.”
“Wonderful, I’ll buy you two. What’s your poison?”
“Champagne.”
“So how long have you been working for old Mads?” Chester asked once he placed his order.
“Only eight weeks. It’s been...quite a learning experience. But he’s been very patient with me.”
“Oh, I imagine so.” With a flute in each hand, he nodded towards the patio door. Through it, she could see the yard lit with a thousand golden lights. “Care to join me on the lanai?”
“Yes, I think I could use a bit of fresh air.”
April surveyed the party before she fell into step beside Chester, and looked over her shoulder once more before stepping into the warm, California night. They were high enough in the Hollywood Hills that April could see a handful of stars, their light breaking through the pollution. The air was still and quiet, and Los Angeles lay before her like a field of broken diamonds, smashed emeralds, and crumbled rubies.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Chester asked.
“It’s gorgeous.”
“I always love coming up here. I don’t make it up here nearly as often as I like, though.”
“Is this your house?”
“My family’s. Well, my mother’s, to be specific.”
“Is your mother here tonight?”
“Of course, it’s her party. I believe you met her.”
“I met Savannah Maelstrom, is she your mother?”
“That’s her.”
April gaped at him. “No. Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.”
“But she...I mean...did she have you when she was ten?”
Chester laughed. “No, but I’m sure she’d love to hear you say that.”
“I guess money keeps you young,” April said under her breath. The woman did not look a day over thirty. Of course, she probably had the finest plastic surgeons, not to mention personal chefs, trainers, and fashion consultants. She must have had a whole army employed full time to keep her looking so nubile. It was the only explanation that made sense, and yet, April couldn’t quite believe it. Even an army of professionals could not stop time.
“It certainly doesn’t hurt.”
“Mr. Maelstrom?” The server appeared out of nowhere, startling her with his sudden question. “Ms. Piper is searching for you.”
“Evelyn is here? Will you excuse me?”
“Yes.”
“Wait for me here?”
The dim light disguised the sudden flush of her cheeks. “I will.”
“Perfect. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Who is Evelyn Piper?” April asked as Chester stepped inside.
“Mr. Maelstrom’s fiancée.”
“Oh.” The stab of disappointment wasn’t anything new, but for a moment, she thought that Chester had actually been flirting with her. She downed the rest of her champagne in a single swallow and handed the server her glass. “Thank you. I think I’ll go for a walk.”
The further she got from the party, the better she felt. What if she went back to their hotel? It would be easy enough to call for the car, and Mads certainly wouldn’t miss her. She let her feet pick their own path as she mulled her options. She would never just get up and leave the office without speaking to him first, but this was different. Wasn’t it? It seemed like she wasn’t there in any sort of professional capacity, but then again, she didn’t want to risk angering him if he looked for her and she was nowhere to be found.
April found a trail lined with stones, winding around the house and up the hill. She couldn’t see where it led in the dark, but she heard the sound of running water and assumed it would take her to a fountain or maybe a small waterfall. As she approached, she heard the soft whisper of voices. She nearly turned around, but the unmistakable sound of her boss’s name drew her closer.
“The trap is set and ready to spring, don’t you worry.”
That was Chester speaking, she was sure of it, though she couldn’t see his face through the foliage. She ducked low, awkwardly tugging at the hem of her skirt.
“He’s already met Angelica?” That was a woman’s voice. Perhaps Evelyn Piper herself.
“They were dancing not five minutes ago.”
“And he has no idea?”
“None. He can sense her true age, but he doesn’t know her human age. I’ll be sure to keep his assistant out of the way until the deed is done.”
The woman laughed. “Is that who that woman is?”
“Of course. You didn’t think she was his date, did you? Even Mads has standards.”
The woman laughed again. “I wonder if he’ll keep up those standards once he’s in prison.” Her voice sounded closer now, and that was followed by the clicking of her stilettos on stone. April ducked down further, holding her breath as they passed by within a foot of her. She could reach out and touch them if she wanted to, and the thought of grabbing that bitch’s heel and sending her flying face first into the rocks brought a small smile to April’s lips.
As soon as they were gone, she fished the phone from her purse and called Mads. The phone rang five times and went to voicemail. On the second attempt, the phone went straight to voicemail. “No, no, no, you sonofabitch. Answer me.”
She texted: Important! Please call me, and followed that up with: Red alert. Please call me!
Neither prompted a response.
Her mind raced, searching for something, anything.
Wait for me here?
Of course. Chester. He was clearly the designated distraction. She hurried back down the trail, rounding the corner of the house just in time to see Chester reappear on the patio, with two fresh flutes of champagne.
“There you are. I thought you’d left me.”
“I just wanted to see if there was a pool.” She accepted the drink and touched his arm with her other hand. “Would you mind giving me the grand tour? I’ve never been in a house like this before and I’d love to have a look.”
He folded his arm around hers and turned towards the house. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”
April searched futilely for Mads’ face as they passed through the party, but he wasn’t on the dance floor, or by the bar, or mingling with the other guests. Where would he have gone? And even if she did find him in time, would he believe her? Would he even understand what she heard? True age? Human age? It all sounded crazy to her, but caught up in the midst of the insanity was the one word that made perfect sense. Prison.