What struck Merrily the most was the difference in his
appearance. He was, of course, in an impeccable tuxedo that molded his large,
muscular frame lovingly, obviously tailored to perfection. His broad shoulders
tapered to his narrow hips. He'd been good looking before but now he was
devastating. That was only part of it. His expression was completely closed
off, giving away nothing of what he was thinking. It had been much the same way
before, but his eyes had been at least somewhat expressive as he stared into
hers. Now, they were cold. Calculating. As if he saw and heard as much as she
had and was making a mental note on every single indiscretion and how to use it
against the transgressor. He might look like he was there drinking and having a
grand time without a care in the world, but Alex was working that room even
harder than she was. The only difference was, he intended to do something with
the information he gleaned. Either that, or he was looking for something in
particular.
Their eyes met and he held her gaze steadily. A tall, thin
blonde draped herself over him, as if he was all hers. Merrily had no idea if
they were together or not and that made her blush, turning away. What if she'd
kissed another woman's man? She was many things, but she'd never overstep like
that.
She tried to keep moving, finding the pattern she was
supposed to follow again away from Alex, but people kept snagging food from her
tray. With any luck, she'd run out soon.
"I don't understand why you don't use this fundraiser
for the local animal shelter, Alex," the blonde pouted. She'd burrowed so
close to his side, she was practically fused there. "The city has enough
homeless shelters. Besides, who wants that element in our city anyway?"
She purred her stinging, insensitive comment, as if she were so much better
than people like Rose and Merrily.
"There are always those in need, Victoria," Alex
said with a shrug. "People are more willing to take in a stray cat than a
person."
"Maybe so, but shouldn't they be getting jobs or
something? I mean, handouts only mean more handouts." There were a few
murmurs, but no one outright agreed or disagreed with her.
"Spoken like a person who paid more for her shoes
than she did for her admission donation." Merrily didn't realize she'd
said it out loud until all eyes settled on her.
Victoria looked down her nose at Merrily, giving her a
disdainful, scornful look. "I'll have you know, I'm on the board of
directors for the Housing the Homeless committee. I guarantee you I know more
about the city homeless shelters than you do, girl."
Merrily knew she should just duck her head and leave. Keep
her mouth shut. To her horror, her mouth had other plans. "I know every
shelter in this city but one is currently filled to capacity on one of the
coldest nights of the year. The only one with any room is one of the scariest
places I've ever been in." Before she could get her wayward mouth under
control, she added, "But I'm sure with your superior knowledge of homeless
shelters, you know all about the drug dealers and pimps taking over during the
night. Why, I bet your sleeping bag is down there right in the middle of the
room where you can be available to anyone who wants to talk to you about it
after you leave here." She tilted her head. "Do you even know where
all the homeless shelters are? Because I can name every one and tell you which
street they sit on and the landmarks surrounding them."
Again, no one seemed to know whether to outright disagree
so they kept quiet, looking to Alex for guidance. Merrily wanted to sink into
the floor and disappear. She was more foolish than her mother had ever thought
she was.
Alex gave a slight smile. "Our little Mary over there
has yet to learn her place in my home, but I'd say she was well on her
way." He didn't say it with menace or even as a reprimand, but Victoria took
it as such. The blonde woman sneered and looked down her nose at Merrily once
again. "Once she does, her words will have greater meaning."
"My name is not
Mary," Merrily said between clenched teeth.
Alex shrugged, but met her gaze directly. "No. It's not."
"I suggest you leave now, little girl," Victoria
snapped, cuddling even closer to Alex as if seeing Merrily as a threat instead
of a servant. Merrily thought she might as well be trying to climb inside his
jacket. "I assure you, you won't be here long." The carnivorous smile
said she'd be the reason Merrily left. Apparently, they really were together.
Alex gave Victoria the side eye, still not showing any discernible emotion.
Maybe a little irritation, but Merrily had no idea if it was for her or Victoria.
"You could use a break," he said, waving his
hand toward the kitchen. "Take fifteen minutes to yourself."
"Without pay," Victoria called. Merrily wanted
to throw the tray at her and had to concentrate on turning around. If her body
ran away as horribly as her mouth had, she'd be in a world of hurt.
"Alex!" A deep voice boomed from behind her and
a burly man pushed past her, nearly knocking her down to make his way to Alex.
To her horror she recognized the man. Daniel J. Maddison… the
second. Rose's paternal grandfather.
Merrily felt the room closing in on
her. She couldn't breathe. Alex had gotten her to tell him about Rose's father;
now the very man who'd paid her mother for Merrily to get an abortion was in
the same room with her. Talking to Alex!
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