Could this man be after something from Mason or Mr. Sparrow?
Did he know the Constantines?
In contrast, I was no one, simply a companion for a poor boy from the South Side of Chicago.
“I didn’t mean...” he began.
I reached for his hand and smiled. “Please don’t apologize. I liked...that was...” I sighed, embarrassed by my sudden inability to articulate. “It was a great kiss.”
His sinfully sexy lips parted in a full smile. “Yes, it was. But you have a date.”
“I do.”
“Maybe our paths will cross again.”
I took a step back, our connection lingering until our fingers pulled apart. “I think I’d like that.”
A loud tone came from the direction of the party.
“What was that?” I asked.
“It means dinner is served.”
I nodded. “I should find him.”
“He’s a lucky man.”
At the moment, I was the one who felt lucky; lucky that I was here experiencing this make-believe event, even for a single evening.
As I turned back to the gallery, I thought how funny it was that my skin still tingled, my stomach fluttered, and my core twisted. I couldn’t remember another time when a boy—a man—had this kind of lasting effect with only a kiss.
It wouldn’t matter.
I was in New York.
Tomorrow, I’d be back in Chicago.
This man was someone mysterious, probably wealthy and important. As my heels clipped across the floor of the gallery, new thoughts occurred.
Could he be royalty? Had I just kissed a prince? Why hadn’t I asked him his name?
“Lorna,” Marianne called, waving from the courtyard doorway. “Oh, there you are.” She came to me. “I hope you didn’t have your heart set on eating with your brother?”
“You know?”
Her grin grew knowingly. “I see many things. Your brother, he’s a good man. They all are.”
“All the Sparrows?”
“Yes. Apparently, there are fires.” She said the word the way I would, not knowing specifically what it meant.
I sighed. “Mason warned me.”
She reached for my hand. “Come eat with me and Renita. Tell us what you thought of the art.” She winked. “And what Mason was like as a kid.”
I wasn’t sure he’d appreciate me telling such stories. As for the art, it was...nice. The sculptured Adonis of a man I kissed by the lake was better.
9
The food was out of this world. Silently, I cursed Patrice for the corset. What I’d at first thought was feminine was an enemy as I ate. Course after course, the waiters continued. Finally, at the mention of dessert, I admitted defeat.
Renita and Marianne were lovely dinner companions. I learned that Renita was in her medical residency with plans to specialize in cardiology. Marianne flew airplanes in the army, where she met Mr. Sparrow. He contacted her a few years ago, and she said goodbye to commercial airlines.
Standing, I made my way back out into the courtyard.
“Lorna.”
I turned to see my brother walking my way. “Is everything all right?”
His jaw clenched as he nodded. “I’m fucking sorry. I hoped I’d be able to...give you that princess-for-an-evening thing for helping me out.”
I lifted my hand to his chest. “Don’t worry, Mace. You have. This whole day has been incredible. You warned me that you would be busy. I just want to know that you’re okay.”
“I’m okay. It just—” He shook his head. “Lorna, please consider moving in with me for a while.”
“I have a job.”
“It’s a shitty job.”
“Fine. It’s shitty, but it’s mine.”
He closed his eyes beneath the mask and slowly opened them. “Chicago is about to get dangerous. I have one sister left. For fuck’s sake, let me take care of you.”
“No.”
When I took a step, Mason reached for my elbow and spun me back to him. “Why are you so fucking stubborn?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Mom,” I said, my fingers balling to fists and landing at my waist.
Mason shook his head. “Mom? This has nothing to do with her.”
“She let men take care of her. I won’t do that.”
“This isn’t that,” he said.
“I will not be her.”
He lowered his voice as more guests left the dining hall, congregating near us. “You are as far from that whore as you can get. You’re not neglecting your kids to get high and fuck. Think of it this way. I’m offering you some time to do whatever you want. Take online classes or” —he motioned toward the art gallery— “study art. Hell, I don’t care. But tonight confirmed that shit is getting real, and it’s getting real, real fast. If you won’t willingly move to the tower with me, I will fucking kidnap you.”
I scoffed. “Kidnap? Tower?”
“Lorna, things are moving fast. It’s already nearly ten o’clock. If I don’t see you before you have to leave, be sure to be out to Bruno at midnight for your flight. I’m contacting you tomorrow.”
I took a deep breath. “Mace?”
“What?”
“Let me tell you again how great today was. Tomorrow, I might forget when I’m telling you to go screw yourself.”
A smile overtook his grimace. “I’m glad you’ve had a good time. Thanks for helping a guy out.”
I stood watching my brother as he walked away. When he left for the army, I was scared I’d never see him again. I wanted him to stay with me, to stay in Chicago, and to stay safe.
Did I owe him the same?
If he was aware of lurking danger, should I respect his wishes?
A grin began to form as I imagined telling Anna I quit. Jane was right; I’d paid my debt to her. She didn’t deserve any more of my life. Taking another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I stood watching the conductor as the orchestra began a new set.
At a small table near a fountain, I noticed two women. One was Alexandra. The other I didn’t know. She was a bit older but beautiful with darker hair and a stunning green gown. Even knowing I didn’t belong with this crowd, I made my way over to them. I wanted to thank Alex for her reassurance and let her know that tonight had been magical.
“Excuse me.”
The ladies turned to me. Alex smiled as did the other lady. A flash of reflection caught my eye. The woman in the green gown had the biggest diamond on her finger that I’d ever seen. When I looked away, what caught my attention were her emerald eyes, greener than Pierce eyes.
“Lorna,” Alex said, motioning to a chair. “Please join us.”
“Thank you.” Arranging the skirt of my dress, I sat.
The other lady lifted her right hand. “Hello, my name is Claire.”
We shook. “Nice to meet you, Claire. I’m Lorna.”
“Is your husband off in some secret meeting?” Claire asked with a grin.
I waggled the fingers on my left hand. “No husband. No ring. But yes, my date has been preoccupied most of the night.”
She leaned toward me. “I’d tell you to forget him. He’s no good.” Her cheeks rose and a sparkle shone in her eyes. “But when the right one comes around, it’s hard to walk away.”