Kyle groaned. “Power. Control. He’s my brother, but he can be a scary man when he wants to be. It’s why Gerty chose to work exclusively for me when we parted households.”
They were welcomed by one of the models she’d worked with at the club. The peacock. Laina couldn’t remember her name and only had a moment to greet the woman before she was ushered toward a magnificent room of white-clothed tables. Each was dressed with silver charger plates that reflected the purple orchid sprays adorning the candelabras at the table centers. The bright moonlight shone through the windows and melded with the candlelight to give the table setting an almost magical quality.
Kyle placed a hand in the slope of her back. “Mr. Tanaka is a man who enjoys the finer things in life. I suspect the meal will be memorable. Nate wants to make an impression.”
She followed him into the throng of people, shaking hands and making small talk like a pro. At the center of the throng was Tanaka himself, a height-challenged waif of a man in a suit that cost more than Four Paws.
“May I be photographed with your guest?” Tanaka asked Kyle, holding Laina’s hand far longer than necessary for a simple greeting.
Kyle opened his mouth to respond, but Laina interrupted. “Of course.” She shifted into Tanaka’s side and smiled at the camera.
“Arigatou gozaimasu,” Tanaka said, bowing to her.
“You’re not afraid of being recognized?” Kyle asked, pulling her into his side.
“I am, but Tanaka is important to you. I don’t suppose you can make sure that picture never gets published though?”
He ran a hand down her arm. “I’ll do my best.”
A sound above her drew her attention up. Nickie watched her from the balcony above the main staircase. She was dressed for the event in a shimmering red-and-black-sequined dress.
“Oh, Nickie’s here,” Laina said.
“Who’s Nickie?”
Laina snorted and pointed toward her friend. “The doe from your club. Looks like she came as someone’s date. She’s not painted like the others.”
Kyle glanced up. “Oh, the one who found the box you left in the kitchen.”
“What?”
“That’s how I found you. We couldn’t figure out where the rats were coming from, but she brought it to me and told me where to find you.”
Laina froze, her thoughts spinning. “Kyle, did you give Nickie permission to use your hot tub the day your driver picked up Jason?”
“Huh? No. The employees have their own attached to the west wing. It’s against policy.”
She threaded her fingers into his. “We need to go.”
“What? Why?”
She turned for the door so quickly she knocked into one of the beautifully set white tables.
Nate grabbed her arm to steady her. “Clumsy.”
A flash of crimson caught her eye. The silver charger on the table next to Nate flashed as if it cradled a lit match in its belly. Nate’s reflection in the silver burned with magic, fiery ripples distorting his features. His normally brown eyes were the color of a snake’s, bright yellow and pulsing.
“Can I talk to you alone for a moment?” Nate asked.
Kyle frowned and took her other arm. “Why would she need to talk to you alone?”
“You can come too, brother. I have something to discuss, with both of you.”
Tanaka and his executives turned to stare in their direction. Kyle placed a hand on Nate’s arm. “This isn’t the time or the place.”
“I agree.” He smiled that gaping, amphibious smile. “Just one moment, Kyle. That’s all I’m asking for.” He pointed at a door near the back of the room.
Laina held her ground. “Don’t go with him. He’s not who you think he is.”
