again.
“In closing, I’d like to introduce the new management team for Gemini Studio, Dwayne St. Germaine and Steve Palma.” Remi waited for them to join her. “Thank you all for coming and good night. Please stay and enjoy the food and drink, and we look forward to Monday.”
The inevitable press to the stage came, swallowing them as they stepped off of it. When they emerged, Dallas saw a striking woman take Remi’s hand and figured she was Remi’s date for the evening. “I’ll be lucky to get cast as a stand-in extra now.”
“Okay, babe, we’ve got some major damage control to do, starting now,” Bob said from behind her. “But this isn’t anything we can’t fix.”
“We? Who is
*
The furor in the room died away when the doors the Caseys and Jatibons had departed through closed. Some people returned to the dance floor and most went back to the bar, but Muriel and Shelby kept their seats.
“Are Cain and Remi Jatibon going into business together?”
“This is a date, Shelby, not a fishing expedition.” Muriel took a sip of her whiskey and thought about how quiet Cain had been around them in the short time she was there. It wasn’t anger in her face, more like disappointment.
“Just a simple question.”
“Tell me truthfully that the simple answer won’t end up in some official report.” She drained the glass and along with it went any good feelings left from the beginning of their evening.
“I can’t do that.”
“Then it’s not really a simple question, is it?” She stood and held out her hand. “Let’s call it a night.”
“Cut me some slack here. I’m sorry.”
“No need to be sorry, I’m just ready to go.” There was no commotion when they left and no conversation in the limo on the way to Shelby’s small house uptown.
“Thanks for coming,” Muriel finally said when they stopped and she walked Shelby to the door. “I’ll call you.”
As Muriel turned, she thought she heard Shelby say “I bet you don’t,” but she couldn’t be sure.
*
“We have one thing going for us,” Merrick said as she and Katlin got ready for bed. Katlin had moved out of Jarvis’s pool house and in with her.
“We have plenty going for us, but what are you talking about?”
“Cain might not be thrilled we’re together, but Muriel’s love life should shift the limelight, don’t you think?” She pulled the covers back and draped her leg over Katlin as soon as she lay down.
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around that one. My Uncle Dalton is probably spinning in his grave at what she’s doing.”
Merrick ran her hand down Katlin’s abdomen and sighed. “We can’t always pick who we fall for.”
“But sometimes we can make sacrifices for the sake of what we believe in, if the person we choose doesn’t respect it.” She slapped Merrick softly on the ass and pulled her closer. “That’s for Muriel to decide, though, and right now I’m not worried about her and her problems.”
“How long will you be gone this time?”
“Just a few days while we close the Capri deal. You’ll barely notice I’m gone.”
Merrick laughed at the gentle teasing and decided to do some of her own by squeezing Katlin’s upper thigh between her legs.
“Need help with anything?” Katlin asked.
“You’re still here? I didn’t notice,” Merrick said, letting out a shriek when Katlin slapped her ass again, making it sting this time. The night would have to last them until Katlin got back.
Chapter Ten
“Tell me, Simon, why are women so complicated? You’d think I’d know since I’m a woman, but I’ve never been able to find an answer.”
“That question has no right answer, since all women are different. The best solution I’ve found, instead of wasting my time trying, has been to give diamonds for every occasion and in any circumstance.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Remi said as she walked through the Quarter to the address her assistant Juno had given her that morning.
Juno had worked for her mother in Cuba and defected with the Jatibon family. Marianna had accepted the young girl’s relationship with the quiet Simon, who at the time was Ramon’s bodyguard, for what she saw it, love. As Remi grew and her father gave her more responsibility, he also gave her Simon. The strong woman would kill someone, if necessary, to protect one of Ramon’s beloved children. Juno came along as part of the package, and together they kept Remi’s life centered and on schedule.
“Just remember we have to be at the airport at ten,” Simon said as they stopped in front of a plain building on Bourbon Street.
“The cup of coffee I’m planning on should take ten minutes.” Remi glanced back when Simon cleared her throat. “What? You think she won’t like coffee?”
