One Love (18 page)

“
Be very careful. Metoyer is
big around here.”

“
No sweat. I’ve got lots of
practice chatting up folks in the know.” Lanessa’s eyes gleamed at
the prospect.

“
You really love it don’t
you? You enjoy being in the middle of things.” Alex gazed at her.
“You’re still the most fascinating woman I’ve ever
known.”

“
That’d a lovely thing to
say, Alex.”

“
It’s true,” he said simply.
“Let’s concentrate on us, okay?”

Lanessa’s heart beat hard at the
smoldering desire in his dark eyes like smoky quartz.
“Okay.”

The rest of the evening she was true
to her word. Alex romanced her in top form. There was no more talk
of work. Long silences were punctuated with a touch, a glance. When
they did speak, it was about books, music and plays. Small talk for
sure. Yet Lanessa felt wrapped in a cozy shelter of sharing with
her special man. They did not linger in the restaurant after
dinner. Both wanted to be alone. They went back to Lanessa’s house
for coffee. There they shared a quiet time sitting close in front
of the television in her den. For another hour, they sat holding
each other. Lanessa rested her head on his shoulder as he stroked
her arms.

“
It’s getting late. I’d
better go.” Alex yawned. “I’ve got an eight-thirty breakfast
meeting with the boss.”

“
Poor darlin’.” Lanessa gave
him a hug of sympathy.

“
It should be against the
law to ask people to think before ten in the morning,” Alex joked.
“I’m sure Robyn has stories to tell about you.”

“
What about your new
assistant? Bet you’ve got that student intern hopping.”

“
Guilty.” Alex smiled. “I
sure hate to leave.” He kissed her.

“
There’s always Saturday
night,” she whispered.

That brought a frown. “And another
uptown gathering. Do we have to?”

“
Only for an hour, two at
the most. Then we can have our own private party.” Lanessa pressed
her mouth to his. She explored the sweet taste of him with the tip
of her tongue.

“
Oh yeah, now I remember why
I’m looking forward to Saturday,” he said.

They smooched for another twenty
minutes before he left for home. Lanessa felt relaxed and ready to
take on the world the next day. Being with Alex had that effect on
her. Then a cloud drifted over her sunny mood. Thoughts of
Paxton-Waite worried at her. Now Charles Metoyer was added to the
picture.

“
Can’t do anything about it
tonight,” Lanessa said to herself.

With a firm push, she set aside the
thought that a rainstorm was just over the horizon. For at least
tonight, Lanessa wanted to savor the recent memory of Alex and
anticipate seeing him again soon.

***

Ken rocked his leather desk chair
back. He was relaxed and contented.” Everything is going
smoothly.”

“
Sure you haven’t overlooked
anything?” Orin Blanchard looked subdued when Hargrove glared at
him. “I’m not suggesting you’ve been careless. Not at
all.”

“
It’s you I’m worried
about,” Ken said. He gazed at him with contempt stamped on his
face. “You look guilty as hell every time someone mentions Des
Allemands. If you’re so damn jumpy, why did you get in on this
deal?”

“
I didn’t count on Dawson
bringing in Metoyer. You said...” Orin’s voice took on a familiar
whine.

“
Please stop repeating
yourself,” Ken broke in. He waved a hand impatiently. “If anything
happens, Dawson and Metoyer can be sacrificed. I’m making the
arrangements every step of the way.”

“
When you said we’d be
selling technology to make a profit, you never mentioned it was a
federal offense.” Orin finished his complaint despite Hargrove’s
interruption.

Ken stared at him hard. “You knew damn
well what the stakes were when we started. Or would you rather face
the music when your shareholder find out about the irregularities
of your company?”

Blanchard jerked in his chair as
though he’d been slapped. “Keep your voice down.” His gaze darted
around the room.

“
You’ve been watching too
many television dramas.” Ken sat straight in his chair with a mean
grin. “There are no electronic bugs in here,” he said loudly. When
Blanchard blinked rapidly, he laughed.

“
I don’t see what’s funny
about going to prison and being ruined financially.” Blanchard wore
a resentful stare.

“
You wouldn’t be in this fix
if you’d used your brains. Why father put up with you all these
years is a mystery.”

“
Because he found me
useful,” Blanchard said. He sat forward. “Remember, I know a lot.
About your father and now about you.”

Ken’s superior expression slipped at
his words. “Just don’t get nervous and blow everything.”

“
Metoyer is as greedy as
Dawson. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not collecting information
on us for insurance.” Blanchard tugged at his collar as though it
were too tight.

“
Let him,” Ken snapped.
“He’s nobody. Pretending to be high society. The Metoyer family was
nothing but dirt farmers who got lucky.”

“
Luck had nothing to do with
it. His people have been cut throat businessmen for three
generations.” Blanchard leaned forward. “Literally.”

“
Old wives tales that have
nothing to do with today.” Ken lifted his long nose and looked down
it. “So keep your head.”

“
I hope you’re right. And
I’m glad we’ll be through with that Thomas woman soon. She’s too
good at finding out things.”

“
Now you’re scared of a
paper pusher. The woman can’t know anything except what we want her
to know.”

“
But she--”

“
Is a nobody like Metoyer.”
Ken brushed back his hair. It was held in place with styling gel.
“But just so you’ll relax, she’s going to finish her work within
the next two weeks.”

“
Good. The longer it takes,
the more risk.” Blanchard stood up.

“
When you start feeling
really nervous, think of the cash flow you’ll have.” Ken pointed a
forefinger at him.

Chapter 9

The clink of wineglasses sounded
constantly. Waiters dressed in crisp white shirts, red ties, and
black pants carried trays to clusters of people. Lanessa gazed
around her with admiration. This was entertaining at its most
impressive. La Madeline’s was one of the best and most expensive
restaurants in Baton Rouge. The private dining room was decorated
in cool colors of blue and aquamarine. A long table with appetizers
was set against one wall. It was laden with shrimp, oysters
Rockefeller and other tasty items. The party guests were helping
themselves to generous portions. Alex finished eating a shrimp and
patted his lips.

“
Just twenty minutes to go,”
Alex whispered in her ear.

“
Who are you kidding? You’re
having a good time gobbling up those shrimps,” Lanessa
teased.

“
It’s the least I should
get,” Alex said with a grunt. “Most of these folks are snobs.
Including the few other black people here.”

“
You don’t know that,”
Lanessa said. She glanced up to find him eyeing her with one dark
eyebrow raised. “Okay so you do. But try not to be so obviously
eager to avoid them.”

“
It won’t be
easy.”

“
Behave or I’ll spank
you.”

Alex leaned close to her ear. “You
just gave me an incentive to be very naughty.”

Lanessa was about to toss him saucy
answer when a male voice called out to her.

“
Well Ms. Thomas. How are
you?” Kingston Sonnier was a business tycoon with great
influence.

Lanessa beamed at the man. “Hello, Mr.
Sonnier.”

“
This is my wife Belinda.”
The portly white man held a plate piled with shrimp in one hand and
a glass of sparkling wine in the other. He nodded to the plump
redhead at his side.

“
How do you do,” Mrs.
Sonnier said. The small smile on her face was like a rubber band
drawn too far.

“
Fine. And this is Alex St.
Romaine,” Lanessa said.

“
Hello.” Alex was polite but
not over friendly.

Lanessa resisted the urge to give him
a dirty look. “Isn’t this a lovely party?”

“
Yes, lovely.” Mrs. Sonnier
inclined her head as though she were royalty being tolerant of a
subject.

“
We were just commenting on
what a good renovation job La Madeline’s had done.” Lanessa waved a
hand around the room.

“
I worked on the place.”
Sonnier smiled with pride.

“
Is that right?” Lanessa
wore an expression of mild surprise. Just the right touch she
hoped. She ignored Alex when he cleared his throat. “It’s
beautiful.”

“
Thank you, young lady.
Quality work. That’s what will keep this state going.” Sonnier
stuck his chest out.

“
Exactly. Contrary to what
the national media says, Louisiana has a lot to brag about,”
Lanessa said.

“
The idiots,” Sonnier burst
out. “Don’t know a thing.”

“
I agree. Those reports are
very one-sided.” Lanessa nodded. She noticed his wife had turned
away slightly to urge her husband on. Mr. Sonnier seemed not to
catch his wife’s hint.

“
Good work for Paxton-Waite
I hear. Look forward to his final report.” Sonnier took a sip from
his wineglass. “I think that plant has potential to boost the
economy. It’ll put a lot of my men to work.

“
Kingston, please,” Mrs.
Sonnier broke in. “He’ll talk about slabs and plywood all night if
I let him. There’s Hettie and Bob Bradley. We really must speak to
them.”

“
What?” Sonnier frowned at
for a moment. “Oh, yes of course. Anyway, Ms. Thomas, good for you.
Your people will get jobs out of this deal, too.”

“
Goodbye. Nice meeting you.”
Mrs. Sonnier gave her one last chilly smile before they walked
away.

“
That was a lot of fun.”
Alex gave a low grunt.

“
Sonnier has heard positive
things about my service, that’s what counts,” Lanessa said
low.

“
As long as you’re
satisfied.” Alex took a sip of ginger ale.

“
You bet I am. Look around.
Dawson has hauled in some of the biggest fish in Baton Rouge. There
are even a few faces from Lafayette and New Orleans.”

“
What a thrill,” Alex said
in a dry voice. He glanced around then let out a sharp breath.
“Damn!”

“
Now what’s wrong?” Lanessa
followed his gaze. Her heart sank. “Don’t tell me... That’s got to
be him.”

“
Lanessa, I didn’t know
you’d be here.” Yasmin came over with a handsome man the color of
copper. She clung to his arm. “This is great. You finally get to
meet Charles.”

“
How about that?”Lanessa
disliked him instantly.

Charles Metoyer was without a doubt a
handsome man in his way. His jaw was square and he wore a neat
mustache. Lanessa could understand how women would find him
alluring. Metoyer was shorter than Alex, maybe six feet tall. His
wavy hair was a dark brown with hints of red. He had a lean look
that made him seem a bit boyish and vulnerable. Yet Lanessa was
certain there was nothing helpless about him.

“
Charles Metoyer, this is
Lanessa Thomas, one of my best friends.” Yasmin held out a hand to
present Lanessa.

“
Hi,” Lanessa said. “This is
Alex St. Romaine.”

Charles Metoyer held out his hand to
Alex. “Of course. I know your uncle. He’s done business with my
father.”

“
Good to meet you.” Alex
shook his hand but did not appear especially sincere.

“
What luck. I wanted you two
to meet. Now we’re a foursome and didn’t even plan it.” Yasmin gave
a happy laugh.

“
Lucky, sure,” Alex
said.

Lanessa put her arm through his and
pinched him. “So, great party so far.”

“
As far as it goes,” Charles
said with a lift of one shoulder. “More of a duty visit for me. My
company has contracts with several of these folks. Including the
new contender, Paxton-Waite.”

“
Is that a fact? Just what
kind of work are you doing for them?” Lanessa turned on her best
manner to get more information than he would intend to
give.

“
Consulting. I’m a civil
engineer by training.”

“
You’re going to help them
build a plant?” Alex asked.

“
Sort of.” Charles turned to
him. “My family owns property near Des Allemands where they may
locate a facility.

“
I see.” Lanessa did not see
at all. His answer was vague, intentionally so she
thought.

“
I’ll probably be doing
quite a bit of work with Dawson and Hargrove over the next few
months.” Charles glanced at her from head to toe.

Lanessa was amazed at how deftly he
made a pass at her with just his eyes. He seemed to be letting her
know they could see each other again. She assumed an impassive
expression. “How interesting.”