Masked Innocence. Alessandra Torre
apologize, but I am under strict instructions to deliver it only to Mr. De Luca.”
The woman pursed her lips, fixing him with a stern gaze that did nothing to alter the confident grin on his face. “I believe you have been here before, Mr....”
“Martin. And yes, I have made deliveries here before.”
“Then, Mr. Martin, you are quite aware that Mr. De Luca is a very busy man. I will try to reach him via phone, but if I fail, you will have the option of leaving the item with me or returning at another time. I will not have you wandering around this lobby waiting for his return, understood?”
His grin still in place, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She turned, the wrinkles in her neck smoothing for one moment, and placed the phone to her ear.
* * *
BRAD WAS MIDSWING in the third stroke of a par four when his cell rang, vibrating inside his pocket, the one distraction he didn’t need at that point in time. He swore loudly as he watched the ball fade to the right, headed exactly where it shouldn’t, a loud splat confirming his error. He yanked his phone from his pocket and glanced at the display. “De Luca.”
“Mr. De Luca, there is a gentleman here, a Mr. Martin, who has an item that he will only deliver to you.”
“Let me talk to him, please.”
There was a rustle, silence, then, “Hello?”
“This is Brad De Luca. Who is the item from?”
“Beverly Franklin, sir.”
Brad chuckled. “Okay. Just a moment.” He lifted his chin, going through the possibilities, then came to a decision.
“I’m going to give you a set of instructions, but I want to make sure that the secretary in front of you does not hear them. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Leave the wing you are in and return to the elevator banks. There will be an entrance there for the West Wing—Kent Broward’s name will be visible on the door. Enter there and ask for Julia Campbell. You can deliver the item to her. Just her.”
“Gotcha, Mr. D. See you later, sir.”
“Thank you.” He hung up the phone and approached the cart, nodding to the three men standing there. He would give anything to see Julia’s face when she opened the card.
I WAS ELBOW deep in transcript review when Chace Crawford, in a tuxedo, appeared in my doorway. Okay, so it wasn’t the Chace Crawford, but enough of a lookalike for me to momentarily forget Drueit vs. Pace Contracting, which was a feat unto itself. I collected myself and waved him in.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Julia Campbell.”
“I’m Julia.” I stood, stepping forward and shaking the hand he extended.
“I’m Jeff Martin. I have a couriered item for Mr. De Luca, but he isn’t in. He said that I could give it to you.”
I looked at the embossed envelope he extended, my fingers reaching out and taking it before my mind had a chance to process the situation. “Thank you,” I said, smiling at him.
“Certainly.” He gave a small bow and smiled, turning and leaving the room.
I sat back down, leaning the envelope against my computer monitor and staring at it for a brief moment. Being Brad’s girlfriend was turning into a full-time job.
I ignored the envelope and returned to the depositions, reading line after line of transcripts until my contacts started to dry out and I leaned back to take a break. The envelope stared at me, beautiful calligraphy dancing beneath exhausted eyes. I reached for my phone and called Brad’s cell.
* * *
BRAD PARKED HIS cart, tipping the bag-drop boy and stepping up the wide steps of the hundred-year-old clubhouse. It had been built at a time when opulence and masculinity ruled the design world, and every ounce of the building reeked of old money and tradition. He walked through the wide hall, oil paintings and trophy cases, seeing his group of friends at the entrance to the cigar bar. His phone rang and he paused, glancing down and seeing Julia’s name. That took longer than expected. He smiled, holding up a finger to the men and stepped aside, leaning against the wall and answering the call.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hey. You got something.”
“And...did you open it?” He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her response.
“No,” she said indignantly. “It has your name on it.”
“Well, I had the courier bring it to you for a reason. It’s an invitation to a party.”
“And...?”
God, the woman was feisty. “And I’d like you to come with me.”
She sighed into the phone. “As your secret girlfriend, I think I’m exempt from any of the boring social events you old people go to.”
Brad smiled at her words, moving off the wall and stepping forward. “It’s an orgy.”
Her breath caught, and he wished he were having this conversation in person. “Oh.”
“But...if that’s too dull and old-mannish for you, I can invite someone else.”
She hissed into the phone, “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I most definitely would.”
There was silence for a minute and Brad stopped walking and waited.
“Where’s the party?”
“Does it matter?”
“Humor me.”
“I’m assuming it’s at the hosts’ home. In Irongate.”
“Oooh...fancy. Do you know anyone who will be there?”
“I know the hosts. They typically throw a relatively small party, fifteen or twenty couples, a few singles. There will be group play and private rooms. If you feel up to it, we could just observe, maybe hook up with a single or a couple in a private room if you want. Or we can just stop in, let you see how it works and leave.”
There was a pause, rustled papers, then an abrupt response. “Okay.”
Her agreement came quicker than he expected, and he grinned into the phone.
“Okay. You officially have a date. Read the invitation. We’ll talk later.” He smiled into the phone, then looked up as one of his friends walked by, slapping him on the shoulder. “I have to go.”
“Okay. Wait!” The urgency in her voice made him pause.
“What?”
“It’s this week, which doesn’t exactly give me time to shop. What’s the dress code?”
“Something sexy. No panties.” He hung up the phone and walked forward, sliding it into his pocket.
* * *
I MURMURED SOME form of parting and hung up the phone, flipping the envelope over and running my fingers over the wax seal. I grabbed a letter opener and worked it gently under the flap, careful not to rip the paper as I opened it. I slid out a card, stiff and folded, Brad De Luca printed in perfect calligraphy on the front. Dropping the envelope, I opened the card, almost afraid of what was inside.
Big surprise, an invitation. I pushed away from my desk, spinning the chair in a small circle as I read it.
Well, this is convenient. Twenty-four hours after Brad mentions a sex party, a hot man shows up