A warm blush spread across Allie’s face and a small gasp escaped her lips. Needing a moment to gather her composure, Allie looked away. When she turned back, Julian was standing directly in front of her.
“Good evening, Alessandra.” A sneer curled his lips.
“Julian, what are you doing here?
“Dining on a meal that should have been served to inmates.”
“I mean . . . I thought,” she stammered. “Didn’t you say you were flying to Chicago on the first?”
“And yet here I am, a week early.” He smirked. “Have you forgotten who is in control? I set the timetable, Alessandra. It’s mine to adjust as I see fit. Now give me an update, and do try to keep it brief.”
“Haven’t your lackeys been keeping you apprised of my every move?”
His lips pressed into a thin line. “It seems we have some training to do after the ceremony.” He stepped closer, and the cloying scent of his cologne invaded her senses. She could practically taste it. “You will speak to me with respect. Always.”
Bile rose in her throat and her heart rate accelerated. “I need to get back to the guests. If you’ll excuse me . . .” She stepped to the side but he caught her arm.
“Not so fast.”
“Don’t make a scene, Julian.”
He dropped his hand. “Then answer my directive. Have you presented the ultimatum?”
“Not yet.
He stiffened. “What the hell are you waiting for? He’s been following you around like you’re a bitch in heat, just as I knew he would. It’s time for you to . . . what is that expression you Americans love? Ah yes, lay your cards on the table. Do it, Alessandra.” Julian nodded toward Hudson and Melanie. “And I’d hurry if I were you, before he loses interest.” His eyes narrowed as he watched them. “I wonder how Melanie feels about conjugal visits?”
“I’ll invite him to dinner and lay everything out then.”
“Soon. I’m growing impatient, and you know the impulsive decisions I tend to make when I get this way.” His veiled threat was less than subtle. She was out of time.
“I’ll set it up for tomorrow night.”
He gave a tight nod. “See that you do.” His expression changed as his eyes roamed over her in a long, leering glance. “You’re flushed, Alessandra. If I didn’t know better I’d think you found my proximity arousing.” Julian raised his hand and she flinched. His eyes flared at her defensive move. The sick bastard was getting turned on. She hated herself for reacting almost as much as she hated the satisfied smirk that curved his lips. Of course he wouldn’t strike her, not with so many witnesses, especially not ones he deemed America’s “faux nobility.” No, Marquis Julian Laurent was far too concerned with his image to hit a woman in public. He was more the type to beat a woman in the privacy of her own home.
But when Julian touched her face, it might as well have been a slap. The sensation echoed the night he sent her flying across the living room of her brownstone. She could almost feel the blood dripping down her cheek as the back of his knuckles brushed over her skin, and when he leaned closer she could definitely smell the same stench of alcohol and cigarettes on his breath.
“Perhaps there will be some benefits to this merger after all.” He dropped his hand, replacing his fingers with his lips. Allie’s stomach turned as he kissed her cheek. “I’ll be in touch,” he said before strolling off in the direction of the bar.
Allie turned to find Hudson with his stare locked on hers, and all she could think about was how badly she wanted to feel his arms around her. At least now she had a reason to speak with him. In fact, Julian was probably watching her from somewhere in the room, waiting for her to do just that.
She made a beeline for his table. An hour ago the sight of Melanie, throwing her head back in a soft laugh as her hand came to rest on Hudson’s wrist, would have made Allie see red. But at the moment she had far greater concerns.
Hudson stood as she approached, surprising Melanie, who from the sound of it was mid-sentence.
“Will you excuse us,” Allie said, not giving a shit that she was interrupting the woman who quite literally had her claws in her man. “I need to speak with Mr. Chase.” The words were hardly out of her mouth before he had her in motion. His hand barely touched the small of her back as he ushered them to a corner of the ballroom, but the contact was enough to soothe her.
“Two more minutes and I would have ripped his arms off,” he spit out under his breath.
“We’re out of time.”
“What did he say?”
“Ladies and Gentleman,” the bandleader interrupted before Allie could answer. “Before we begin, our hosts would like to say a few words.”
Colin and Harper both stepped onto the dais, but it was Harper who took the microphone. Allie felt a sense of pride as she watched her friend conquer her fear.
“On behalf of the Ingram Foundation, I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening. Your generous support funds over twelve charities, ranging from charter schools to cutting-edge cancer research to shelters for battered women and children.” The latter had been a new addition to the Foundation’s mission, one Allie had personally suggested. To her immense satisfaction, she had already secured the necessary donations to launch the program later that spring.
“Before I leave you to enjoy a bit of chocolate and a spin on the dance floor”—she dropped her voice—“and to drink enough wine that you bid ridiculous amounts for the items up for auction.” She smiled at the round of quiet laughter her teasing nudge received. “I would be remiss if I didn’t offer a special thanks to the Ingram board, particularly the CEOs, for their unwavering commitment.”
The double meaning in her words was impossible to miss, but to further prove her point, Harper raised a brow in Allie’s direction as she introduced Allie and Hudson to the room. The spotlight blinded them, the crowd clapped, and then the band began to play.
“I believe it would be customary for us to dance,” Hudson said.
Allie nodded. Thanks to Harper’s little stunt, there was no doubt Julian was watching them. Hell, the entire room was. If anything, a dance would reassure him she was making the progress he’d demanded.
Hudson offered his arm and Allie curled her hand around his bicep. She could feel the tension in his muscles through the fabric of his tuxedo jacket. When they reached the center of the parquet floor, he pulled her into his arms. She wanted to mold her body against his, to feel their connection from head to toe, but she kept a respectable distance fit for public consumption.
After a few bars of the song, other couples joined them on the dance floor, and the low murmur of conversation once again filled the room. Hudson pulled her closer and pressed his cheek to her temple. She knew it was to muffle their conversation, but the skin to skin contact made her shudder nonetheless.
“What did that asshole want?” he murmured into her hair.
“Results. I’m supposed to invite you to dinner tomorrow night and give you the ultimatum.”
“I’ll make a reservation.”
“It needs to be somewhere visible, so he can see. Otherwise . . .” She pulled back to look at him. Hot tears pricked her eyes as she met his concerned gaze. “He’s getting impatient, Hudson. He started making threats.”
Hudson pulled her closer, and the hand holding hers tightened. “I’ll take care of it,” he said. After a beat, he added, “I’ll take care of everything.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Allie eyed the small gadget Hudson held suspended between two fingers. “What is that?”