Private Lies

“Scotch, neat.” He nodded his head at Roxanne. “I didn’t realize we’d arranged a double date. Though Mettles doesn’t hold a candle to your lady.”

His heart hammering, Gage remembered his role and smiled. “True, but she’s more expensive.”

The mobster chuckled, and Roxanne gasped in outrage.

“Why, you—” she began.

Gage yanked her arm, so she landed with a plop on the bar stool behind him. He faced her, all but grinding his teeth to stay calm and in control.

Her eyes, normally a comforting shade of brown, spit green fire.

She’s in danger. I’ve put her in danger.

Guilt and fear strengthened his resolve. He glided his hand beneath her jaw and pulled his room card from his pocket with the other. “Go down to my suite, baby. I’ll be along later.” He brushed his lips against her cheek and whispered, “Please. I can explain. Please go.”

Stephano clapped him on the shoulder. “Ah, let her stay. A beautiful woman is always a welcome addition to the party.” He smiled lasciviously at Roxanne.

Gage growled low in his throat.

“Don’t like sharing, huh, Angelini?” Stephano threw back most of the contents of his drink, his eyes glowing as he stared at Roxanne. “I could make it worth your while.”

With every ounce of control and experience he possessed, Gage held his cover. Quickly, he assessed all that had occurred since Roxanne had literally walked into this mess, including his surprise at her appearance, which Mettles had no doubt witnessed. “She can be trouble. She was supposed to stay in the room.”

Stephano’s eyes gleamed. “I like trouble.”

Gage raised one eyebrow, as if he was actually considering the disgusting idea of sharing. “Really?”

Roxanne gasped. She raised her hand—to slap him, Gage presumed, but he caught it and kissed the underside of her wrist. “It’d have to be substantial. She’s very good.”

Roxanne tried to yank her hand away, but Gage held tight. She could hit him later, though he couldn’t imagine Roxanne actually going through with the blow.

Stephano threw back his head and laughed. “Ah, I think we’ll work well together, Angelini.”

And, just like that, Gage was in.

While Stephano ordered another drink, Gage slid his hand behind Roxanne’s head, feeling the edge of the wig she wore. He couldn’t help but admire her guts in finding him. He’d known she’d been suspicious of him at lunch, but he’d never dreamed she’d pull something this bold. Remembering her blond companion, he pinned the idea of the disguises on Toni.

And an excellent disguise it was. Fooling him—a ten-year undercover veteran. As if she knew the skills of a pro, she’d altered her appearance significantly, but also latched on to the secret of change—the attitude. Looks alone didn’t complete a deception. The transformation had him hard as a rock.

Roxanne always stirred his lust, but this daring, dark beauty was such a contrast from his normally agreeable, elegant fiancée that he found himself even more aroused than usual. Couples had engaged in role-playing games for centuries, he supposed, though he’d never before seen the interest. Now he had a different view. He longed for the moment he could send her anger over into passion, uncovering her body, cementing his hold on her heart.

It would no doubt take all the finesse he had. But he would hold on to her. She’ll know your secret before the night’s out. She’ll leave you. She’ll hate you.

Maybe. If they lived that long.

He pulled her close, ignoring the panicked racing of his own heart. He’d get her out of there. Safe. Away from the danger and slime he waded in.

Her dusky face turned nearly purple with rage. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “Come on, baby. You know I was just kidding.” He brushed a light kiss across her lips. Her mouth remained cold and her lower lip trembled.

Oh, damn, he thought as her eyes filled with tears.

“Hang on,” he whispered. “Just play along, Rox. You can do it. Please. We’re in big danger here.”

She sniffed and offered him a barely perceptible nod. That small measure of trust gave him more hope than he probably deserved. Damn him. He never should have involved her in his risky life.

“How about some champagne, baby?” He snapped his fingers at the bartender. “I’ve got some business, then I’ll take you out.”

“Bring the bottle,” Stephano ordered the bartender. “Mettles likes the stuff, too.” Stephano nudged his employee none too gently. “Right?”

Mettles held on to the bar so he wouldn’t fall off the stool. “Yes, sir.”

Stephano frowned as the waiter popped the cork, then poured two glasses. “Too sweet for me.”

Gage held up his hand. “I’ll stick with Black Jack.”

Stephano nodded in approval. “Now, that’s a drink. It’ll put hair on your chest, Mettles.”

“If you say so, sir.”

“Let’s toast.” Stephano raised his glass. The other three held up their drinks. “To success and rolling in the dough.”

“Cheers,” they said as one.

Gage watched Roxanne knock back more than half her glass in one swallow. Roxanne rarely drank. She polished off the rest and held out her flute for more. The bartender obliged, and the wheels in Gage’s brain churned frantically. This was going to go from bad to worse in a matter of minutes if he didn’t get them out of the bar.

But Stephano jumped in. “Mettles, go sit by the lady—” he paused “—hey, Angelini, you never introduced me to your lady.”

“This is—”

“Marina.” Roxanne’s slim arm shot across Gage. She held out her hand, and Stephano kissed the back of it. “Charmed to meet you.”

The tears in her eyes had been replaced by a dreamy glaze. Oh, boy.

“Lovely.” Stephano released her hand. Reluctantly, Gage thought. “Mettles, go entertain the lovely Marina while Gage and I discuss some business.”

Mettles leaped off his stool, and they all slid down to make room for him to sit by Roxanne.

Gage had no idea what she would say to an MIT computer-engineering graduate who programmed mob counterfeiting equipment, but Mettles started off by complimenting her outfit. Counterfeiting and fashion, oh there was an interesting combination.

“Why don’t we meet later for dinner?” he said to Stephano, probably too eagerly, but having Roxanne exposed to these people had every muscle in his body clenched. He couldn’t let them touch her. He couldn’t let this side of his life compromise his future. She deserved much more.

“To celebrate our deal?” Stephano tapped the rim of his glass, looking suddenly like the shrewd mobster Gage knew him to be. “If there is a deal.”

“Of course.” Gage had set up his cover very well. He’d check out, and Stephano would let him in. He just needed to get Roxanne away from the sleaze and danger. “But Marina isn’t much of a party girl. I’ll leave her here.”

Stephano gestured behind Gage, and he turned to see Mettles filling Roxanne’s glass yet again. “She looks like she’s havin’ a good time to me.”

“Mr. Stephano doesn’t like to be disappointed,” Mettles put in nervously.