Clarity (The Seductors #3.5) (7 page)

“How’s the party going, anyway? How have you been coping without me?”

“It was exceedingly dull until you brightened it up. Shall we mingle?” Jade put her arm through mine before I led her into the mass of people.

“You look radiant, my dear!” The police commissioner’s wife embraced Jade, looking at me over her shoulder. “You two make such a fine couple. I can imagine how beautiful your children are going to be.” Jade choked a little, turning to look at me with wide eyes.

“Let’s not be too hasty, Maria. Jade and I are happy just being together at the moment.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. It’s clear from the look on both your faces. You two are head over heels in love with each other! Seize the day, I say. Make an honest woman out of her, Oliver.” Maria nudged me, giving a little wink. This woman was unbelievable. “She’d be crazy to decline. You are the most eligible bachelor in New York.”

“How much champagne have you had, Maria?” I smirked, shaking my head at her.

“Not enough. Maybe I should find my husband and get some more.”

Jade was laughing to herself as Maria walked off. “I can’t believe that is the police commissioner's wife.”

“Men with power seem to drive their women crazy. I have a few scientists doing a study on it, actually,” I teased.

“Really?” she was trying to keep her face serious, but failed miserably. “Are you saying that’s my fate if I stick around?”

“I thought your mind was already made up? Wow, you really know how to wound a guy's ego.”

“Nothing could affect your ego, Oliver.” I had to snort at that. “But if going crazy is the price I have to pay to stay with you, I’ll take it. At least you’re researching it. There may be some hope for me yet.”

“I’m already crazy about
you
. I think we’ll be just fine.” Jade nodded, running her hand down the front of my jacket. “Would you like to dance?” She nodded, allowing me to lead her onto the dance floor. The band was playing a slow blues song as I pulled her close to me. As we swayed to the music, I felt as if all eyes were on us. Jade had a way of lighting up an entire room with her beauty.

“Maria was funny earlier,” she mused against my neck. “Maybe you should make an honest woman of me.”

“There’s no rush, Beautiful,” I sighed, moving to gage her reaction. Was that disappointment in her eyes? “I don’t want to frighten you away.”

“You think I’d be scared if you asked me?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“No.” She sighed, moving to rest her head on my shoulder. Well, fuck me, I just got the green light. Did I ask her tonight?
No, you idiot! You have to make it special and romantic!
Realizing her birthday was coming up soon, everything began to fit into place. What if I held a surprise birthday party for her? I could ask her then—sweep Jade off her feet.
Oh, I liked that idea
.

“Well, that’s good to know,” I muttered into her hair, trying to act indifferent. “Why were you so late anyway?”  

“I was on the phone with
Jennifer
, ” Jade spat. The fury was evident in her tone.  

“Why? What have they done now?”

“They were trying to keep some key information from us. I gave her a warning, telling her that the next time it happened, General Johnson and I would be paying her a visit.”   

“They’re already being difficult?” I asked in surprise.

“Oliver, they aren’t going to be monitored without a fight. Not to mention, you’re their main target. We should have kept you out of this. God, I shouldn’t have been so foolish the day I left. I can’t believe I made it so obvious that you were behind this take over.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Jade. I’ve had enemies
all
my life. I make nuclear weapons, remember? If it’s not world leaders after my blood, it’s Greenpeace telling me that I’m scum of the earth and need to be exterminated.” She looked at me, shocked. There was a lot Jade didn’t know about my line of work. Threats were a regular thing for me. I had security watching me around the clock, but they were paid to stay in the shadows. I didn’t want to be permanently reminded that my life was in danger every single day.  Duncan dealt with that side of things, anyway. It was one less thing for me to worry about. I even had security on Jade, not that she really needed it. I was sure she could take down anyone that threatened her.  

“You get death threats?”

“Not so much death threats, but plots to kidnap or kill me have been discovered over the years.”

“Because of the power you hold?”

“I’m the last blood heir to Kirkham Industries. With me gone, my company would be in the hands of designated directors, and my uncle getting the final vote. It’s a prospect Russia, Japan, and Israel have always wanted.” I shrugged, trying not to worry her. Maybe I’d given her too much information.

“You forgot Imogen.”

“We don’t need to worry about her anymore. She’s been dealt with.”

“Oliver, do you know how serious all of this is?” Her voice was trembling.

“Hey,” I soothed, running my hands gently through her hair. “My father had to deal with this, and his father before him. It goes with the job. Don’t worry, I have it covered. Besides, I have you,” I grinned, rubbing my nose against hers. “An ex Seductor is the best kind of protection a man could ever ask for.”

“I’ll never let anything happen to you.” The sincerity in her voice was so comforting.

“I know, and I feel the same way about you.” Leaning down, I captured her lips with mine and we became lost in the rhythm of the music again.

“Sylvia, I need you to get Alex Harbour’s assistant on the phone please.”

“The Rock Star?” she replied over the intercom, clearly confused.

“Yes. We went to college together. He’ll take a call from me.” Alex never did one off performances, but I needed him to play at Jade’s surprise birthday party. I just had to make the asshole agree. In my line of work I had many contacts, but not many CEO’s had a rock star to add to their list like me.

“Mr. Kirkham, I have Natasha White on the phone for you. She is Mr. Harbour’s new assistant,” Sylvia chimed a few moments later.   

“Thank you, Sylvia.” I waited for the call to be transferred before speaking again. “Miss White, thank you for taking my call.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Kirkham. Alex is a little tied up right now and has asked me to speak on his behalf.”

“You mean he’s too high to come to the phone?” He was such a wasted talent these days. Alcohol and drugs had grabbed hold of him.

“I…um…I…”

“I went to college with Alex, Miss White. I know what he’s like. If he is able to talk, please pass the phone to him. I have an urgent matter that I need to discuss.”

“He’s out by the pool. Give me a moment please, Mr. Kirkham.” I sat tapping my pen on my desk as I waited. Alex was the only asshole that made me wait when I called him. I swear he got some smug satisfaction out of it, knowing that I was probably losing money while I waited for him!

“Mr. Rich, what a wonderful surprise! I haven’t heard from you since that charity event in London two years ago! What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?” Alex greeted me, slurring his words. I was wrong. He wasn’t high this time; he was drunk.

“I’m surprised you’ve been sober long enough to miss me, Alex,” I sighed. “I thought you were giving up drinking?”

“Next year, I promise. I’m going to rehab.” I’d heard it all before, but to be honest, it wasn’t my problem anymore.

“I need a favor, Alex.”

“What the fuck could you ever need from me?” he snorted, coughing as he laughed.  

“I need you to perform at my girlfriend’s birthday party.” Why Jade liked this idiot’s music baffled me. He’d been good during his early years, but the fame had affected him. Being the lead singer of a major rock band was no laughing matter, and not everyone could handle the pressure. Sadly, Alex had given in and lost himself in the process.

I’d actually helped out Steel Roses when they were first getting started, by sponsoring a university tour. Jade was going to flip once she found out that I’d been at university with not only Alex Harbour, but his band mate, Matt Higgins, as well. If she’d done the math and research, however, she could have easily worked it out on her own.

“Oliver, don’t you think I’m a little too famous to perform at birthday parties?”  

“Don’t ask me why, but she’s a big fan of yours. Your last album was utter shit!”

“Ouch. You sound a little bitter, Ollie. It’s not my fault that
your
girlfriend thinks of me while she’s fucking you. I’m a motherfucking rock star. Honestly, I have that effect on most of the female race.”  

“Fuck off! I can assure you Jade doesn't think of you that way!” I snarled. He was always such an asshole, which was one of the reasons I hadn’t contacted him in two years.

“That’s what she tells you,” the bastard goaded.

“I’m planning on asking her to marry me at the party, Alex. I need you to perform—
sober
—so I can propose while you’re singing one of our favorite songs.”

“Holy shit! You’re proposing? Did you make her sign a pre-nup? Because you know this chick is only hanging on your cock for your money.”

“You’re wrong. Jade is the one. If you knew what she’s done for me, it would be obvious.”

“If she sucks the balls as well as the cock, she is a keeper, Ollie. That’s the only advice I can give you.” I hated when he used that damn name. I may have been a few years younger than him, but it wasn’t like I was twelve anymore.

“Great advice.” I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. “You know what? Never mind. This was obviously a bad idea. I’ll find someone else to perform.”

“No, No…I’ll do it. What song do you want me to sing?”

“Um…it’s not one of your songs.” I smirked to myself in satisfaction. The asshole wouldn’t be so smug now.

“You fucker! You want me to do a cover of someone else’s fucking song?”  

“I’ll pay you if it’s a problem.”

“I don’t want your fucking money!” He must have moved the phone away from his mouth, because when he spoke again, it sounded distant. “Natasha, get me some coffee. I’m getting a damn hangover!”

“I’m not your slave, get your own coffee! I have enough to do!” I heard a female voice call in the background, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Bitch!” He muttered into the phone.

“I like your new PA,” I chuckled. It was about time Alex had a woman that could stand up to him.

“I don’t. She’s a goddamn lesbian. I can’t get my cock anywhere near her.”

“You never learn, Alex,” I sighed. “So you’ll do it?”

“Yeah. Send all the details to Natasha. She’ll make the arrangements.”

“Thank you.”

“Is this girlfriend of yours hot?”

“You go near her and I’ll beat your ass,” I threatened in a teasing tone.

“Okay, okay, I get it! I’ll be good even if you are making me sing someone
else’s
song!”

A smile played at my lips as I hung up the phone. My plans for Jade’s birthday were all falling into place.