North Star (17 page)

Chapter 15

The annual Mason Ball was the highlight of the summer for many of the town’s citizens. It was a time for new money and old money to dress like movie screen sirens and the legendary Rat Pack. Some average community citizens could enjoy mingling with the wealthy, too, if they could afford the hefty two hundred dollar price tag. The Masons believed in making this fundraiser the most talked about event of the year. From the valet parking to the catered menus to the silent auction, every part of this event had a touch of elegance and style.

Caresse watched from the wings, scrutinizing the ladies wearing Versace, Vera Wang, and Gucci gowns. It wasn’t the designer labels that caught her attention, but whether the women brought a whimsical individuality to what they were wearing. She loved to see which woman was putting on airs, or being authentically true to themselves.

Her heart started beating faster as Graham and his family headed toward their table. From the look on Roland’s face, he didn’t like his tuxedo, but his wife was a vision in her navy Carolina Herrera floor-length dress. The young woman with Graham’s protective hand on her back, wearing a stylish, show-stopping, gold Valentino had to be Laila. She seemed as radiant as the bold diamond earrings and massive diamond bracelet adorning her caramel skin. And, looking at Graham, she didn’t have to guess he was wearing an Armani tuxedo that fit him perfectly. From his constant scan of the room, she knew he was looking for her. She’d told him she would meet him at eight sharp, so she turned and headed toward the stairs leading to the auditorium below.

Caresse checked her hair in the mirrored wall panel in the hallway and was once again astonished that Yvette had given her a Reem Acra dress for the occasion. It was a far cry from the simple Calvin Klein cocktail dress she’d worn last year.

She remembered when Yvette reprimanded her for looking like the wait staff after the finalization of her divorce.
You need to stand out at the Mason Ball. As far as I’m concerned, you’re Mason
, Yvette had chastised her. Today, she wore a designer dress, like the rest of the rich ladies being escorted to their seats. The dress was soft white, and the delicate diamond bracelet around her wrist was a gift from her parents. The Tiffany earrings Graham had given her completed her look.

Graham was already seated by the time she reached his table. They locked eyes, and he rose to greet her. “Everyone, this is lady I was speaking about, Caresse Aldana. Caresse, you know Janet and Roland, but you’ve never met my baby sister, Laila, or my marketing director, Gray Ryley.”

“Hello, everyone.” Caresse was surprised to discover her mouth had gone dry. Why did it matter so much what Graham’s family thought of her? “It’s a pleasure to have you here. I hope this table is to your liking. I wanted to make sure you could see the wonderful entertainment provided by the students, but not be overwhelmed by the music of a Latin band.”

“It’s perfect, Caresse,” Janet said as she surveyed the room. “I couldn’t pick a better table if I wanted to.”

“So you’re the woman that put my brother in such a wonderful mood. Well, Hallelujah and Praise the Lord to that!” Laila announced as she and Gray clinked their wine glasses together.

“She also makes killer cinnamon rolls, right Graham?” Gray added.

Graham straightened his tie and grabbed Caresse’s hand. “All right, enough,” Graham almost growled. “I need to talk to Caresse alone. We’ll be right back.”

“But she just got here!” Laila called after them, then watched as they exited the auditorium.

“What was that about?” Janet asked, concerned.

“Didn’t you see Graham’s face? I have to give it to her, she knows how to command his undivided attention,” Laila said, and Gray nodded in agreement.

“Graham?” Caresse called as she lifted the hem of her dress and tried to keep up with his long stride. “What’s wrong?” she breathed as Graham took her past Rick and into the front office.

Once the door closed behind them, he claimed her lips and crushed her to him. The caress of his lips gave her a heady sensation that took her breath away.

When he lifted his head, she saw the lust in his eyes. “You could have warned me about this dress.”

Caresse recalled his initial expression, changing from shock to appreciation to passion. “Are you trying to steal my fun?”

“Tempting. Too tempting,” Graham mumbled as he shook his head and rubbed his hand over his face.

Caresse wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “You can’t keep me in here all night. I have a job to do, Mr. Sheridan.”

“Couldn’t you find another dress first?”

“I happen to love this dress!”

“So will every man here. I’ll be busy trying to scare off every man that tries to dance with you tonight.”

“What makes you think I want to dance with anyone but you?”

“A man can’t assume anything when it comes to women, Caresse.”

“Let me set the record straight, I’m not any woman, I’m your woman. Big difference.” Caresse kissed him gently and walked toward the door. “I have to check on my students backstage, so I’ll see you after their performance.”

She felt him watching her retreat, so she glanced back and waved.
Yvette, you were right. The right outfit can make a big difference.

Rick leaned against the wall next to the front office door as Graham watched Caresse strolled down the hall.

“I didn’t think it was possible for a woman to look that good. Damn, what does she see in an ugly cuss like you?” Rick said as Graham started to move pass him.

“Rick, don’t you have work to do?”

“I do, but answer me this. Does she know you aren’t the commitment type? Maybe I should fill her in on your wining, dining, sexing, and leaving.”

Graham grabbed Rick’s tuxedo jacket and brought his face inches closer to his own. “Don’t pretend you know me, Rick. And if you’re wise, you’ll stay away from Caresse.”

“Are you threatening an officer of the law? Nothing would make my day more than putting you behind bars and escorting Ms. Caresse home myself.”

Graham released his collar and stormed down the hallway toward the auditorium. The last thing he needed was to let Rick get the better of him.

Rick enjoyed making Graham fume. It was payback for his accusation that he’d had anything to do with Yvette’s accident. He’d been so mad that day he couldn’t see straight after their meeting. He’d sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel as he peered at Yvette’s photo on her Mason Ball invitation.

He regretted that he couldn’t bring himself to visit her in the hospital, but he’d had a chance with Yvette years ago, and he let his lust for partying get in their way during college. Yvette enjoyed parties, but not the kind that rocked until three in the morning, so she’d ended their brief courtship. Instead of changing his ways and getting her back, he wasted more time trying to replace her with other women.

Rick returned to the present when his partner whispered into his earpiece that Keith had been spotted near the pool area. “Hang back, I want to see what he’s up to. I’ll be right there,” he whispered as he moved quickly toward the stairs.

The ascent was slow.

Rick advanced up into the rafters over the pool area and moved slowly toward the scoreboard. He’d always envied the announcers having the best seats at pool events, and a quick look at the cushy leather chairs and the multi-camera monitors confirmed his beliefs. Pool lights beneath the water dimly lit the surrounding walls and ceiling and made it difficult to assess what Keith was doing near the filtration system. Rick observed one of the Mason security guards wheeling two large containers toward Keith.

As he spoke to the guard and pressed an envelope into his hand, Rick called for his team to enter the pool area from the four exits as he flooded the area with light. When Rick located one of the wireless microphones at the announcer’s booth, he whispered, “Testing. One-two-three. Testing. You can hear me. Good.” Rick strode toward the railing and peered down at Keith and the guard. “I’m sorry about the whispering, but there’s a party going on tonight, and I really don’t want to cause a scene. Anyway, you and your friend are surrounded. If you have any weapons, Keith, now is the time to place them on the ground slowly and walk away from the canisters.”

Keith glanced at the officers advancing around him and hurried toward the stands.

“If you continue another step, I’ll be force to shoot you. And from this angle, I’ll have no problem putting a bullet between your eyes.”

Keith stopped as officers rushed to force him down.

Rick placed the microphone back in the booth and quickly headed toward the poolside entrance. When he reached the containers, he discovered some contained large amounts of nitric acid and others contained various copper pieces. When mixed with chlorine water, they would produce the highly toxic, nitrogen dioxide. Which could flow throughout the center’s air vents and end the celebration in the auditorium on the other side of the pool’s adjoining wall. Such a poisonous way to close the center.

“Everyone, take your seats. We have a wonderful evening planned for this year’s Mason Ball,” Mr. Mason announced from a spotlight on the stage. “This night is dedicated to my daughter, Yvette Mavi Mason, who is recovering in the hospital, and the wonderful staff of the Mason Community Center. You’re here tonight because you care about quality programs and childcare for the children of our community. And I commend you for your support.”

The crowd roared with applauds and cheers.

“Tonight we have a treat, provided by students of our Latin movement class. If any of you enjoy watching
Dancing With the Stars
on TV, I’m sure you’ll understand the work it took for Ms. Aldana to create an intricate dance number that captures the favor of the Samba, cha-cha, and meringue, and emerges it with the moves influenced by Hip-Hip and Reggaton.

“Please join me in welcoming—” Mr. Mason was interrupted by his lovely wife from behind the curtain. “Oh, I’ve been told one of our lead dancers hasn’t arrived, so Ms. Aldana will be filling in with our college students. So, without further ado, please welcome Ms. Aldana and our gifted Mason students.”

The houselights dropped as the curtains parted. On the colorful stage, resembling a street corner in the heart of the barrio, stood the students in various stances. As the music began, they paired up, and danced the difference Latin dances with energy and precision, to the amazement of the crowd.

Caresse led a group of five dancers to the stage and helped the students transition into a Reggaton-influenced salsa with enough heat and fun to bring the crowd to their feet. She had changed into a shocking yellow, hip-hugging, leg-exposing dress that barely covered her body.

Graham watched as Caresse shook her hips and tossed her hair to the rhythm of the music. And when a young man grabbed her body and twirled her around the stage, in time with the other dancers, he felt a familiar envy tighten his jaw.

“If I didn’t know any better, I would say you wanted to rip the arms off that young man dancing with Caresse,” Janet whispered as she wrapped her arms around her brother’s bicep.

“That obvious, huh?”

“Yeah. What’s bugging you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t nothing me. You’re falling for her, and you don’t know what to do about it.”

“Not now, Jan. You promised not to overanalyze everything this evening.”

“Okay, but you started it.”

“I started it?”

“Yeah, storming out, pulling Caresse behind you, then you return in a foul mood, looking like you want to eat that college student for dinner. What gives? Did you two have a fight?”

“No?”

“Are you mad she’s up there shaking her thang?”

“No, Jan!”

Roland pushed between the two of them. “Leave the man alone. Can’t you see love is working a number on him? And if you asked me, it’s about time.”

“No one asked you, Ro. Zip it and watch the show,” Graham stated as he made his way through the crowd to the side of the stage.

He enjoyed watching Caresse move, but the captivated expressions of the men around him made him wish he could throw his tuxedo jacket over her shoulders and take her home. It was a barbaric feeling, but any movements of her hips caused a reaction in him that was hard to contain, and from the looks of a few young men, she was casting a spell over them, too. He had to let them know she was
his
.

The performance ended and Graham took a single red rose from a nearby vase and approached the stage. As Caresse bowed, he extended the rose, and she accepted it. With a smile, she kneeled to kiss and hug him in appreciation. As she rose to wave a final farewell with her students, other young men began to flood the floor, holding single roses from the displays, too. Graham frowned, and motioned Caresse to the stage’s edge again to gather her into his arms.

As he carried Caresse toward the auditorium exit, she giggled as Mr. Mason announced, “Sorry, fellas, she’s been claimed by Mr. Sheridan. Now please put the roses back in the floral arrangements before your gesture makes my wife mad.”

As Graham lowered Caresse back to her feet in the lobby, Rick ran into them while escorting Keith from the center.

“What’s going on?” Caresse asked, shooting her ex-husband a nervous glance. “Keith?”

“It’s all a misunderstanding. They have nothing on me,” Keith reassured her as Rick pushed him into another officer’s arms.

“Lying to her won’t help your case.” Rick faced Caresse. “Your ex-husband is responsible for Yvette’s accident. We have the enough evidence and confessions from his accomplices to put him away for attempted murder.”

“Keith, what is he talking about?” She spun to face her ex. “You didn’t like Yvette, but you would never hurt her.”

“I wasn’t near this place the night of the accident.”

“But you paid others large sums of money to cause the accident that nearly caused her death,” Rick interjected.

“Keith, how could you?” Tears pricking the back of her eyes, Caresse studied her ex-husband’s face, seeing the truth in his.

“She was supposed to close the center, not get hurt!” Keith yelled. “This damn Ball shouldn’t be held again!”

“You hurt Yvette?” Caresse cried. “Our children attend classes here, Keith. What if one of them got injured or killed?”

“Our daughters were out of town. Besides, what do you care? You were too busy dating Mr.
Psyche
magazine here. Infinity knew money was the only way to get my job done.”

“Infinity? What does my sister have to do with this?” Rick’s voice rose.

“Where did you think I got the money from, Mister Officer? I may have some resources, but not like your family. And the chemicals you took from me tonight, I’m sure you’ll find Infinity’s signature on the release forms.”

“Infinity would never!”

“She would, and she did. She knew what it’s like to love someone who stopped loving you. She told me once the center closed, you would spend more time at home with our kids. And her ex-fiancé here would return to her because he never saw himself as a family man. He never wanted children underfoot, only a beautiful woman on his arm, and in his bed.”