Dear readers, please let me know what you think of this idea and the story so far. I know this installment is really short, but it's more a teaser of things to come.
Comments keep the muses happy! :)
Summary:
Neal Caffrey walked into Vincent Adler's office a cocky young man sure of his own good looks and attractions with no need for romantic attachments. After meeting Kate Moreau, Adler's breathtakingly beautiful personal slave, he would not walk out the same man.
In order to divert Adler's unwelcome attentions from Kate and keep her safe, Neal submits to what Adler wants, which include employing his world-class forging ability, skill in thievery, and keen mind to commit white collar crimes.
When Adler hides Kate as punishment for not finishing a certain job, Neal looks for her, is caught by Special Agent Peter Burke, and sentenced to four years in prison. Adler takes Kate away to a place unknown. Four months before his release, Neal gets a letter from Kate that she is in danger. He escapes and is caught, again, by Peter at Kate's last known location.
Neal persuades Peter to take him into personal custody for the next four years and he will help the FBI solve white collar crimes (Sound familiar? Somewhat? :p). Neal's life improves immeasurably … until he charms even Peter and El to a degree he did not anticipate.
Mozzie and the usual cast features! Kramer will show up too, which is never good.
The reason Neal did not immediately notice Kate when he entered the room was that her startling dark blue eyes were lowered toward the lushly carpeted floor of the office. He saw a girl with a lovely figure standing subserviently behind Vincent Adler's desk, and then trained his attention to the man himself. The self-made billionaire leaned back casually against his plush padded leather chair, probably costing in the thousands of dollars, Neal noted. Adler looked with shrewd eyes at his prospective employee over steepled fingers.
"I'm not going to waste time asking you what I can do for you. Tell me what you can do for me. And convince me quickly." Though physically Adler was clearly the smaller man in comparison, the fact seemed miniscule when set against his overwhelming aura of command and power. Even his choice of remaining seated as Neal stood as a supplicant was a calculated power play.
"I can work for you in acquisitions," Neal stated without preamble. He knew exactly the appealingly confident image he showed, the enchanting effect his handsome face and finely cut figure, smooth manners and beguiling speech, had on people.
Adler shrugged and gestured to his slave. "Water." She came forward, fetched the glass from the tray and, kneeling gracefully, presented it to him. He took a sip, more for effect than the drink, and said dismissively, "My team is full."
Neal's amiable smile never wavered. "Cameron Singer," he continued. "You're about to buy his firm."
Adler raised his brows but coolly said only, "Speculation's been on the front of The Journal all week."
"He's been avoiding Hannah Fields. Next week Hannah Fields will announce her new investment branch. She's buying out Singer." Neal took a moment to pause, recognizing that his next words would determine the outcome of the interview. "He's going to back out of your deal and the media will eat it up." Never letting his gaze falter, Neal pressed harder. "Your company will appear unstable." He allowed himself a casual lift on the corner of his mouth. "It could spook investors."
Adler looked at Neal more carefully, his face impassive, taking in the certainty, the sincerity of the young man's expression, at least in his words of the moment. "Kate will see you out," Adler said after a moment.
Kate inclined her head respectfully at Adler's words and moved to Neal's side.
Neal only smiled at this dismissal, knowing what it meant, and what it didn't. "If it turns out I'm right, call me," he said, placing his card face up on the desk.
Adler busied himself with his papers and didn't answer.
As they left the room, Neal had more leisure to study his escort's slim profile. Very pretty, he thought, his interest perked as it always did with striking women. As she opened the door, Kate turned her face to him, and it was then that the entirety of her beauty struck him. He stared.
"I look forward to seeing you again … Nick," she said, her hand appearing divinely slender and white against the ornate golden doorknob.
Neal blinked and managed to ask jokingly, "How do you know you will?"
A mysterious smile tugged at her full glossy mouth, and she closed the door.
