A/N: Once again, I apologize for the length in between updates. R/L is just not very cooperative, and I have six other stories in progress in addition to this one. Hopefully some of them will wrap up soon. With all of that in mind, my updates will probably be about every 10-14 days, at least until I lose some of the others. Thank you for your understanding in this. I will update as quickly as I can. Thanks so much for reading. Your comments are greatly appreciated! :)
Chapter 4
Gwen stood mixed in the crowd of bidders and watchers as the auction continued... her jaw dropping down in disbelief as Jack began to lift his sign to join in the bidding. What was he doing? She was astounded and more than a little aggravated that he hadn't clued her in about his intentions. They were on assignment. If he became the winning bidder, whether by design or not, any evidence they obtained wouldn't hold up in court. She knew Jack would realize that... which brought her back to her original thought – what the hell was he doing?
Her eyes narrowed on the man on the stage, a man that appeared wanting to be anywhere other than where he was. Why was he participating if he didn't support the event? And... more importantly, why was Jack so interested in who acquired him? As the hands slowly started to fall out of the bidding, Gwen's mouth continued to gape open as she observed Jack increasing his bid... his attention to the stage and the auctioneer giving all indications that he intended to leave here the winner. She just didn't get it – at all. Why was Jack so interested in this man? Gwen remembered how the man had walked into this room with another man, a man that had exchanged a rather heated and unpleasant exchange with Jack. Could it be connected? If so... she needed to know more. Not only was she here to work... she also intended to use the opportunity to get closer to Jack. She was so tired of waiting for Jack to come to his senses and forget about professionalism and just do what she knew he wanted to do – namely a relationship with her. It was time to make things happen... and tonight was a perfect place to start.
So lost in her thoughts of Jack she didn't notice the man coming up next to her, a man that had watched her knowingly; fully understanding the longing on her face for the man that obviously had no interest in her. "Interesting process isn't it?" the voice drawled in her ear.
Gwen jumped, looking to her side to find the man that had been arguing with Jack so heatedly. Smiling halfheartedly she answered, "Yes, it really is."
"You came with Jack... didn't you?" John continued to probe. He had no need to ask. John was fully aware of who she was and why she was here... just as he knew of her infatuation with Jack. A sentiment he knew would never be returned.
She looked at him warily, uncertain of how much she should say. Lying would be a mistake if the man had obviously seen them together... most especially since it appeared they knew each other very well. "Yes, we came together. We were separated... and I found him in here."
"Jack does enjoy a wide variety of pleasures. I guess he found Ianto too tempting of a prize to resist." John smiled as the jealously appeared in her cold eyes, his own eyes looking back and forth between Jack and the charming Ianto Jones.
"Oh it's nothing personal. Jack is a very charitable man for a good cause." Gwen refused to believe this was anything other than business. Why would Jack pursue a strange man when he could have her? There was no way Jack could be gay. No way at all. Gwen glared at the unknown man on the stage as the bidding continued. Only two bidders remained – Jack being one of them. What was he thinking? Already the bid had reached to 1000 dollars for one date. It was unthinkable! Even if he was doing this to learn more about this party and the participants – this was over the top. Could it be possible? Did Jack have a more personal interest in this man? Her eyes began to shoot daggers at the young man on the stage, her fury increasing tenfold when he viewed him cast a shy, yet warm grin towards Jack.
John arched a brow, thinking this woman to be more than delusional... one that was in for a huge wake up call. Jack didn't want her. She wasn't his type at all. He would more than know that. Now, Ianto Jones... that was definitely Jack's type, and a man that the lusty captain would be determined to possess. John made certain to commit this woman's face to memory. She might be extremely useful to him in the future regarding his vendetta against Jack. He was more than aware of the old saying – a woman scorned... John thought that might very well come into play in her case. "Well, I hope you're right. As it is, I need to mingle. Do enjoy the rest of the auction... and your evening."
Gwen barely acknowledged his words, nodding curtly before returning her gaze to Jack placing the final bid that ended the event. Her eyes were wide with disbelief, her mouth opening and closing at odd intervals. Jack had just paid 1400 dollars for one evening with this unknown man. She couldn't believe this! As Jack made his way towards the cashier to make his payment, Gwen followed closely behind, hoping to hear or see anything that would put this all into a reasonable perspective. Right now, none of it made sense. Before she left here, she was determined she would understand everything... and do so while keeping herself with Jack's good graces.
Lisa coldly stared down at the men that were listening attentively to her proposal. "My employer's position is very clear. He isn't satisfied with the speed in which you are trafficking his product. In fact, he is giving you one week to improve upon that performance... or certain measures will be taken." She walked around the room, eyeing them all closely, waiting for any of them to cause a disturbance. "You need to understand - when you don't uphold your part of the agreement... then my employer can't do the same with his suppliers either. The situation needs to improve, or lets say – examples need to be made."
"We're doing all we can. This isn't your normal street drug. These are drugs that kill on initial contact. It takes a certain type of buyer..." one of the dealers that was their lowest pusher began to protest.
Nodding to the guards that flanked her, Lisa nodded her head to give the order. The remaining men watched in horror as the guard took aim on the protesting member and shot him repetitively in the chest. Silencer intact, along with music blaring through the rest of the floor, Lisa knew not a sound would be detected. She smiled cruelly as she looked down at the slain man, her brow arching as she surveyed each remaining man. "Does anyone here not understand my employer's position?"
Heads began to shake forcibly, back and forth, none of them wishing to be on the receiving end of such a cold and cruel fate.
"Wonderful. I will be certain to give Captain Hart your warm regards... and relay to him that you all will do much better in the week ahead. We have a shipment arriving in two days time. He expects you to have orders and payments ready by the end of the week." She moved towards the door, knowing she needed to be back at the party and away from the clean-up that was about to begin. "My advice to all of you – it's not to your best advantage that we are required to meet this way again. Next time, my employer won't issue any warnings."
Before stepping through the door, she snapped at the guards, "Get this mess cleaned up quickly. There are members of law enforcement present here tonight."
"Yes, Ma'am. We'll get right on it..." John's primary guard informed her, all of them watching as she safely departed the room, their heads motioning for the remaining guests to exit the room. "You are all free to go. You are not invited to stay at the party... and if one word leaks out about this meeting – you will be dealt with... quickly and painfully."
The guards watched as the nervous dealers fled, all of them having a huge sense of relief that they were on the payroll of John Hart. The man was a formidable enemy... and not one any of them wished to have – now or ever.
Jack advanced towards the stage after having made his payment to the cashier, a smile of anticipation on his face as his eyes swept over the gorgeous man. "Well then, looks as if I have myself a date."
"Indeed you do, Sir. An expensive one at that." Ianto's eyes darted around still looking for Lisa, his irritation continuing to surmount that she was still strangely absent.
"Looking for someone?" Jack asked, stepping even closer to the Welshman.
Ianto shrugged, wondering at this point why he continued to look for his long-absent girlfriend. "It doesn't matter apparently." He stepped down from the stage, moving to an eye level with the man that had just paid a large sum of money for a date with him, amazed beyond any clear understanding as to why this man would go to such lengths. "So, Captain Harkness... wasn't it?" Receiving the affirmative nod, Ianto continued, "Is this particular charity a favorite of yours?"
Jack arched a brow, his lips parting in the Harkness smile that had melted more than a few hearts. "To be honest, I'm not acquainted with it. An ends to a means is all."
"You wanted a date with me that badly?" Ianto couldn't help continuing to feel intrigued and confused by this man. "Did you ever think of asking in a more traditional manner? At the very least, it would have saved you some money."
Moving closer, not completely ignorant of the woman that was moving up behind them, Jack asked him, "Would you have said yes?"
"I guess we'll never know... will we?" Ianto cleared his throat nervously, his eyes looking away from Jack's intense gaze long enough to see a woman standing behind him, staring daggers into him. He frowned in slight confusion having no idea who she was... only one thing he knew for certain – she didn't approve of him at all. Looking away from her, Ianto looked back into Jack's smoldering gaze... knowing without a doubt – this would be one date to remember. "I guess the date is going to take place two nights from now. Should I just meet you there... or do you want to exchange information?"
Jack's eyes honed in on Ianto's lips, wishing more than anything he could crush them under his own – here and now. Normally he wouldn't hold back... but he could feel a bit of skittishness in this man, and scaring him off was the last thing he wanted. Not to mention the fact, whether acknowledged or not – he could feel Gwen bearing down on his back. Fuck. Why had he brought her here? Without removing his eyes from Ianto, Jack pulled his cell phone from his pocket, he flipped it open and advanced to the contact page. Glancing away long enough to type in Ianto's first name, Jack extended it to him. "Put your number in there."
Ianto took the phone and filled in the missing information. His eyes glanced up to see the mysterious woman was still present... but the missing Lisa had now returned; but not moving to his side, instead speaking animatedly with her employer. He rolled his eyes, his disgust with her behavior increasing even more. "I'll look forward to hearing from you, Captain."
His voice dropping to a husky, and deep pitch, Jack told him, "It will be an evening to remember, Ianto. I'll call you tomorrow. For now, I will say goodnight."
"Goodnight, Sir."
Ignoring Gwen's glowering expression as he watched Ianto moving off in the direction of the woman that was speaking with John Hart, Jack smiled watching the young man move. Jack was filled with anticipation for his date with Ianto. He would give that young man a memorable evening. Seduction would definitely be on the menu. One fashioned with his innate style. That date would just be the beginning – for both of them.
TBC
