Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, AB/HBO/Harris do.
Rating: M for Mature content.
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CHAPTER 7: Playing with the Big Boys
As they sped toward the airport, Betty poured a glass of champagne and handed it to Margot. Gesturing toward a small platter of cheese, crackers and fruit on top of the small bar, she remarked, "A light lunch will be served on the plane." Settling back into her seat, Betty continued. "When we arrive in New Orleans, a car will take us to the hotel, where we'll see about your dress for the evening."
They arrived at the regional airport where Russell Edgington's private jet awaited them. The limo pulled right up to the jet parked near the airport hangar, idling with its passenger door open and male flight attendant waiting. To Margot, this was like a picture from a luxury travel magazine. The limo driver hopped out and quickly opened the door for the ladies. They headed toward the passenger doorway while the driver loaded their overnight bags into the cargo compartment. As Margot alighted the stairs, she was impressed by flight attendant's handsome looks. I wonder what the story between him, Talbot and Russell is.
The flight to New Orleans in the powerful little plane was delightful and entirely too short. When they landed, another limo greeted them at the jet's doorway and drove them to the hotel. Nothing but the finest for Russell, thought Margot as they arrived. This hotel was one of a few luxury hotels in the world that was designed for vampires who lodged with humans (vampire-only hotels were locked shut during daylight hours). As they entered the lobby, Margot admired the decor that magically mixed elements that appealed to both humans and vampires. Betty stepped away momentarily to speak with the front desk personnel, and Margot wondered how their vampire escorts would get to New Orleans in time for dinner without having to leave their homes during daylight.
"They are already here," Betty said, as if able to read Margot's mind.
He's here. The thought of Franklin's proximity caused Margot to feel a sudden jolt through her abdomen, the very same jolt of pleasure she'd feel when she imagined her estranged boyfriend, Michael, making love to her. Until recently, she did not understand how mere thought could cause such a strong physical response in her body. She was fascinated to discover that all women feel that sensation during sexual arousal, as their bodies prepare for penetration.
Margot silently scolded her organs. Whoa there, lady parts. There ain't gonna be no penetratin' goin' on tonight.
"They came in last night." Betty said, looking at her. "Are you OK, Margot?"
Margot responded. "I'm fine, Betty, sorry. I was just thinking that we should be able to catch the shuttle to the mall from the front door."
Betty smiled and proceeded to inform Margot of yet another luxury the day held. "The dress Talbot has selected for you was brought here to be fitted on you. Everything else has been arranged as well. Let's head upstairs to the suite so they can get started." Betty led Margot to the elevator.
Margot had mapped out the day and the geography, formulating escape plans for every moment. The shopping trip would have served as the best opportunity to bail, if necessary. Now that she knew they were not leaving the building yet, the best advantage she had was the fact that it was still daylight and the vampires inside the hotel were asleep. She could check out the situation upstairs without fear of being overpowered by vampires.
Looking back toward the lobby as they waited for the elevator, Margot noticed their overnight bags were to be sent up separately by the bellman. As the elevator doors opened, Margot had to make a decision about whether or not to take the next step toward a glorious evening at the risk of it being the last step she took as a free woman. Margot looked Betty over again. She was bigger than Betty and believed she could beat her ass if it came to blows in the next few minutes. As she stepped into the elevator, Margot let the knife she'd hidden in her sleeve slide down into her hand. She made sure to stand within arm's length of Betty in case she needed to strike. Next, she tried to avoid suspicion by engaging in small talk but all Betty did was look oddly at this mumbling idiot who was standing unnecessarily close to her. They reached their floor and the doors opened. Betty quickly exited.
Feeling confident (Margot seems to have forgotten that she was now deep in the guest room area of a hotel frequented by vampires), Margot followed Betty down the long, dimly lit hallway past several guest rooms. When they arrived at the door, Betty used a room key to enter. As the door opened, Margot could see the expectant faces of three women in the room. The room had been rearranged into a workspace for sewing and salon services. A dress hung on a mannequin, ready to be fitted. As a woman who had done much sewing in her life, Margot could tell this was the real deal by the expressions of the women inside the room, literally sizing her up, impatient to begin their work.
For the next several hours, they worked enthusiastically until Margot was ready. Her clothes, hair and makeup had been done to perfection. The women were proud of their work and Margot thanked them for their effort. As soon as they left, she returned to the mirror to leisurely inspect their handiwork. When she looked in the mirror, she was taken aback by what she saw. The dress Talbot had selected was a stunning full-length, ivory dress with just enough cling and shimmer to show off all her best features. The shoes, jewelry and handbag were perfect accompaniments. Her hair and makeup were marvelous.
Margot laughed with delight as she admired herself in the mirror. I do declare this day is turning out just fine. I'm going to get a free trip, a free dinner and this getup. And they ain't getting nothing more than a 'Thank You, Sir' or whatever the fuck you blood suckers like to be called.
Margot thought that was perhaps a bit harsh but she was nevertheless determined to stick with the plan- eat, drink and be merry. And make it home alive.
Margot's private pep talk was interrupted by Betty entering the room. She had changed into a beautiful blue cocktail dress, not nearly as formal as what she herself was wearing. "Betty, you look lovely but seeing you makes me feel overdressed."
"I'm not joining you for dinner. I will be conducting some business on behalf of Mr Edgington."
Margot wondered "Don't you ever stop working?
Betty smiled. "I enjoy my work tremendously. Tonight's dealing's won't be drudgery, I promise."
Margot saw an opportunity to ask about events planned for after dinner. "Perhaps we could have breakfast together in the morning. What time are we heading home?"
"Whenever you'd like." Betty replied easily.
Moments seemed like hours as Margot waited for her next words. She would now find out where Franklin planned to spend the night.
Betty continued "The gentlemen won't be returning to Jackson until tomorrow evening. The jet is therefore at our disposal. We can go whenever you'd like during the day or we can accompany them in the evening."
Margot imagined Franklin slipping into her room later that night and did her best to appear to Betty to be unfazed by the thought. Actually, she wasn't sure if she dreaded or treasured the thought. As she excused herself to get some items from her overnight bag, she wondered how fast she could run in her new shoes. Could her high heels be used to stake vampires? Margot quickly put her necessities in the Chanel purse Talbot had chosen for her outfit.
"Shall we go downstairs?" Betty moved away from the mirror and toward the door. They rode the elevator back to the lobby and stood along the wall, observing the hotel guests and visitors. By now, the sun had set and the vampire patrons of the hotel were stirring. Most of them had human companions on their arms and Margot could sense the electricity between the couples as they relaxed in the lobby or headed out for the evening.
Margot observed the scene in disbelief. The notion of romantic human-vampire relationships seemed impractical, where was the balance of power? She decided that the human companions were weak-minded individuals, or they were under some kind of mind control. So convinced was she of this theory that she made up her mind to go talk to one of the human companions she'd spied across the lobby who was separated from her vampire while he was across the room talking with the concierge.
As Margot took her first few steps toward the woman, she noticed Franklin and Russell descending the grand staircase to her left. Russell was magnificently dressed in a black full-length robe. Talbot was on his arm, wearing a ruby-colored smoking jacket that must have cost a fortune. On Talbot's other side was Franklin, handsomely dressed in a black tuxedo. Having anticipated this moment for the entire day, seeing Franklin actually made Margot's knees wobble. I thought "weak at the knees" was fiction. Her eyes met Franklin's. Again came that feeling in her womb and she had to avert her eyes. What the hell is happening to me? What part of 'blood sucking vampire' do I not understand?
As they crossed the lobby toward the women, patrons stepped aside to acknowledge Russell. Some bowed their heads slightly and others greeted him formally by bowing at the waist.
When they reached Margot and Betty, Talbot immediately proceeded to boast about his couture expertise to Russell, gesturing at the features of the outfit he'd selected, talking about her as if she was a doll. As Talbot and Russell discussed Margot's attire, they ignored any attempt by her to add to the discussion. She finally gave up, realizing that she was a thing being discussed. Go on, act like I'm not here, she thought. You'll remember me when you get the bill for this fancy outfit.
Franklin smiled pleasantly as he patiently waited for Margot to turn her attention to him. When she finally greeted him, he brushed aside her pleasantries and inquired "Where were you going just now?"
In the short time Margot had known Franklin, she'd come to recognize that amused look of his and she hated it. It meant that he already knew the answer to the question he was asking her, or he thought he knew what she was thinking. She pouted for a second then just stared at him blankly as if she had not heard the question.
Her obviously decision to ignore his question caused him to laugh. Speaking in a whisper, Franklin leaned to Margot and said, "Any game you want to play is fine with me. I've played them all. Many times. Would you like for me to tell you how it will end?"
Before Margot could react to his remark, Betty announced to the group that the car had arrived. Franklin took her arm and guided her toward the lobby entrance.
… how it will end. Margot wasn't going to stick around long enough to see how it "ended," whatever Franklin meant by that. She quickly tried to recall the various escape plots she'd formulated if she'd gotten into trouble. She was definitely in trouble now. But, as Franklin led her toward the limo waiting outside, she couldn't think of what to do. Should I scream for help? I think that I might get the wrong kind of help in a joint like this!
Margot was so caught up in a panic that she did not notice the tall young man sitting at the lobby's bar, staring at them intensely. As she exited the lobby, he muttered, "Dirty mongrel whore… Bitch." and downed his drink.
They were now standing outside the hotel entrance. The valet held the door to their king-size limo. Russell and Talbot entered, followed by Betty. It was Margot's turn to go in. She hesitated. Turning to face Franklin, she quickly raised the bottle of silver nitrate spray she'd managed to conceal in her hand. Franklin grabbed it from her in an instant. As she stood there, frozen in amazement at how fast Franklin's hand had moved, Franklin laughed. "What's wrong, Margot? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Franklin, I…I…" Standing there, at a vampire hotel in a vampire town, by a doorway leading to a car full of vampires and Franklin standing before her, Margot tried to respond but stopped when she realized she had no brilliant scheme, no weapon and no more excuses.
Franklin expression became serious as he reached to caress Margot's cheek gently and whispered "Checkmate, my love."
To Be Continued…
