Tracy glared at Trevor.
"Do you think you are the first man who has threatened me with rape or even the first man to try it? I've survived a lot worse than you can offer, and I will dance on your grave once my people are done with you."
Trevor stood back and stared at her for a moment. He like her spunk, in fact he liked everything about her. She had class and style, and yet she knew how to get down in the muck and wrestle. In a split second decision he realized he would have to seed his staff out to purchase more clothing, because he was going to keep Tracy Quartermaine in this house as long as he could. Luke Spencer would lose a hell of a lot more than his freedom.
"You're people? Now come, Mrs. Spencer, you haven't had 'people' for years. You see, I know all about you. I know about Tracy Ashton, Tracy Williams... Tracy Hornsby and Tracy Soleito. And between them all there was Tracy Quartermaine. You are a fascinating woman but you have never been properly appreciated. Even your current marriage is lacking in respect and trust."
"You know nothing" she spit. Her arms were still pressed to her sides but she would not give him the satisfaction of exposing here fears.
"If you say so, but I'm a very observant man." Straightening his back, he nodded to the guard to release Tracy before he continued. "I'm also a very patient man, Mrs. Spencer. I guess this is all overwhelming to you and you are concerned about your family, as any mother should be..."
"What have you done, Trevor?" Tracy interrupted. She could handle anything thrown at herself but her children were a different matter.
"Done, me? Nothing dear lady I assure you. Both of your sons are fine."
"And Luke's children?"
"You really care about them that much? They're not your children."
Tracy just glared at the man. He might be brilliant in the court room but he was clueless when it came to being a parent.
"Let me explain something to you, Mr. Lansing... it doesn't matter where my step-children came from, they are a part of my husband and that makes them a part of me. And until he returns home, they are my responsibility."
"We're back to 'Mr. Lansing'. Well that won't last long. We will be on a first name basis soon."
Trevor turned from her and started walking back to the door. Thinking better of it, he shook his finger in the air and returned to face her.
"You know, this isn't how I imagined the evening. How about we go together to the dining room and we can have a nice, civil meal together. And after drinks if you want to return to your room you are more than welcome, although a nice walk around the rose garden might be more to your liking. And I'll even give you the key to your door so you can be assured no one will take advantage of you. I was out of line earlier with my threat. I'm not going to hurt you. When you come to my bed – and it's when, not if – I want you to be there because you are ready not because you are forced."
"You certainly think highly of yourself, Mr. Lansing. What makes you think I would ever willingly go to your bed? For all your planning you seem to have overestimated your charm and underestimated my marriage vows. Do you think I am the type to develop Stockholm Syndrome?"
Trevor threw back his head and laughed.
"Delightful... simply delightful. I should have pursued you ages ago. Come, let's go down to dinner and we can continue this conversation."
Turning back towards the door, Trevor offered Tracy his arm but she declined. He didn't expect differently but that didn't take away from his momentary disappointment. Soon she would be more open to him, he knew.
Instead he ushered her out the door in front of him and directed her through the hallway. Tracy took note of everything from the wall colour to the décor. There were few rooms but they were generously proportioned. It seemed every room had their own en suite, but noted that hers had the best view. Trevor pointed out his room as they went by, which amused and disgusted Tracy at the same time. He was cocky, which she might be able to use to her advantage.
The wide circling staircase swept them downstairs. In past eras she imagined the mistress of the manor had made grand entrances to the awaiting guests below. It truly was a magnificent old house. The wood floor gleamed and the staircase itself was polished oak. The woven runner in the front hall held hints of roses throughout it's dark green pattern. A parlour was to the right of the foyer while the dinning room was to the left. In any other circumstance Tracy would have been impressed with the grandeur of the old home.
"You like what you see. I can tell. I'm glad."
"Don't congratulate yourself, you hired a good decorator. It doesn't take away from the fact that I resent being here."
"All in good time, Mrs. Spencer. Come, sit with me. I have asked the cook to prepare your favourites. I think she will rival anything set at the Quartermaine table. Sauvignonblanc, for your pleasure."
Trevor was being an exceptional host. She had seen earlier that he was ruthless, but he was certainly a gracious host when it suited him. Tracy knew the only way to find his weakness and motives was to get him talking. Swallowing the bile in her throat, she accepted the chair he held and nodded her appreciation for the wine. He then seated himself at the head of the table beside her.
"Lechiem!" he said as he raised his glass.
Tracy raised her glass as well then took a sip of the clear wine. It felt wonderful on her parched throat and seemed to settle the anxious nerves in her stomach.
Putting his glass down, Trevor crossed his arms on the table and leaned in towards her, "So ask. I can see the questions racing to get out."
"Again with the presumptions. That's a bad habit of yours."
"Forgive me, Madam. I assumed your curiosity would be getting the better of you by now."
"I think you have me mistaken for my step-daughter, Mr. Lansing. Things rarely 'get the better of me'. Actually the only thing I'm wondering is why me, why now?"
Nodding, Trevor leaned back in his seat. He tented his fingers and looked as though he was contemplating his answers.
"Why you... why now... I have nothing against you, Mrs. Spencer. Nothing at all . As I said earlier I find you beautiful, very intelligent and hope to convince you that I am the better man for your attentions. If all were equal we would be having this dinner without locks or guards. Unfortunately you are leverage."
"Leverage? Against whom, dare I ask." Taking another sip of wine she tried to lean back in her seat and act as non chalant as her host.
"Not against whom, per se, but against this situation. You see your step-daughter is in the position to cause a whole lot of trouble. Personally I have nothing against the girl either, I just want her leaving John alone."
"And you assume kidnapping me will force Lulu to walk away from Johnny Zacchara? You are delusional."
"I assure you I am not that naïve. But if you remove enough layers of security slowly the message will get through. Anthony told her that her father would go to prison unless she did what he asked. Unfortunately she was too much of a liability so I had to make that happen anyway."
"You did that? You sent our lives into chaos because Lulu likes Johnny? You son of a bitch. All of this was your fault. What benefit did you think you would derive?" Tracy was ready to cross the table and punch him again. This time there wasn't a guard behind her to stop her.
"Now, now, Mrs. Spencer, all of those charges will go away in due time. The Federal authorities respond quickly to accusations but the proof just won't stand up in court. Your husband will be a free man eventually. But at any rate, Lulu didn't get the message. So now I'm moving along. You see, if her step-mother can be taken out of her own rose garden at any point and Lulu can be made aware that it's her association with Johnny that's responsible, then she might get the message. If that doesn't work I will just have to remove more people."
"You are a monster. Who's next in line after me? Are you going to kill them?"
"Oh Mrs. Spencer, you don't have anything to worry about. I am only interested in Lulu leaving Johnny's life. She is too much of a distraction for him. He has a job to do and right now he's spending too much time focused on her. And she has no respect for the way business is handled. I know you understand business and you know what I'm saying."
"You seem awfully interested in the son of your employer. From what I understand he has no use for you. What do you get out of this?"
"I don't get anything out of this except knowing that John is fully prepared to inherit the family business, and hopefully many more evenings with your charming company."
Tracy knew there was more to this than Trevor claimed. He hadn't told her much but she knew the clue was in there somewhere. She had to play his game to see where it lead. Taking another sip of wine she tried to keep her eyes and face neutral, however her brain was screaming for her husband to find her and get her away from this mad man.