AUTHOR NOTE:
I wanted to thank everyone who left a comment and kudos! They all have made my day!
Dinner turned out to be a delightful affair. Liz was very impressed in spite of herself, when Red ordered the complete course in French. She secretly hoped he had not ordered her something along the lines of 'monkey brains' but when the entree arrived, it was delicious beyond belief.
Liz felt very sophisticated in her new ensemble. She found herself sitting straighter, decidedly watching her table manners.
All in all, it was a totally delightful episode.
"What's our cover, Red?" she hated to break the moment, but business called.
"If we want all access at this gathering, the only way to achieve that is for you to arrive as my... fiancée." he held up a restrictive hand, "Cliche, yes. But effective."
He cut her a look, "Trust me on this." a frown creased his intelligent brow. "I know these people, I know how they think and what they expect."
"Fine. So why don't I rate the lofty position as wife?" she half-way quipped, a little uneasy with the new role assigned her, truth told.
"It would have gotten around that I had married. Even if it had happened in the last day." he stretched luxuriously. "Good news, as they say, travels fast."
"I don't understand why I couldn't have just been your new accountant?"
"As I said before," Red iterated, "if you are uncomfortable with any of this, we don't even have to bother." he reminded tactfully. "It is just that, people will more comfortable and not so mistrustful of my motives if I show up with a beautiful woman on my arm."
Liz opened her mouth hastily to reassure, but the man continued.
"I can get the information needed..." he hesitated then slightly shrugged the well defined shoulders, "you are just making my job that much easier."
"I was just interested in your accountant... Luli and her position in your organization." The beautiful Asian woman had always intrigued Elizabeth and she found herself more than curious about any personal relationship that might have existed.
"She was a trusted part of my team, but damn any loyalties." Red almost smiled, "I always realized, if a good thing came along, she would jump on it." he shifted his eyes momentarily, "One grows to expect such things. Nor did I blame her."
"But a fiancée..." Liz was still perplexed.
"In this business, you don't get romantically involved with someone you can't shut your eyes around." Red leaned forward, placing his hand on the back of the seat, "They'll talk more freely because it's apparent that I trust you."
Liz pondered all that had been said. "And when we don't marry?"
"We will tell them of our intimate ceremony we have planned on the back of a camel with a Bedouin holy man." Red's voice held a measure of amusement. "The women will think I'm charming but the men will find me totally in character."
She grinned at the thought of Red on the back of a camel. "And the back story?"
"We met at an art exhibit. We've been dating a little over a year. We've been engaged for four months."
"Did that just now come to you?"
"Yes." he seemed surprised as well. "Why?"
"No reason, just fascinated by how quickly you come up with this stuff." she sat back grinning. "But, I have to ask, if we've known each other and been engaged this long, isn't it odd that you've never introduced me before?"
"No, I'll handle that part, you just follow along."
She shrugged, making mental note of the request.
Red reached into his pocket, grasping the object inside. He opened his hand revealing an enormous diamond ring that sparkled translucently in the moonlight filtering through the car window.
Disregarding the slight gasp of awe, the man gently took her hand in his, sliding the ring on her slender finger, twisting it until the setting gleamed upward. His warm fingers gently stroked hers as he reluctantly broke contact.
The gorgeous diamond and sapphire wrapped band shimmered when she rotated her hand back and forth, as she marveled at the weight. It was much heavier than her old one. And that even while huge, the stone fit her hand perfectly, as did the size of the band.
"I could put an eye out with this thing." She watched the light bounce off the diamond. "Probably my own."
As they pulled into the circular drive, she had the hardest time not gaping at the enormous house.
"And they say, crime doesn't pay." She muttered, craning her head this way and that to take in her astonishing surroundings.
The two story house and grand porch were warmly lit. A soft bathing blue light highlighted the gigantic columns lining the gothic veranda. Guests walked up the decorative path lined by beautiful and lush gardens that were all neatly trimmed and tended.
As they glided to a stop, two valets stepped forward, one heading for the driver side, the other for her door.
Red exited first, making his way to the passenger side, waving the young man away. Offering her a hand, she turned in the seat and felt a pull on her coat.
Red looked down to see what was keeping her when he saw the slit in her dress fall aside, revealing her stocking covered thigh, followed by a patch of creamy white skin, then the elastic tie of her lacy red garter.
Good God. He desperately tried to look elsewhere, but his eyes constantly returned to the alluring sight.
Fixated on the small patch of pale skin, he didn't feel the presence at his side until he saw movement out the corner of his eye.
Turning, he saw the young valet craning his head for a peek.
Fixing the boy with a cold stare, he blocked Lizzy from any further view. Although annoyed, he supposed he couldn't fault the boy. He had been looking as well. But if anyone was going to see her naked thigh, it was going to be him.
Sticking his head through the door, he braced his hand on her knee then reached over, pulling the coat free with little fuss. Backing out of the doorway, he held his hand out, helping her ease out of the seat.
"Sorry." She smoothed her coat and gown, nervously. She was beginning to feel the weight of this particular "assignment". Liz fidgeted anxiously with new weight about her finger.
For one horrible moment, she wondered... what if she accidentally lost this thing.
"How much does this ring cost?" she whispered jerkily, leaning into the man's sphere.
Red held his amusement, "How gauche a question." he teased.
Her troubled eyes met his warmly amused ones. "Relax, there are no thieves here tonight... only drug runners, axe murderers and tax evaders."
For some reason, the statement made her feel better.
She wrapped her left arm through his, casually showing the ring. Ascending the stairs, he felt her tensing with each step.
"Take a breath. You'll do fine. The man felt the slight tremor racking her body. "Just be yourself." He smiled absently to one of the couples ascending the stairs beside them.
"Red, I don't belong... I don't fit in here." She inhaled shakily. She felt more than awkward, unsure of her own abilities suddenly.
"You could go anywhere you please and belong, Lizzy." He felt the frustration rolling off her. Pulling her to a secluded spot on the long porch, he turned her to face him. Dembe stood a short distance away, blocking guest's view of the private conversation.
Inhaling, attempting to settle her nerves, she stared back at him. "Do I really look okay?" She blurted out. "Is this dress all right?"
"Do you really not realize how stunning you are?" he seemed taken aback.
"I don't want to embarrass you in front of your friends." She drew in a shaky breath, lifting her eyes to the heavens, which in this case was the top of the magnificent porch under which they now stood. "I knew I should have picked the light blue."
"Lizzy, you're going to turn a lot of heads in that dress." his hands tightened around hers.
She rolled her eyes, until he gripped her chin, aligning their eyes. "Listen to what I'm saying. Hear the words." Red's brows lifted significantly. " I mean them."
"Only someone confident enough to deal with me would be confident enough to wear this dress." He lifted her hands to his lips caressing the soft skin briefly. "And I could give a damn what the hell they think."
"How I come across to them reflects on you..."
"It's a different type of women behind those doors." he pointed absently to the large entranceway behind them. "Unlike them, you're beautiful, charming, can carry on a conversation."
"And I can do math... up to a point." she tried to lighten her own mood.
Red chuckled lowly, sending chills up and down her arms. She suddenly felt better. "Let them see what I see." he held her gaze.
"Those women are beautiful, yes. But you will come to know," he continued, "that is all that they are. There's no substance. They are purely decorative pieces. You are more than that."
She took a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. She nodded absently. "I am more than that." she repeated, verbatim.
"You can do this." He bolstered. "Just relax and enjoy the evening. Everything will fall into place. Trust me."
The magic words. Trust me.
Liz felt the panic ease. Though he didn't reveal anything he didn't need to and kept her on edge all the time. He hadn't given her any reason to not trust him. He had always come through and he would this time.
Meeting his eyes, she nodded, ready.
Entering the front door, she tried her best not to gawk at all the opulence. She had never seen so many people so obviously of the elite class. All were clothed in the best designer names, festooned with jewels that literally took her breath away. Each female she passed seemed to exude poised sophistication.
Liquor was free flowing, while unobtrusive wait staff floated among the crowd with heavy laden trays holding countless delicacies. Red gripped her hand reassuringly, before handing their coats over to a coat check girl.
Steering her into the throngs of people, he leaned closer, mumbling quietly, "There's our host. We should make our introductions. You ready?"
Smiling wanly, but straightening her posture, she nodded.
"Good girl." Red's rough voice comforted her, settling her nerves.
They neared the man, Red calling out jovially. "Francis. It's good to see you again."
Red's hand slipped down, catching her's in support, his free one wrapping around the other man who slapped his back with great affection.
"Red!" They each drew back, smiling before gripping shoulders. "I didn't think you were going to make it."
She was never really sure how Red felt about anyone. He greeted this man like he was a long lost brother, but she had seen him do that before and later turn on the person in the blink of an eye.
"Who is this breathtaking lovely on your arm?" Francis smiled genuinely at her. "Let me guess," he said, "this your pissy brunette?"
Red held his smile, as Liz's head spun hastily toward him, eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Francis, this is Elizabeth Scott. My fiancée." Red stepped back, allowing the other man closer. "Lizzy, Francis Holbrook."
Francis... the man she had heard on the phone with Red a couple of days ago. Liz smiled her recognition, offering her hand in greeting.
The younger man extended his hand taking her pre-offered one, bowing slightly over it, before laying a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
"It's a real pleasure." Francis artfully managed to put himself between Elizabeth and Red. Red rolled his eyes at the maneuver, huffing shortly under his breath.
Liz couldn't help but be charmed. Sure, the man was a criminal but he was so polite and welcoming, she felt instantly at ease.
"It's so nice to meet you." She stepped back, taking Red's arm. Taking her place at his side again was deeply symbolic to males. She didn't fully understand it, but she knew some of the rules, especially in Red's crowd.
Besides that, Red's arm settled around her waist, calming her some. Any other day she might swat him away, but right now, he was an anchor in the rough seas.
"Where's Dembe?" Francis looked around.
"He's probably following the waiters around, eating you out of house and home."
"Still the healthy appetite, eh? Don't you feed that man Red?"
"Every minute of the day." Red stated offhandedly. "Speaking of which, I've been here all of five minutes. Who do I have to kill to get a drink?"
Francis stuck his fingers in his mouth, whistling out over the din, catching a waiter's attention, who scurried over to them.
Liz had jumped at the unexpected gesture but settled hastily, hoping no one had noticed her momentary lapse.
"Such class, Francis." Red sighed, tapping her hip consolingly before taking the pre-offered glass, handing it to Liz.