Finally finding the courage to venture forth from her hiding place, Liz took a breath and stepped from the corridor.
The fact she now wore a necklace that would put the Empress of Russia to shame, helped a tad in that confidence building area.
She pulled up short at Red's side when confronted by the change in the rooms she had become so accustomed to.
"Oh, my God..." her eyes flitted from one new item to another. "How did you manage all this?"
Amid the seating arrangements and more than spacious areas for mingling and hopefully later on... if the party took flight, dancing and frivolity, sat... gaming tables.
"It's... incredible!" she looked at the man beside her in a new light. "I would have never thought to add them!"
"I know the crowd that's coming," Red second-guessed his decision now. "They'll be put to use, I guarantee it."
"Oh, no, Red," Liz was quick to explain the meaning of her statement. "It's amazing that you brought them on board! What a fun factor for the guests!"
Red smiled wanly, "Yes, unless you're the 'House' and expected to pay off if someone hits it big."
Liz's face fell, "They play for real money?"
He chuckled, "Well, yeah. It's okay, Lizzy." the man settled her nerves. "I can cover it."
She blinked, "...You can?"
He remained stoically silent, holding those wide blue eyes.
"...Just how much money do you have?" Liz asked. Funny, she never thought about it before.
Logically, she knew the man had a jet and could afford this house and other things he purchased but she never really took into account what sort of assets the man had on hand, nor had it mattered.
Red was just... Red.
He chuckled again, for she seemed so very serious to have an answer. "Not as much as I'd like, but I'm working on it." he teased.
Red glanced at their friends who gathered across the way, deep within conversations... feeling each other out for the evening.
The wait staff bustled about, tending to their tasks. The room buzzed with growing energy.
He hoped Lizzy would have time to try her fresh look out on people she felt most comfortable being around which might relax her nervous state.
"I hope to redecorate in the not-so-distant future."
The woman was checking and rechecking the ample space about her, Red noted, having wondered at her thoughts.
"Now that I see just how much area there is to tackle, I'm losing my nerve." she winced.
"I find your taste very comforting and welcoming."
Liz smiled happily, "Yeah, right... sit aside some of that vast wealth you've amassed Mister... I'm gonna need a decorator's input!"
Red inclined his head regally, "Mi dinero es tu dinero, cariño."
Liz laughed musically, "Hold that thought." the smile on her face dropped, suddenly replaced with a disgruntled grimace.
Red checked her line of vision to find the reason.
Silas approached, having emerged from the lanai.
Red braced himself as the actual test of Lizzy's attire neared.
He knew and sensed from her stiffening body language she was preparing herself to come under fire.
She took a steadying breath, resigned to hearing her guard's questionable reaction regarding everything from her taste, to her decision-making abilities as a whole.
Red held his breath as Silas, decked out in a sleek black suit and tie... closed in.
"How's the situation upstairs?" he vainly attempted diverting the guard's attention.
"I have men stationed," Silas waved a negligent hand about, "...everywhere. No one comes or goes without my knowing about it." his scowl did not bode well for anyone who would question his authority.
"Red, I want the guests to feel comfortable if they wish to explore the house." Liz wrung nervous hands.
"Well, I don't." Silas interceded. "You forget, you have a maniac who still has you on his hit list... and an ex-lunatic around who thinks he's in love with you."
Red sympathized with both individuals, "The rooms have to be monitored, sweetheart." he reminded. "These people are used to such precautions, remember."
"Yeah, they know no one fucks on my watch without my say-so." Silas thumbed his chest. "I'll let them have their fun but after I've cleared their asses."
Liz blinked, "I said... a tour of the rooms."
"There's your type of touring and then their type of touring," Silas air-quoted. "Don't be so naïve."
Liz frowned.
"All guests are of the utmost," Red searched for the words, "highest caliber, don't get us wrong..."
"The Crocetti boys alone," Silas shrugged 'high-caliber' shoulders.
Red sighed mentally. The guy wasn't helping. "But it is a party, honey. There are males and females present.."
"...And liquor," Silas nodded, "lots of liquor."
Liz pulled a face at the picture painted, "Strangers? On my beds?"
"Makes you want to tarp everything... doesn't it?" Silas commiserated.
Liz lifted hopeful eyes.
"There's a new invention available," Red settled the issue, "...dry cleaning. Works wonders for after-party debauchery."
"I'd rather Mr. Kaplan come through with her Hazmat team." Liz's eww face was back.
"Like you and your old man wouldn't do the same thing?" Silas found a silver lining. "Especially since you've selected that dress to wear."
Liz gasped, "Is it too much?" she frantically sought his input.
If someone had something gauche to say about her attire, it would be her head guard… and she knew it.
"Tell the truth!" she frowned hard at the man.
"When have I not!" the gruff, surly exterior seemed to put the woman at ease.
"Well?" she held her arms out, pivoting slowly for inspection.
Red's eyes followed the curves and bare expanse of her front with masculine appreciation.
"Down boy." Silas noted Red's interest, his tone sardonic in nature.
Liz waited on tenterhooks. "What's wrong with it."
"You're... adequate." Silas gave the outfit a once over, "don't sweat it."
Liz wasn't sure she could stand such high praise; her attitude shifted to the cool side. "Well... thanks for the crumbs."
Silas continued to look her over, "Nah, it's... fine," he cocked his head critically, "... you'll do."
"Is that pesky law against premeditated murder still in place?" Liz asked brightly, her face scowling darkly in the next instant.
"No, really," Silas shrugged, "you look almost elegant... high class."
Leaning against a convenient table, Red waited.
It amused him now to think; he used to resent these bickering one-on-ones between Lizzy and Silas. He had been envious, even aggravated Lizzy needed her guard's approval over his.
But now... he understood the two truths in Lizzy's world.
The moment he realized the way he communicated and even confided in Lizzy and Dembe were vastly different... was the moment he comprehended Elizabeth's relationship with him and Silas.
They each had their own language, their own rhythm. It didn't make any one person more important, but just another trusted source.
While Red, her lover, gave the woman glowing approval.
Silas, the voice of everyman, came in and tempered it with indifference.
No matter how stilted and blasé that communication was, or how halting a compliment Silas delivered...
Lizzy found her balance.
"It's okay," Silas motioned to the dress, his expression a serious one, "I like it... I think."
Liz's attitude shifted, glancing thoughtfully over her attire,"... Really?"
Her hands fluttered over the clean lines, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle.
"No... I like it," Silas cast a decision, as though it were a gospel truth.
Liz blinked her awe, "T-Thank you," the sincerity threw her completely, Red sensed. "I... I thought the color was okay."
Silas nodded, "It's prefect." and in the next second, he clearly dismissed the entire issue. "Nora has the kitchen staff in hand and prep is done. She wants confirmation of arrival time."
Red narrowed suspicious eyes, unaccustomed to the unrefined and crude guard not saying something... unrefined and crude.
"Why don't you relax before the hoards start in," Red smiled warmly, motioning to Francis and the others, "I'll only be a second."
Liz smiled back, her eyes bright and excited. She lifted her chin, straightened her back and crossed the space with unhurried, confident steps.
Silas chuckled under his breath, "She's owning that fucking dress."
"Are you high, drunk," Red was interested in the change presented, "or a doppelgänger? What have you done with my crass, foul-mouthed Head Guard?"
"I have enough shit coming down on me tonight," Silas was back, "I don't need her being a fucking basket-case on top of everything else."
"Now who can't multi-task." Red provoked the guard, smiling pleasantly.
"Yeah, you just remember as the night wears on," Silas provoked the man right back, "men will look and want to touch," he motioned to Liz. "Doesn't mean it should be a problem. There's no need to get your dick in a bunch."
Red lifted his own chin, "You let me worry about my dick... and Elizabeth."
"No, cause see... that's my job." Silas reiterated for the hundredth time. "She's put a lot of store in tonight's festivities. Maybe you should think twice before spoiling the evening..."
Red scowled at the insinuation he would do such a thing to Elizabeth.
"And think twice," Silas continued, "before leaving dead bodies laying about because you couldn't control your petty jealousies."
"Suck my dick," Red suggested evenly.
"I don't swing that way," Silas dismissed the suggestion, "but if I did..."
"Yes, yes, you'd do it right." Red knew the man's ego knew no bounds, no matter the subject.
"As long as she keeps the tits contained," Silas eyed the dress once more, "there shouldn't be any course for consternation on anyone's part."
"Ah, there he is," Red finally relaxed his vigilance, "the crude bastard we all know and barely tolerate."
"If there's a chance one of those could pop out..." Silas motioned accordingly, "I need to stay in close proximity."
Red immediately searched out the inviting swell of Lizzy's full breasts.
The woman leaned precariously, peering at hors d'oeuvres being placed on a table before her.
Red held his breath, eyes fixed, scanning for any sign of wardrobe malfunction.
The woman chose a treat, reaching her slender arm forward.
The top pull tight, conforming to the soft swell of Lizzy's breasts. Much to Red's disappointment, not one ounce of give was apparent. Though, the sensual bulge of the sweet mounds overflowing their restraint was a damned captivating sight to behold.
"How's the dick holding up to the pressure there, Scooter?" Silas sighed heavily. "Shit... I see my work is cut out for me tonight. Every fucking buck here will take a shot–"
"No... they won't," Red shifted cool eyes, "I'll be at her side the entire–"
"You get caught up in the business end of shit and you know it."
"Not tonight." Red prophesied cryptically.
"Keep to that mantra," Silas clearly doubted the man's veracity.
"Assuming I do," Red granted, "Elizabeth will be within my reach all evening."
"Erring on the safe side," Silas countered, "I'll have David shadow her."
"... That's fine," Red smiled at Lizzy's delighted expression.
Francis flipped on his infamous disco ball for everyone's amusement.
Lizzy giggled her delight as everyone mimicked the old-style dance move even though there was, as yet, no music to accompany such antics.
Lizzy herself twirled about, arms wide under the glimmering lights.
He swept the lithe form, watching the dancing lights flicker over her dress and torso.
"The dress is really the right choice, isn't it?" he checked with someone even he trusted, oft times, against his own will.
Silas sent him a look.
"I sometimes want her happiness above..." Well...everything, Red finished in his own mind. "I think maybe it is...rather low cut."
"You would, of course," Silas understood. "It's your right... and because you love her, you're not the best judge of what is best for her."
"Since when?" Red demanded to know.
"Since you decided you want to do things to her... a gentleman doesn't mention in polite company," the guard never minced words. "Which will always take priority over... everything. It's what we do. It's who we are."
Red supposed the man was talking about their breed of men. He couldn't argue the points Silas made.
"She's worried about Maria." Red added.
"Who will put Elizabeth at ease immediately, as you well know." Silas dismissed the concern. "Maria is... Maria." his features softened. "She's a stylish, beautiful creature with the heart of a gummy bear. You know she will do her best to take Liz under her wing tonight."
Red knew that. He... relaxed. "Your tie is crooked."
"No, it isn't." Silas countered easily. "You're just pissed about the 'old man' remark."
Red shifted about irritably, "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
Silas shrugged broad shoulders, "Sure." he was moving before Red could think to react.
"Silas," Red called after the man, his mood altering, "enjoy the party."
The two men's eyes met and held, "...Watch the leg tonight. Don't fall down and embarrass me."
Red held his grin. "You look like Johnny Cash."
"No one can make this look as good as I do," Silas ran his hands down the clean lines of his suit, "but I will take that as the highest form of compliment."
"You would..."
The guy sauntered away.
AUTHOR NOTES: Because I keep seeing little areas to play in this part, this is going to come in segments so... bear with us. :) Hope to have the next up in a day or so!