Power Play by Deirdre Martin Read Free Book Online

morning.
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    Please don’t let him mention Chim Chim, thought Monica as she and Eric made their way to their table at the Met. She was glad to see Gloria was at her table, as well as Devlin O’Dare, who played the newly zombified bartender in Garrett City. Unfortunately, Royce was there, too.
    â€œWell, well,” Gloria murmured with a lewd smile, her heavily made-up eyes raking Eric’s body, pausing extra long at his crotch. “Who have we got here, Monica my love?”
    â€œEveryone, this is Eric Mitchell, my—”
    â€œDate,” Eric finished smoothly, taking Gloria’s hand and raising it to his lips. “It’s a great honor to meet you, ma’am.”
    Gloria looked pleased. “I love men with manners.”
    Eric was amiable as he regarded Royce. “Hey.”
    â€œMet Gar’s own Laurence Olivier,” said Royce dryly. “What an unexpected pleasure ”—he smirked as he looked at Monica—“to see you again. I guess you two really hit it off last week.”
    â€œYes,” said Monica. She turned to Eric. “Let’s sit, shall we?” Eric nodded, pulling out her chair for her.
    What happened next shocked her. Eric’s demeanor was smooth as glass as he chatted with others at the table. It was as if he’d left his jerk persona behind him in the limo, somehow turning into a thoughtful, charming companion. Who was this chameleon?
    To be honest, Monica’s urge to fire Theresa flew out the window the second she and Eric had stepped out of the limo and walked up the steps of the museum together. Cameras clicked wildly with the paparazzi yelling out her name, wanting to know if she was dating Eric. It was frightening how natural he was in front of the cameras, pausing with her for photos, his hand holding hers, the two of them smiling. He even knew to beam at her with unabashed affection, but she couldn’t think about that now. All she knew was they’d be in all the gossip columns tomorrow, along with their picture. Mission accomplished.
    â€œCan I get you anything at the bar?” Eric asked solicitously during a break in conversation. He was unfailingly polite, no sign of the smug egomaniac she’d walked in with.
    â€œNo, I’m fine, thanks.” Small waves of guilt were beginning to lap at her conscience. It was obvious Eric was thrilled to be here, doing his best to be the perfect—well, escort. And what was she doing? Using him. The longer the evening wore on, the worse she felt. It wasn’t right. She didn’t care what Theresa’s master plan was. When the night was over, she was going to tell him the truth and apologize.
    â€œDarling, shall we hit the little girls’ room?” Gloria said to her.
    â€œCertainly.” Monica rose. “Be back in a minute,” she said with a light touch to Eric’s shoulder. A nice theatrical touch.
    Eric rose. “Perfect timing,” he murmured in her ear. “I’ll go pay my respects to Chim Chim.”
    Monica smiled tersely. “You do that.”
    Walking with Gloria to the ladies’ room, Monica worried about her friend slipping on the tiled floors. She was wearing rhinestone-studded spike heels; if she fell and broke her hip, it would all be over. Monica laced her arm through Gloria’s. “Having fun?”
    â€œGod, yes. That boy toy you brought with you is delicious . Very nice, too. I sincerely hope your plan is to bring him home with you tonight and ravish him until neither of you can walk by the morning.”
    â€œI barely know him.”
    â€œWell, get to know him.” Gloria pushed open the ladies’ room door and separated from Monica, teetering toward the bank of mirrors and pulling a lipstick out of her purse. “I’m surprised your good friend and mentor, Monty , isn’t here,” she said in a venomous voice, applying color to her mouth that looked like spilled blood.