“Oh” she said softly “I see”
“He always took an interest in me, helped me….he didn’t have to…but he did. You’ll like him Kira”
She smiled warmly “I already do” she said looking into his eyes
“Will you be able to help him” she asked
Craig looked warily at her not speaking for a second before answering
“I think so….. As I said he came after me a few years ago and I beat him…. I know how he works”
“Who…” she began before the car drawing up took the question from her mouth
Craig exited the car holding her hand as she came out. She found herself looking at a magnificent house, with a driveway which swept up to the front of the entrance and then circled back around to rejoin the main driveway. From close by she could hear music and the sound of people laughing and talking. However, it was the man who came forward to meet them who most caught her attention. Paul James was nearly as tall as Craig and despite his salt and pepper hair was still an attractive man. He greeted Craig warmly as did Craig him. They embraced in the way that men did smiling warmly at each other. Kira had stood back shyly until Craig pulled her forward his hand gently in hers.
“Paul I would like you to meet Kira Black”
The older man smiled warmly at her
“You are very welcome Kira” he said “It is a pleasure to meet you”
“Kira is the interior designer for the Superior” Craig added looking into her eyes
“Indeed” Paul James added looking interested “I have some hotels needing to be remodelled ….. We should talk later” he smiled
Kira smiled back, not entirely sure if he was just being polite. However, she had the distinct impression that Paul James like Craig never wasted time on meaningless pleasantries.
The three of them had then moved around to the back of the house, where Kira could see about 100 people all milling around talking and laughing. Waiters moved around the guests distributing snacks and drinks as requested and a band played soft music in the background. Craig introduced her to several of his friends, all hotel owners and all interested in her line of work. While Kira was deep in talks with one man John, a cheerful man who had recently bought over an off strip hotel with plans to turn it into a themed one, Craig had excused himself. She watched as he, Paul and two others moved back into the main house, their faces serious. She continued with her discussion listening to John’s problems and offering potential solutions, finding that he seemed genuinely impressed with her ideas, soon taking her business card with a promise to phone her the following week. Kira soon found she repeated this with many different people and was amazed to realise that she had made more potential business leads in 2 hours than she and Bill had been able to do in several years. The power of networking she thought to herself with an ironic smile.
Suddenly feeling a little tired after two hours of talking, Kira had moved to the edge of the party, ready to escape to a quieter seated area, only to find herself face to face with a man who introduced himself as Ben. Her senses had prickled uncomfortably as he lifted her hand to kiss it, his lips dropping on her skin for several seconds more than necessary. Finally it was Kira who moved her hand from his pulling it forcibly from his grip, smelling the drink on his breath. Ben was taller than Kira and was slightly overweight, and at that moment he was looking down on her with greedy eyes which openly admired her as they travelled all over her body.
Kira tried to move past him “Excuse me” she said trying to walk around him, but he moved to step in front of her
“Your Craig’s little playmate” he said his voice full of innuendo
“I’m the interior designer on his new project” Kira replied her voice prim and cold
He laughed “Sure you are hon” he said, his eyes still devouring her
“Craig sure knows how to live” he mussed “I wouldn’t mind a little myself….. tell you what darling take my card…..when you and Craig are over give me a call…..I think you’ll find i’m very generous…….all my mistresses do” he sneered salaciously at her
And with that he held out his card to her with a sickly smile
Ignoring it Kira tried to turn to move away from him, but he grabbed her arm keeping
her there while trying to force the card into her hand
“Get your hands off me” she said coldly
“Or what you going to do darling” he smiled down at her the smell of alcohol making her feel sick
From behind her she heard a soft dangerous masculine voice which she recognised instantly