I nod. “It’s very lovely. I have been here a few times for work.”
“Yes, that’s right. You’re a medical scientist with our dear boy here.”
I smile wide again, not committing to the lie. These people might actually be my family one day, and I will not utter the lie to them. If he wants to be that person, it’s his choice.
“How do you like your work?”
“Love it! I am actually in the middle of something very important as we speak.” I sip and nod. “Very engaging.” What else do you call a serial rapist-torturer who kidnaps and stores his victims and forces them to play along?
“Fascinating.” He says it like he means exactly the opposite. He turns and smiles at his son. “And you, my boy, how is it you are getting on so well with so many distractions in your life?”
Dash is the master of his emotions. He tilts his head to the side subtly and smiles. “I am enjoying the work still, Father. The UN is a wonderful opportunity for someone with empathy and compassion for their fellow man. Jane is actually part of something quite remarkable. The program she is in uses modern science to solve crimes.” That’s about as far as we can ever take the explanation, so my back straightens when he says that.
His father gasps. “Like one of those charming nighttime shows with the DNA analysis and what have you? Are you that type of scientist?”
“Molecular.” I laugh to stop myself from saying the wrong thing. “I am involved in something similar to Dash. The details are obviously restricted.”
Dash frowns, but I don’t care. He’s an idiot for bringing me into this bullshit and an even bigger idiot for making my cover smarter than I am.
“Yes, of course,” Dash’s father replies. “That’s the sort of job that involves processing the grime and filth of society. You must spend immense amounts of time with the rugged classes, up close and personal. How brave you must be.” He says it like he might be talking about something quaint and charming, instead of saying things like classes.
His wife concurs, “That is very admirable in a woman. When will you leave, before or after the wedding?”
I grip my glass, praying to the God of all that is patient and good. “I don’t know.” That is the truth. I don’t know. “I start a new position with the American military shortly before the wedding. Still with the UN, though.”
She coughs a little on her drink. “Before the wedding?”
I nod, giving Dash a look. His eyes tell me I should not have said that. I know I shouldn’t have, but I panicked.
“Oh, we had assumed you intended to remain here for the planning and then come with us to England for the final preparations.”
It’s my turn to gulp. “England?”
Dash drains the entire contents of his glass before forcing a smile. “I hadn’t spoken to Jane about the church yet.”
His mother’s eyes narrow as she turns and faces her son. “Well, what better time than the present?” She walks to her husband’s arm and strolls back to the other room just as a man and woman arrive.
My secretive fiancé’s eyes land on the people with a miserable look. “Jesus, help us.” He grabs another drink and slams it. It’s clear he’s having the worse night, which I predicted and he laughed off. What did he think would happen, bringing me here?
I follow his desperate stare to a blonde with a beautiful face and a stunning cocktail dress. She looks like a model or a celebrity. In fact, everyone in the room does. I honestly want to know who their plastic surgeon is. I hold myself upright as Dash walks to the woman, holding out a hand. She slips hers in his and allows him to kiss the back of it. He rests his lips there for a moment. Much more than I would have expected, and I don’t even have manners.
My entire body bursts into a sweat.
“Jane, I would love for you to meet Melody Astor. She’s an old friend from school.”
Of course her name is Melody, and of course she’s an old friend. From the way her blue eyes rest on his and the way her hand naturally fits in his, it is obvious they were once far more than friends. His face is flushed, and he looks like he might burst.
But he doesn’t get a chance; many more people start to enter the grand foyer. Melody comes to my side, smiling like she knows all my secrets. “It is so lovely to finally meet you, Jane Spears.”
I smile back. “Yes, I am so sorry I don’t know who you are. I mean, I know the last name. Everyone knows the last name.”
She waves her hand. “Oh, please, distant relatives. My family is from England, not America.” She says it like we are all dirty.