She recalled that gem from a Star Trek movie. But then she paused, noticing the patronizing shake of her companion’s head.
“Wrong, wrong, and wrong,” Jordan said softly, beautifully walking the line between sarcastic and sultry. “That’s your allegiance to duty and country talking. Let’s take it closer to home. Why did your brother die?”
Madison stared at the champagne glass she’d been clinging to, but barely drinking from. It remained practically full. Forcing a nonchalant shrug, she said, “Because he had something that was more valuable destroyed than discovered?”
“Collateral damage?” Jordan asked, almost as a confirmation. Clasping her hands neatly on the table, the playful glint usually dancing in her eyes vanished. “Try this one on for size. People are expendable.”
True or not, hearing Jack’s death described so bluntly made Madison sick to her stomach. Fighting the bile that threatened, she set down her nearly untouched champagne.
Let’s see. I could tell her to kiss my ass. But I’m in a foreign country. She’s my ride. And she’s got my phone.
She’s probably paid off the staff for whatever she needs. Setting up the lunch. Chilling the champagne.
Digging a grave?
With a deep breath, Madison hid her pain and kept her response brief. “Fine. Jack was expendable to you.”
Jordan took an extra-long sip, seeming to study Madison. A grin appeared, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Remind me, there’s a second moral of that story I need to share, but we’ll circle back to that later. Like I said, your life is about to get very . . . je ne sais quoi.” Jordan paused and pondered, finally settling on the word, “Uncomfortable.”
Weary of the games, Madison said flatly, “It’s strange. Moët . . . hors d'oeuvres . . . the most exquisite pastries in the world. You don’t act like you’re threatening my life.”
“Obviously, I’m not. Quite the opposite. I’m proposing that you and I become unlikely bedfellows, so to speak.” Jordan leaned forward, her finger lightly tracing a line across the back of Madison’s hand.
Undaunted by the sensual attention, Madison held her hand in place. “How so?”
“I’ll tell you, but I need your every assurance that this stays between you and me. No Paco. And absolutely, unconditionally no Alex.”
Lying to Jordan wasn’t nearly as hard as it had once been, but Madison decided to hit her head-on. “I love Paco. What I love most about him is that he respects me and will understand my decision to keep something private. Alex is another story. Pet me all you want, Jordan, but if Alex is out, so am I.”
Slowly, Jordan lifted herself from the chair and sauntered around the table. Her expression was scheming as her finger brushed Madison’s full lower lip. “Sure about that?”
Stern, Madison gave her a flat and determined, “Yes.”
Leaning in, Jordan brought her ruby lips a mere whisper from Madison’s. “You know what I love more than anything?”
Madison quelled her breathing but maintained her gaze. She can’t possibly mean she loves me. And I, for one, am sure as hell not throwing that into the universe.
Perhaps Madison’s lack of a poker face and likely appalled stare deterred Jordan. She turned and headed for the door.
I guess we’re leaving.
Confused, Madison stood and called out, “Are you at least going to tell me what you love more than anything before we go?”
Jordan whirled around but kept her fingers on the vintage glass doorknob. “Winning.” The sadistic curl of her mouth broke into a wide smile as she opened the door, revealing a surprise.
Five
Shocked, Madison quickly crossed the room, leaping straight into the man’s arms. “Alex, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”
After a warm kiss, interrupted by Jordan’s foot tapping, he answered. “Because no one can know I’m here.” Shifting his gaze to Jordan, he raised a brow. “And you didn’t win the bet. I told you she wouldn’t keep secrets from me.”
“Au contraire, mon ami. You said she wouldn’t keep secrets from you and Paco. I call it a win. In my favor.” In traditional seductress fashion, Jordan stepped close and cozied up to Alex’s back, bringing her lips close to his ear. “Did you bring me my prize?”
Keeping his focus and hold on Madison, he said, “I did.” With one arm wrapped tightly around his fiancée, he removed his watch and dropped it in Jordan’s waiting hand. “One Omega Seamaster dive watch. As requested.”
Unimpressed, Jordan dangled it before them. “A cheap one.”
Alex laughed. “You weren’t specific, and I was rushed. It’s brand-new and works perfectly.”
Fastening the man's watch to her wrist, Jordan let it dangle as she fiddled with the dial. Satisfied, she moved from Alex to behind Madison, sandwiching her snugly between the two of them.
“Take a good look at me, Alex Drake. This is me compromising. And it’ll never happen again.” Kissing Madison hard enough to burn the cherry lipstick into her cheek, Jordan asked, “Now, are we getting down to business, or are we having a three-way?”
A strange feeling swept over Madison at the way Jordan carried herself. Why is she helping us?
Alex cut to the chase, prompting Jordan with the obvious. “You have our undivided attention.”
Jordan grabbed a chair, flipping it to lower herself to a straddle. In slow motion, of course.
I really hope she doesn’t hump it right in front of us.
Wetting her lips, Jordan began. “I’m in a unique position. I’m not clairvoyant, but I come across enough bits and pieces of information to know what’s coming. You’ve been rattling all the worst cages, Alex Drake. Whatever’s about to happen, it’s about to get personal.”
Madison squeezed his hand tightly.
Stroking his thumb along the back of her hand, Alex made light of the situation. “That’s me,” he joked. “Making friends wherever I go.”
“Personal how?” Madison asked, desperate for more details.
With nothing more than a knowing shrug, Jordan smiled.
More seriously than before, Alex asked, “How bad?”
Annoyingly cheerful, she answered. “I believe the word annihilate was mentioned.”
Even through his suit, Madison could sense the muscles in Alex’s body tense. Still, his smile remained stubbornly in place.
“Is that it? Someone rich and powerful is ready to take me down and make it personal? I’m happy to direct them to the end of the line.”
Jordan’s eyes turned cold. “My dear Alex, when are you ever going to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around you?” With that, her somber gaze shifted to Madison. “We always hurt the ones closest to us, don’t we? And she’s already a bundle of nerves. Barely touched her lunch.”
Without waiting for a response, Jordan downed the last of her champagne and stood up. Madison and Alex both stood as well, hand in hand.
“I’ll give you two a few minutes to talk,” Jordan said. “Unfortunately, that’s all you’ll have time for.”