Beginnings (Brady Trilogy) (5 page)

“Might I suggest next time you purchase a vibrator.” Linda called out. Luke
stared at her stunned and Magda’s cheek’s burned from fury. She almost became the exact color of her dress. But years of practice of being the perfect socialite had taught her to keep herself composed in public.

“Why Linda I didn’t even see you standing there.
Then again that dress is so bland you just blend in with the rest of the surroundings.” Magda gave her a lethal smile just provoking her to continue.

             
Linda’s blue eyes turned into ice. “Well only a slut like you thinks of displaying her tits at a charity function.” She smiled ruthlessly.

“Enough.” Luke snapped before Magda could retaliate.
This was going to be one annoying evening and he couldn’t let this continue. He knew Linda could spit fire better than any drill sergeant and as entertaining as it would be, he had a charity event to run and not a damn cat fight.
And damn it where the hell is Isabel
.

             
“Linda, do me a huge favor and call to check on Isabel.” The glare in Luke’s eyes warned Linda not to continue. She rolled her eyes and walked away. Linda went over by Matt and by the way Matt howled in laughter and high-fived her Luke knew she must have told him about the conversation between her and Magda. He couldn’t blame his staff for not liking her. At times Magda could be one uptight prissy bitch. He dated her occasionally and from time to time invited her to accompany him to such events. But he had made it clear to her they had no chance of a relationship or future together. Associates with benefits is what he liked to call it.

             
“Who’s Isabel?” Magda asked. Her smile didn’t do well covering her jealous curiosity.

             
“My new assistant.” Luke replied.

             
“Shouldn’t she already have been here? It’s an hour past the invitation time.” Magda            instigated.

             
“Let me worry about my own staff Magda.” he warned her.

Magda got a displeased look on her face.
Luke was usually a better companion at such events but today he was too tense. It annoyed her greatly.

Isabel pulled her car in the parking lot of Grand Hotel.
A quick glance to the diamond Cartier watch on her slim wrist informed her she was ridiculously late. She had gotten lost twice getting there. Her mind was still working on the events of last night and how she had made a complete fool of herself in front of Luke. “I’m happy here so why did I have another episode?” she muttered to herself.
He must think I’m crazy
.  Who wants or needs a personal assistant who has a nervous breakdown barely on the second week of work. But she couldn’t help and smile at the way he took care of her. How sweet he was. The powerful, wealthy executive had a soft caring side. It made her feel safe with him.

“Miss?” a young man tapped on her window. “Valet service?” he asked.

“Yes please.” She walked out of the car and earned an approval look from the young valet worker. He must be at least in his late teens she thought to herself and smiled back when he began to blush.

The receptionist in the lobby informed
the central ballroom was around the right corner. Isabel arrived and was greeted by a few of her fellow workers. It warmed her heart how easily they all accepted her as one of their own. She felt part of a team with them versus in the law firm where it was every man to themselves. She spotted Luke standing intimately close with a tall dark haired woman in a sexy revealing red dress. When he made eye contact with her she almost turned away from the intensity of his green gaze but instead she forced herself to walk towards him. The least she could do was thank him for last night.

Luke felt as though the air was knocked right out of his lungs. He felt as though he was looking at another woman. It was hours
ago Isabel was fragile and vulnerable in his office and now she stood tall, confidant and radiating in a navy blue gown. The silk and lace hugged her body perfectly and floated down to her feet. She looked magnificent. As she walked towards him he noticed she turned a few heads catching the attention of other men. This bothered him more than he would like to admit.

“Excuse me.” He released Magda and went to her.

“Luke I’m so sorry I’m late.” Isabel placed her hand on his arm. “Like an idiot I took a wrong turn.
Twice
. I guess I’m still not too familiar driving in this area. I’m very sorry I know it’s my duty to be here before others and…”

“Isabel it’s okay.”
His laugh interrupted her. “You look amazing. I feel as though there’s no need to ask you how you are doing because you look great.”

She wasn’t expecting
that reply. Her cheeks turn slightly pink and she couldn’t help but let out a nervous giggle of relief. It made Luke grin widely. He liked the sound of her laugh. Even more when
he
made her laugh. “Well I feel much better.” She continued smiling. “Listen what happened last night, first I’m sorry I know it’s not easy dealing with an emotional woman and second…” she paused, her deep brown eyes searching his piercing green. “Thank you.”

Luke watched the genuine emotion that was
filled in her eyes. Before he met her he might have said brown was such a dull boring color. But the depth of Isabel’s brown irises brought a whole new meaning to him.

“Let’s not speak of what happen
ed. I’m glad I was there. The offer still stands Isabel whenever you need anything, you come to me.” He reassured her.

             
“I will” she promised again. “Great gathering.” She smiled and looked around. “I never had a chance to ask you though. Why this organization that helps domestically abused children in particular? It’s a great cause of course but I’m failing to make a connection.”

             
Luke looked away. “Let’s just say it hits close to home.”

She was startled
. Luke abused as a child? She couldn’t begin to imagine it. From what Rachel had told her, he had a loving family and they were all extremely close.

Luke noticed her confusion. “No Isabel
it’s not about me. I was fortunate to have a devoted father and very caring mother who loved me unconditionally and gave me more than I needed. Someone very close to me has had a bad upbringing in life. I first handedly saw how much he suffered and I would like to personally help any organization I can that saves children from domestic abuse. The idea of an adult taking advantage of their strength towards a child’s weakness leaves me bitterly disturbed and angry.”

             
“Wow.” Was all Isabel managed to say. She had admired his brilliance in his business. And now she admired his compassion. At this moment she fell for him a little more.

             
“Luke darling aren’t you going to introduce me.” The dark haired woman appeared by his side placing a possessive hand on his arm. Isabel from a distance couldn’t tell how beautiful she was. She had dramatic dark eyes and a long black mane. She looked of Latina heritage and was utterly gorgeous. “I’m Magda.” She extended her hand to Isabel. “Luke’s date for the evening.” She smiled smugly.

             
“Isabel. It’s great to meet you. Won’t you excuse me for a moment? There are a few things I’ll need to check on.” She replied politely. “Let me know if anything is needed.” She smiled warmly at Luke. No one could deny the affection in her eyes. A quick glance at Luke and Magda saw he shared the same impression. Luke did not look at women with this much heat. This made her burn with envy.

             
“You’re a little too late sweetheart. By the time you arrived everything was already taken care of. ” Magda gave her a snotty smile.

             
Isabel was amazed by the woman’s audacity. An angry shiver made the tiny hairs all over her body tingle from the reaction. “Miss Magda I’d appreciate it if you didn’t meddle in my conversation with my boss. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about how we handle our business affairs. Sweetheart.” Isabel’s unexpected reply was so sharp and crisp she had Magda gasping. She turned around and left heading for her table leaving Luke watching after her with a pleased twisted smile on his face. That was unexpected. Well, well, well. Looks like Linda wasn’t the only one with a bite.

             
“Luke’s going to be pissed for the way I talked to his date.” Isabel told Linda as she took a seat next to her. She was still sweltering with irritation. How dare that woman. She barely met her for two minutes and she was trying to degrade her in front of Luke.

             
Linda turned around and was surprised to see the outraged face of Magda. Damnit she must have missed something good she thought regretfully. “Don’t worry honey she’s a world class bitch. If that were the case I would have been fired a long time ago,” Linda said making her giggle.

The rest of the evening we
nt according to schedule. Luke gave his impressive opening speech welcoming his guests. The chairman had a few words of his own giving a background to how the organization started and gave his great gratitude’s to the Brady family for all its grand donations. Dinner would soon begin followed by an auction.

             
Luke and Magda were seated directly across from Isabel. Magda was becoming impatient with Luke’s lack of acknowledgement towards her. His eyes kept shifting towards his assistant.

             
“Is this seat taken?” someone placed a hand on Isabel’s shoulder. She turned around to see an attractive man gesturing to the empty seat next to her. He was tall, tanned skin, warm brown eyes and very well dressed.

             
“Nope it’s all yours Nate.” Linda called out before Isabel could speak.

             
“Thank you Linda.”

Nate smiled and took the seat next to Isabel. “
Good evening. How do you do? I believe to recognize everyone at this table except for you.” He flashed a smile.

“I’m Mr. Brady’s new assistant.”

“Ahh Brady you didn’t’ tell me you had such a lovely assistant.” Nate called out to Luke from across the table but kept his eyes pierced on Isabel.

Luke was reaching his boiling point.
He didn’t like the gleam in Nate’s eyes as they roamed Isabel’s face. “It’s on a need to know basis Nate.” Luke gave a crisp reply.

“Nathan
Portacalas.” He extended his hand.

“Isabel
Stamos.”

“
Stamos? You’re Greek!” he looked delighted and astounded at the same time.

“Yes from my father’s side.” She laughed. She recognized his last name to be of the same heritage.

“If only my grandmother were here. Always badgering me to find a nice Greek girl and settle down. Wait till I tell her I was fortunate enough to sit next to Aphrodite herself.” Nate hummed in a seductive voice.

Isabel flushed at
the compliment. Her grandfather had called her Helen of Troy many times but being compared to the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty had a whole other meaning.

“Still fast with your words there Nate.” Linda wiggled her brows to him.
“Too bad your grandmother isn’t here.” She teased. God she loved how these events always ended in scandal or drama. The blazing look in Luke’s eyes was telling her he was not as entertained as she was.

“I can’t help acknowledge true beauty when I see it.” He continued to beam at Isabel.

“But it’s such a small world and Greece is such a small country. She might end up being a distant cousin.” Magda suggested and earned a cautious look from Linda. “I mean how embarrassing would that be for you Isabel?” she laughed cynically.

“Jealous Magda?”
Linda gave her a mocking smile.

“Jealous?
Oh please.” She laughed. Yes Isabel was beautiful she thought but she looked uncomfortable in her own skin. And no man was interested in a woman short of confidence.

“I’m willing to take that risk.” Nate told Magda
but his eyes still lingered on Isabel.

They continued talking in this matter.
Nate hitting on Isabel, Magda making a crude comment and Linda jumping to her defense. Isabel scratched a non-existing itch on the back of her neck and shifted her eyes nervously away from the table. She didn’t feel comfortable being the topic of discussion and didn’t like where the conversation was going. She felt uneasy and wished the topic would shift towards someone else.

“Maybe I can persuade you for a dance?” Nate
leaned into her still coaxing his bold approach when the music switched to a soft melody.

Luke noticed Isabel’s hesitation. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see the clear discomfort written all over her face. But since Nate was so conceited, his head was too far up his
own ass to notice Isabel’s reluctance. “Careful. You don’t want to cross me Nate. Keep gawking at
my
assistant and your company risks losing me as its representative.” Luke’s eyes burned into Nate’s. He had put an emphasis on
my
. He had just about enough of watching him make Isabel uncomfortable. Not only did he want to protect her but an enormous sense of possession came over him. He was surprised by his intense feeling to claim her.