Knight's Game (22 page)

‘No, I’d like to see it. I saw the books in his room.’

‘I don’t think Julia shared that interest. She was a complete extrovert; she belonged to any number of charities, sat on the boards of several. But most importantly, Julia was
completely loyal and in Dominic’s cut-throat world, that kind of loyalty is rare.’ Melanie paused for a moment. ‘Julia’s death left a huge black hole in Dominic’s life. It was such a senseless traffic accident. Dominic was haunted with the feeling that if he’d been there she’d still be alive.’

‘I’d heard.’ And now she knew why. Julia was a paragon of womanhood.

‘Although you seem to have changed the recent course of Dominic’s life.’ Melanie smiled. ‘I don’t wish to offend you, so I’m trying to delicately skirt the subject of your and Dominic’s relationship …’

Kate lifted her brows faintly. ‘I’m not sure we have a relationship.’

‘Allow me to disagree,’ Melanie softly countered. ‘And that’s why I’m pressing you when I’ve barely met you. But you see, Nicky has never brought anyone other than Julia over to our house. A woman, I mean. And we all had orders to be especially nice to you.’ Melanie smiled. ‘He just doesn’t do things like that.’ She laughed. ‘So I’m really wondering if you cast some spell over him.’

‘If anyone’s cast a spell over anyone, it’s the other way round. I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground in a world I’ve never known. Dominic’s wealth is overwhelming. He deals with it casually, tells me to do the same, but I can’t. It’s intimidating; he’s intimidating at times. He doesn’t take no for an answer.’ Another shrug. ‘But I seem to be unhappy without him. He tells me he feels the same way, although honestly, I can’t imagine someone like Dominic sustaining
a – quote, unquote – relationship for long.’ Kate made a sweeping gesture with her free hand. ‘There. All my cards are on the table.’

‘I like your honesty.’ Melanie leaned over and patted Kate’s knee. ‘And I’m relieved. Most women are attracted to Dominic’s wealth.’

‘He’s aware of that, actually cynical about it. I’m not sure he understands that money or not, he’d have women chasing him.’

‘Apparently his cynicism outweighs logic.’ Well aware of her brother’s history with women, Melanie deliberately changed the subject. ‘Will you be travelling with Dominic?’ she asked. ‘He never stays anywhere long.’

‘No. We’re on this vacation of his and then I have to go back to work.’

‘He said you won’t work for him.’

Kate took a small breath, debated how much to say, chose discretion. ‘I wouldn’t be comfortable working for him.’

‘Because?’

I’m jealous of every woman he talks to – a real deterrent to workplace harmony.
‘It’s just a personal preference.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Melanie said quickly, taking note of the embarrassment pinking Kate’s cheeks. ‘I’ve really pried, haven’t I? But he’s my baby brother.’

‘It’s not a problem. I understand.’

‘Well, I’m pleased you like him,’ Melanie said. ‘And I’m pleased he brought you to visit and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you both get what you want.’

‘May I ask one more question? Dominic said your mother would be here tonight.’

‘Ask anything you like. As for Mother’ – she paused – ‘I try to include her in family occasions as a courtesy.’

‘When I met your mother in Hong Kong, I wasn’t aware of the therapists and … er … resentments. Now that I know some of what went on, I’m surprised Dominic was so—’

‘Tolerant of her?’ Melanie interposed. ‘That’s because there’s nothing Mother can do or say that touches him. I’m not sure there ever really was. It was always just a struggle for supremacy and Nick won that war.’ Melanie grimaced faintly. ‘Although in the way of a preemptive apology, please don’t take anything Mother says to heart tonight.’

Kate smiled. ‘I won’t.’

‘And if Mother does offend you, I’m sure Dominic will step in.’

‘Oh dear.’

‘No, no, you’re not to blame. It’s just that Mother takes pleasure in annoying Nick. He has no problem defending himself. He’s really quite surefooted after all these years.’

‘He did seem impervious to her remarks that day in Hong Kong.’

‘He escaped home at thirteen and came to live with us. Since then, he’s been irrepressibly independent. Mother is no more than an annoying asterisk in his life.’

‘Thirteen? Wow. He didn’t mention that. He only said that he’d bought the house down the street when he was sixteen, that you signed for him.’

‘He was able to buy the house because our uncle left his business to Nick in a trust Nick could claim when he turned sixteen. Jordan had always been fond of Nick, often had him down to LA to visit, took him sailing. Uncle Jordan built racing yachts.’

‘
That’s
where Dominic learned to love sailing.’

Melanie nodded. ‘Jordan died at thirty, washed overboard in a storm at sea. Nick was thirteen. It was devastating for him. But thanks to Jordan, Nick was able to gain independence very young. Remind me to show you a photo of our uncle. He and Nick could have been twins. He was my father’s brother,’ she added in explanation. ‘But Jordan didn’t get along with my father any more than Nick did. That might have been part of their bond, although they had much more in common: surfing, sailing, their guitars, a nonconformist mindset.’ She didn’t say women as amusement, another of Jordan’s traits that Nick replicated.

‘I think I saw a photo of him in Dominic’s bedroom,’ Kate said. ‘I thought it was Dominic in a masquerade costume: slicked-back hair, a white dinner jacket, a cigarette in one hand, a martini glass in the other, palm trees in the background. The image was pure playboy.’

‘No, that’s Jordan. He
was
a playboy.’ Melanie smiled. ‘And apparently genetic imprinting is holding true in Nicky’s case. Not that we’re not seeing a different side of him tonight with you,’ Melanie quickly added.

Kate blushed. ‘Thank you, but I’m remaining pragmatic about our … er … friendship. When I was researching
Knight Enterprises before my interview, I read about all the women that have passed through his life. At the time I wondered if he ever slept?’

It was Melanie’s turn to blush. ‘Not as much as he should. I wasn’t going to mention it, but since you have … there have
always
been women,’ she said gently. ‘I’m not sure he’s ever said no. With the exception of his marriage where he was completely faithful to Julia. And Nick seems very different with you. I mean it – genuinely different. Considerate, affectionate, happy.’ She grinned. ‘Roscoe’s afraid Nick’s sick because he’s lost his laser focus on business. Have you met Roscoe?’

Kate shook her head. ‘I just know who he is.’

‘I assured Roscoe that Nick was fine. That maybe you were the sickness, as in lovesickness,’ Melanie said with a little smile.

Wouldn’t that be heavenly …
‘I doubt it,’ Kate said with a little shake of her head. ‘In fact, I’m determined to keep my feet firmly on the ground when it comes to anything even smacking of romance with Dominic. His dealings with women are casual and cursory.’ She raised her glass. ‘So here’s to sanity.’ Putting the glass to her mouth, she drained it.

Melanie sighed. ‘I suppose that’s sensible. Still’ – she grinned– ‘I’ve always been a romantic. So fingers crossed. Ah, there’s the timer on the ovens. Would you mind calling everyone in to dinner?’ Coming to her feet, Melanie turned back to Kate. ‘And if there’s ever anything I can do to help
… if you ever have any questions about Dominic, please let me know. I think you’re good for him. You’re not like so many of the women he chooses to … spend time with,’ she finished politely. ‘You seem very normal. I mean it as a compliment. Take it from me, Nick could use a little grounding.’

The dinner table was noisy and festive. The children had all made simple birthday gifts for their mother. ‘You can open mine later,’ Dominic said. ‘It’s for your collection.’ Someone from Dominic’s staff had carried down the two jades earlier and Matt had given his wife his gift before the party. Melanie blew out the thirty-eight candles on her cake with the help of her younger children and Mrs B’s pizza was fabulous. Dominic teased and joked with all the children; they clearly adored him. All of them sported dinosaur watches Dominic had brought them, along with electronic, handheld games and Nicole’s special gift of pearl earrings and necklace.

Seated beside Kate, one arm on the back of her chair, Dominic kissed her from time to time as if eight pairs of eyes weren’t watching, as if she didn’t blush each time, as if he had every right to kiss her whenever he wished. Melanie would nudge Matt and cast him knowing looks; the children pointed and giggled or, in the case of the young boys, eyes wide in horror, they’d moan, ‘
Ewww
’.

To which Dominic would nonchalantly reply to their moans in variations on a theme. ‘Just wait. You’ll find a girl you’ll want to kiss someday. And Katherine tastes like pizza. Good pizza. So she’s worth kissing.’

Although during the course of the dinner, Dominic also coaxed Kate to relate some of her stories about Gramps’s canoe business. He knew Matt and the boys would be interested. In fact, Matt wrote down the number of Hart Canoe Outfitters and promised the boys a trip to the Boundary Waters next summer.

‘You should come too, Nick,’ he said.

‘I might. I’ve never been there.’

Kate shot him a look.

Dominic smiled. ‘You could be my guide. You must know the area.’

‘Blindfolded.’

He lowered his mouth to her ear. ‘Speaking of blindfolds,’ he whispered.

She blushed even brighter red.

‘I asked Kate to make sure we get a taste of her grandmother’s vodka,’ Dominic said smoothly. ‘It’s supposed to be good. Right?’

Kate nodded, her heart pumping overtime.

Melanie gave Dominic a reproachful look. ‘That’s enough, Nick. Stop teasing the poor girl. She’s going to get up from the table in a minute and leave you.’

‘We can’t have that.’ He put up his hands. ‘I’ll behave.’

‘You have my permission to kick him, Kate.’

‘Mom!’ six-year-old Rafe exclaimed. ‘You said no kicking!’

‘Your mom’s just kidding, Rafe. Kicking’s
wrong
,’ Dominic said, grinning at his sister.

‘So is teasing,’ she said sharply. ‘Now, who wants cake?’

After the cake had been demolished, the children went to their rooms and the adults had time for a drink before the party guests arrived.

Dominic took a seat in one of the chairs by the windows, pulled Kate down on his lap, drew her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. Matt and Melanie sat side by side on the sofa, Melanie tucked against Matt, his arm draped over her shoulder.

A small quiet descended in the aftermath of the dinner hubbub, only the sound of waves washing up on the shore as soft background noise.

Dominic smiled. ‘Really nice party, sis. Too bad all the others have to show up. Maybe we could turn out the lights.’

‘You like some of the guests, Nick.’

‘I don’t know about
like.
’

‘Inhospitable crank,’ she teased.

‘Hey, all I do is deal with people twenty-four/seven. It’s nice to take a break. We might not stay long.’ He dipped his head towards Kate. ‘Unless you want to, babe.’

‘It’s up to you.’ Kate was being polite; her greatest pleasure was having Dominic to herself.

‘Fair warning, sis, if you don’t see us around. By the way, the staff from Lucia will make sure the kitchen is clean as an operating room before they leave since Mrs B got on their case last time.’ Dominic glanced at his watch. ‘They should be here soon. My security crew will be coming and going once everyone arrives.’ He didn’t mention the added force
that had arrived after them to patrol the perimeter. ‘Leo’s a fanatic. Sorry.’

‘Not a problem,’ Matt replied. Dominic had explained the situation to him once the children were busy with their presents. Neither man wanted the women to know the extent of the threat. ‘Guys with global empires need security,’ Matt added with a grin. ‘Unlike local contractors.’

‘Speaking of local contractors.’ Dominic pointed west. ‘Leo saw security at one of the houses they were remodelling up the block. They were checking the workers’ IDs before they let them into the yard. Do we have a Russian oligarch in the neighbourhood?’

Melanie lifted her brows. ‘A talk radio notable.’

‘With enemies?’

Matt grinned. ‘Or paranoia.’

‘A different kind of enemy,’ Dominic murmured. ‘I hear the trucks driving up.’ He whispered to Kate, lifted her from his lap, slid her to one side and rose from the chair. ‘I’ll get the door. I haven’t seen Rudy or Slim for a while.’

Kate discovered that Dominic owned Lucia, one of San Francisco’s most celebrated restaurants, which catered Melanie’s birthday each year. Soon the kitchen was bustling with chefs and servers, delicious aromas were beginning to waft through the house and Dominic returned, carrying a tray of martini glasses.

He offered drinks to Melanie and Matt first, then set the tray on a table by Kate’s chair. Lifting her up, he sat back down with her in his lap, handed her a glass, took his and
raised it in a toast. ‘This is a drink Katherine and I had our first night in Hong Kong, compliments of Po at the Ritz Carlton. To good memories.’ After they drank some of the martini, Dominic turned to Kate, kissed her cheek and whispered, ‘The best ever memories, baby. Are you my girl?’

She nodded, too choked up to speak.

‘You better be. You really look nice tonight,’ he added softly. ‘I always have the most beautiful girl at the party.’ Then put his mouth against her ear. ‘How’s the bra?’

‘Uncomfortable.’

‘I’ll take it off later and kiss my tits to thank them for suffering on my behalf.’ His voice dropped lower. ‘I suppose your boobs are all squished under that green lace, your nipples crushed. They’re going to need some consolation. I’ll suck on them until they’re happy again. And then afterwards, when your nipples are stiff and throbbing and wondering if that’s all there is, I’ll give them something else to think about. I’ll spread your legs wide open and put my hard dick inside you so slowly you’ll be begging me to shove it in. But I won’t – I’ll make you wait until I give you permission to come. And if you’re very—’