Sapphire (13 page)

To date, none of the agencies who had their sights on him had been able to secure hard, actionable evidence. The kind of evidence that ensured that if they were foolish enough to arrest him, his throng of legal beagles wouldn’t be able to spring him in the time it took to arraign him. The agencies were smart enough to know that you don’t shoot at the king unless you are sure to take him down. The most difficult and rarely discussed issue with capturing Ventrilo was that he was protected at the highest levels. Jase had been crystal clear about what they were facing. In addition to several high-level politicians, at least two generals were known to be on the drug lord’s payroll. Not to mention a dozen or more plants in the various agencies who were supposedly gunning for him. As for the international, corporate, and political leaders who were in his nest, they were too numerous to mention.

Jase extricated himself from the low slung seat, gracefully belying his long lean frame. Parking his designer shades over his eyes, he looked like the well-heeled playboy that in truth he was. He was at Sapphire’s side in seconds, waving aside the eager valet who’d rushed to open her door. He helped her out of the car and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. When Sapphire tried to brush off the unexpected and unwanted assistance, his hand tightened on her arm. It was a clear reminder that he was sending a message to overt and clandestine eyes, that she belonged to him. On some level, that she didn’t want to admit to, Sapphire was glad that he was claiming her. Not that she couldn’t protect herself and probably him as well, but the nearness of him, the openly familiar gesture, sparked a wave of sensation in her wayward body. Glancing up and seeing his lip curl ever so slightly, Sapphire knew that the astute man hadn’t missed the shiver that shimmered over her. She promised herself that if she did nothing else, she would not let Jase know how much he affected her. But even as she made the promise, she knew it would be impossible to keep anything from the knowing man.

Pushing by the doorman who had rushed to open the heavy glass doors to the impressive entrance, Jase led her into the lobby, his hand securely on her upper arm. Strains of classical music filled the air, lending a sophisticated air to the opulent lobby. The inconsistency between the refined music and the tall, steely-eyed men flanking the entrance was just one of the unexpected attributes of this unusual club. Sapphire saw Noah and another man she’d seen with Ian Ross among the formidable men guarding the entrance. Walking past the guards, Sapphire was struck by the sheer ostentatiousness of the Club. Apparently Ventrilo wasn’t above flaunting his wealth. Catering to wealthy men with refined, if unusual, tastes, Ventrilo added unexpected lascivious touches that confirmed the kinkiness as well as the lavishness of the setting.

After a second glance Sapphire realized that all of the artwork, from the paintings on the walls to the sculptures and objets d’art scattered around the room, in some way celebrated the human body. While women’s bodies were the primary subject matter of the artwork, apparently men’s bodies were just as revered. What appeared to simply be a row of curved vases holding fragrant flowers, on closer study were revealed to be replicas of impressive penises and other genitalia. Sapphire realized she was staring when Jase tugged on her arm. She felt her cheeks heat when she looked up and caught the amused twinkle in his eyes.

Passing through the lavishly appointed lobby, Jase led her into what appeared to be a central gathering place. Many of the portly men seated in posh leather chairs sipping drinks and chatting casually among themselves were accompanied by exquisite women. Interestingly, the women sitting quietly to the side of their companions weren’t participating in the lively conversations among the men. It was as if they were part of the scenery, decorative elements intended to add to the panache of the men they accompanied. Their beautiful clothes and lavish jewelry underscored the wealth and influence of their partners. Sapphire noted that while the men were all wearing wedding rings, the women were not. It was a given, an unspoken rule, that none of the lovelies accompanying these particular men were married to them. But, then, this was decidedly not a venue that one came to with his spouse.

It could have been any high-end Gentleman’s Club if not for the fact that the extraordinary women serving the cultured men were essentially naked. It would be a stretch to call the satin strips baring their curvy asses rather than concealing them, or the flimsy scraps of lace encompassing their impressive bosoms, uniforms. Amazingly the scantily dressed women teetering on their five inch heeled hooker shoes circulated among the men and their companions replenishing drinks and smiling at the patrons as though they
were
wearing a uniform. Which in essence they were.

Sapphire was slightly startled to see Ruby bending over and baring her curvaceous wares as she whispered in the ear of a large man who hadn’t bothered to wipe off the perspiration beading on his forehead and upper lip as he stared at the luscious breasts prodding his shoulder. Sapphire knew that her colleague was beautiful, but Ruby’s “bare to the world” costume confirmed that her petite body was as lusciously curved as Sapphire’s, if only on a smaller scale.

Keeping a firm hand around on Sapphire’s upper arm, Jase guided her through the crowded room. Sapphire didn’t miss the surreptitious glances that came their way from the groups of seemingly disinterested men. While she was certain that many of them were appraising her, she was confident that Jase was more interesting to the assembled patrons than she was. Sapphire knew enough about wealthy men to know that while they loved beautiful women and considered them the surest way to proclaim their wealth, it was their male rivals that interested them the most. After all, beautiful women were plentiful, particularly if you had the money to buy them. But it was their fellow elite, their competitors, who were more compelling.

As they walked through the room Jase’s easy confidence and upscale wardrobe confirmed that he had enough money to run with this herd. Sapphire didn’t need to see the frowns or pretended indifference on his peers’ faces as they passed to know that Jase’s sensational looks were an affront to these men. Luckily for them, in this club, the men didn’t have to be handsome, tall, and commanding with the physique of a professional athlete to gain entry. The essential criteria for membership were the size of their bankroll and their sphere of influence rather than their looks. But it was a given that the women these privileged men collected did need to be beautiful, either naturally, or at the hands of an accomplished plastic surgeon. One who would ensure that there were no imperfections, however minor, to spoil the Stepford prize. After all, these men had paid good money for their paramours; they had a right to expect perfection.

If the men pretended boredom as Jase and Sapphire passed through the room, their paramours were decidedly less oblivious. Many of the gorgeous women showered openly approving glances on the tall man striding powerfully across the room. Seeing the way the men
and
the women in the room responded to Jase, Sapphire couldn’t help but feel proud to be with him Even the serving men and women, looked up as he passed. Sapphire didn’t blame them for their interest. Rather than being off-putting, Jase’s cool arrogance was compelling .And the occasional smile that lit his emerald green eyes captured even the most outwardly jaded patron.

The sensation he caused reminded Sapphire of their shopping experience. Still appalled that Jase thought she needed him to ensure that she was dressed appropriately for the role, Sapphire admitted that even she wouldn’t have had the audacity to march into the
Finery
as if she belonged there. Sapphire knew of the
Finery
but had never shopped in the outrageously expensive boutique. The sexy outfits she wore on her missions were considered a business expense, ensuring that she would be reimbursed as part of her clients’ fees. But it wouldn’t have occurred to her to buy the kinds of luxury outfits that the
Finery
sold. The lingerie alone started in the hundreds for a bra no less, and rose to astronomical heights when you got into what the store euphemistically called dresses.

Glancing at the items on the display models, Sapphire decided the price wasn’t the only thing that was outrageous at the
Finery
. Several of the ensembles were nothing more than a series of straps and ties that relied on the body beneath for its shape. Amazingly, the incredible creation looked even sexier than the model would’ve looked if she were naked.

Clearly, Jase was a regular. He nodded to the imperious woman who strode toward them followed at a discreet distance by three additional, obviously eager, sales women.

His voice was offhand, as if his request was expected in a boutique geared toward dressing wealthy women in outrageous clothes.

“Good afternoon, Georgette. A room, please, for me and my companion.”

The rail-thin yet imposing woman with rigidly coiffed helmet of white blond hair murmured disdainfully, “But of course, Jase. Your usual?”

Nodding in agreement, Jase tightened his grip on Sapphire’s arm and completed the introductions. “Georgette, this lovely woman is Sapphire.”

Turning to Sapphire, he said in a pleasant voice, “Sapphire, please meet Georgette, the woman to whom I owe my exceptional taste in fine clothing.”

Sapphire almost guffawed at that depiction of the risqué clothes gracing the curvaceous, essentially naked, mannequins throughout the room. At that moment she realized that Jase hadn’t let go of her arm and was following, no, make that leading, her into the room Georgette indicated. He pulled her inside and closed the door behind them. The room was three times the size of any dressing room she had been in. It looked more like a fancy salon. Comfortable chairs were grouped around a glass topped table. Crystal flutes and an ice bucket chilling a bottle of
Dom Pérignon Rosé
stood on a bar off to the side. In the middle of the room was a raised dais, essentially, an “in-the-round” stage. Two of the walls were covered with floor to ceiling mirrors. The only thing that was absent, Sapphire realized with a start, was a curtain or any pretense of a private changing room.

Her dismay was compounded when Jase released her arm and strode over to the bar. He reached for the ornate bottle and asked over his shoulder, “Champagne, Sapphire? If you haven’t had this particular
Dom Pérignon
, I highly recommend it. It is one of my favorites.”

Sapphire tried not to stammer but it was useless. “I…I don’t understand, Jase. Is this the dressing room?”

His lips twitched and she didn’t miss the twinkle that sparkled in his eyes as he turned to open the champagne. After ceremoniously popping the cork, he poured two glasses and handed one to her then answered her question.

“I grant you, it is a tad more ornate than most but serves the purpose. And, yes, in answer to your question, this is the dressing room
and
the changing room.”

Sapphire stared at him and managed to squeak out the obvious question.

“Are you telling me that you intend to stay here…in this room, while I am trying on clothes?”

He raised his glass to her and said with a soft smile, “But of course. How else will I know when we have achieved the precise impression I wish to convey?”

His amused arrogance shattered her fear and she gave into the outrage rising in its place.

“You can’t mean that, Jase. If you actually think that I will allow you to stand there…”

She corrected herself as he settled into one of the overstuffed chairs, confirming that this wasn’t the first time he had been in this “private” dressing room, “I…mean
sit
there like a sultan on his throne, and watch me try on clothes, you
are
crazy.” She glared at him and shook her head fiercely from side to side to emphasize the point.

Jase laughed but his response was cut short by the entrance of their unsmiling hostess. Georgette frowned as she studied Sapphire. Her surgically smooth face wouldn’t have allowed a smile if she’d chosen to twist her lips into one. Instead she gazed at Sapphire as if she were a problem to solve. A difficult problem.

With a heavy sigh she turned to Jase. “Which do you want to emphasize? Her breasts or her legs?”

Ignoring Sapphire’s shocked gasp at being viewed as a collection of body parts, like a chicken, Jase pursed his lips considering the question then answered with the slightest hint of amusement, “If possible, I would like to focus on them both.”

Georgette sniffed as if she’d expected his answer.

“But of course.”

Turning to Sapphire, she dragged her gaze over Sapphire’s body, starting at her feet and landing on her neck. Apparently not seeing anything that pleased her, she said with an aloof shrug, “If you would, my dear, please step up onto the dais and turn in a circle so that I can determine your sizes.”

When Sapphire stared at her not hiding her surprise, Georgette added.

“And if you don’t mind, take off your clothes. All of them.”

Glad that she managed not to splutter in outrage, Sapphire pressed her lips together and faced the haughty woman head on.

“And if I do mind?”

Jase’s crisp order cut through her attempt to gain control of the untenable situation.

“Your clothes, Sapphire. Off. Now.”

Chapter 14