Page 41 of Locked Down

Forty minutes later, she walked into one of the smaller ballrooms at the Jasmine Door in downtown D.C. She’d always liked this hotel. Whowouldn’t? The five-star rating didn’t do it justice. The floors were Calcutta marble and the furniture and decor had been featured in all the magazines, industry and fashion alike. It didn’t hurt that Jameson Drake owned it and he had to be one of the sexiest men ever to walk the face of the earth.

She let out a small sigh as she handed her wrap over at the coat check, pasted a neutral smileon her face, and then ventured into the crowd. Within seconds, she saw Cal Wallingford. He was a few inches taller than her, and his blond hair was graying at the temples. She guessed he had to be in his mid-fiftiesbuthe looked at least a decade younger. His lean physique was probably courtesy of all the swimming he did. Everyone knew about his morning routine. He was widowed, if she remembered correctly, and had no kids. She was sure his dating card was full. He must have felt her gaze because he turned and looked directly at her, offering her a smile. Then he ran his gaze over her.

She approached.“Mr. Wallingford, I can’t thank you enough for your help with the…other situation,”she said in a low voice.

“Ms. Carlyle, it was my pleasure. Sometimesweall need a little help seeing the truth.”He gave her a wink, and then his face clouded over.“I did hear about your mishap. It must have been terrifying. I am so sorry that happened to you.”

Such a benign descriptor of what had happened to her. Is that what the fashionable peoplecalleddrive-by shootings these days? Especially when someone had lost their life in themishap?Sheesh.“Thank you. It was scary, but I’mokay.”She gave him arealsmile this time.

“You lookabsolutelyradiant this evening. I am so glad to see you’re doing well.If there’s everanything I can do to help youout, please let me know.I think youcould have a bright future in Washington if you want to.”

She blinked. But she was saved from a response by someone claiming Wallingford’s attention. She continued her path through the crowd toward the bar and took a glass of champagne fromlineof dozens waiting tobe consumed. Turning, she surveyed the room. It was surprising to see so many of Washington’s elite in one room at this point in the season. Most should be off vacationing. Rumor had it, though, thatthere were big things comingdown the pike, and no one wanted to be out of touch and miss anything. At least, that’s what her uncle had said about a month ago.

She pulled her phone out of her purse and glanced at the screen.There were four names on the list her uncle had sentherz;Jefferson Wright, Senator from Ohio, Dave Bixby, Congressman from Iowa, and Congressman Philip Harris.She hadno ideaif her uncle had ever met with him and sorted everything out.She certainly hoped so.She hadnointentions of speaking to the manunlessshe knew the answer to that questionbefore hand.

The last name on her list was Daisy Montague, secretary to the Speaker of the House.He wanted herin the loopabout what happened so she could keep the Speaker informed.

Vic stowed her phone in her purse and took another look around the room. Dave Bixby and Tina Wright were in the corner talking with two other people who looked vaguely familiarbutshe couldn’t place them. When they were free,shewould approach each one individually. She located Philip Harris in the cluster of people around her uncle. So, they must have sorted it out then because Harris was smiling now.

She searched for Daisy Montague and finally saw the other womanmaking her waytoward the hallway with the restrooms.Her blonde hair was securedin a chic bun. Her dangly earrings glittered in the dramatic lighting, and the sequins on her black dress sparkled as she moved.

Vic immediately pursued the other woman. A little bonding over fixing their lipstickandthat would be another name off her list. Daisy disappeared into the Ladies, and Vic entered about thirty seconds later. The other woman was in a stall, so Vic pulled out her lipstick and dawdled as she ran the wine-colored tube over her lips.No one else was in the bathroom, so thesound of sniffingreached Vic’s earsimmediately.Daisy was crying?Oh God. Did she stayorshould she go? The stall door opened before she could decide, so she quickly tucked her lipstick away and started washing her hands.

She hazarded a quick look in the mirror and met Daisy’s gaze.The other woman’s eyes were red, and her demeanor was moredeflatedballoonversusthe sparkly woman who’d entered the restroom right before her.She looked older than her years. Who didn’t when their face was all puffy? No amount of makeup could hide that kind of unhappiness.

“Are youokay?”Vic immediately frowned.“Sorry.Obviously,you’re notokay. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Don’t fall in love.”Daisy’s voice was raspyasif she’d been crying on and off for a while.

Vic bit her lip as an image of Ryker flashed before her eyes. She gave herself a mental shake.Stupid.“I’ll give it my best.”She offered the other woman a small smile.“Men suck, there’s no doubt.”

Daisy burst out in a harsh laugh.“To put it mildly.”She grabbed a paper towel from the holder and dabbed her face to repair her makeup.“Oh, who am I kidding?”She threw the paper towel in the garbage can. She met Vic’s gaze in the mirror again.“Whatever you do, don’t believe them when they saythey’re going toleave their wife for you. Or that they love you. Because then they’ll turn to you and say they’re ending things for yourowngood. That you’ll be better off without them.”She snorted and then had to blow her nose.

Vic nodded. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard this story. Washington was rife with illicit affairs.“I’m so sorry.”

Daisy shrugged.“It’s myownfault. I fell for that schtick. Seriously. What is it about powerful men? I get sucked in every time.”She blew her noseand,metVic’s gaze in the mirror again.“You must know what I mean.”

“Me? Er, not really.”

“But your uncle is powerfulandhe’s gotall kinds of women around him.”

“Well Mari?—”

Daisygave a snort.“Marilee is just the tip of the iceberg. Your uncle has bedded half of Washington at one point or another.”

That was news to Vic. She cocked her head. But when she thought of it, that did explain absences and weird, hushed phone calls. And Joyce seemed to send a whole lot of flowers.“I guess I never really paid attention.”

“Are you kidding me?”Daisy leaned her hip against the counter.“Lookinglike you look in that dress? Half the men here tonight will be tracking you, and one or two will make a move before the night is out. Trust me. Just be careful. It’s all fun and games until you fall for them, then they’re out the door like a shot.”

Vic shook her head.“Not me. I’m…making plans.”

“Oh, honey.”Daisy laughed.“I had plans, too. They didn’t involve a married man or even staying in Washington, but this place is like that.Sucks you right in like a swamp.Just be careful. Seriously. You don’t want to end up like me.”

Vic gave a tiny shrug.“I don’t find Washington all that fun, to be honest, and I have no intention of dating anyone married or otherwise.”

Daisy pulled out her lipstick.“Better tell your uncle that. He’s in there right now making dates for you. He’s telling the world that since theseincidentsit’s made him rethink things, andhe’s realizedthe most important thing is family. He wants you to be settled and happyin caseanything happens to him.”

Vic’s jaw dropped open.“He did not say that.”

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