Page 53 of Dash

I didn’t like lying to my uncle, but I didn’t want him to know about our family’s dissolution, either. It was a secret my father and I had kept from everyone, and given the circumstances, it should remain a secret until such time as my sisters were safe.

“Mr. Astor.” Monique cleared her throat and loudly. “We need to keep the line going.”

“Looks like I’m creating a bottleneck.” The old man wiggled his overgrown eyebrows at me. “Everybody wants a piece of you these days. I’m also a little confused about that guy.” He nudged his portly chin across the room toward Dash. “He’s the new heir, I hear. Are you two an item again?”

“We’re not.” Although I wished we were. “It’s just… you know. Dash was part of our family for a long time.”

“I never did understand how my brother’s brain worked.” My uncle considered Dash from afar. “Growing up, that kid gave your father so much trouble. Richard hated him when Nix died. You broke your engagement with him. Why then leave everything to him?”

“You know Father.” I shrugged. “Who knows what he was thinking at the end?”

“Your father was taken from us too soon.” He looked down on the signet ring his brother had gifted him and caressed his silver-embossed initials. “I know not everyone liked him, but he was my only brother. I’ll always pray for his soul. Yes, yes, I’m going,” he groused when Monique swept her arm, a stern gesture to move on. He winked at me and whispered. “Dragon Lady likes me. I swear she does.”

I laughed. Although Monique managed to be civil to Uncle Arthur, she’d never been a fan of his. Balding, stout, and always rumpled-looking, Monique complained he wasn’t up to Astor standards. True to character, he wore a rental tux tonight. I knew because the tag hung from the back of his jacket. With a little smile and a quick flick of my wrist, I snapped it off and slipped it into his front pocket.

“Thanks, dear.” His face flushed. “I hope I haven’t embarrassed you.”

“Never.” I hugged him goodbye. “You know I love you.”

“Yes, dear, I do know that.” He cupped my chin and smiled. “I’m leaving now, lest I turn into a pumpkin. When you next see the girls, tell them I said hi. I’m thinking it’s time we have a family reunion. Just fun.”

“That would be so lovely.”If only. “Talk to you soon?”

He smiled. “You know where to find me.”

“Yeah, sure, in Haiti, Honduras, Africa, or South Asia,” I teased.

“This old man gets around doing God’s work.” His shoulders shook with laughter as he walked away.

I sighed as he shuffled away looking like the adorable grandpa I would’ve wanted for my kids, if I ever had them. I’d always wanted children, but given that I was pushing thirty-five, that was a big “if.”

I kept working the endless greeting line, but I kept an eye on Dash. He looked—what else? —dashing, fending off the attack of his very own greeting line. So far, the event had gone off without a hitch. Throughout dinner, Dash had flanked me on one side while Trevor Marks, who’d joined us at my table, sat on the other side.

I was thrilled to see Trev again. He looked good and happier than I’d seen him in a long time. He told me all about his spunky wife Mina, whom I’d met via teleconference since shewas part of Dash’s team. Mina sounded as if she fit Trev to a “T.”

I’d been warned in no uncertain terms that I was not to eat or drink anything except what was delivered to my table by a very cute waiter who was probably not a waiter. I had no doubt Dash had a special chef cook my meal separate from the others and supervised by his security staff. Hell, for all I knew, he’d hired a poison taster to make sure my food was safe. Dash was on top of things, playing his part to perfection as promised.

What he didn’t know yet was that seduction was on my personal menu and that I wanted him to be my first, middle, and final course. The question was: would he welcome my plan, or would he wreck it with a swift and stern refusal?

I didn’t have an answer yet. The uncertainty tied my stomach in knots, but overall, the evening was going well. The food was divine. The band was fantastic, and the dance floor was crowded with people having a good time. Before dinner, I’d given a short speech, introducing Dash. He’d also given a brief speech to make sure everyone in the room understood that he was in charge of the Astor Group. Now, if only our enemy took the bait, we’d be done with him.

“Thief,” Monique muttered, standing next to me in the greeting line, looking somber in her boxy black dress.

Had I heard her right? “What did you say?”

“You’re the heir, not him.” She scowled, her eyes pinned on Dash. “He’s stealing the company from you. You must fight his takeover.”

I understood her concern, but I didn’t like the way she was glowering at Dash. Excusing myself, I moved away from the greeting line.

“Monique,” I said. “Come with me.”

She followed me, and so did Paolo, who considered us a trio. Micah was also right on my heel as I arrived at the small private vestibule that led to the women’s lounge.

“I’ve already explained this to you.” I turned to look Monique in the eye. “Mr. Dagger was Father’s choice. We have to respect that, at least for now.”

“Your father made the wrong choice.” Her tone was pure vinegar, but she kept her voice down. “This is unfair to you, to the rest of us.”

“I’m asking you to work with Mr. Dagger and help him as much as you can.”

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