Page 82 of Tempting Devil
“I’ll be fine,” I promised with a squeeze to his bicep. “I’ve got it all under control.”
“I hope so.”
I gave him one last reassuring look, then slipped out of the suite.
As I entered the gleaming ballroom after a thorough pat down, courtesy of the secret service, I was greeted by swarms of people arriving for tonight’s event. Men in tailored tuxedos and women adorned in designer gowns flooded the space, laughing and smiling as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
My skin crawled from all the fake people surrounding me. Celebrities. Politicians. Business moguls. Anyone willing to cough up nearly a half-million dollars for the privilege of attending this exclusive event.
And this was a truth I had to face when I saw my best friend point a gun at me.
Some people would do anything to have a seat at the table.
I may not have known any of these people personally, but I knew their type — driven by money and power, sharks willing to tear each other apart. They didn’t care who they had to hurt on their way up the ladder as long as they made it to the top. And these people had a great view from up this high.
But they were all too blinded by their lust for success to realize that the higher they climbed, the farther they’d fall.
And James Turner was about to plummet… After I gave him a little push.
In between sips of champagne from a passing server’s tray, I headed deeper into the room, scanning the hundreds of people for one in particular. The smooth sounds of jazz music filled the air as I weaved through conversations and polite greetings from acquaintances who recognized me from Liam’s recent charity golf tournament. But I had no interest in making small talk tonight.
Thankfully, it didn’t take me much longer to find the reason I’d spent a fortune on a ticket to tonight’s event. Sure, I could have confronted James in his office. Maybe even at his overpriced mansion in Brentwood.
But I liked the idea of doing it here. In a place where he felt comfortable and untouchable.
After politely excusing myself from a conversation with the head of a pharmaceutical company who hoped to increase his profits in the next quarter by raising prices of medication even more, I made my way toward the bar, studying James as he scrolled through his phone while waiting for the bartender to finish pouring scotch into a glass.
He looked put together, his tuxedo crisp and shoes polished, but I didn’t miss the way he constantly surveyed his surroundings, as if waiting for the police to storm in and arrest him at any moment.
That didn’t keep him away from tonight’s gala, though. Like Liam, he’d never miss an opportunity to hobnob amongst people who might help him climb the next rung of the ladder, even if he’d eventually step on them on his way up.
“Senator Turner,” I said brightly as I approached.
He stilled, his eyes widening in surprise. It was obvious he didn’t expect to see me here. Being the politician he was, he recovered quickly, extending his hand toward me with a practiced smile, regardless of the things Liam may have said about me in his presence.
“Mr. Saint. What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t realize you were a big donor to President Campbell’s campaign.”
“I donate to both parties.” I shook his hand, then took another sip from my champagne as James all but downed his scotch, signaling the bartender for another. “In my line of work, I’ve found it pays to back both horses, so to speak. That way, I’m bound to walk away with something I want.”
“Right.” He threw a handful of bills on the counter, swiping his fresh scotch and taking another large swallow.
“I heard the news,” I announced as he was about to leave.
“The news?” His face paled, and he anxiously licked his lips, glancing over his shoulder. “I’m not sure?—”
“About Mr. Sinclair.”
He pushed out a breath, visibly relieved. “Right. Of course.”
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” I offered in mock sincerity.
“Thank you.”
“It’s curious though, isn’t it?” I asked casually.
“What is?” He scrunched his brows.
“Your friend dies, then a few days later, you’re the last one to see that funeral director in Atlanta alive.”