Page 26 of Lawbreaker

They were gorgeous. The bouquet had yellow and white roses, baby’s breath, and several other varieties of blooms including tulips. “They’re glorious,” Odalie exclaimed, burying her nose in them.

“Consider them yours,” Tony said, and he smiled at her.

That smile made her toes curl up in her shoes. She smiled back, shyly. “Thank you. Good night, then,” she said, including both of them, then she went into her room and closed the door.

Tony walked Mrs. Manning back to the room she now shared with her husband. She turned to him, glancing around. “I suppose you know that Donalson has ties to New York?” she said with meaning. Her eyes were like gray steel.

“I do know,” he replied. “Steps are being taken.”

“Of which I know nothing,” she said with an icy smile. “But certain people, including my husband, will be grateful. There may be retribution, however.”

“If it comes, it comes,” Tony said easily. “I’ve got everybody covered who might be in danger.”

“There’s another complication. In DC,” she added quietly.

“Known and attended to,” he said. He smiled. “But thank your husband for the heads-up. I’ve had some issues with New York in the past. I’d hoped that we’d settled whatever differences existed.”

“There’s always a newcomer trying to spread his wings. You know that. This one has aspirations, but he’s foolish and he talks too much.” She cocked her head. “There are so many ways to deal with these little problems. I’m certain you’ll have no worries there.”

He chuckled. “None at all. I’ll just run my business and wait for the problem to come to me. They always do,” he added on a sigh.

“Be careful that they don’t come to the wrong person.” She indicated Odalie’s closed door. “She looks like an angel,” she said softly. “What does she do?”

“She’s a soprano, trying for the Met soon.” There was faint but unmistakable pride in his voice.

“Is she good?” she asked.

“I’ve never heard better,” he said flatly. “She sang ‘Un bel dì,’ and I actually felt pins in my throat.” He shook his head. “She has an incredible talent.”

“Does she come from musical people?”

“Her mother is Heather Everett. She used to perform onstage, but she just writes songs these days. Two of hers were performed by Desperado, and won Grammy Awards.”

“My!” she exclaimed. She smiled secretly. “About the Met—I might have a word with a friend of mine.”

He smiled back. “I’d be grateful. Her sister-in-law is trying to prod her into an audition. She’s afraid she won’t be accepted, so she’s delaying it.”

“We can do something about that, when the time comes. I’ll let you know.”

“Martha, are you ever going to stop jabbering and come to bed? You’ll wear Tony’s ear out,” her husband called through the open door, but affectionately.

“I’m coming, Teddy, honest,” she called back, laughing. She smiled up at Tony. “Well, good night. Sorry about the flowers.”

“They went to a person who loves them. They’ll be happy,” he teased.

She reached up and kissed his jaw. “Take care.”

“You two do the same.”

He went back downstairs. Big Ben was standing near the drink table, not drinking, but looking around constantly. He had two burly security men with him here, unobtrusive, but watchful.

Ben’s eyebrows rose. “Something, boss?” he asked under his breath.

“Something.” Tony nodded. “Let’s step outside.”

The night air was cool. Stars were out in a clear sky, diamonds on a black canvas. Tony stuck his hands in his pockets. “We’ve got another possible intrusion from the New York bunch on our turf in Jersey.”

“Did you talk to Mr. Manning about it?”