Return to You

snorted.
    "—which is more than I can say for you."
    That got the younger man's attention. "What the hell
does that mean?"
    "It means your behavior tonight was unconscionable.
You acted not only with blatant disregard for Olivia's feelings but
complete disrespect for her as well." Parker motioned toward the
room. "How do you think it makes Olivia look, having the man she's
been romantically linked to playing footsy with another woman?"
    "We weren't playing footsy," Michael protested
half-heartedly.
    "Michael, stop fucking with her.
Move on if that's your intention, but make a clean break." Parker
leaned closer to him and lowered his voice. "And once you go,
don't ever step
foot near her again. Or I will personally see to it that not even
McDonald's will hire you."
    On that note, Parker left. Better to leave Michael
to his thoughts. He certainly had a lot to think about.
    Parker searched the room until he found Elaine. His
heart beat furiously at the sight of her. It was that dress. He'd
be tempted to give his empire to see her out of it, but tonight
wasn't the night.
    He did owe her another dance though. He weaved his
way trough the crowd, intent on claiming his partner.

Chapter Thirty
     
     
    Olivia glanced at Michael and wanted to snarl. If
that woman clung any closer, she'd be grafted into his side.
    "I could break his legs for you."
    She considered Treat's offer. "I'll keep that in
mind." She became aware he swept her around the dance floor
skillfully. "I didn't know you danced, Treat."
    "Ballroom dance classes were required growing
up."
    "It's heavenly dancing with a man who doesn't knock
his knees against mine. Or step on my feet."
    "Maybe you need to get out more."
    "You might be right."
    "Eve tells me that all the time."
    Olivia laughed. "I'm sure she does."
    "She's worried about you."
    "Eve's a worrier."
    He tipped her chin up, not very much since in her
heels they were almost the same height. "Does she have reason to
worry this time?"
    She shrugged. "I'll get over it. It won't be the
first time."
    He sighed and tucked her head into his shoulder. "My
offer stands open. In fact, I'm sure Rick will want to help."
    He stroked her hair slowly and the tension drained
from her body. Her father used to soothe her this way when she went
to bed. The memory made her tense again.
    "Where's Rick?" she asked to distract herself.
    "His case has him wrapped up, but he's supposed to
show up tonight. He said he had one thing to take care of before
coming."
    "Hmm." She watched her father insinuate himself into
Michael's intimate circle. Frowning, she wondered what he said to
get Sophie to leave Michael's side so eagerly.
    Not that she cared. Not really. She was just mildly
curious.
    And what was her father saying to Michael? Whatever
it was, it was intense judging by their body language. Michael
looked like he wanted to put his fist through something and, though
her father's face was devoid of expression, his eyes burned with
repressed ire so she could see it even at this distance.
    Something to do with the movie? Most likely. Work
was all either of them cared about.
    She felt a tug on her hair.
    Treat regarded her with faint amusement. "You
slipped into another world."
    "I wish." The song ended. "Let's go. Your wife is
probably going through withdrawal and I need a drink."
    They wound their way through the crowd to Eve and
Lainie. "Eve, not only does Treat have the best ass in town, but
he's also a great dancer. I asked him to run away with me but he
refused me."
    "Thank God." Eve beamed up at Treat and slipped her
arm around his waist. "What would I do if I had to cook for myself
again?"
    "Ah. The devil arrives." Treat nodded toward the
entrance.
    Olivia looked up to see Rick walk into the room. His
tall, lanky form made him easy to spot. He was dressed in black
like always, but somehow it looked menacing tonight. Maybe it was
the fierce scowl on his face.
    He strode quickly through the crowd to her side.
With a dark look at Lainie, he pulled her aside. "Olivia, I need to
talk to you."
    She glanced at Lainie, who looked baffled, and then
frowned at him. "What's the deal?"
    He tugged at her. "I need to talk to you.
Privately."
    "Whatever you have to say, you can say here. I have
nothing to hide from Eve, Treat, or Lainie."
    Rick scowled at her. "You don't know what I have to
say."
    "Because you won't tell me." She became conscious of
the stares they were attracting from the people around them and
lowered her voice. "Stop