Dangerous Secrets (Tall, Dark & Deadly #2)(51)

“Promise?” she asked softly.

“Oh yeah. I promise.” He drew her hand into his. “Now, let’s skip that drink that was my excuse for getting away from Jake, and get on with our evening.”

Suddenly, Julie realized she still didn’t know what had happened at Judge Moore’s house. ”Any luck on that job you were finishing up?” she asked, choosing her wording carefully.

He gave a nod. “Empty,” she said. “Any idea where Moore is?”

“I’ve been great at avoiding him,” she said. “But yes. He’s back in his display area, beaming over his collection with the guests.”

The path to the display hall had several people in the way, all of whom stopped to meet Luke and greet Julie, until finally they entered the hall. The judge was chatting with a young couple and Julie and Luke feigned interest in a painting.

When the couple moved away, the judge immediately greeted Julie. “Ms. Moore. So nice to see you.

“Evening, Judge,” she said, as she and Luke met him halfway down the hallway, the only ones remaining in the area. “I’d like you to meet Luke Walker.”

“Oh yes, I know your brother, Royce.” The judge extended his hand. “Nice to meet you. How’d you score that black eye?”

Luke shook his hand. “My work isn’t always easy, but it is always profitable. I believe you’ll find that’s where myself and my brothers are different breeds.”

The Judge’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “Oh, really? How’s that?”

“Well,” Luke laughed, flicking a quick look at Julie. “I have a taste for blondes. He prefers brunettes.”

Julie frowned, despite the plan underway, and the role she had to play.

“And good taste indeed,” the Judge said, glancing at Julie and then back to Luke.

“Hey,” she said, doing as she was supposed to, and acting out a bit. “I am here, you two. Stop talking about me like I’m not.”

Luke wrapped his arm around her, tugging her to his side a little too roughly. “Behave, sweetheart,” he said in a tone that was sharp and unfamiliar, ”you know I hate it when you act out in public.”

She looked up at him, barely managing the wimpy girl routine. “I’m sorry, Luke, I just–“ There was a flash of warning in his eyes that the judge was meant to see before she zipped her lips and then added, “I’ll make it up to you later.”

Luke kissed her forehead as if he was rewarding a child for correcting poor behavior. “Good girl.” Then he turned his attention back to the Judge. “I hear we have a mutual interest.”

The Judge was looking at the pair with a dumbfounded expression, like he didn’t know Julie any more than she did herself. But that was the idea. She was supposed to come off as someone different, someone he was to believe was the real woman beneath the tough attorney that Luke had the power to expose and manipulate.

“Is that so?” Judge Moore asked of his and Luke’s mutual interests, looking at Luke with a little more interest now. “What exactly would that be?”

“I have a knack for getting my hands on unique pieces of art that,” he hesitated, “shall we say, others could not. According to your ex-wife, so do you.”

“Luke!” Julie exclaimed, as planned. “I told you not to repeat that. I’m sorry, Judge. I’m very sorry. I just…I”

The Judge’s eyes went wide for a split second before a carefully placed mask slipped across his features. “I’m not certain I know what it is you’re talking about.”

Luke eyed Julie. “Run along, doll. Let us men talk.”

“Luke–”

He pulled her close and kissed her. “Run. Along.”

She wet her lips. “Okay.” She turned and headed down the hall, her stomach in knots. Please let this plan work.

***

“Interesting,” the Judge said, watching Julie walk away. “How’d you take such a feisty one like that and make her heel?”

“Secret submission fantasy,” he said. “The best kind, in my opinion.”

“Indeed,” he agreed, narrowing his eyes and seeming to test Luke, by adding. “Who wouldn’t want to dominate that fine piece of ass.”

Luke gritted his teeth, barely contained the urge to jack the guy against the wall. “And she’s useful. She has a powerful client list that suits my, shall we say, interests.”

“Meaning what?”

“I cater to special requests. I could be quite useful to the right people.”

“Useful?”

“For example, if someone thought to get their hands on a unique piece of art that would otherwise be impossible to obtain, I could make it happen.”

The Judge laughed, short and abrupt. “If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, I’m not buying it. Your brother just married Lauren Reynolds who’s a damn prosecutor for the state.”

“Interesting that,” Luke said. “They have no idea why I really came home. Lauren has put me in the path of a few people I might not have otherwise met.”

“And Julie? What does she know?”

“How to please me,” he said, with a lift of his lips. “Let me know if you decide you have any special requests.” He started to turn. “And by the way, Judge. I did some digging. I know you have an offshore account and I know how much you’ve deposited into it. I want to work for whoever you’re working for. If you’re smart, you’ll introduce me. I might even throw in a little something special for your private collection, hmm? If not, it would be interesting to see your sweet setup spiral horribly out of control.” He turned and sauntered away.