Holiday in Death (In Death #7)(83)

“That’s a million years ago.”

“Almost.”

“How do you know all that stuff anyway?”

“Maybe I was born out of my time.”

She sighed in his arms as the music swelled. “No, you hit your time just right.” She tilted her head on his shoulder so she could watch the room. “Everybody looks happy. Feeney’s dancing with his wife. Mavis is sitting on Leonardo’s lap in the corner over there with Mira and her husband. They’re all laughing. McNab’s hitting on every woman in the room, and giving Peabody the hairy eyeball while he sucks down your Scotch.”

Idly, Roarke glanced over, lifted a brow. “Trina’s got him now. Jesus, she’ll eat that boy alive.”

“He doesn’t look worried about it.” She leaned back again. “It’s a nice party.”

The music changed, a quick beat bouncing out. Eve’s mouth dropped open. “Holy shit, look at Dickhead. What’s he doing?”

Grinning, Roarke slipped a hand around Eve’s waist, turning so they were hip to hip. “I believe it’s called jitterbug.”

Stunned, she watched the lab chief tug and pull Nadine Furst around the room, spinning her out, whipping her back. “Yeah, I can see why. I can never get him to move that fast in the lab. Whoa!” Her eyes widened as Dickie shoveled Nadine through his legs. Nadine let out a burst of laughter as her feet hit the floor again, and the crowd roared with approval.

Eve found herself grinning, leaning companionably against Roarke. “Looks like fun.”

“Want to try it?”

“Oh no.” But she laughed and began to tap her foot. “Watching’s just fine.”

“Is that mag or what?” Mavis bounced over, pulling Leonardo after her. “Who’da thought Nadine could move like that? Frigid party, Roarke. It’s iced.”

“Thanks. You’re looking festive, Mavis.”

“Yeah. We call it my g*y apparel.” She laughed and did a quick twirl to show off the multicolored panels that fluttered from breast to ankle. The movement parted them, revealing flashes of skin that had been dusted with gold and matched her hair, which fountained out from a wild topknot.

“Leonardo thought yours should be more refined,” she told Eve.

“No one shows off my designs as well as you and Mavis.” Towering over them, Leonardo smiled his gorgeous smile. “Merry Christmas, Dallas.” He bent down to kiss her cheek. “We have something for you, both of you. Just a token.”

He took a package from behind his back and put it in Eve’s hands. “Mavis and I are having our first Christmas together, thanks in a large part to you.” His gold eyes misted.

Because she couldn’t think of what to say, Eve set the package on one of the banquet tables and began to unwrap it.

Inside was a box of carved and polished wood, its brass hinges gleaming. “It’s beautiful.”

“Open it up,” Mavis prompted, all but bouncing. “Tell them what it means, Leonardo.”

“The wood’s for friendship, the metal for love.” He waited until Eve opened the lid to reveal the two silk-lined compartments within. “One part is for your memories, the other for your wishes.”

“He thought of it.” Mavis squeezed Leonardo’s big hand. “Isn’t he mag?”

“Yeah.” Eve managed to nod. “It’s great, really great.”

Understanding his wife, Roarke touched a hand to her shoulder, then stepped forward to extend the other to Leonardo. “It’s a lovely gift. A perfect one. Thank you.” And with a smile he kissed Mavis. “Both of you.”

“Now you can make a wish together on Christmas Eve.” Delighted, Mavis threw her arms around Eve, held hard, then swung back to Leonardo. “Let’s dance.”

“I’m going to get sloppy,” Eve murmured when her friends moved off.

“It’s the season for it.” He lifted her chin, smiled into her swimming eyes. “I love watching you feel.”

Riding the emotion, she cupped a hand around the back of his neck and drew his mouth down to hers. A long, warm kiss that soothed rather than excited.

She was smiling when she drew back. “That’s the first memory for our box.”

“Lieutenant.”

Eve turned, clearing her throat as she looked at Whitney. Embarrassment fluttered as she thought of him catching her with her eyes wet and her mouth still soft from Roarke’s. “Sir.”

“I’m sorry to disrupt things.” He offered Roarke an apologetic glance. “I’ve just received word that Piper Hoffman has been attacked.”

The cop snapped back into place. “Do you have her location?”

“She’s on her way to Hayes Memorial Hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time. Is there a private place I can fill you and your team in on known details?”

“My office.”

“I’ll take the commander down,” Roarke said. “Get your people.”

“She was attacked in the living quarters above Personally Yours,” Whitney began. Out of habit, he’d placed himself behind the desk, but he didn’t sit. “At this time, it’s believed she was alone. The responding uniform reports that it appears her brother walked in during the assault. The assailant fled.”