Wicked As He Comes (Tiger in Her Bed)

“She’s fine and in great health.”

“Your mother must be, what, pushing seventy, isn’t she?”

Why this bastard... His mother married his father at eighteen and had John when she was twenty-one. With her youthful appearance, people thought she was in her mid-forties. John put on his poker face and forced out a smile. “I sincerely hope you won’t say anything like that to my mother. You know women are sensitive about their age.”

Alfred laughed boisterously. “Sorry, sorry. My marriage didn’t work out, so I’m not good with this sort of thing.”

Yeah, sure, ‘cause you prefer banging your own mother, John thought with a sneer of revulsion. He nodded to the maitre’d who waited on them expectantly. “Reservation for the Alexanders?”

The maitre’d inclined his head. “Right this way, sir.”

They were seated at their reserved table. A waiter introduced himself and asked if they would like to order drinks while waiting for the rest of the party to come. Alfred went with a shot of cognac. John wanted tonic water while his wife declined to order anything. Judging from her expression, she couldn’t wait to jump the table and attack Alfred with a butter knife.

Luckily, the rest of the party came shortly. Quinn and Vanessa. Trent and Arielle. His mom and the twins arrived five minutes after Trent. They were seated and exchanged pleasantries.

Alfred beamed at Savannah as they were about to place their order. “I must say, the years have been good to you,” he said to Savannah.

His mother laughed. “Too bad I can’t say the same to you, Alfie. You don’t look a day over ninety.”

The smile on Alfred’s face vanished. Jane looked at Savannah as if she wanted to kiss her on the spot.

Alfred cleared his throat. “Well, the past few years had been a trial. I’ve lost people who were dear to me.”

“Ah, you have my sincere condolences. You’ve not contacted our family since your brother passed away. I’ve hosted a few charity galas in the Hamptons over the years and I haven’t seen you at any of them.”

“I prefer to keep to myself.”

“Well, that's too bad. I find my family and friends keep me busy and young at heart. After all, age is just a number, right? But enough of this gloom and doom. I don’t want to spoil my appetite.” Savannah looked up to the waiter. “I think I’ll have steak tonight. Fillet mignon, medium rare. No, make it rare, please.”

“Excellent choice, madam,” said the waiter.

“I’m having what she’s having,” said Quinn.

“Me too,” said Trent.

The rest ordered drinks and entrees while cordial introductions were made, and then they made forced small talk.

“Music production, you say?” Alfred asked John when he told him what he did for living.

“Your hearing is impeccable, Mr. Benedict,” said John. Alfred did not seem to like that. John knew Alfred’s type. Perfectly charming in public, but it was all a very thin veneer and easily goaded.

“Ah. Well, forgive me, I was just surprised that someone of your... stature, was involved in a business like that.”

“My trade isn’t for the frail, Mr. Benedict,” he said diplomatically. “Show business is really competitive.

“I see. Well, I’m happy that Jane is finally settling down with someone who can provide for her. This niece of mine is awfully flaky, you know,” he said, forcing a smile and a chuckle at Jane’s expense.

“Settling down!” Savannah laughed, “If I know my John, the last thing either of them will be doing is ‘settling’ anything!”

Jane couldn’t hold back a smile at Savannah’s sincerity, but Alfred seemed put off. Not ten minutes into the dinner, and he was already uncomfortable.

“Well, some people simply aren’t able to make a living off of trust funds and inheritances, so they have to make a living for themselves. She’s remarkably adaptable like that, you know?” John said, and he could almost feel Jane’s blush next to him as she reached over and squeezed his hand under the table.

Alfred let out a very terse smile, and there was an uncomfortable pause for a few long moments before Savannah came to the rescue again.

Dinner proceeded in roughly the same fashion. Appetizers and the main course were served while everyone at the table either said very little or said something that made someone else tense. Alfred dropped comments about how well business was going, and John could smell Jane’s anger building up inside her. His mother spoke openly and freely as she always did, raving about her family and sometimes openly ridiculing Alfred’s pretense, and Alfred would shut down for a while afterwards. The twins said nothing the whole dinner.

Finally, when dessert was being served, John decided to dispense with the pleasantries.