Mastering the Art of Love (The American Soldier Collection 2)

“Forget I asked. Hopefully she’s okay from that fall.”

“She’s a tough one. Don’t you worry.”

But the odd thing was that he was worried, or perhaps that feeling was just plain curiosity.

Chapter 2

“Why are you so pissed off at me? I told you that I didn’t want to meet these people, yet you said I would accompany you. I was late and that’s it. You’re lucky that I even showed up at all,” Jameson said as he sat at the island in their studio apartment.

“This entire business was based on your ideas, your inventions. These people want us to run another program for them. We could be working on government-funded jobs shortly, too.”

“I’m not interested in working for the government anymore. I’ve done my time serving in the military, I don’t need to serve them more in civilian life, too. Stick to landing the private security accounts. Or better yet, buy that art gallery from Roldolpho. You’ve been eyeing it for the last two years. He’s ready to sell, you can tell,” Jameson responded with attitude.

Jax just couldn’t figure his brother out. He remained in the service after his best friend, Sulter, was killed by insurgents and a year after Jax got out. Then he stayed another tour and finally just retired from the military eight months ago. Jax was trying to get him more involved with the business, but Jameson wasn’t happy about it. They made a lot of money and their good friend Freda had introduced them to her investment broker, and now they were set for life. These were good times, and their private security business was growing and the alert device Jamison invested for special security detail was highly sought after. The deal they made landed them millions of dollars.

Maybe Jameson didn’t want to continue. Perhaps his suggestion about buying the art gallery was right on. But Jax didn’t have anything but the business and his brother Jameson. He was a coldhearted asshole most of the time. He didn’t get close to people and especially women who seemed to always be after hi

s money. Jax hated fakes and frauds. He didn’t tolerate incompetence or laziness, and he was hard to please. He knew that but didn’t give a shit.

“Believe me, I’ve been thinking about it. I’ll think about it even more, tomorrow night when we attend the opening for that new artist, Belogio,” Jax said as he poured himself a snifter of brandy. Their penthouse was huge, and the building contained all the amenities of high class and money. They also had a great view of the city skyline and a walk-out balcony for when they hosted a party. Of course they had only done that one time and hired a service to do everything. Thanks again to their good friend Freda.

She had quite the reputation as a business-savvy entrepreneur and widow. Her late husband Detrick Mulsberry was wealthy beyond sanity and owned everything from the boating and shipping industry to the art galleries and museums. She of course operated a small escort business, completely legit and nothing illegal. He had used her services in the past if he had an event to go to that required a date for social purposes and someone who had knowledge of the business world. Freda helped to arrange an escort for any businessmen in the city who needed a beautiful woman with brains to play the role at events. It was costly but well worth it. Freda only had one incident in the past where an escort wound up in trouble because her date decided that he wanted more than what the service offered. Freda called Jax and Jameson, and they immediately went to the young woman’s aid and also took care of the jerk who tried to force her to have sex with him. Now, all Freda’s escorts wore the special alert button. Jax and Jamison had each of the women followed and monitored on their dates.

“Oh, in regards to that little event, I don’t think I feel like going tomorrow night,” Jameson said.

“Oh come on, Jameson. I need you to come there. Freda’s going and she was just asking about you last month when you didn’t show to the Rothesburgh Gallery. There’s going to be great food, too. I heard that Malone’s is catering it.”

That information seemed to perk Jameson up. He loved the food at Malone’s.

“Fine, but I’m not staying the entire time, man.”

* * * *

Mariana fixed her black skirt and adjusted her white blouse as best she could. Her breasts were big, and the tapered blouse was not exactly working here.

“Quit fidgeting, will ya? You look fucking gorgeous and especially with your hair pulled back like that. This is why Roldolpho always asks for you special. He adores you, Sparks,” Tess, her coworker told her as she adjusted her French braid.

Roldolpho insisted that each server wear short, slim-fitting black skirts above the knee and white, button-down tapered blouses with the top few buttons undone. She tried to wear a camisole once and he reprimanded her for hiding her absolutely perfect body.

“Sparks?” Speak of the devil.

“Hello, Mr. Zenarack,” she said to Roldolpho, and he shook his head and tsk-tsked at her.

“You did not just call me that?”

She chuckled and felt her cheeks warm. Roldolpho was totally charming, absolutely gorgeous, and gay. Tonight he wore a purple suit, but it wasn’t like the Joker or some clown would wear. It was custom made just for him, and he wore it well. He had slicked back his black hair, his sleeves were rolled up revealing a light shimmering button-down shirt, and the cuffs were ironed stiff and held with gold-and-diamond cuff links. She hated to admit it, but he was a fine-looking man. He was in front of her pointing with his finger for her to twirl in a circle. That solid-gold pinky ring, with the single four-karat diamond, stood out like a beam of light. This was his routine. He checked everyone over, but especially her and Tess.

“Don’t you think I didn’t notice the two buttons? Now reach on in there and adjust those beauties of yours and undo another button. Men give tips to cleavage not because you served them a pig in a blanket,” he stated then laughed to near hysteria. She shook her head and laughed then did as he told her. Poor Tess tried to do the same, but her breasts were not as full and perky as Mariana’s.

“Now, you look hot. Listen, I have some important people coming tonight.”

You have important people coming at all of these parties. God, I wish I had the nerve to ask him for a real job here. I know so much about artwork and running a gallery. It would be a dream come true to be fully involved in the business.

“I expect everything to go smoothly. Now, chop, chop!” he stated then clapped his hands, and the other servers were already heading toward the kitchen while she and Tess went to prepare to serve hors d’oeuvres.

* * * *

The gallery was jammed packed, but Jax and Jameson stood by Freda and Roldolpho as they spoke about the artist’s work and the gallery itself.