No such luck. Olivia stood off to one side, alone, watching Michael and Sophie through narrowed eyes.

She shook her head. "This isn't good."

"Agreed." Everett propelled her forward. "Shall I intercept Sophie while you take care of Olivia?"

"Yes." She stopped him with a hand on his forearm. "You're a good man, Everett Parker."

For a moment, he dropped his guard and she could see beyond his careful sh.e.l.l. His eyes were full of emotion-surprise, pleasure, and hope. She ached to show him how good he really was, to prove it so he believed it as fervently as she did.

Throwing caution to the wind, she got up on tiptoes and kissed him softly on his lips. "Go. I'll look after your daughter."

As she turned to go to Olivia, he tugged her back. Without a word, he dropped his mouth to hers and gave her a hard kiss that curled her toes. He broke it as suddenly as he initiated it, satisfaction written on his very male features. "Remember that for later," he said before he stalked away.

She watched him, bemused, running her fingers along her lips. She felt imprinted by him and as unliberated as it was, she loved the feeling.

Later. She couldn't wait.

But first things first. She needed to diffuse Olivia. By the look in her eyes, Olivia was a moment away from ripping Michael apart with her bare hands.

Not that she could blame her. Lainie glared at Michael as she rushed to Olivia's side. She'd be willing to help.

Eve and her husband reached Olivia before she did. Eve's hand rested on Olivia's arm-whether to comfort or hold her back, Lainie wasn't sure.

Eve's husband, Treat, nodded at her when she joined their party. Lainie had only met him a few times but she'd liked him immediately. He was a lot like Everett-virile, manly, and sure of himself, only with longer hair.

Eve was talking softly to Olivia. "-sure you're okay? Because you don't look it."

Olivia frowned but her gaze stayed on the spectacle Sophie was making. "What do I look like?"

"Like you could take Mike Tyson single-handedly," Treat said.

She tore her gaze away from Michael, noticing for the first time the small posse surrounding her. "What are you guys doing? You're corralling me like I'm a rabid animal."

"We're not corralling. We're lending support." Eve scowled in Sophie's direction.

Lainie nodded. "We're just concerned about you."

"Well, I'm fine." Olivia flipped her hair over her shoulder.

How could Michael want Sophie over Olivia? Looking at Olivia now, Lainie didn't understand it. Sophie was pretty in a pouty, little girl way but that type of beauty always faded in time.

Olivia was striking. Her hair was loose and parted in a way that made the thick blonde highlights stand out. When they went shopping, Olivia had chosen a two-piece outfit reminiscent of what a harem girl would wear. The long gauzy skirt sat low on her hips and tangled in her long legs as she walked. She wore a choker, dozens of bracelets on her arms, and rings on her fingers as well as her toes. The top was a single band that covered her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, leaving her midriff bare and her belly b.u.t.ton ring glittering.

Lainie wondered what Everett would say if she got a piercing.

"So." Olivia smiled but it was tight and forced. "Are you guys enjoying your evening?"

Eve sighed and slipped her hand in Treat's. Treat grinned at Olivia. "It certainly is an entertaining party, isn't it?"

"I'm definitely engrossed by the sideshow." Olivia glared at Michael.

"I'm sure Michael is just talking business to Sophie," Lainie lied.

"Yeah. Monkey business," Olivia said under her breath. She shot back the contents in her wine gla.s.s. "Treat, want to cut a rug?"

"Love to." He exchanged a look with Eve before he led Olivia to the dance floor.

She and Eve exchanged their own look before watching Treat lead Olivia around the floor.

Good thing she hadn't ordered fireworks for the evening. Elaine glanced at Everett, who was trying to break in on Michael and Sophie's tete-a-tete. Fireworks would have been redundant.

Parker cut through the crowd with singleness of purpose, barely acknowledging the comments directed to him on the way. He had Michael to deal with.

The rage he felt at Michael was surprising. He glanced at the tight expression on his daughter's face and felt a wave of black fury flow through him. He wanted to drag Michael outside and beat sense into him.

Maybe he'd been wrong. Maybe he shouldn't have forced Olivia and Michael together again. It seemed like they'd been doing well. Guilt and uncertainty-two emotions he wasn't well acquainted with-fueled his anger.

His face devoid of expression, he stopped in front of Michael and cleared his throat. Michael managed to tear his gaze from Sophie's face.

Sophie looked up and smiled with catlike cunning. "Everett. Enchantee de vous voire." She stepped away from Michael long enough to kiss the air on either side of Parker's cheeks before cuddling next to him again. Michael didn't look put out by her clinginess in the least. In fact, he pulled her closer.

"Sophie. Michael." Everything he was holding back from showing on his face came through in his voice.

And Michael heard it. "Great party, Parker. Elaine outdid herself."

"You should be sure to mention that to her." He turned to Sophie. "I hear your performance was unparalleled. There are some people from the media who would love to talk to you."

"Reporters?" Her blue eyes lit up. "Where?"

Parker felt grim satisfaction. He knew exactly what her weakness was and felt no compulsion in exploiting it. The clueless woman unwittingly put herself in the wrong person's path. "Why don't you get a gla.s.s of champagne and I'll have Elaine send them over to you."

"I adore champagne." She batted her false eyelashes at Michael. "Coming, mon chou?"

"I need to talk to Michael." Parker smoothly removed her hand from Michael's arm and steered her toward a waiter with a tray of drinks. "Since he's leaving Parker Pictures at the completion of this film there are details we need to discuss."

She pouted and batted her eyes. "You didn't tell me that."

Michael raked back his hair. "Guess it never came up."

"Then I'll leave you men to it." She slanted her eyes at Michael from over her shoulder. "Find me when you're done."

Parker resisted the urge to retch at her sugary command. By the look on Michael's face, he was in the same boat.

"Are there really reporters here tonight?" Michael watched her slither away.

"Yes." He just declined to mention the man was from the Marin Independent Journal.

Michael faced him. The stiffness of his jaw and clenched fists made it apparent he was expecting a fight. "So what's this about?"

"You really don't know?"

Michael's eyes darted to where Olivia was dancing with a sharply dressed man with a ponytail. "I can probably hazard a guess. Though I can't imagine why you'd care."

"She's my daughter."

"Fine way to show your filial affection. Force her to face the one man she's hated for years." He glanced at Parker. "Make that two men."

"Enough." He'd had all he was going to take. "I've always had Olivia's best interests at heart-"

Michael snorted.

"-which is more than I can say for you."

That got the younger man's attention. "What the h.e.l.l 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 f.u.c.king 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 cla.s.ses 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 amus.e.m.e.nt. "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 a.s.s in town, but he's also a great dancer. I asked him to run away with me but he refused me."

"Thank G.o.d." 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."