“How you doing?” Tate called out in a loud voice, grinning broadly. He grimaced at the noise.

“I've been better,” he replied, his voice rough and scratchy. “Did Mr. Kane leave?”

“Mr. Kane left a few hours ago,” Sanders interjected. “I will call for a driver to take you home immediately, Mr. Klimas.”

“Yeah. Yeah, thanks, I need a ride,” he grumbled. Sanders nodded curtly then went into the house, walking fast.

“Seems like you had a fun time last night,” Tate said, smiling and folding her arms across her chest. Rich nodded.

“Yeah, maybe too much fun.”

“Looks like it.”

“Sounded like you had a fun time, too.”

The meaning wasn't lost on Tate. She rolled her eyes from behind her own sunglasses.

“The best. I just love Jameson's party,” she sighed.

“You must. You know, I met him a long time ago. I'm sure he doesn't remember, he was a guest speaker at some weekend event. I spent three days listening to him, and three nights watching him party. Gotta say, he never struck me as the marrying type,” Rich told her. She nodded and walked closer to him.

“I know. Me, neither.”

“Then how -”

“I was stupid enough to fall in love with him, and he was even stupider for falling in love with me first. As hard as it is to believe, the devil can actually love somebody. Maybe not lots of people, and definitely not you, but it does happen. Would you like some advice?” she asked. He seemed a little shaken by her frank response, but he managed a nod.

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“I've known Jameson a long time, and I know him better than anyone else. You want to keep your job? Stop pissing around his territory.”

“I wasn't -”

“I wasn't,” she mocked his voice. “You have a brass set of balls, you know that, right? And while some people might be impressed, I'm not. I've seen what perfection looks like, and you're a long ways off from it, so go try and steal someone else's wife, okay? Because right now you're like a mouse who doesn't even know he's been caught by the cat. Being nice to you? This party? Inviting you? He's fucking with you. And eventually, he will get bored, and when that happens, say buh-bye to your nice stock broker job.”

A faint blush swept across Richard Klimas' face, but he quickly calmed himself down.

“There's other firms I could work for. I'm not scared of him,” he stated. She threw back her head and laughed.

“Oh my god, then you are stupid. Fine. Whatever. Keep trying at this pissing contest with him, see how it works out for you. But please, do me a favor, and leave me out of it? I can't even express to you in words how completely uninterested I am,” she said.

“You know,” he started, pulling off his sunglasses. “Kane didn't get to where he is without challenging people. Without stepping up to giants and knocking them down. You think he didn't sleep with a boss's wife at some point? That he didn't screw over someone above him?”

“Challenging people, yes. He's all for that. Being a flaming piece of garbage? Nah, that was never his style. Good luck with your life, I can tell you'll make great choices. I'm thinking you know your own way out,” she told him, nodding her head at the door.

“He's not as big a deal as the rest of you make him out to be. Someday, someone else will come along and be even better and smarter than him,” Rich warned. There was the sound of a throat clearing from behind them and Sanders stepped out of the shadows of the conservatory.

“Mr. Klimas, your ride is here,” he said, adjusting his tie. “And if I may so, you are entirely correct about Mr. Kane. But that day has not happened yet, and that person will most certainly not be you. Now kindly get off our property, and please don't return.”

Tate hadn't seen it happen in a long time, but Sanders could still turn on the frost bite. Jameson's glare could flash with an angry fire that was scorching just to look at it, but Sanders could freeze people where they stood with one look. He spoke civilly and said nothing rude, but his manner and tone were slightly terrifying. Like he could turn you into dust just by saying the right words. Like he was talking to nothing. Tate shivered, then almost laughed as Rich stumbled over himself as he hurried to leave.

“You are a magical, magical creature, Sandy,” she snickered as she hooked her arm though his.

“On the contrary, I am exceedingly normal,” he corrected her. “I heard what you said. It was very nice of you to defend Jameson.”

“Of course! What did you expect, that I'd run off into the sunset with Rich Klimas!?” she exclaimed, staring up at him.

“No. I was worried that you would tease him. Drag out his punishment. Last night was bad enough, I did not want to endure more awkwardness,” he explained.

“Oh, really? And what about last night was so awkward?” she asked, blinking her eyes innocently. He didn't react at first, just adjusted his tie again.

“You know those kind of outbursts of yours make me uncomfortable,” he said in a low voice.

“Outburst? Why, whatever are you talking about?” she continued feigning innocence.

“Please, stop. I would like to enjoy our time together,” he begged.

“We are enjoying ourselves! I'm just trying to remember – would this outburst you speak of have anything to do with a certain tryst amongst the flowers?” she teased, and was finally rewarded with a full on blush. He cleared his throat and wouldn't make eye contact.

“That is putting it delicately.”

“Why, Sandy! Are you saying you watched!?” she gasped in mock horror. His blush went from a delicate pink around his collar to red racing up his neck and onto his cheeks, though he still maintained the same air of aloofness. As if they were talking about the weather.

“Tatum, the entire party, and I'm pretty sure our closest neighbors, could hear you. I was not alone in my observations.”

“Please, I wasn't that loud.”

“Forgive me, but you weren't outside. It was very loud, I assure you.”

“At least it was a good show.”

“That is a matter of opinion.”

Tate shivered again.

“Don't talk like him, it's creepy,” she said, turning to look across the pool.