Page 10 of The Unseen

“Villard wants to—and I quote—‘bring Belle Reve into the twenty-first century.’ He wants to completely change it. The house would lose its historical significance entirely.”

He nodded. “Belle Reve has survived for a hundred fifty years. She deserves to retain her dignity.”

She caught his gaze across the console. “You think of her as a woman?”

“So do you.”

“I do, but how did you know?”

“The painting you call Diva —I bought it.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You did?”

“I did, indeed. There seemed to be something special about the painting. I couldn’t resist.”

She settled back in her seat. “That’s the way I felt about it. I almost hated to sell it.”

The corners of his mouth edged into a smile. “I’ll give it a good home, I promise.”

Nicole made no reply. She was still reeling from the thought that Lucas Devereaux had purchased one of her most personal paintings.

They reached Baton Rouge, then turned down Wood Duck Drive in Mallard Lakes, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city. Lucas pulled the Lexus to a stop in front of a sprawling mansion, with a light glowing in every window.

A white-jacketed valet opened Lucas’s door, while another opened the door on Nicole’s side. As she stepped out of the car, Lucas was there to take her arm and guide her along the concrete walkway through a sea of manicured lawn to the opulent residence that belonged to Phillipe Villard.

At least twelve or thirteen thousand square feet, Nicole guessed, maybe more—a sprawling brick-trimmed beige house, with columns and towers and turrets that seemed to go on forever.

Nicole could barely look away. “Wow! I had no idea Villard had so much money.” And the man was determined to get his hands on Belle Reve. She had known fighting him would be hard. Now she knew it was going to be nearly impossible to defeat him.

“He’s one of our biggest donors,” Lucas said.

“Looks like he can afford it.”

Lucas paused at the front door. “You know it’s likely Christian will be here.”

“I know. I’d rather not see him, but I’m here with you and I refuse to let him intimidate me.”

“In that case, maybe you better stay close to me.” Lucas gave her a look that could melt the bricks across the front of the house, and Nicole’s stomach contracted.

The man was ridiculously sexy without even trying. They were friends, she reminded herself. As long as Sean lived at the center, that was all they could be.

“We’d better go greet our host,” Lucas said, guiding her through the front door. The older Villard was standing in a massive two-story entry topped by a circle of stained-glass windows. A crystal chandelier cast sparkling light onto arriving guests.

“Lucas!” Villard reached out a hand, which Lucas shook. “It’s good of you to come.” He was a tall man, with long arms and thin fingers, a dignified man, with silver hair and a narrow face. It was his eyes that bothered her. They were a pale ice-blue color, and full of cunning.

“Thanks for inviting me,” Lucas said. He turned. “With your family connection to Belle Reve, I assume you’ve met Nicole Belmond.”

He turned those icy eyes in her direction. “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Belmond.” He extended a thin-boned hand, which she forced herself to accept.

“Your home is lovely,” Nicole said, unwilling to return the same greeting.

“I believe you and my son have spent some time together. I understand the two of you are … well acquainted.” The subtle inference they were intimately involved could not be mistaken.

Nicole’s hackles went up. “Actually, Christian and I have spent very little time together, certainly not enough to become … well acquainted. You, on the other hand, I feel as if I know very well.”

She didn’t bother to hide the dislike she was feeling. The man was out to destroy her family home. In that moment, she resolved to do everything in her power to keep that from happening.

She cast a glance at Lucas and caught a flash of amusement in his dark eyes.

“Why don’t we get a drink?” he said to her. He looked over at Phillipe. “If you’ll excuse us …”

“Of course,” Phillipe said, but his jaw looked tight. “Enjoy your evening.”

Nicole made no reply.

“Sorry you came?” Lucas asked as they approached the bar, one of several set up throughout the house, which was done in a Spanish motif, with high wood-beamed ceilings and red-tiled floors.

“Just the opposite,” she said. “It’s good to know your enemy. This is one of the few times I’ve come face-to-face with him.”

“You’re in line to inherit the property?”

“I’m a Belmond, so yes.”

He nodded his approval. “You’re going to fight to keep what’s yours. Good for you.”

Nicole looked up at him. “You don’t believe Christian and I were ever—”

“It wouldn’t matter, but no, I don’t. Christian isn’t your type.” She smiled. “Why not?”

“Too weak for a woman like you. You would have no respect for a man like him.”

“What about a man like you?”

A faint smile touched his lips. “With any luck, we’re going to find out.”

Before she had time to reply, he asked, “What are you drinking?”

“A glass of white wine. Chardonnay, if they have it.”

Lucas ordered the drinks: wine for her, tall scotch and soda for him.

Nicole took a sip of wine. “You were a priest. I’m surprised you drink.”

“I hate to disillusion you, but priests enjoy a drink now and then, just like anyone else.” He spotted someone across the room, took her arm, and started walking. “Come on, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

He led her toward a black-haired, mustached man as tall as Lucas and about his same age.

“Nicole Belmond, meet Remy Moreau,” Lucas said. “Remy and I have been friends since grammar school.”

Remy smiled wide enough to lift his mustache.

“Mademoiselle Belmond. My friend, as always, has exquisite taste.” He took her free hand and brought it to his lips.

His mustache tickled and made her smile.

He was attractive in a flashy sort of way, dressed in a purple shirt and expensive black suit.

Onyx hair curled over the top of his collar.

“Remy owns the Four Queens Casino and Hotel down on the river.”

Her eyes met his. “I’m afraid I’ve never been there. I was always busy doing something besides having fun.”

One of Moreau’s black eyebrows went up. “Perhaps Lucas will take you. You would both be my guests, of course. The Joker’s Wild is a gourmet restaurant. A little gambling …” He shrugged and smiled. “Who knows, you might get lucky.”

Lucas flashed him a warning glance, but Remy’s smile just widened. She could hear the same Cajun French she’d heard in Lucas’s voice, only more pronounced.

She flicked Lucas a glance. “Do priests also gamble?”

“A former priest might, on occasion, in moderation, of course. If he was with the right companion.”

She could feel her heart accelerate. “Is that an invitation?” she asked softly.

His gaze met hers and she could almost feel the heat. “Only if you’re going to say yes.”

Remy lifted his glass. “Then it is settled! You will pick a night and I will join you—at least for a while.” He looked over Lucas’s shoulder. “Now I am afraid I must leave you. I need a word with our host. Au revoir, mes amis. ”

As Remy dashed away, Lucas sipped his drink. “Villard also dabbles in the gaming business. He owns an interest in the Golden Spike. Were you aware?”

She felt a sinking in the pit of her stomach. “I had no idea. No wonder he’s got so much money.”

As Lucas sipped his drink, his broad shoulders tightened.

Nicole followed his gaze and saw Christian Villard approaching.

In a white dinner jacket, blue shirt, and black slacks, his blond hair perfectly groomed and gleaming beneath the overhead lights, he was an extremely attractive man—until you got to know him.

“Good evening, Nicole.” His gaze ran over her, pausing a little too long on her cleavage, finally moving to her face. “I thought you said you were busy.”

Nicole settled her hand in the crook of Lucas’s arm. “As you can see, I am.”

Christian’s lips thinned. He turned and introduced himself to Lucas. “Christian Villard. I saw you at the gallery opening, but I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“Lucas Devereaux, Baton Rouge Youth Center. I’m a friend of your father’s. Phillipe sponsors a number of boys in residence at the center.”

“Is that so?”

“There are other donors, of course, but your father has contributed a great deal to our efforts.”

“I’m sure he has … in the past.” His eyes returned to Nicole, slid over her like cold grease. The smile he gave her didn’t reach his eyes. “You’ve never seen the house. It’s quite spectacular. Why don’t I show you around?”

Her hand tightened on Lucas’s arm. “Maybe some other time.”

“Perhaps you’re right. We’ll make it another night. I’m sure there are parts of the house you’ll particularly enjoy. The bedroom wing is quite impressive.”

At the smirk on his face, color flooded her cheeks. For a moment, she glanced away. When she looked back, she realized Lucas had a grip on Christian’s wrist and was bending his hand backward. Pain leached all the color out of his face.

“Your insinuations are insulting. You owe the lady an apology, Villard.”

“It’s okay,” Nicole said, her nerves kicking in. “I’m sure Christian didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Now,” Lucas said, bending the hand back even farther.

“I … I’m … sorry. I a-apologize … if—if I said anything that might be offensive.”

Lucas let go of Christian’s hand. “You can go now. I’m sure you have better things to do than stay here and chat with us.”

Fury twisted Christian’s features. He rubbed his sore wrist. “You’ll be sorry for that. I promise you.” He didn’t say more, just turned and strode off into the crowd.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Nicole said, but she was smiling.

“He deserved it.”

“I know, but he might make trouble for you with his father.”

“If he does, he does.” His lips twitched. “As someone I know once said, I refuse to be intimidated.”

Nicole laughed. “So I guess you learned a few interesting things when you were in a gang.”

Lucas smiled. “More than a few, and not all of them so civilized.”

Nicole’s eyebrows shot up. “You call that civilized? You nearly broke his wrist.”

“If I had wanted to break his wrist, he would have a broken wrist.” He urged her forward. “Let’s mingle so I can finish what I came here to do, and then we can go home.”

Nicole nodded. She thought of Lucas’s past, one he had learned from and turned to his advantage. She thought of his protective streak, the way he’d stood up to Villard.

It came as a complete surprise to wish that when Lucas took her home, he wouldn’t leave until morning.