Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

permission―so bewildered by the comment that she and Silas Compton’s wife had already met. To her recollection, she’d neve r before set eyes on the woman.
    Never.

Chapter Twenty-One
    A Game of One- U pmanship

    “C ome, our guests are anxious to meet you.”
    Selene wore a low-cut black knit dress that accentuated her reed-slim but curvaceous figure. W orking Vegas, Diana had seen enough silicone to know Selene Compton’s assets were the real thing . They bounced, and she bounced them. Tiered strands of jade encircled her neck, cascading down the front of her dress , highlighting here exceptional cleavage . Diana assumed Compton kept the women in his life on the same tight leash he implied Lucier kept her . Selene Crane Compton was not a woman restrained.
    She and Lucier followed her down a different hallway from the one that led to Compton’s home office . This one opened into a massive living room, tastefully furnished in shades of moss green and buttery gold. A hand woven silk Oriental rug covered the center of the dark wood floor, and a grand piano dominated the far right corner. E clectic and expensive -looking accessories decorated tables and bookshelves . P eople Diana had never seen before occupied t hree large sofas that didn’t make a de nt in the vastness of the room.
    Silas Compton rose from one of them to greet the new arrivals . “How good of you both to come.”
    A ll eyes centered on Diana . This is no different than standing in front of a sold-out crowd, Diana. She consciously made an effort to relax.
    Selene began the introductions. “ Y ou all know the famous Diana Racine, and this is her friend, Lieutenant Ernie Lucier of New Orleans ’ finest.” She turned to them. “Thank you both for coming on such short notice. May I introduce our other guests: Sophia and Fernando Reyes, Rhea and Jeremy Haynesworth, Anastasia and Martin Easley, my mother and father, Cybele and Phillip Crane, and my stepdaughters, Maia and Dione Compton.”
    Even though his daughters were from his first marriage, they were every bit as beautiful as Selene. Diana felt almost boyish in the midst of a roomful of women who all looked like they descended from Aphrodite.
    The obligatory h andshakes generated the same queasiness she experienced earlier in the day, though it passed quickly . She received a particularly eerie feeling from Martin Easley, but s omething was off with the whole group, though she couldn’t figure out what.
    “ Y ou’ve met Edward Slater,” Selene said.
    Slater entered from a hallway and nodded his greetings but didn’t offer his hand to either one of them. He sat in a chair he had apparently occupied before leaving the room , because he picked up a drink off the table .
    “I feel like a fifteenth wheel,” he said, “but I couldn’t resist the invitation. At least I’m not unlucky thirteen.”
    “Nonsense,” Selene said. “Your perspectives always add to the conversation, and who says thirteen is unlucky ? It’s my lucky number. Besides, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of our two guests. Silas is grateful.” She addressed Diana. “He’s an unabashed admirer ever since he saw you during one of your standing-room-only performances.”
    “I’m flattered,” Diana said. “Nice to see you again, Edward.”
    “Same here,” Lucier said. Slater smiled but kept his seat.
    Two people shifted into chairs to open up a space for them to sit down and join the group clustered around a large coffee table. All had drinks ― some wine, others with tumblers or highball glasses.
    “What can Juan get for you to drink?” Selene asked, as the butler waited.
    “Bourbon and water for me, please,” Lucier said, “and a Coke for Diana.”
    “No,” she said. “Tonight is special. I’ll have a Scotch , o n the rocks.” She detected Lucier ’s frown but refused to acknowledge him. This was a special night, she thought, and she didn’t want her mind diluted by Coke, especially since the last one she drank had such a devastating effect.
    The memory of yesterday surfaced . Surely she and Lucier were safe drinking in front of all these people . Not even Silas Compton would risk doing something so foolish.
    She laughed inwardly at her rationalization. When Lucier finally caught her eye, she whispered, “Just tonight.” She turned back to the group and noticed Slater’s sly smile. She assumed he resisted the lure of spirits, given his history.
    “You must still be