Page 46 of Daigo

He started to move away when she held his hand.

“I feel awkward and unattractive.”

Sighing softly, he met her eyes in the mirror. She had been hinting at that particular subject for several weeks now, being insecure and sometimes needy and weepy. He was not accustomed to her acting that way but was aware that it had to do with the hormones raging inside her body. As the pregnancy grew, so did her mood swings. She would be happy one minute, miserable and crying the next.

She had also accused him of cheating on her when he happened to stay out late. Last weekend, he had gone to dinner with some associates and had not returned until almost eleven. He had found her sitting up in bed, clutching her pillows. The accusation had come fast and furious. His temper had erupted, and he had ended up sleeping in the guest room.

But he was trying. He had no idea what she was going through. She was pregnant with triplets, and all of the readings warned about the backlash of symptoms.

“You’re beautiful.” He turned her to face him. “I know that this is something that you cannot control, but I would like you to stop accusing me of cheating on you. I cannot bear to look at another woman. You’re it for me, period.” His hands cupped the back of her neck.

“You look fabulous, okay? We’re going tonight to have a good old time. We’re going to enjoy the festivities, and I’m going to dance with my very pregnant wife. We’re going to get our pictures in the paper and answer most, if not all, of the questions thrown at us. But most of all, I want to enjoy my wife. The woman I love more than my own life. Can we do that, please?”

Lifting her hands, she fussed with the pearl buttons on his snowy white shirt and avoided his eyes. She was aware that over the past couple of weeks, she had been a royal bitch, accusing him of cheating when he arrived home late and finding fault with everything Mrs. Bailey did. It was not like her to be this nasty, and she was appalled by her behavior. Raging hormones or not, she had to do better. She knew he was committed to her, but there was this nagging feeling that she was driving him away.

It was the fact that she was so huge and had to be confined to the house that was contributing to most of her behavior. Her ankles were swelling up more and more these days, which made it impossible to go into the store on the three days.

Sometimes, she was so fatigued and dizzy that she had to stay in bed. For a woman who was accustomed to being up and about, it was making her crazy. But she had asked for this, begged for it, and she had to take the good with the bad.

“I know.” She brushed invisible lint from the satin lapel, lifted her eyes to his, and smiled. “You’re right.”

“About?”

“Everything, as usual. I’m determined to have some fun tonight.”

Tipping her chin up, he searched her face, dark eyes intense. “Promise?”

She nodded.

“Good.” Bending his head, he brushed her lips with his before letting her go to retrieve the ermine cape. “Let’s go, baby.” Draping the cape around her shoulders, he hugged her for a minute and just inhaled her scent. “I love you,” he whispered.

Burying her face in his chest, she closed her eyes. “Love you back.”

*****

The Elite Club had been established more than a hundred years ago when times were incredibly volatile and slavery had yet to be abolished. It had been set up as a refuge for rich white men with impeccable bloodlines and continued to hold sway for more than six decades, until things started changing slowly.

The building stood bridal white against the backdrop of lush green lawns and foliage, a jungle-like atmosphere dotted with fabulous amenities, including suites to accommodate its many and now varied members. Before the changes, one had to be from a long line of Caucasians whose great-great-great-grandfathers had been members. Now it was open to anyone who had the resources to pay the exorbitant monthly fee.

The members ranged from royalty to simple businessmen who had gone up the ladder due to sheer determination and grit to achieve the American dream.

The only thing that remained firm and rigid was that absolutely no women could become members. It was a men-only club, on the surface, that is.

Beneath it all, the women, wives of the members, ran things. The “wives,” as they were referred to, were vastly influential and had been instrumental in planning benefits and raising billions for the various worthy causes. Leesa Wellington and Kelly Takahashi headed the committee and had strong voices, along with the characters to match.

The two beautiful former international models were seen everywhere.

“It’s quite a crush.” Shelby’s hand tightened on his as nerves ran up and down her spine. She had been here before, of course, but not since she had become huge with three babies inside her. The plane ride had been uneventful, and she had spent the hour and a half napping against her husband’s shoulder. Now she was fully rested and nervous.

“How about something to drink?” Daigo suggested, dark eyes scanning the crowded ballroom for familiar faces and seeing several.

“If you say tea, I’m going to hit you,” she warned.

He merely grinned at her and was about to comment when they were invaded.

“Good God!” the voice uttered reverently. “My dear, you’re gorgeous. Simply stunning.” Brian Donnelly, celebrity photographer, took her free hand and tugged her forward, oblivious to the glower from Daigo. As he turned her around, his gray eyes noted with appreciation the swirl of the dress and the way her caramel complexion glowed under the many sconces holding candle-like lights around the room.

“I have to photograph you.” He finally looked up and noticed Daigo’s lifted brows. “I apologize for being so brazen, but she’s a treasure, Nakano. A jewel, a wonder. And carrying triplets, no less.” The tall, lean, studious-looking man brought his gaze back to Shelby.