My dress, a shimmering red number that felt both celebratory and predatory, is doing its job, making me noticeable enough to command attention, but not so much that Ilooked like a gatecrasher. I’m Sapphire Blake, the indispensable planner.
I find Hensley near the towering crystal Christmas tree, still monopolizing the councilman. I had to create a reason to get into his private office, a place off-limits to everyone but his wife—and soon, me.
I approached them with a sweet, apologetic smile.
"Victor, darling," I interrupted softly, placing a hand lightly on his arm. "Excuse me for a moment, Councilman. Victor, I'm terribly sorry to bother you, but I just need to slip into your office for a moment."
He turns, his eyes glazed with lust and alcohol. "My office, Sapphire? What for? Don't tell me you need more supplies for the... after-party." He winked crudely.
I let out a breathy, nervous laugh, playing the part of the slightly flustered, devoted pet owner. "Oh, I wish it were that simple. It's Skipper. My little dog. Remember? When we were in there earlier you let me put her in your office, tucked away in her basket so she wouldn't be disturbed by the music, but I forgot to top up her water dish before I left. I'll just be a minute, I promise."
The excuse was mundane enough to sound real.
Hensley waved a dismissive hand. "A dog? Ugh, fine. Make sure the mutt doesn’t make a mess in there and wreck the surprise you’ve got…”
"Of course," I cut him off smoothly. "Be right back."
I slip away before he can finish his sentence, my heart rate picking up with adrenaline. Time to make sure those security cameras were off and get my keypad spoofer to work on the safe.
The room is dark, lit only by the faint glow of the city lights outside and the blinking standby lights on the equipment. Skipper's basket is nestled in the corner, and the little dog immediately sits up, wagging her tail happily when she spots me.
"Good girl, Skip," I whisper, giving her a quick scratch.
I go to the attached bathroom and made a show for the cameras of getting Skipper a bowl of water. After giving her a scratch under the chin again, I made my way back to the security system control panel by the door. It was a bit of a chance but with any luck no-one will be watching the video feeds right this minute.
The panel screen glows to life when my finger hit the touchscreen and I quickly entered the access code. I had researched this unit so it only took a few seconds to get to the menu and shut down the cameras in the office. I didn’t like to do it this way in case security got suspicious, but they were already aware of the “after-party” and should assume Victor shut off the cameras for a reason and I needed time for my keypad spoofer to work on the safe.
I got the electronic gadget out of Skipper’s basket and quickly hooked it up to the safe behind the yacht painting. Mission complete. So far.
“Anyone comes in here Sheriff, you distract them - Got it? Good girl,” I tell Skipper before I slip out the door and go back to wrap up the party.
Black
We shadow her, keeping our distance, blending with the other shirtless staff. I see security guards moving to intercept the group and I think, this is it. This is where we’ll need to step in to give her a distraction to get them off her back so she can do what she needs to. But before any of us can make a move, a woman heads the guards off. She has a furious expression on her face as she glares at Victor and Blue’s backs as they disappear down a hall but she turns to the guards and spits something at them. I’m close enough to catch a bit of it.
“…going to hold his dick while he fucks our party planner? Go outside and make sure his guests don’t destroy our landscaping as they drive away drunk.”
My eyebrows pop up hearing that. Fuck, that must be the wife and she’s cold as hell. I watch her turn and glare at the empty hall where her husband, Blue and all the women have disappeared down and feel a touch of sympathy for her. But then she tosses her hair back, straightens her shoulders and pastes a practiced smile on her face and goes to see the last of the guestsout. That spark of sympathy dies. She’s clearly choosing this life for the money so she’s just as bad as her husband. Fuck her, fuck them both.
As soon as she’s gone, I slide down the hall just as a door closes. I move up to it and lean close and wait, listening to the giggles and moans leaking through. My guess is Blue’s staging her con. She’s probably drugging Hensley, probably cleaning out his safe while he’s distracted by the women. I can picture her, cool and calculated, those blue-green eyes sharp as she works. My cock twitches at the thought of her in control, but I want her under my control again. I want her begging, sassing, coming apart for us. Soon.
Green nudges me, his voice low. “The staff’s starting to do the tear-down of the party. She’s gonna bolt once she’s got the loot. We need to be ready.”
I nod, my eyes on the door. “She’s not slipping away this time. We get the money, we get her.” And I mean it. Blue’s ours, whether she’s ready to admit it or not. This gala’s just the start. By the end of the night, she’ll know exactly who she’s dealing with.
Blue
The gala was winding down. It had been the kind of glittering affair that made Santa Monica feel like a Hollywood set piece rather than a real place where people lived and breathed. The jazz band was hitting its stride, their sultry rendition of "Santa Baby" weaving through the air like a seductive promise, encouraging the crowd to sway and sip their overpriced champagne with an air of holiday indulgence.
The room was a sea of designer gowns that shimmered under the chandelier lights, tuxedos that looked freshly pressed from exclusive designers, and faces painted with the kind of fake cheer that only money could buy. I move through it all in my slinky red dress, the fabric clinging to my curves in a way that turns heads without me even trying, my red hair falling in loose waves down my back. As Sapphire Blake, the event planner to the stars, I’m the one pulling the strings tonight, making sure every detail is perfect. But beneath the surface, I’m the predator in this room full of sharks, and Victor Hensley is my chum.
As more guests start to leave, I make my rounds to all the special “staff” ladies that I’ve hired for a very special job that is about to start and give them the go command. Once they’re all ready to go, I search the last of the guests for Victor. I catch his eye from across the room, that sleazy grin of his spreading like oil on water as he beckons me over with a wave of his champagne flute. He’s deep in conversation with a group of guests, no doubt bragging about his latest quarter's profits, but his attention is all on me now. I saunter over, my hips swaying just enough to keep him hooked, and lean in close when I reach him.
"Victor, baby," I purr, my voice low and inviting, "I think it's time for that special gift I promised you. The night's winding down, and you deserve a little something extra for being such a gracious host."
His eyes light up with a mix of lust and anticipation, his fake tan seeming even more orange under the warm lighting. He slings an arm around my waist, his hand dipping lower than is appropriate, fingers brushing the curve of my ass in a way that makes my skin crawl. But I don't pull away, I lean into it, letting him think he has the upper hand.
"Lead the way, Sapphire," he slurs, his breath hot against my ear, reeking of expensive booze and entitlement.
