She raked me over with one glance. “That doesn’t fit you properly.”
“We didn’t have time for alterations.” I walked past her and into the employee hallway. “Where does security usually stand?”
Gem scuttled ahead of me, nervously adjusting her hat. “How should I know? He came out of nowhere and choked me.”
I jerked my thumb toward the back. “Thatscrawny guy?”
She gave me a sour look as we entered the showroom. “There was a different guard back then. A big one with a bushy beard and… Jiminy Christmas! What if Ivar bites me?” She clutched her slender throat. “He could kill me.”
“I won’t let that happen, female.” Claude branched away from the door and met us in the center of the room. “Be courteous, but keep your distance. Lead him in as far as possible; then go behind the counter. I’ll close the gate to keep anyone outside from getting in. If his guards are Vampires, it won’t take them long to break through the shutters.”
I walked behind one of the tall display cabinets, hiding myself from the main entrance. “Where should I stand?”
“Don’t hide,” Claude warned me. “That’ll make him nervous, especially if he can scent your excitement. Calm down. I can smell it over here. And Gem, you need to be your delightful self. Don’t try too hard. He’s probably used to intimidating people, so smile. Your excitement will be easily confused with an eagerness for him to spend money.”
I wandered over to the crystal egg, faced the door, and clasped my hands in front of me.
“I think that’s him,” Gem squeaked, spritzing perfume on her neck.
“Stay here, female. I’ll escort him inside. You do all the talking. That’s something you excel at.”
I watched a car roll up to the front of the building. Two men got out, looked around, and one opened the rear door. A tall man exited the vehicle. I couldn’t see much since Claude blocked the doorway to let him inside.
Something occurred to me in that moment. We only knew him by his first name.
Claude opened the door, letting in a cold breeze. “Good evening, sir. We’ve been expecting your arrival. Welcome to Kleinman’s.”
The tall Chitah strode in. He was wider than Claude—broad shoulders, a square jaw, small but piercing blue eyes, and thinning blond hair that was combed back and styled in place with gel. I glanced down at his black gloves before directing my attention to his companions. Evidently they weren’t Chitahs. It wasn’t easy to tell if they were Vampires either from across the room. After scanning the shop, they turned their attention to the door, one standing on either side.
Claude gestured for Ivar to meet up with Gem, who jutted her hip and smiled. “To ensure your privacy and safety, we’ve shuttered all the windows. We only do this for our most prestigious clients. Allow me to shutter the door.”
Ivar raised one hand, not turning around to look at Claude. “No,” he simply said. He had an accent, but I couldn’t decipher it from only one word.
Gem bowed. “It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome you to Kleinman’s. Is there anything in particular you have in mind, or would you like to browse and see what catches your eye?”
Claude stood near the control for the automated shutters and nonchalantly looked around.
Ivar approached Gem, towering over her.
Gem had a counterfeit smile painted across her face. “You have guaranteed privacy and security in Kleinman’s, and we are open for as long as you need. Would you like to start with our most exclusive collection of jewelry?” She sashayed herself behind the counter to put distance between them.
Ivar slid his eyes in my direction, and I felt that predatory gaze that only a Chitah could deliver. It was enough to make the bravest men tremble with fear. I swallowed, trying to look a little anxious, but I was more excited than nervous. Hopefully he couldn’t sniff that out.
When he stopped right behind me and drew in a deep breath, my stomach knotted. I turned and faced the opposite side of the store to keep them in view.
He mumbled something I couldn’t understand.
Gem replied in what I assumed was his language. She laughed nervously and gestured to me, then said something else.
His brows drew together as he looked me up and down. This guy had shown up too damn early. We weren’t given enough time to formulate a plan, and the more this charade went on, the sicker I got.
Gem snapped her fingers at me. “Guard, can you stand over there? I don’t want your presence to offend our guest.”
Offend?
Irritated, I casually walked toward the front. Gem must have wanted me to help Claude secure the door, only that would leave her vulnerable.
“Please make yourself comfortable,” she went on. “You can either take a seat or look around. We have champagne reserved for special clients. Would you like me to get a bottle? It’s on the house, Mr. Ivar. Or would you rather I call you by your surname?”
