“Alright, then. Let’s go mingle.”
She didn’t wait for my reply before diving back into the crowd. It wouldn’t hurt to follow and this way others wouldn’t suspect my real purpose. I could look for Liam while humoring Caroline.
She found the group she was looking for, latching onto my arm and drawing me into the circle.
There were a few sidelong looks, the owners no doubt wondering who I was and what I was doing there. I smiled awkwardly and flagged down a passing waiter. At least with a glass of champagne in my hand I wouldn’t feel quite so out of place.
I tuned the conversation out as I scanned the room, not remotely interested in the politics of the college set given the body sitting not too far from this gathering. Where was Liam? He was always turning up when he wasn’t wanted and when I finally need him, he’s nowhere to be seen.
There. The back of his head appeared briefly when the crowd parted.
“Where are you going?” Caroline asked sharply.
I fumbled for an excuse. “I see someone I need to speak with.”
I could tell she wanted to say something, but the others in the group forced her to hold her tongue.
She gave me a gracious smile. I was the only one who saw the anger behind it. “I’ll talk to you later then.”
I gave an apologetic nod. As soon as I turned, Caroline and the shit storm she was saving for me dropped to the back of my mind.
I forced my way through the crowd, almost shoving people out of the way when they didn’t move fast enough. I left a trail of apologies in my wake.
“Liam,” I called when it looked like I would lose him again.
He turned and frowned at me.
I gave him a bright smile. He blinked and frowned harder.
“I’m so glad I found you. There’s something I need to show you.”
“It’ll have to wait. I’m in the middle of a conversation,” he said, indicating a man standing next to him.
The man was my height and looked Asian. His cheekbones could have cut glass and his eyes had a sharp intelligence that told me he wasn’t one to be messed with. At the same time, he looked perfectly at home with this crowd, wearing his suit with a suave sophistication that contrasted with Liam’s rough and tumble air.
The wattage on my smile turned up another notch. My cheeks were beginning to hurt with all this smiling.
“It concerns our mutual friend,” I said. That should give him a clue.
His frown turned into a glare.
“Later.”
Arrogant, insufferable vampire.
He turned back to his companion. “I apologize for the interruption.”
The man inclined his head.
Liam began to speak before turning to stare at me.
I stared back pretending I didn’t see the clear dismissal in his eyes. He wanted to ignore me after I made it clear there was an emergency? Fine. He had more to lose in this whole mess than I did. Thomas was his friend. That didn’t mean I was going to make things easy for him.
“Aileen.”
“Liam.”
He grabbed my arm and hauled me a few steps away. “This isn’t the time. I’m busy.”
