“Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott are awaiting your arrival on the back patio,” sheinformedthem.
“Thank you,” Sean replied, already heading fartherinside.
Alexei looked around curiously as they walked through the house, unable to stop comparing it to Jamie’s penthouse condo back in D.C. Whereas Jamie’s home was lived-in and comfortable, the space richly furnished but not ridiculously over the top, the Wolcotts had gone all out in showcasing their wealth at home. He had to wonder if that was just what people did in Las Vegas, considering the over-the-topatmosphere.
Cream-colored tile covered the floors in the main hallways. Walls painted the same color were the perfect backdrop for artwork and other decorations. Area rugs lay beneath tables and chairs, the designs pairing well with the color scheme. As with the main stairwell in the front foyer, the small steps leading to a spacious rear bar area were also made ofmarble.
A bartender worked behind a fully stocked wet bar, creating whatever drink a guest wanted. Alexei would’ve loved a beer right about then, but Sean was determinedly striding toward the backyard, which meant he could only follow. The old-style French glass doors were propped open, allowing for an easy exit into the massive backyard and the warmnightair.
The large area was lit by floating lights that brightened the area with a warm-toned illumination. It fucked with Alexei’s night vision something fierce though, making him scowl a little as they made their way to the cluster of people holding court near the pool everyone else orbitedaround.
The pool was definitely the star attraction, built into a slight incline to give it two levels. The patio stretched the length of the home, running up against a strip of freshly cut green grass. The biodome and filtration fans regulated the temperature within Las Vegas to an acceptable warmth that wasn’t overwhelming, but it also deprived the city of actual weather. The lack of a breeze seemed weirdly out ofplace.
Several round tables were already set up on the large patio stretching the length of the house, the white linen tablecloths draping all the way to the ground. Alexei got a quick look at the multiple plates and flatware at each spot and his heart sank. Seemed like he was going to put Jamie’s etiquette lessons to good usetonight.
Sean elbowed him discreetly in the side as they skirted the two-level pool with its hidden grotto behind a gently flowing waterfall. “You have murder eyes going on right now,” Sean murmured in a lowvoice.
Alexei dutifully wiped the scowl off his face and blinked his eyes a couple of times, going for a bored expression instead. He could play at being nonthreatening for a little while if that’s what Sean needed. Though how long that would last was debatable once Alexei caught sight of the Wolcotts holding court amidst a group of guests. One dinner guest, in particular, made Alexei wish foragun.
“Yjob,” Alexei spat out under hisbreath.
He grabbed Sean’s wrist, too aware of what had almost happened last time they’d been together in Nikolaas Jansen’s presence to let him go. Sean’s only reaction was to tug his wrist free and tangle their fingers together. Sean’s hand was warm and dry, his grip firm as he led Alexei toward the group of people who were theirtargets.
Chloe brightened at the sight of them, smiling as she lifted a hand in greeting. The silver, formfitting cocktail dress she wore sparkled in the light. “I do believe our guests of honor havearrived!”
“Thank you for having us,” Sean politelyreplied.
“If it isn’t two of myfavoritepeople,” Jansen said with his own slick smile as he turned to face them. “Lovely to see you bothagain.”
The Dutchman was dressed similarly to Alexei and Sean, except the pattern he’d chosen for his shirt made Alexei’s eyes water. Jansen’s over-the-top style hadn’t changed in the wake of London it seemed, and neither had Alexei’s desire topunchhim.
Still sounding more British than Dutch due to his years attending boarding school in London for much of his childhood and teenage years, Jansen’s tall, lanky figure was backlit by a floating light. He’d grown out his curly blond hair a little, the casual styling bereft of any product. Alexei met Jansen’s hazel eyes with his own gray ones, thankful that Katie had erected mental shields in their minds just that morning. Alexei hoped they would be strong enough to stand up against Jansen’s empathy without Katie’s presence to backthemup.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Sean said as they came to a stop in the little cluster of people. “What brings you all the way outWest,Niko?”
“Business, of course. Adrian here had some questions about Ekaterina’s company. I was hoping she’d be heretonight.”
“She’s on abusinesstrip.”
“I’d ask about Jamie, but I just saw him on the news the other day, stumping with his father. How is thatgoing?”
“Well enough, if you look at the polls. They haven’t changed muchlately.”
Jansen’s gaze flickered down to their clasped hands as he took a sip of his drink. “Mm. I see some other things haven’t changedaswell.”
Alexei bared his teeth at the other man in something that might have resembled a smile in a cage fight somewhere. “Nyet. Wehaven’t.”
“It’s no wonder you survived the mess that was the gala.” Jansen half-turned, nodding at the man standing between him and Adrian. “I had a business lunch with them back in January before the gala. They had an unfortunate altercation with an ex-clientofmine.”
Alexei snorted. “Unfortunateforthem.”
Declan Wolcott’s attention moved from Jansen to Alexei, his brown eyes narrowing just a little. At thirty-nine, Declan was solidly built, more so than his older brother, with the straight-backed stance Alexei recognized immediately. As a former Army Ranger, some PT habits were hard to break, and Declan didn’t look like he’d broken any of them yet. The fabric of his navy-blue suit jacket stretched tightly over his broad shoulders as he raised his drink to his mouth forasip.
“Is that so?” Declan asked soundingbored.
“Alexei dislikes people encroaching on his territory,” Jansen explained, making his point by eyeing Sean ratherblatantly.
Sean very deliberately squeezed Alexei’s hand, silently reminding him to not do anythingstupid.
