Holy shit. It worked.
It’s quieter up here, the music and crowds a faded backdrop.
Deep voices and glasses clinking reach my ears as I slow my climb. My smile disappears, fear tightening my lungs.
“You can’t trust him. Something’s off.”
“He’s the dealer of secrets. Of course you can’t trust him.”
My mouth dries. They’re talking about Elias. Quickly, I take out my phone and start a recording.
“Ilir, you’re quiet. What do you think?” the first voice asks.
A click, followed by the smoky scent of a cigar. I press myself against the wall as I reach the landing. They’re just around the corner in one of those alcoves I spotted earlier.
“He has my father convinced. They’re inviting him to the Benefaction.” A low drawl—cultured, but with an accent. “But I don’t think the rest of The Six trust him yet.”
The Six. I saw that on the diagram.
I frown and press closer.
“Shit. We can’t let him win over the Carusos. They’ll be there this year.”
The Carusos. Elusive financiers. Their name was on the diagram too.
“Rumor has it Gabriel Caruso is making a play to take over The Association,” Ilir says. “We can’t let him align with Kent. What if he turns on us?”
“Gabriel? Daddy’s yes-man? Like The Scheduler would let that happen.”
“You think there’ll be a coup?” another unfamiliar voice asks.
“Definitely. If not now, then later. The Carusos are weakening ever since you know…what happened with their heir,” Ilir responds.
Heir? Gabriel? The Scheduler? This all sounds Greek to me.
My pulse quickens, and I tiptoe closer.
The stench hits first—cloying mint layered over expensive cologne and cigarettes.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand.
A large hand clamps around my waist. A wet exhale brushes my ear. I jerk, a strangled sound catching in my throat.
“Looks like you’re lost, darling.”
Chapter 30: THE FINE ?INE
I freeze, trepidation buryingme like an avalanche.
But poise and calm—all ingredients of an excellent head of PR—are second nature to me. And so I curve my lips into a generous smile and turn.
A heavyset man with dark eyes and a buzz cut leers, his gaze roving lazily down my body.
Lingering at my breasts.
Repulsed, I fight the urge to cover myself. “I’m sorry. I definitely lost my way.”
I bat my eyelashes for good measure.
