She blushes, and even that’s captivating. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”
The ballroom is already overflowing with people when we arrive. Crystal chandeliers sparkle overhead, ice sculptures adorn the refreshment tables, and waiters circulate with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. All the major players are accounted for.
Across the room, I see Delan Tao with his daughter, Shufen.
Chloe’s hand tightens on my arm as we enter, relaxing after a few minutes, slipping into a role I’ve never seen from her before.
She laughs at something I say— loud, bright, and noticeable. Touches my arm constantly. Leans into me like she can’t bear to be separated by even an inch. The perfectly infatuated companion who can’t take her eyes off her man.
And to my surprise, she is very, very good at it. Almost too good.
“Basili Cierro.” Sergei Malenkov, the Russian patriarch himself, approaches. Tall, with sharp features and ice-blue eyes, he is memorable. “I must admit, I was happily surprised that you accepted my invitation.”
“Thank you for the invitation.” I keep my voice neutral. This is the man whose organization I suspect took my son, but showing my hand now won’t benefit the long game. “May I introduce my companion, Chloe Tao?”
I use her full name purposefully, watching for any sort of reaction. Her nails are digging into my arm as I do.
Sergei’s eyes flicker to her briefly, then back to me. “Charming, I’m sure. Please, enjoy the evening. The auction will begin in approximately one hour.”
As he walks away, Chloe leans closer, smile never wavering.
“Why did you tell him my last name?” She whispers.
“I wanted to see his reaction.”
We circulate the room. I introduce Chloe to various allies, rivals, and neutral parties alike. She’s perfectly composed every time, but I can feel her nerves becoming increasingly rattled each time I mention her last name. Her act never falters — sweet, a little silly, a little shy, clearly smitten with me, but not interesting enough to warrant being memorable.
It’s a masterful performance.
Then I spotted Delan Tao heading our way with Shufen at his side. Chloe’s entire body goes rigid when she spots them.
“I need to use the restroom,” she says suddenly, her voice tight. “I’ll be back.”
“Chloe —”
She slips her arm from mine and b-lines for the hallway where the restrooms are before I can stop her. I watch her go, frowning. That was abrupt and unexpected. As if she were running away.
“Basili.” Delan’s voice pulls my attention back. He’s reached me with Shufen in tow, both looking in the direction that Chloe went. “I didn’t expect to see you here. Especially not with… company.”
“Delan. Shufen.” I nod to them both, hyper-aware of Chloe’s absence. “She just needed to step away for a moment.”
“How convenient.” Delan’s false smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I had hoped we might continue our discussion from the other night before you so rudely left without a word of explanation.”
“Family emergency,” I say smoothly. “I’m sure you can understand.”
“Of course. I hope all is well now.” But his tone suggests otherwise, and his eyes keep drifting toward the hallway where Chloe disappeared. “Your companion. She looked… familiar. Do I know her?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, instincts screaming. “I doubt it. She’s not one of us.”
“Hmmm.” But he’s still watching the hallway with an intensity that makes me uneasy.
Shufen speaks for the first time, batting her eyelashes. “Perhaps we could arrange another meeting? To discuss the proposal?”
“Perhaps.” But I’m already looking for an exit, eager to get Chloe and get out of here. “If you’ll excuse me, I should check on my guest.”
I turn away before they can press further, moving toward the hallway, but I feel Delan’s eyes on my back as I go.
Something about that entire interaction felt wrong. The way he’d locked onto Chloe— or the hallway she’d fled to at least. His comment about her seeming ‘familiar’. The way Chloe had bolted the second she saw him approaching.
