Viktor's voice came through my earpiece. “Dom. Need you at north entrance. Sebastian wants introduction to new arrival.”
Perfect. Of course Sebastian had noticed Cal immediately.
“Come with me,” I said.
“Is that a request or a command?”
“It's me keeping you from getting arrested.”
“How thoughtful.” But he fell into step beside me, moving with quiet confidence through the crowd. “You look tense. Worried I'll embarrass you?”
“Worried you'll do something that makes my job harder.”
“Everything I do makes someone's job harder. That's sort of the point.”
Sebastian and Viktor stood near the portrait gallery entrance. Sebastian saw us approaching and smiled, the kind that meant he'd already clocked something interesting and was deciding whether to be amused or concerned. Viktor's expression stayed blank, but his eyes tracked our approach with professional assessment.
Cal extended his hand to Sebastian with exactly the right amount of respect and confidence. “Your Highness. Ken Hartley. Financial consultant. I apologise for the late addition to your guest list—administrative oversight on my end.”
Sebastian shook his hand, studying Cal with that particular attention he gave people who interested him. “Mr Hartley. How lovely to meet you. I wasn't aware we'd expanded tonight's attendance.”
“Last-minute circumstances. I hope it's not an inconvenience.”
“Not at all, though I'm curious what circumstances warrant infiltrating a palace function.” Sebastian's smile stayed pleasant. “And how you know our Head of Security well enough to warrant his immediate attention.”
Cal's mouth curved slightly. “Overlapping professional interests. Dom's been consulting on certain matters requiring discretion.”
Viktor made a sound that might have been amusement. “Discretion. Da. Dominic is very good at discretion.”
I shot him a look. He ignored it completely, too busy studying Cal with that intensity he usually reserved for actual threats.
“Well, Mr Hartley, welcome,” Sebastian said. “Do enjoy the evening. And do try not to wander into restricted areas. Security can be rather firm about boundaries.”
“I'll keep that in mind, Your Highness.” Cal's tone stayed perfectly respectful. “Though boundaries do tend to be flexible depending on context.”
Something flickered in Sebastian's expression. Recognition maybe. “How philosophical. Dominic, might I have a word?”
Viktor moved to stand beside Cal, proximity and posture making it clear Cal wasn't going anywhere unsupervised. I followed Sebastian three steps away, just far enough for privacy.
“He's trouble,” Sebastian said quietly.
“I know.”
“Do you? Because he walked in here like he owns the place and you looked at him like you weren't certain whether to throw him out or keep him close.” Sebastian's expression stayed pleasant for anyone watching. “What's really going on?”
“Nothing is going on.”
“Just be careful. Palace events attract attention. The kind that might complicate whatever this is.”
“Noted.”
“Good.” He touched my arm briefly. “Now go make sure your consultant doesn't accidentally cause an international incident.”
I returned to find Viktor and Cal in what looked like a silent standoff.
“He does not blink enough,” Viktor observed, still watching Cal. “Is suspicious.”
“I blink fine. You're just trying to intimidate me.” Cal's voice stayed level. “It's not working.”
