The vamp needed no introduction; just about everyone in the greater metropolitan area knew his name, unless they lived under a rock. Not only did he own and operate several businesses in the city from nightclubs to restaurants, but he was also a big time philanthropist. Despite being wealthy as sin, he still managed to give back by donating to numerous charities and sponsoring local events like this one. He’d been named one of New York’s most eligible bachelors in some gossip rag.
“It’s great to finally meet you, Gillian.” When Kurt extended his hand to shake, a red signet ring on his pinky finger caught her eye. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Brooke.”
“Oh? Then I promise none of its true,” Gillian said ruefully. “How did you two meet?”
“I met Brooke on the charity circuit, and we realized pretty quickly that we had some mutual friends,” Kurt explained. His warm bemused tone affected Gillian in the way she suspected it did most women. He had quite the bedroom voice. “I was thrilled when she reached out to me. I’m always glad to help.”
From his crisp white shirt and conservative navy suit, Gillian could picture Kurt sitting at the head of a conference table with a bunch of blue bloods trying to figure out the best tax shelters for their millions. “I bet you haven’t lent your name to anything as colorful as speed dating?”
“I admit, this is a first, but speed dating sounds a lot more interesting than most of the benefits I do.” Kurt winked. “I’d love to hear more about it, and I’m sure some of my out of town colleagues would too. I’m headed up to the penthouse to meet some of them for a small get together. You two must join me. I can guarantee spectacular views of the skyline, a magnum of Cristal, and all the Beluga you can stand.”
“How could we turn down an offer like that?” Brooke piped up.
As much as Gillian should be jumping at the opportunity to network with a room full of movers and shakers, there was something about Kurt Lawrence that rubbed her the wrong way. Sure, he was rich…handsome, not to mention charming, but a little too smooth. Her mind drifted to Mulroney once more. Was he trying to give her a warning?
“Gillian?” Her cousin arched one perfectly shaped brow at her in a silent plea.
Nothing like being put on the spot. “Thanks for the invite, Kurt, but it’s getting late—”
“Nonsense. It’s still early.” Kurt pulled a key card from the inside of his designer suit jacket and placed it in Brooke’s hand. “A private elevator gets you to the Wow Suite. I look forward to seeing both of you soon.” He placed a kiss on the back of Brooke’s hand and then disappeared in a blur of speed.
“Before you say no, think about the connections Kurt has. There will be people up there who you could pitch your demo tape to.” A look of determination spread across Brooke’s face —one Gillian knew from experience. At this point, there was no stopping her cousin.
“Look, I know what you’re trying to do, and I appreciate it, but something about this doesn’t feel right. I’m all about networking, but doing it in a hotel room at midnight…” Gillian shook her head. “Not so much.”
She’d recently auditioned for a spot at a local radio station for her show, a mix of psychic readings and love advice. Prepping for months, she was sure she’d nailed the interview, and they seemed genuinely stoked by the number of her followers. Then, without so much as an explanation, the station manager sent her an abrupt email passing on both her and the show. But Gillian had a strong sense thatsomeonehad leaked her being at the center of a criminal investigation—that someone being Detective Garrett Mulroney. She continued to send out both her resume and demo tape, but no responses yet.
“I may have a personal stake in this. I’ve been waiting to get a meeting with Kurt Lawrence for months now. I read inFortunethat he took over some international dating service for elite singles, and let’s just say I’d like to be the experienced matchmaker on his speed dial. Besides, there will probably be a room full of handsome, wealthy vampires up there. I’m not letting this opportunity pass me by, and neither should you.” Brooke batted her eyelashes for effect.
“That’s not the point.” Gillian shook her head. “What do you know about this guy? I don’t trust him.”
“His reputation is pristine,” Brooke argued. “Do you think he got to where he is today by being a creep?”
Gillian choked back her laugher. “Should I answer that with a straight face?”
“Jeeze, stop being paranoid.” Brooke sat back down, slipped her heels on, and then stood. “I guess I’ll just have to go solo.”
“Brooke, please—”
“C’mon, Gillie, don’t make me do this alone.”
There was a note of vulnerability in Brooke’s voice that tugged at Gillian’s heart. “I can see there’s no stopping you.” Maybe she was being paranoid. “Fine, we stay for one glass of ridiculously overpriced champagne, and then we’re out of there.”
“Deal.”
* * *
As promised, the view from the penthouse offered a breathtaking landscape of the New York City skyline. A cool autumn breeze brushed Gillian’s shoulders, and she shivered, wishing she had remembered to bring a jacket. But then again she hadn’t planned on hanging out on the penthouse balcony at midnight.
“I’ve always wondered how the undead live.” Gillian sipped her champagne and then set the flute on the ledge. She pulled the thin strap of her evening bag across her body before glancing over at Brooke, who stood beside her with a dreamy expression on her face.
“I don’t know about you, but I could seriously get used to this.” Brooke took a sip from her flute and sighed. Everything was top shelf all the way, from the champagne to the caviar, which was being served by waitresses carrying gleaming silver trays along with chilled shots of Belvedere.
But there was something else going on that Gillian couldn’t quite put her finger on, a sense of unease that pricked along her skin. Call it psychic intuition. She caught a glimpse of some of the women at the party through the sliding glass doors. They were all young and attractive—all paired off with vampires, not a human male or demon in sight. It was rumored that vampires preferred to stay within their elite circles, but Gillian had never actually witnessed it until now.
Kurt appeared and placed a hand at the small of Brooke’s back. He whispered something in her ear that made her giggle. “I hope you two are enjoying yourselves. There are a few people I’d like to introduce you to, Damon Greystone being one of them. This is his party.” Kurt motioned to the people milling inside the suite. “He’s here somewhere.” Despite his looks and impeccable manners, there was certain smugness about the guy that seeped from his pores. It gave Gillian a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, and yet, for some strange reason Brooke didn’t seem to notice.
“Lead the way.” Brooke trailed behind him. When Gillian didn’t follow, she stopped midstride and called to her over her shoulder. “Are you coming? Think of it as fodder for your listeners.”
