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“It’s possible. I do know how to spot a deal.” William tilted his head to the side. “Do you still have that ancient Etruscan statue I, er, acquired for you?”
“It is a centerpiece of my collection.” Egerton looked to Clary. “This man has always had an impeccable eye. His mind’s a steel trap for the most obscure datum regarding valuable relics and artifacts sourced around most of the continent and a good bit of Asia.”
“Not sure what else to do with a degree in art history,” William said lightly.
Clary clicked her tongue. “I think we both know your education is far more extensive than that.”
Anne looked between the three of them. They continued with a superficially pleasant conversation that had so many barbed undertones that it was hard to believe no one would need stitches afterward.
“Oh, this song is beautiful,” Anne cooed.
William looked down at her with a mixture of scolding and amusement. “I suppose that’s my cue. Enjoy the gala.”
The moment their backs were turned, Anne met William’s eye. He bit his lower lip and said nothing until he’d placed one hand on her lower back and the other on her shoulder.
“Subtle, and not too aggressive. I think you charmed the she-beast over there,” William said.
“She was nice.” Anne moved with William as they circled around the dance floor. “No, really. What’s your history with her?”
“I told you. Schoolmate. Frenemy. That’s about it.”
Anne frowned. Her stomach grew fluttery as he pressed against her, and the wave of dizziness was not from the dancing. William swung her around for a low dip and grinned wickedly.
“Are you jealous?”
Anne huffed. “I have a wire, you jerk.”
“I’m sure Jeffers has heard worse. I’m sure he’s said worse.” William pulled her up and moved his face close to hers. He mouthed: “Turn your mic off.”
“No,” she replied silently.
William squeezed her close. “Fine. Let me give you a rundown of what I’ve sorted out here.”
***
Soft, jazzy crooning surrounded them as they danced, and the lights from above cast a warm glow over Anne’s face. She had been a vision all night, but right now, William couldn’t take his eyes off of her even if he tried.
William filled her in on the conversations she’d missed while making friends with the Egertons. He hadn’t gotten confirmation that Egerton was the one following him, but it was clear that Jarvis Pigg hadn’t ever worked for the man. William had asked after Pigg under the pretense that he was looking for some extra security.
“He’s definitely one of Santiago’s men. Well, was. So either Pigg double-crossed him, and Sant ordered him taken out, or someone had him killed as a message to his boss,” William told her.
“So, it could still be Egerton,” Anne said. “He’s the one who tried to have you killed before, and it’s the same mark. And you said that these guys only left a body if it was a message.”
“You’re right. Nothing says I love you like a bloody corpse.”
Anne ignored his tone. “Jeffers found quite a few cases that sported that mark. No one connected them together before because the mark looks random. We’ve been trying to connect those victims back to Egerton somehow.”
“But not all of them connect,” William surmised. At her surprise, he smiled and gave her a twirl. “This is the work of a hit man. He probably works for more than one man.”
“That makes this complicated.”
William pulled her close. “Everything’s complicated with us, love.”
“Why do you have to do that?” she whispered.
It was a fair question since he knew they couldn’t be together, and he also knew from their morning in his hotel room that she was uncomfortable being so near to him. William couldn’t help wanting her. It was at once animal and deeply personal. He could spend the day in bed with her or just talking with her, and he would be almost equally as happy.
Actually, that reminded him of the entire weekend they’d spent in bed together. They’d barely gotten up for food. He grinned as he thought about how gingerly she’d moved toward the shower that Monday morning.
“I’m glad the threat to my career makes you so happy,” she drawled.
“I was just thinking about that weekend in Napa.”
Anne’s cheeks colored. William let her go for another twirl. She came back into his arms looking flustered and angry. He should really stop teasing her.
The song ended, and she left the dance area and picked up a glass of champagne. It was her first of the night. He’d been watching, and she’d been very careful not to imbibe anything while they were working. So diligent. So responsible.
