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“It’s Elek, right?” I asked, hoping like hell King had been right when he’d told me a simple hair wig and eyeglasses disguise would be enough to keep the art thief from recognizing me. King had sworn the man didn’t pay much attention to the videos and photos since it was details of the investigations he wanted, not visuals of the investigators.
His eyes narrowed at me. “And you are?”
“Ethan Reeves. I’m finally in a position to acquire some higher-level artwork, and someone gave me your name as a collector who might be able to advise me.”
His forehead crinkled. “Who gave you my name?”
“Gene Vogler. He’s a member of my golf club in the Hamptons, and we get together on occasion for drinks and cigars in the city. The last time we met, he suggested if I ever had a chance to pick your brain, I should be sure to introduce myself to you. Well, imagine my surprise when I overheard someone say your name.”
The Hungarian seemed to relax a little at the mention of the contact’s name and the corroborating info about the club in the Hamptons. It was intel King had given me.
“What exactly do you want advice about?” he asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. I tried not to think about those muscular meat sticks causing harm to sweet King Wilde.
“I bought a Renoir at auction last month and hung it in my home office so I can stare at it when I’m supposed to be working,” I admitted with a grin. “But I haven’t done anything to bump up my home security, and I’m starting to get nervous about it.”
Bingo. The art thief was awake and interested.
“Tell me what kind of security you have so far.”
“Oh… uh…” I stammered, trying to act suddenly nervous. I looked around behind us. “I guess…” I laughed. “I guess it’s not like anyone in here needs the money enough to steal it. I don’t know why talking about it makes me so nervous.”
Elek smiled. It was predatory. “You can trust me. Besides, I have one of the top security consultants in Paris on retainer. Maybe I can refer you to him.”
“Oh, I… well, I’m not sure that’s necessary yet. I only have the one piece. Everything else is lesser known like Cross and Laugé.”
“What kind of security do you have for those?”
I began to rattle off the things I thought an idiot like Ethan Reeves would have if he didn’t know what the fuck he was doing. As I spoke, Elek’s face relaxed into a smile. King had been right when he’d said Elek’s greed often overrode his smarts. If that was the case, how the hell did he succeed in stealing the unstealable crown?
A soft lilt spoke in my ear. “Time to go.”
I stopped speaking and tilted my head at Elek. “You know… I feel like I’m monopolizing your time at this lovely party, and that wasn’t my intention. I really just wanted to introduce myself and maybe offer to take you to dinner, if you’d be open to that. I’m here for three more days. Do you have any free time for dinner or drinks? My boyfriend and I would love to host you.”
He seemed to consider it.
“Let me know the time and place, and I will check with my partner to see when he is available. Do you have a card?”
I pulled out one of the cards Ziv and Mouse had made for me. “I apologize again for interrupting your evening, but I really look forward to learning how better to protect my collection. I’ve heard about a Chagall coming up for auction soon, and I need to be ready if I have any hopes of keeping it safe. Thank you so much.”
I reached out to shake his hand, trying not to wince as he pulled the asshole move of trying to prove his manliness with his grip. Thank god Ziv had managed to get a copy of Elek’s fingerprints from a government database so I didn’t have to get them tonight.
I made my way out of the ballroom to the foyer where I recognized the back of King’s familiar build. After letting out a deep exhale and handing my valet ticket over to an attendant, I walked right up to him and slid my arms around his front, simply wanting his nearness to negate the manipulative man I’d just spent time with.
“I can smell his cologne on you,” King growled under his breath.
I leaned into his ear so I could speak without the sound being picked up on the microphones. “Maybe someone needs to scrub it off me in the shower.”
He turned around and launched himself at me, holding on tightly like we were long-lost lovers reuniting after a long separation. His body trembled against mine.
