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I rounded the corner and saw a man in a black suit holding a sign with my name. Fredo had the rare ability to make me feel like an ass. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I’ve spent the six hours cramped up on two different planes. I’ve lost three hours of my day, thanks to the time change, and I don’t even likeflying.”
With a chuckle, Fredo corrected me. “You love flying. You hate flying in a plane,” he teased. “I’ll message Peri and let her know you’re on your way. I’m sure she’ll berelieved.”
Immediately, the image of the smiling, violet-eyed beauty came to mind and my mood improved, if ever so slightly. “Okay, let me get going.” Then I ended the call and wandered over to the driver. “I’m Mishal,” Iannounced.
“Hello, Mr. Draco. I’m Stephen. I’ll take you to the Biltmore.” He reached for my bag, but I couldn’t in good conscience let him carry it. The man had to be pushingsixty.
“It’s okay, man. It’s light. But thanks for the offer.” I grinned and motioned for him to lead theway.
Soon enough I was in the back of a black Lexus SUV. I’m not a car guy. I didn’t pay attention to the model. What I did notice: people. I’d be on high alert for the rest of the trip, however long it lasted and no matter where it took me. “Are you employed by the Biltmore?” I watched the driver’sreaction.
With a shake of his head, he responded, “I work for Draco Investments. The main office is in New York City, but there are smaller offices around the globe, including the one here inAsheville.”
“Nice.” I nodded. “And what’s this thing I’m attending? I didn’t receive a lot of detail before I hopped on the plane.” This was a complete lie. I made Fredo tell me everything he knew. I refused to walk into a situation blind, especially when lives were at stake and one of them could be myown.
“Well, this is some third quarter earnings party, I think. They decided to host it at the Biltmore. It will be attended by their most important clients.” He chuckled. “I’ve been shuttling people all day. Practically everyone who had a private jet needed groundtransportation.”
“So, is this a big party?” My brow furrowed while I took in everything, both what was said and leftunsaid.
He shrugged. “Not as big as some. This is a rather intimate gathering of thirty or forty people. I’m notcertain.”
“Thank you.” I sank down in the seat, into a more comfortable position while I tried to watch the landscape and memorize the roads wetraveled.
“Did they happen to mention this is something of a costume party?” Stephen peeked at me through the rearviewmirror.
My brows arched. “Actually, they didnot.”
“Yes, it’s a Shakespearean themed party so everyone is in Elizabethan attire.” He peered over his shoulder when we hit the first stop light. “I don’t suppose you have a tux in the bag at the veryleast?”
I laughed. “I’m not a tux guy. Or a costume guy. I’m a jeans, leather, and Harley kind ofguy.”
“We can stop along the way, sir.” Once again, he seemed to be staring atme.
“What?” Igroaned.
“Just trying to guess how tall you were in order to speed this process up,” Stephenexplained.
I sighed. “I’m six feet, six inches tall. You could try asking.” Then I rubbed my eyes. The travel had drained me. I’d spent three days on a bike to reach California, only to basically spend the night and fly out the next morning. I didn’t see a way I could possibly be more miserable. Then my stomach growled, proving me wrong again as I added hunger to my growing list of complaints. “Do they have food at thisshindig?”
“Yes, sir. I hear duck is on the menu, along with a variety of vegetables and pies.” Lines appeared around his eyes and I suspected he was trying to hide hislaughter.
“Do rich people not eat?” I frowned, realizing the irony of my question, since there was a distinct possibility I was worth more than the entire partycombined.
“Oh,” the driver lookedaway.
“Yes, I’m wealthy,” I assured him. “I’m simply more comfortable in realclothes.”
Stephen smiled. “Well, we can go through a drive thru on theway.”
My eyes widened. “Burgers. Big. Juicy. Loaded. And fries. I want to hear my arteries clogging while I eat.” I rubbed my gurgling stomach. “Oh, and a soda the size of my head. I’m dying backhere.”
An hour later, I was fed and dressed, while we approached the Biltmore. Apparently, all the guests were booked at the Inn and being transported to the estate for the party. I wasn’t ready to commit to staying yet, so I made other plans. “Hey, Stephen, do you mind if I just leave my bag in your trunk? I’m already in costume and feel like a complete freak, since you made me wear it from theshop.”
“You look fine, Mr. Draco. And I’ll add this to my collection,” he joked as I passed him thebackpack.
“Collection?” I eyed himcuriously.
“Yeah, I’m holding onto a couple of bags for Miss Peri too.” He shrugged. “No one else is using the car tonight. And I believe a shuttle was booked for the airport tomorrow. My services and my trunk are allyours.”
