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At least with the conversation focused on Danilo, everybody ignores me. I look around, hoping to spot Angelo or Saint so I can excuse myself from Victor. I’m putting up a good front, but I’m completely tense. When I close my eyes I can still see Freddie’s bloody throat.
A server circles around to us, extending a tray of hors d'oeuvres. All the men take a few, but I’m feeling queasy enough that I don’t want to eat. On the other hand, I have no idea when my next meal will actually be.
I take a tiny quiche and smile at the server. “Thank you.”
Except our eyes meet, and what little appetite I had flees.
I know this man. I can’t place where I’ve seen him before, but I definitely know him. He’s gone before I can say anything else, making the rounds as usual.
I catch Victor’s arm, my heart racing, and politely interrupt in a lull in the conversation. “Would you excuse me, please? I saw an old acquaintance, and I so rarely have the chance to catch up with him.” I take the small quiche from Victor’s hand with a playful smile. “Thanks for this, darling.”
Victor’s eyebrows rise a bit, but after a few seconds he nods. “Of course.” To the men, he says, “What did I tell you? Women take what they want and then disappear once they have it.”
They all laugh, and I even manage an awkward giggle of my own. Then I press a kiss to Victor’s cheek and walk off, hoping to catch another glimpse of the server. Fuck, I should have told Angelo about what Freddie had said. But this is better, probably. I’m out here and can help. I don’t have to worry about something happening while I’m trapped.
Where have I seen that man before? I want to believe it’s a coincidence. There are only so many catering companies in the city, and it’s possible that Victor happened to hire the same one as my father.
But I don’t think I would have remembered a server’s face. Maybe I should be ashamed, but I don’t usually give the staff a second glance. I doubt Victor would use the same company my father has, even by accident. He would make Saint research all of that first.
The panic I felt from being parted from Angelo’s side has surged into adrenaline. I’m not sure why I’m so determined to protect them all of a sudden, but if my father sent Freddie, and if there’s a chance he sent another man too… They’re all in danger. Angelo may see it on his security check, or Saint may see it on the cameras, but those are only maybes. I gave Victor the only warning I could, but I have to do more.
I have to remember.
I pass a trash can and toss the two small quiches into it, glad to part with food that could potentially be drugged. My hands are sweaty, and I brush them awkwardly against my dress before I can stop myself. I’m flustered, but I can’t show it.
Instead, I smile at those I pass but act as though I have a specific destination in mind.
By some stroke of luck, I see Angelo up ahead. He’s alert, taking in his surroundings, and he sees me about the same time I locate him. He immediately starts pushing through the crowd until he gets to my side.
“What are you doing away from Victor?” he hisses into my ear as he grabs my arm. “You were supposed to stay with him.”
“I recognized someone,” I say, my voice hushed even as I fake a smile up at him and kiss his cheek like I’ve been looking for him and have finally found him—which is true, really.
Angelo freezes at that.
“Who?” He drapes an arm around my shoulders and starts leading me out of the grand hall.
“One of the servers, but… I don’t know from where. I need to see his face again.” I keep my voice low and intimate. If anybody sees us, it probably looks like we’re whispering sweet nothings to each other.
Angelo nods, but he doesn’t say anything else. Once we’re free of all the partygoers, he takes me down one of the side halls to a room with an electronic lock. He swipes a keycard and enters a door code before the door finally clicks open.
It’s the security room, with multiple monitors and computers. Saint is sitting in the middle chair, with two other men on either side. Security guards who have both seen me naked over the past month.
There’s no time to feel embarrassed though.
“Saint!” Angelo barks. “Can you pull up feeds with the servers? Lucia says she recognizes one of them.”
Saint glances up at us, a distracted look that turns into a full-fledged gape as he stares at me like he’s never seen me before in my life.
Angelo snaps his fingers in front of Saint’s face. “Focus.”
“Sorry!” Saint says, though his eyes linger on me another moment. “I didn’t recognize her with her clothes on.”
I glower at Saint.
He grins at me sheepishly. “You look beautiful?” he ventures.
“Saint!” Angelo says again. “There’s a fucking intruder with the servers. You can stare at her later.”
