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The warning is falling on deaf ears, I’m sure. Ames is horrible with time management, but I try to remind her regardless.
“It’s an hour drive back to town and you know how it gets upstairs if we arrive too late.”
A wicked grin splits her lips, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief to think about the fun to be had at Myth.
“Granger is supposed to show up tonight.” Another sparkle in her eye. “Although he still can’t control me. It drives him nuts.”
“Slut,” I tease.
“Whatever. I’m young and in charge of my sexuality. And that man floats my boat in so many ways. It doesn’t matter that he’s my boss.”
She lifts her chin at the mansion.
“Let’s do this and get out of here.”
We climb out of the car and stroll up the long driveway en route to the front entry. Casting my gaze up to the third-floor windows, I try to remember how long it’s been since I’ve spent any significant time in the mansion.
At least ten years, I think, back when I was young and trying to grow up too fast. My father would bring me along every time he visited the governor. I would spend time with his daughter, Ivy, for however many hours we stayed.
Wondering if Ivy is here tonight, I run up the steps of the large porch with Ames beside me. We nod at the valets as we pass, and I turn to lock eyes with one of the security personnel. He presses a finger against his earpiece, says something so low we can’t hear, but then waves us inside the mansion.
He must remember me from the other day when I came to pick up the flash drive. Now that we have a copy of it, there’s no need to keep the original. It’s why I’m here tonight. The governor is desperate to know what’s on the drive, but he didn’t want the original out of his hands for longer than a week.
I’m not sure what could be so important about the drive, but it’s not my place to ask questions. As my dad has always told me, the less I know about his business, the safer I am.
Once inside, a low whistle blows over Ames’s lips.
“Check out this place. I hate to think what it costs.”
The mansion is quite impressive with a grand staircase that begins in the foyer and winds through the open space. With the sinuous curve of a snake, it continues out into the back portion of the house.
Crystal chandeliers hang gracefully from architectural ceilings, the floor a glimmering marble that appears freshly polished.
Around us, people mill about in tailored tuxedos and sparkling gowns, their clothing at odds with how casual we’re dressed.
Having grown up around powerful families, I’m not as impressed as Ames with the obvious display of wealth.
Not that her reaction is surprising.
She’s only told me a small amount of her past, but I know her family was dirt poor. She was raised with an older brother and a single mom. They spent a lot of her childhood struggling to get by and moving around frequently.
A couple strolls past us, their eyes cast in our direction for only a second before we’re dismissed as unimportant.
Another couple walks behind them. But this time, the woman, with her beautifully styled updo, is sure to take a long, disapproving look at Ames, her eyes sweeping down and back up, a small scowl crooking the corner of her lips to see pastel blue hair.
Ames laughs beside me.
“See? Like I guessed. They’re snooty. What she doesn’t know is that her husband’s dick just came alive to see me.”
“Behave,” I warn, unable to keep from laughing. “I just need to find the governor, and then we can get out of here.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” she answers, her expression telling me the opposite. “I’ll also go mingle while you do what you need to do. Grab me on your way out.”
Her eyes follow two men who approach the staircase to make their way up.
Both are tall and well-built.
One has lighter hair that is a touch longer than usual among these types.
