“There’s our lovely pilot!” Mavis leaned forward with a smile that was a little too large. “Would you like some champagne? I think we still have some!”
Without waiting for a response, she wandered off to the kitchen, her steps a little uneven. When she came back out she was holding a bottle that was almost dry. There couldn’t be more than a couple of tablespoons left inside.
“I’m sorry, Captain, but apparently Ava and I drank most of it.” She giggled.
Considering that I’d not finished my first glass, I knew there was no way we’d gone through an entire bottle. Mavis was putting on a good show though.
“Not to worry, Miss Thomasino.” He handed her a bunch of flowers. “Your company is more than enough. And please call me Patrick.”
“Flowers! Oh, look at this, Ava.” She turned and gave me a sly smile. “He brought me flowers.”
“I’ve also brought some for the lovely Ava.” He handed me a bunch of red roses wrapped in newspaper.
Giving him a large smile, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Patrick. That’s so sweet.”
“Most definitely my pleasure.” He smiled down at me and his fingers chucked my chin while his eyes ran over my tiny dress. I ignored the nasty smirk and let him throw his arm over my shoulder. “Are you ready to go eat? I’m starving.”
His thumb rubbed a little circle on my arm and I suppressed a shudder. He hadn’t stuck his tongue in my ear yet. If Mavis could get through that, then I could definitely get through his leering and innuendos.
I had to. If we didn’t figure out what was going on, I was going to end up dead eventually and they might find Tessa.
If they hadn’t already.
DINNER WAS TORTURE. Pretending to find Patrick interesting was exhausting. I still didn’t understand why he had latched onto me instead of Mavis. Things would have been much simpler. Owen had slipped into his comfort zone, despite his occasional glare in Patrick’s direction. The drive around Paris would have been wonderful if Patrick hadn’t been so intent on running his hand up my leg. I tried to pretend I didn’t care, but when he came dangerously close to my thigh sheath I tapped his hand playfully and made a tsking sound. His eyes glinted with amusement and his soft chuckle tickled my ear.
That was the key to stringing the idiot along. He liked the chase and enjoyed the final conquering. If I kept playing hard to get and giving him little rewards from time to time, he would keep following me.
No lights announced the illegal casino. No intricate signs declared the location. Cars were staggered in a way that you couldn’t see anyone as they exited their vehicles and went inside.
Two men were visible just outside of the door, but I knew from the research Owen had done that there were a dozen more within a few feet of that entrance. Would they search me for weapons? Did I look suspicious?
I shivered and Patrick looked down at me.
“Are you cold?”
“I should have realized that it would be chilly tonight,” I sighed dramatically. “But I really wanted to wear this dress.”
“Well, I’m glad you did.” He winked at me before pulled out of his tuxedo jacket.
Owen was watching him with a carefully guarded expression.
“Oh, no. I couldn’t take your coat. I’m sure it’ll be warmer inside.” I shook my head with a sad smile.
“I’ll be fine.” He wrapped the coat around my shoulders and for the first time I thought maybe he wasn’t as bad as I had thought. “I like seeing you wear my clothes.”
And that thought didn’t last very long.
I looked out of the limo window and barely made out the profile of a man melting out of the shadows. I pulled the jacket tight around me and allowed the young guy to help me out of the car. Patrick placed his hand on the small of my back and I pulled away. Had he noticed the guns strapped under my clothes?
“This way.” He nodded at a large man standing to the left of the door. “Good evening, Vitz.”
“Nice to see you, Patrick.” The man stepped forward and I tried not to wince at the scar running down the left side of his face. His voice had a slight accent. If I had to guess I would say he was originally from Russia, but had lived elsewhere for a long time. “Have you cleared your guests?”
“Of course. She’s aware that I added them to the guest list.” He rattled off our fake names and passed Vitz a business-card sized piece of cardboard that he pocketed.
“Go on.” Vitz looked us all over with an expression of disinterest…until he got to Owen. “Hold on. What’s your name?”
“Owen Vander.” He kept his hands calmly at his side. Patrick turned to watch, but didn’t offer any help.
“Vander.” Vitz said the name slowly, as if he was waiting for something. “Where are you based?”
“I’m sorry?” Owen leaned his head toward Vitz with a confused expression.
“You freelance, or do you work for a firm?” Vitz leaned his head back, taking in Owen’s appearance.
“I’m an investment manager.” Owen shrugged. “I do contract work from time to time, but right now I’m working with Miss Thomasino full time.”
“I think he believes you’re my bodyguard.” Mavis wrapped her arm around Owen’s waist and smiled up at him. “It’s a compliment. He thinks you look tough and scary.”
“Me? Of course I’m tough and scary.” Owen jabbed a thumb into his chest and stood up a little taller.