Chapter 21 Nikolas
Nikolas
I expected this. If Andras and the Crimson Crew Clan are as powerful as Isidoro has made them out to be, then it’s no surprise we’ll be starting this operation without all the information we need.
“Don’t worry about it,” Tommy says, beating me to it. “Niko and I got this. We’ll get you Andras, make you a king, and then you’ll get the Crew off our backs.”
My adorable devil. Even in times like this, he’s not freaking out or losing it or begging me to leave him with Isidoro because he’s too scared. No, that’s not what Tommy is like. He’s the opposite in fact, ready to jump into the fray, even when no one in their right mind would.
I love this man.
Unable to stop myself, I kiss his head. “You heard the boss, Isi. We got this. You just make sure you hold your end of the deal.”
Isidoro places his hand on his chest and the other one on Tommy’s shoulder. “Of course, dear friends. I would never lie to you or cross you. You know that.”
I do, but then again, being the king of vampires wasn’t really ever on the table. Still, my gut tells me Isidoro is a good man, or vampire, that he values our friendship and he won’t try to screw me over.
We hang out in the SUV until the first guests arrive. Two security guards scan their invitations, working quickly and efficiently so as not to let a queue form. Unless you knew it was happening, you wouldn’t suspect a bunch of billionaires and vampires were gathering for a fancy ball here today.
“Okay. It’s time,” Isidoro says.
The driver twists around and hands him a ring box. Isidoro opens it and holds out the black ring to me. “Just in case. If things go south and you need us to storm in and crash the party, press and twist. It will send an alert to my phone.”
I put on the ring and nod. “Understood.” Then I grin. “Hopefully, it won’t come to that.”
Isidoro smiles. “Hopefully. Good luck.”
“Okay, Charlie,” I say as we exit the vehicle and watch it drive away. I know Isidoro will be somewhere close by, but it’s best not to be too close in case someone gets an idea. “It’s showtime. I hope you are ready.”
Tommy loops his arm through mine, showing off his brightest smile. “You bet, Anthony. Let’s kidnap us an evil vampire king.”
We pass the security check with no issue. They collect our invitations, check our IDs and let us inside the glass high-rise. From there, staff ties a leather cord around our wrists and accompanies us in the elevator to the penthouse, where the Gala is held.
“Thank you again for attending. Please enjoy yourselves,” they wish us as the doors of the elevator whoosh closed.
Music pulsates throughout the wide corridor which culminates in an ornate wooden door. Or doors, as there are two of them. On one side of the carpeted hallway, the cream walls are decorated with impressive paintings, while on the other, marble sculptures sit on pedestals.
“Hi, welcome,” the woman standing by the doors says before she opens them.
Immediately inside is a cloakroom, where staff are buzzing about sorting out coats and jackets. They take ours and pour us each a glass of champagne from an expensive-looking bottle. Tommy simply frowns at it, but I take a sip, loving the way the bubbly liquid trickles down my throat.
“Mask on, and let’s go,” I say, donning mine.
Once Tommy has his on too, we enter the heart of the penthouse.
The room, which must be a parlor of some kind, is huge, with glass-to-ceiling windows and heavy drapes.
A grand staircase leads to a second floor which crests the space on three sides with gilded railing.
The high ceiling above us is painted like a church, and it even culminates in a dome.
I’ve never quite seen anything like this, but I also have only visited two of Isidoro’s five mansions.
“Wow, they sure spared no expense here,” Tommy comments, eyes wide as he takes in the opulent furniture, the posh buffet, the string quartet and pianist playing on the stage by the windows, the rich and richest mingling around.
It’s not my first rodeo, so for me it’s easier to look past the superficial. But it’s his first time at an event like this, so I can understand how it can be both impressive and a little overwhelming.
“Can I go grab some food before we hunt down our target?” Tommy bats his long eyelashes at me. “Please?”
I study the table with finger foods, small cake bites, and scrumptious fruit bowls. Why the hell not? It’s not like Andras will make an appearance before all his guests have arrived.
“Sure. Just don’t overdo it on the sugar. You’ll be no good to me if you pass out from a food coma,” I warn him, looping an arm around his waist as I herd him toward the table.
“I’ll be careful, I promise.”
While Tommy goes on a mission to try every single food, I survey the room. With everyone wearing a mask, I can’t recognize any of the guests. Some people clearly know each other though, as they have formed little groups between themselves, chatting or laughing or doing both.
“Hi there,” a tall woman greets me, her dark skin and hair sparkling with glitter. She’s dressed in a pastel pink pantsuit that accentuates the color of her lips and eyes. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around at one of these before.”
She picks two glasses of wine and hands me one. I pretend to take a sip as I throw a quick glance Tommy’s way to make sure he’s still busy with the food. Satisfied he hasn’t gotten himself in trouble, I shift my attention fully to my new companion.
“Oh? And how would you know when we are both wearing masks?” I challenge her, giving her a once-over. Late twenties, dark brown curly hair in a high ponytail, golden bracelets and a necklace that suggests she’s someone.
She hums. “You are right. Then again, I don’t know half the people who go to such events, so it wouldn’t be surprising if we’ve never met each other, no?”
Somehow, her words only make my stomach more anxious. I’d expected to be approached, but my identity being questioned wasn’t part of the plan. After all, isn’t the entire idea behind the masks that we retain our anonymity?
“I’m Ria.” She offers me her hand, where an impressive diamond bracelet graces her wrist. “And you are?”
I cradle her hand and bring her fingers to my lips, praying Tommy doesn’t misunderstand this fake friendliness and use the carving knife he was just holding to chop her head off. I mean, if it was me and I saw this kind of thing, I’d probably lose it. No one can touch my precious gremlin.
Luckily, Tommy isn’t as crazy possessive as me. He is glaring daggers our way, but seems to have clued in on what’s happening. Yes, I’m the victim here. He nods ever so slightly and continues his taste-testing.
I let out a small sigh. “Anthony. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ria.”
“The pleasure is mutual.” She retracts her hand, pursing her lips slightly.
A twinge of fear spears through me. Did I mess up somewhere? Was I supposed to recognize the name or her? The silence stretches, heavy and awkward. I scratch my neck, the area under the collar suddenly itchy.
“Hi, I’m Charlie. What’s your name?” Tommy appears with a huge grin on his face just as I feel like she’s about to rip my mask off and announce to everybody I’m here to kidnap the host. “Oh, wow, I love your tiara! Is this real tanzanite?”
Ria’s attention shifts to Tommy immediately, like a hawk focusing on new prey. “It is indeed. I’m surprised you recognized it. Most people assume it’s amethyst.” She offers her hand. “I’m Ria.”
“It’s the slight blue glint. You can’t really miss it,” Tommy explains as they handshake. Then he cocks his head at me. “I see you met my friend, Anthony. Sorry if he was being weird, he’s rather new to this kind of event.”
Oh, I’m the newbie? A snort bubbles up to the surface, but I stifle it down. Actually, this might be good. It’s been a while, and my solitude as a priest in a small village has taken its toll. I’ll let Tommy have the lead here, so I don’t mess this up anymore.
“I noticed. But you seem to be doing just fine.” She finishes her wine and places the empty glass on the tray of a passing staff member.
“Only because those chocolate bites are god-tier.” He beams at her. “You have to try them! They are so good!”
With the two of them off to the buffet table, I can refocus on the task at hand. I didn’t plan to separate from Tommy, but with Ria deciding to approach me, I need somebody to babysit her while I locate our target. Strangely, he hasn’t made an appearance yet.
For the next half an hour, I scope out the entire room and the second floor. The attendees have doubled, the music is also louder now, but there is still no sign of Andras. Surely, he wouldn’t miss his own party, right?
I make my way to the balcony with potted palms and Japanese maples, needing a breath of fresh air. The noise is not so imposing here, muffled behind the thick glass. Leaning over the railing, I close my eyes and reach out to every remaining sense.
Light footfalls reach my ears before the intruder makes themselves known. “Jesus. Finally.” Tommy drapes himself on the railing next to me, bumping his arm into mine. “Ria seems nice, but a little sus. We should avoid her.”
“Thanks for handling her. I don’t know what got over me there—”
“You’re just rusty and out of practice. Don’t sweat it. Besides, we are partners and I got your back. Always.” He wrinkles his nose. “But please refrain from kissing any part of other people’s bodies, thank you.”
Here it is, that speck of possessiveness. “I will.”
Tommy rests his head on his arms and glances at me. “So, did you locate him?”
“No.”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? That he hasn’t made an appearance yet. I mean, it’s his party…”
Exactly. This is Andras’ party, and yet there’s no sign of him. Something doesn’t add up.
I rub the black ring Isidoro gave me, but don’t twist and press on it just yet. “Hey, I think maybe we should—”