Chapter 12 #2
“Oh yes. Everyone’s speculating about what brought him out of hiding.” Caroline’s smile was filled with intrigue. “Most people think it’s either a major business deal or a woman. Some think it’s both.”
“People can speculate all they like,” Claudia said, borrowing Sullivan’s earlier ease. “Sam makes his own decisions for his own reasons. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Diana said with a knowing look. “You don’t strike me as someone who’s just along for anything. I suspect there’s a core of steel under that sweet exterior.”
Claudia didn’t know how to respond to that, so she took another sip of her margarita instead.
“Tell us about tonight,” Margot said, changing the subject. “What are you wearing? More of Maurice’s work, I assume?”
“How did you know?”
“Darling, Sam wouldn’t trust anyone else for something this important.” Margot waved a hand dismissively. “Maurice dressed half the women who’ll be at the gala tonight. His work is unmistakable.”
They spent the next twenty minutes discussing fashion, designers, and the various attendees expected at the evening’s event. Claudia mostly listened, absorbing information and trying not to feel overwhelmed by how much these women knew about a world she’d only just entered.
Sullivan caught her eye at one point and gave her a subtle thumbs up, as if to say she was doing fine. The gesture was surprisingly comforting.
When the men finally emerged from the salon, Sam immediately sought her out with his eyes. She felt that connection like a physical thing, a tether that pulled tight across the deck. He moved to her side, his hand finding her waist in a gesture that was becoming familiar.
“How was your conversation?” he murmured, low enough that only she could hear.
“Enlightening,” she murmured back. “How was business?”
“Productive. Mark’s connections are even more extensive than I realized.” His thumb traced a small circle against her back, the touch sending sparks up her spine. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. They’re…” She paused, searching for the right word. “They’re nice. In a slightly terrifying way.”
Sam’s quiet chuckle rumbled through her. “That’s an apt description of most people in this social circle. All manners and charm with daggers hidden behind their backs.”
“How comforting.”
“You’re doing great,” he said, his voice soft with something that might have been pride. “They like you. I can tell.”
Before Claudia could respond, Mark announced that lunch was ready. They moved to the dining table, and Claudia found herself seated between Sam and Thomas Laurent, with Sullivan directly across from her.
The meal was exquisite. Course after course of beautifully prepared food, each plate a work of art. The conversation flowed easily, touching on business, travel, the upcoming gala, and carefully avoiding anything too personal or controversial.
Claudia let Sam take the lead in most discussions, only contributing when directly addressed.
She was content to observe, to learn the rhythms of this world she’d been thrust into.
The way information was traded like currency.
The subtle alliances and unspoken hierarchies.
The careful dance of saying much while revealing little.
It was exhausting and fascinating in equal measure.
“So, Sam,” James Winters said as dessert was being served, “word is that Abdul Kettering will be at the gala tonight. Are you planning to speak with him?”
Claudia felt Sam tense beside her, though his expression remained neutral.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Sam said mildly. “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious. I know you’ve been expanding into some of the same markets he operates in. Thought there might be some professional overlap.” James’s tone was casual, but Claudia caught the underlying current of…something. Warning? Curiosity?
“If our paths cross, I’m sure we’ll exchange pleasantries,” Sam said. “But I’m not seeking him out specifically.”
“Probably wise,” Robert Liu said. “Kettering has a reputation for being difficult. And weird. Brilliant businessman, of course, but a bit of an odd duck.”
“He’s dangerous,” Thomas said bluntly. “I’d advise keeping your distance, Sam. Nothing good comes from getting involved with his operations.”
“Noted,” Sam said. “I appreciate the warning.”
The conversation moved on, but Claudia caught Mark’s eyes on her briefly, assessing. He knew something. Or suspected something. She’d have to ask Sam about it later, when they were alone.
After lunch, as the yacht made its way back to the marina, Claudia found herself standing at the rail with Sullivan, watching Monaco approach.
“You did well today,” Sullivan said quietly. “I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Was it that obvious I was out of my depth?”
“Not to them. But I’ve been where you are. The outsider trying to navigate a world with rules no one bothered to explain.” Sullivan glanced at her. “It gets easier. And if it helps, I think you and Sam are sweet together.”
“We’re not—”
“I know what you’re going to say. You’re colleagues.
It’s complicated. Maybe it’s not even real.
” Sullivan’s smile was gentle. “But I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching.
And I’ve seen the way you respond to his touch.
Whatever you two are telling yourselves, there’s something there. ”
Claudia’s throat felt tight. “It doesn’t matter. After this weekend, things will go back to normal. I’ll go back to being just his consultant.”
“If you think that’s possible after all this, you’re lying to yourself.” Sullivan squeezed her hand. “Sometimes, the mission is just the excuse. The thing that pushes you into facing what was already there.”
Before Claudia could respond, Nick appeared at Sullivan’s side, sliding an arm around her waist. “Ready to head back to the hotel, beautiful?”
Sullivan leaned into him with easy affection. “Yes. Did you have fun talking business with the boys?”
“Mark’s planning something big. I can feel it.” Nick’s gaze shifted to Claudia. “You did good today. The other women liked you. That’ll make tonight easier.”
“Thanks,” Claudia managed, then cringed a little. “I think.”
Nick laughed. “Trust me, in this world, being liked by the right people is half the battle. You’ve got an ally in Diana Liu now, and that woman knows everyone worth knowing.”
As they disembarked and said their goodbyes, Claudia felt the weight of the evening ahead settling on her shoulders.
The casual luncheon had been practice. It was intended to be a warm-up for the main event.
Tonight was the opening ball, where a selection of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful people would gather in one place.
And somewhere in that crowd would be Abdul Kettering and whoever he’d brought with him. Very possibly, he could have brought one of his pet Venifucus mages, which could make the evening very interesting, indeed.
Sam’s hand found hers as they climbed into the car that would take them back to the hotel.
“You were amazing today.”
“I barely said anything.”
“You said exactly the right amount. You listened, you observed, you didn’t overshare.” He laced his fingers through hers. “You’re a natural.”
“I don’t feel like a natural. I feel like I’m faking it, and everyone can tell.”
“That’s what confidence is,” Sam said with a slight smile. “Everyone’s faking it. The trick is not letting them see you sweat.”
Claudia leaned her head back against the seat, suddenly exhausted. “How much time do we have before we need to start getting ready?”
“A few hours. You should rest. Maybe take a short nap.”
“I should practice keeping my magic under control so I don’t accidentally sparkle at anyone tonight.”
Sam’s thumb stroked across her knuckles. “The sparkles were beautiful. But yes, probably best to save those for private moments.”
Private moments. Like there would be any of those tonight. Like there could ever be any real private moments between them when everything was wrapped up in missions and cover stories and careful pretense.
But his hand in hers felt real. The warmth of his touch, and the gentle pressure of his fingers was real.
He felt more real than anything else in this strange, glittering world she’d fallen into.
Maybe Sullivan was right. Maybe the mission was just the excuse, and what was happening between them had been inevitable from the start.
Or maybe Claudia was just tired and overwhelmed and reading too much into every gesture and glance. Either way, in a few hours, she’d be walking into the opening night’s ball on Sam Kinkaid’s arm, and nothing would ever be quite the same again.