Well, I sure as hell wasn’t going to just stand around looking at art while the men tried to flirt and sneak their way to a solution.
Moreover, with all the guards around, I was liking plan B less and less. Damian might have a reputation as a brilliant thief, but Alejandro had cut off Dragan’s finger for trying to steal from him.
I didn’t want us to end up in the same predicament.
The irony would kill me.
Minutes later, my heels clicked on the floor as I moved across the central room at the reception where we’d entered.
The two guards at the bottom of the double staircase stared at me gruffly, the closest one adjusting his grip on the gun slung over his chest. I painted on my most charming smile but could immediately smell their suspicion and the restrained violence masked by their casual stances.
Nope. Hard pass. Maybe I’d try a back entrance. There had to be another way upstairs.
Feigning drunkenness, I swayed a little before turning around and stumbling back down the hall. It seemed to work because the scent of their suspicion quickly turned to distaste.
As soon as I was out of sight, I hurried the other way. I passed a few locked doors, silently cursing, and was about to give up when I noticed a lonely guard standing watch at the end of the hall.
He didn’t look more than eighteen, and his eyes dragged over my body as I sashayed toward him.
If Jack-ass-son was going to give me a hard time for looking good and smiling, I might as well use it to my best advantage.
I pressed my hand to my chest and hurried over. “Oh, my goodness, I’m glad I found someone in this maze of a place. I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
His brown eyes twinkled with interest and desire, and he swallowed hard. “Of course. How can I, uh, assist you?”
“Wonderful. I’ve been running all over, but haven’t found anyone competent at all.” I glanced up at him through lowered lids and flashed him a coquettish smile. “I travelled all the way here from Chicago, and well, I was hoping to make Alejandro’s acquaintance, but it seems he won’t be coming down tonight. Is there any way that you could arrange a meeting for me?”
He shifted with unease, glancing down the hall behind me before smiling awkwardly. “I’m afraid that’s not possible. Mr. Rivera only meets with guests or artists by appointment.”
Artists? I could do that. Time for a bit of bluffing.
“Of course. My name is Savannah Caine. I’m sure he’s heard of me. A number of my pieces have created a bit of a stir in the Chicago scene as of late. I’d really like to discuss my latest work with him before it goes on show next week, but there was just no way for me to arrange an appointment.”
A little embarrassed at the ruse, I took a tip from the bitch in the garden and traced my finger over the guard’s chest. “I’m sure you could make that possible.”
A rosy blush spread over his tanned features like the magic paint on the artist’s canvas. “Of course, Ms. Caine. Let me send word up to him, if you’ll wait one minute.”
He disappeared around the corner and spoke in hushed voices with another guard, who eyed me suspiciously. Two minutes later, he returned with an apologetic expression on his face.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Caine, but Mr. Rivera does not see anyone without a prior appointment. No exceptions.”
I was tempted to press the matter, but I knew it would be fruitless. The other guard’s expression was all iron and malice. Suddenly, he started toward me, suspicion burning in his eyes.
Making my exit as quickly as possible, I headed back to the garden as frustration tore me apart.
I was certain that if we could just speak to Alejandro, the brooding vampire would be sympathetic. Dragan had robbed him, after all. The only thing better than vengeance was vengeance twice over.
We just had to find a way to get his attention.
Temples throbbing, I glanced up at the vampire on his high balcony. I wasn’t used to mingling with rich folk, but I could read people well. Alejandro Rivera was a king in his castle, and as far as he was concerned, we were peasants groveling for his entertainment.
At that moment, the king was leaning forward over the railing, intently watching the artist in the green smock paint. That hack with the magic brushes had the best position in the entire place, directly in Alejandro’s line of sight.
My fingers flexed.
It was time to get noticed.