Page 88 of The Devil's Fire

Mr. Roberts kept staring at me for a while, not uttering a single word.

Did I screw up?

“So, she’s not just a pretty face.” Mr. Roberts broke into a smile and looked back at Damiano. As I looked at Damiano, I noticed the way his eyes crinkled at the corners with a hint of a smile.

“She certainly isn’t.” Damiano agreed, and an overwhelming fluttery feeling hit me at his words.

“Let’s talk numbers.” Mr. Roberts told Damiano.

“Althaia, why don’t you join me at the bar while the men talk? If I hear them talk about business anymore, I might just fall asleep.” Elena laughed, and I gave an understanding nod. It could get tiring.

“Don’t go anywhere where I can’t see you.” Damiano whispered in my ear and kissed my temple when I told him I wouldn’t.

I followed Elena to the bar, and I sighed in relief when I sat down on the barstool, grateful to be off my feet.

“What’s your choice of poison?” Elena asked while waving over to the bartender.

“Anything really. I’m not a picky drinker.”

“I’ve got one for you!” She said excitedly. “Two liquid marijuanas, thank you.”

A liquid what?

“So, Althaia, I haven’t seen you around to these auctions before.” Elena spoke before I had the chance to ask what drinks she ordered.

“It is my first time here. Actually, my first time coming to an auction, really.” I smiled.

“Oh, you’re not missing out on much. It’s mostly the men going around, talking about their boring business and showing off who has the most money.” She rolled her eyes, and I laughed because so far, it really was what they were doing.

“Two liquid marijuanas.” The bartender gave us our drinks, and funnily enough, they were green.

I took a sip and was stunned by how fruity it was.

“It’s good, right? I discovered this drink on my vacation in Cancún.” Elena almost gulped down her drink as I gave her an approved nod. “Well, I have to say I’m surprised Damiano showed up with a date. He usually comes alone.” She picked out a mirror from her clutch and retouched her lipstick.

“He comes alone?” I asked, surprised. Even though I didn’t like to think of the women he had been with in the past, I did somehow expect he would show up to these kinds of things with a date.

“Oh no, sorry! He came with that woman… Oh, what was her name …” She tapped her nails against the glass of her drink. “Yes, Sienna was her name! He showed up with her a few times, but then suddenly came alone. Such a long time ago. I almost forgot about her.” She said nonchalantly and finished her drink.

“Who was she?” I didn’t bother to be discreet with my curiosity about the mystery woman.

“Hmm, I’m not too sure. I think they were engaged or something. She was wearing a remarkable ring on her finger, and I remember that because I was impressed with the piece of jewelry. As you can see, I’m a bit of a fan.” Elena laughed, running a hand across her neck, and flicked her hair back to show her long earrings.

“It shows.” I chuckled.

Elena excused herself to the lady’s room, leaving me alone at the bar with my thoughts. Damiano has been engaged?

“Why is such a beautiful lady sitting alone?”

The sudden sound of someone speaking next to my ear made me jump. The man chuckled at my jumpiness and sat down on the barstool where Elena previously sat.

“I’m Alexei Vasiliev.” He introduced with a faint Russian accent.

“I’m Althaia.” I gave a tight smile. He didn’t look scary, but I was wary of him since he had basically sneaked up on me.

“Just Althaia?” Alexei chuckled and took a sip of his drink.

“Why do you need more information? I don’t know you.” I said with a brow raised.

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