Page 34 of Deception & Desire

“Red is a business major,” Carmen answers for me.

This seems to capture his attention somewhat. “And what kind of business do you see yourself running?”

“Hopefully, not a drug empire,”Leon says in my ear.

I try to make the quirk of my lips at his words seem related to what I say out loud. “I actually make soaps and bathroom accessories. Bath bombs, ambience sprays, candles, that kind of thing.”

Unintimidating, unassuming. A novelty. Don’t look at me too hard.

It works. Amos instantly loses interest and refocuses on his daughter, telling her about all the people she needs to meet when he’s expected to give a speech. I listen for the practical facts, but nothing interesting is said.

I’m also too distracted by the thought of strangling Leon for almost making me break my cover.

Finally, Carmen kisses her father and returns to my side, saying her goodbyes.

“Thanks so much for the invite!” I call over my shoulder toward Amos as we walk away.

“That went well!” Carmen chirps happily at my side. “He definitely bought it. Nice touch with the bath bombs.”

“In another life, I think I would have made a pretty good artisanal soap maker,” I say wistfully, earning a laugh from my client as we glide across the room again.

“Red’s Apothecary has a good ring to it.”

I’m about to reply when someone reaches for Carmen’s arm. My knee-jerk reaction is to snatch at it, to yank them away frommy charge. But I squash the urge quickly—there are far too many people in this room for theatrics.

“Carmen,” he says, and my eyes snag on his red tie.

Carmen jolts slightly at the contact but seems to relax when she realizes who has caught her. “Ivan.”

“Can I talk to you?” He’s wearing a strained expression, dark eyes darting to me, then back to Carmen. “Alone?”

The debutant reaches for my hand, squeezing it twice.One for bad, two for good.

I take my cue gracefully. “Sure thing. I was just going to go find a bathroom. I’ll see you in a bit, Cammy?”

“What are you doing? I need intel on Ivan.”

I ignore him, wandering out of the ballroom and snagging a glass of fizzy alcohol from a waiter’s tray as I pass by.

This might be my only chance to get away from Carmen safely all night without jeopardizing my cover. I’m going to make the most of it.

When I enter the next room—a gorgeous conservatory-style dining hall—I make sure to stumble a bit, giggling as I right myself.

“Excuse me.” I approach the closest couple I can find. “Do you know where…where…the er…bathroom is?”

Predictably, they both move out of the way as soon as the amber liquid from my glass slops lazily onto the floor.

“Oops,” I mumble to their retreating figures. “I’ll go find someone to clean that…up.”

“What are you doing?”

I want to tell him that I’m collecting a few eyewitnesses to the drunken redheaded friend making a fool of herself, who can place me stumbling around the ground floor if anyone were to ask.

I dip out with another laugh and beeline it for the staircase I saw on my way in. I keep up my drunken act as I ascend. Nodoubt there are more than a few eyes at the party keeping a lookout for suspicious behavior.

But as I make it to the landing, there doesn’t seem to be anyone who follows me.

“You don’t have time for this. Carmen will be looking for you soon.”

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