Page 77 of Depths of Obsession
The crowd murmurs, a few polite chuckles mixed in.
“Since it’s such a lovely evening,” he continues, “I thought we’d do this on the roof—closer to the celestial heavens.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. When did he get so full of shit?Nico groans.I remember when Calaba used to be all business.
Art makes people poetic, but I think there’s more to this. I think he’s trying to tell us something about the pieces up for auction. I thought it was just the necklace, but now I’m not so sure.
Why the roof, though?Nico questions.
He’s right. Why the roof? Something about this doesn't sit right, and unease deepens within me. I thought I was prepared for anything, but falling in love with my wife has upped the stakes we’re facing here tonight.
CHAPTER 25
“Thanks for keeping me company, Carl. Not sure why Mr. Calaba brought me up here early.” I offered the man seated next to me a smile.
“Pippa, darling, you look gorgeous. None of those fuddy duddies downstairs can even compare to you. He wanted the world to see you on his arm. Take it as a compliment, darling. Although…” Carl leans closer, “he is a bit imposing, isn’t he? Shh,” he puts his finger to his lips. “Don’t tell.” He winks.
Suppressing a shudder, I shake my head. Carl is nothing if not amusing. “But why hold the auction up here?” I ask. “It’s a bit cold for this type of thing.” I shiver and wrap the fur stole a bit tighter around me.
“Well,” Carl leans in again, “several of the guests did not like the idea of not being able to bring their security in and the fact that they were not allowed to be armed. So, Calaba agreed to hold it outdoors so security personnel could keep it all under surveillance.” I glance up at the building across the way. Carl laughs. “Yes, that’s right. We’re being watched right now.”
“Wonderful. Why does that not make me feel better?”
Carl glances around. “I know just what you mean.” He gives a small shudder. “Darling, let me take your mind off things. Guess what Calaba is auctioning off? No, not just the necklace because I know you heard about the Queen’s Heart. But he’s also got a few other goodies. They are divine! He brought me in to verify their authenticity. Darling, they are magnificent. I cannot wait for you to see them.” He claps his hands like a giddy schoolgirl.
“Now you have me intrigued.” What the hell else could Calaba have up his sleeve? I’m almost afraid to find out.
The sound of voices reaches me. I turn in my chair and see Marcello with Ria Tailor on his arm. He sees me and narrows his eyes suspiciously.
The feeling is mutual, buddy. Ria glances in my direction but her face is a mask of indifference.
More people filter onto the flat section that Calaba had built. I recognize some but not many. This is a different level of client to the ones that enter Marcello’s gallery. I crane my neck but I still don’t see Luca. What if they didn’t let him in? Panic seizes me and my heart stutters.
As if summoned by magic, Luca and Nico emerge onto the roof, I let out a long sigh of relief.
Carl has left to chat with the guests and Luca slides onto his chair. “Are you okay?” he asks as he reaches out to hold my hand. “I am so sorry I couldn’t come get you. Calaba has almost as many security guards as there are guests,” he growls.
Nico sits down behind us. “Congratulations,” he all but whispers.
I give him a small smile. “Thanks.”
“Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary?” Nico asks.
I look at him. “You mean besides the fact that we’re attending a private auction on the roof of the Duomo?” I shake my head. “No, other than that, it’s all normal.”
Nico grins. “I like her,” he says to Luca.
“What my brother means, is have you noticed anything that gives any clue to what we’re all doing up here? Why the hell hold the auction on the roof? It’s cold. All the stoles and mulled wine are not going to keep people warm for long.”
“I do know the answer to that one,” I say, and I repeat what Carl told me.
Nico and Luca both fall silent like they’re listening to something. Is this another vampire thing?
Luca catches my eye and says, “Rocco.”
I frown and then suddenly I get it. Rocco is telling them something. They must be wearing earbuds. Damn, I wish I had one.
“He was just confirming what you told us. He and his brothers have discovered the security guards in the buildings around us.”
