Page 63 of Seduction in Blood
"Why is he always picking you out of the crowd?" I whispered as Devon moved us quickly to the second floor.
"He knows I've started something, and he wants me to know he's watching, as if the warning to the Council wasn't enough."
"Does this mean we're aborting?" I kept my voice low, whispering into his ear.
He shook his head. "I'll keep an eye on him."
I glanced around and found Simone leaning against a marble column, a drink in hand. Some man chatted away as if she was paying attention. I finally found something to smile about.
"Stay away from him."
I snorted. "Yeah, that won't be a problem. Although, Anna must have forgotten the lesson on stables in her curriculum."
"Let it go."
Right. That wasn't going to happen, but I agreed tonight wasn't the time.
He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Showtime."
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Devonand I positioned ourselves on the second floor near the balcony so we could monitor most of the ballroom.
"There are two men on the third floor." Sergi stepped next to me and passed each of us a glass of champagne. "One man at each of the two staircases, as we predicted." He nodded at a passing vamp before continuing, "There's no one at the servants' stairs. Also as we predicted. I also confirmed our earlier information about the closet."
Devon smiled. "Raul has always been sloppy about security."
"For as much as he wants to outdo Gruber, it seems they're equally lazy." Sergi's sneer didn't require interpretation.
After reviewing the security system for the mansion, I had to agree. Everything was subpar. But I took the cue and slipped away from the men, drinking just enough of the champagne to prevent sloshing. I meandered through a smaller crowd that dwindled as I worked my way toward the servants' stairs. My nerves jingled—a pleasant feeling of comfort and expectation. I always got that electric kick when I began a job. My body relaxed, and my instincts came alive.
I noted the placement of cameras in the lounging area and worked my way around them, either keeping to the shadows or walking behind someone. When Sergi had mentioned the closet earlier, he'd meant the security office. He'd been able to confirm our earlier intel that only one vamp manned the security cameras. Even with vampire dexterity and excellent vision, it would be almost impossible to watch every room on a regular schedule with so many guests. While the news gave me a breather, it was no reason to get sloppy. The cameras would be recording, and I didn't want to be caught on any of them once the theft was discovered. Even if they couldn't determine when the object was taken, they'd review the replays until they found what they needed.
The layout for the third floor showed staircases on each end. From there, the hall turned after a few doors, leaving a long corridor with six doors before turning again to meet the other staircase. The door to the servants' stairs was halfway between the two turns. There would be one camera at each corner, but surprisingly not along the long portion of hallway where the servants' stairs, Raul's bedroom, and his personal office were located. Security assumed the cameras would pick up anyone coming from either of the main staircases. Even in the vampire world, or maybe because of it, no one ever considered the servants. All the better for me.
But first, I had to get past the cameras on the second floor. A group of women stood on the far side of the extensive landing. I walked toward them, planning to skirt around them and keep my head down so the camera wouldn't catch my face. But as I passed the first vamp, the taller of the three grabbed my arm.
"Are you lost, sweetie?" Her bright-orange hair was pulled back far enough to get the frizzy ends out of her face. Her makeup was impeccable, and somehow, she'd squeezed her generous breasts into the small bodice of a Regency-style gown. She pulled it off.
I shrugged, not wanting to make an impression, but not sure how to avoid it.
"I recognize you." This came from the short brunette, who swallowed a half-full glass of champagne then nodded toward my glass. I looked down, shrugged again, and handed the champagne to her. She tipped the glass back then licked the inside dry before setting both empties on a table behind her. "You're with Devon."
Great way to not make a scene.
"I thought so." This was the third woman. She was older in appearance than the other two, but her sable-colored hair didn't have a hint of gray. For a vampire, it was impossible to tell true age by looks alone. "I could almost hear Lorenzo's growl from up here."
The tall woman snickered. "Someone should stake that man."
The other two grinned before the older one glared at me. "Not a word, human."
I crossed my chest. "I doubt Devon would miss him."
They all laughed at that.
The older woman looked me over. "My name is Rachel. This tall one we call Red, and that's Naomi." Rachel nodded to the shorter woman. "I saw you speaking with Simone earlier."
"Yes. She's in Devon's family."
