Page 20 of Licence To Howl
He picked the ring up between his thumb and forefinger and held it up next to his face. ‘Could you take a photo, please?’
Her brow furrowed. ‘Of you or the ring or the door?’
‘All of us.’
Scarlett raised her shoulders in baffled acquiescence. ‘Say cheese.’ She paused. ‘You should be good at that.’
Devereau smirked slightly and did as she asked. Scarlett snapped a picture and held it up for him to see. ‘Looking good.’ He winked. ‘Can you do a video now?’
‘Devereau, what exactly are you planning?’
‘Bear with me.’ He met her eyes. ‘Please.’
She muttered something under her breath. However, she held the phone up again. ‘Okay.’
‘Is it recording?’
‘Yep.’
Devereau looked directly into the camera. ‘I’m sure you recognise this ring, Mr Solentino. Between us, I have managed to discreetly acquire it for myself. I have no need for such an object but I know from last night’s auction that you do. I’m prepared to enter into private negotiations. Let me know within the next twenty four hours if you’re interested. I’m staying at the Hotel Condotti.’ Then he placed the ring into his mouth and, ignoring Scarlett’s look of sudden horror, swallowed it.
She immediately lowered the hand which had been holding her phone. ‘What the actual fuck, Devereau?’
He gave the phone a pointed look.
Scarlett bared her single fang in a half snarl. ‘I’ve stopped recording.’
‘You wanted the ring to be kept safe. Now Solentino won’t be able to get to it.’ He patted his flat stomach. ‘Not for a day or two anyway.’
‘I have to hand that ring over to Lord Horvath!’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s properly sanitised once it comes out the other end.’
She made a gagging sound. ‘Ugh.’
‘You can’t possibly be that squeamish, Scarlett. It’s a normal bodily function.’
‘There is nothing normal about what you just did and you know it. And what happens if Solentino decides he doesn’t want to wait for it to pass through your system? What if he decides to cut you open from nipple to navel to get to it?’
‘He won’t.’ Hopefully. ‘And now he won’t be able to simply snatch the ring from me either.’
Scarlett sighed heavily and passed a hand over her face. ‘This time yesterday I was looking forward to seeing the sights of Rome, enjoying some fine wines and eating some fabulous food. Instead, I’ll be hanging around waiting for you to take a shit.’
‘You have such a lovely way with words, Scarlett.’
She folded her arms. ‘I have a feeling I’m going to become far less eloquent the longer this idiocy goes on.’
‘I won’t hold it against you.’ He crossed his fingers and held them up. ‘I promise.’
Scarlett rolled her eyes. Devereau gave her his most disarming smile and then pressed the buzzer for Christopher Solentino’s apartment.
Chapter Nine
Solentino livedon the third floor. The apartment didn’t look as large as the place Scarlett was staying in but it was certainly well appointed. The floors were lined from wall to wall with dusky marble, the furniture appeared antique but also functional, and there was an arresting mural of a pretty coastal scene on one of the lounge walls. A silk dressing gown was draped casually over the back of a velvet covered chaise longue and Alina’s scent clung to the air. She wasn’t in visible evidence, however. The only person who seemed to be in the apartment at the moment at all was Solentino himself – and right now, he looked none too impressed with his unexpected visitors.
‘My name is Devereau Webb. I was at the auction last night and –’
‘I know who you are, Mr Webb,’ Solentino interrupted. ‘And I saw you at the auction. What I don’t know is why you are here now.’ He looked over at Scarlett and his expression took on a different slant. Devereau felt his insides tighten in irritation. ‘Or whoyouare, darling.’
