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A wicked grin splits her lips, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief to think about the fun to be had at Myth.
“Granger is supposed to show up tonight.” Another sparkle in her eye. “Although he still can’t control me. It drives him nuts.”
“Slut,” I tease.
“Whatever. I’m young and in charge of my sexuality. And that man floats my boat in so many ways.” She nudges her chin at the mansion. “Let’s do this and get out of here.”
We both climb out of the car and stroll up the long driveway in route to the front entry. Casting my gaze up to the third floor windows, I try to remember how long it’s been since I’ve spent any significant time in the mansion.
At least ten years, I think, back when I was young and trying to grow up too fast. My father would bring me along every time he visited the governor, and I would spend time with his daughter, Ivy, for however many hours we stayed.
Wondering if Ivy is here tonight, I run up the steps of the large porch with Ames beside me. Nodding at the valets as I pass, I turn to lock eyes with one of the security personnel. He presses a finger against his ear piece, says something so low we can’t hear, but then waves us inside the mansion.
He must remember me from the other day when I came to pick up the flash drive. Now that we have a copy of it, there’s no need to keep the original, which is why I’m here tonight to drop it off.
Once inside, a low whistle blows over Ames’ lips.
“Check out this place. I hate to think what it costs.”
The mansion is quite impressive with a winding grand staircase that extends into the foyer, but also into the back portion of the house.
Crystal chandeliers hang gracefully from architectural ceilings, and the floor is a glimmering marble that always appears freshly polished.
Around us, people mill about in tailored tuxedos and sparkling gowns, their clothing at odds with how casual we look.
Having grown up around powerful families, I’m not as impressed as Ames.
She’s only told me a small amount of her past, but I know her family was dirt poor, and she spent a lot of her childhood struggling to get by.
A couple stroll past us, their eyes cast in our direction for only a second before we’re dismissed as unimportant.
The woman with her beautifully styled updo is sure to take a long, disapproving look at Ames, her eyes sweeping down and back up, a small scowl crooking the corner of her lips to see pastel blue hair.
Ames laughs beside me.
“See? Like I guessed. They’re snooty. What she doesn’t know is that her husband’s cock just came alive to see me.”
“Behave,” I warn, unable to keep from laughing. “I just need to find the governor and then we can get out of here.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” she says with a grin. “I’ll also go mingle while you do what you need to do. Grab me on your way out.”
Her eyes follow two men who approach the staircase to make their way up. Both are tall and well-built, but while one has lighter hair that is a touch longer than usual among these types, the other has dark hair cut close to his head, a set of wire-framed glasses the perfect complement to his square jaw and high cheekbones.
“Good god. Are all the men beautiful?” Ames smiles like a fox in a henhouse. “Never mind about grabbing me. I think I’ll be perfectly fine if you leave me here.”
Just as she says that, one of the two men, the one with blond, shoulder-length hair, turns to glance down at us as they reach the top of the stairs.
He bumps his shoulder with his friend, and angles his head toward us, both glancing our direction before they stalk off down a hall.
Great, I think. Ames will eat those men alive if they’re not careful.
“I mean it,” I remind her. “Behave. We’re not staying long.”
“I will, even if it ruins all my fun.”
“We’ll have fun at the club tonight,” I answer, my eyes scanning the foyer.
Unfortunately, Governor Callahan isn’t in the immediate vicinity, so I’ll have to walk around to find him.