Page 49 of Love At the Gates of Hell (The Seven Sinners Trilogy #1)

“Of course,” she said.

“And none of that well shit. Top shelf only.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

But just as she spun on her heel, Cleo found herself face to face with a guest in a black gown and almost accidentally tossed the glass right in her face.

“Shoot, sorry,” Cleo said, taking a step back. “I didn’t see you there.”

“It’s alright,” the woman replied, her voice soft and her accent hard to place.

She was incredibly striking. With black hair pinned up and her brown skin giving off a subtle glow, Cleo found herself wishing she wasn’t dressed in her too-big-for-her cater waiter uniform. Something about her seemed familiar, though.

“I was in your way, I’m sure,” the woman continued. She looked past Cleo’s shoulder to the table behind her, a flicker of something behind her brown eyes. “Was that man giving you a hard time just now?”

Cleo glanced back at the offender sitting at the table. He pointed to his watch.

She shrugged. “Nothing I can’t handle. I really should go, though.”

“Please, don’t let me stop you,” the woman said with a smile.

9:01pm

“Make your moves, boys.”

“Come on, Pete,” came an irritated female voice.

“Sorry, Beth,” the voice over the earbud coughed. “Time to rotate.”

Harker rolled his eyes as he shifted from across the area in the back of the ballroom where the jewelry was on display.

He had been dutifully standing nearby an acrylic display case with a diamond-encrusted tiara that he learned was from a South African mine.

Nothing like protecting some blood diamonds while a party goes on to support the very museum likely responsible for its theft.

It was truly alarming in its dissonance.

Still, Harker was ready for the next phase as he settled himself beside the display case where the Heart of Fire ruby lay.

It was a curious thing to finally see it up close.

It was a standard emerald-cut hanging from a simple gold chain.

There was a smattering of smaller diamonds surrounding it in a sort of floral design.

Honestly, it was fine?

Certainly nothing he thought would impress the Devil himself.

But then what did he know?

The Devil got his kicks in ways Harker was sure he’d never comprehend.

9:08pm

Imani slinked through the tables in the Grand Ballroom, her eyes scanning the guests.

She took note of the Armani suits, the couture gowns, the Rolex watches and the Schiaparelli accessories.

She knew this crowd. She’d worked this crowd.

At fashion shows and industry parties, modeling agencies and Michelin star dinners with designers and photographers.

She hated this crowd.

It had been a means to an end, an opportunity to pay for school, a way to keep her mother taken care of. But she didn’t have to work this crowd. No. Her job tonight was to scry.

If there were other witches in this room she would feel them. If they were in this hotel, she’d find them. If some ratty ass Devil worshipping coven was in a two block radius, she would do her damndest to make sure they didn’t interfere.

9:13pm

“Well, fancy seein’ you here, kid,” came a familiar voice.

Luke wasn’t sure why he was so surprised to see Frank Markos staring down at him.

This event was a legitimate score for all the big-time hitters.

He knew they weren’t going to be the only ones making a hit out of the gala.

But he had hoped they wouldn’t run into anyone they were too familiar with.

Still, if it was anyone, at least it was Frank.

He’d been a decent enough ally to them since they’d gone out on their own.

The older man had his hands in his pockets as he watched Luke gather a few more empty glasses and plates into a bucket.

He wore an expertly tailored black tux, and he was rocking back on his shiny patent leather shoes with an amused smile on his face.

Most of the guests had cleared the tables; the dance floor was packed, and the auction tables were filled with guests making last-minute bids.

They had enough space that Frank recognizing Luke wouldn’t have the worst consequences. He hoped.

“Working?” Luke asked.

“Not as hard as you,” Frank replied with a wriggle of his brows. “You pull the short straw tonight?”

“Something like that.”

“Where’s your brother?”

“Working his end,” he said, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Gideon. He was with Benny back by an auction table, lingering close to the dance floor. They were playing the part of the happily in love couple pretty fucking well, it looked like.

Frank followed his gaze, that amused expression turning to curiosity in a flash.

“Oh, you definitely pulled the short straw.”

“Yeah, well, it’ll all have the same outcome if we’re lucky,” Luke replied. “Let’s just hope we’re on different ends of it, yeah?”

“I think there’s enough to go around. I mean, you know the value of what’s in this room tonight?”

Luke laughed, knowing full well exactly how much. And he couldn’t touch any of it.

“I do,” he replied.

Something glimmered behind Frank’s eyes. “Listen, kid. You know you’re always welcome back, right? The pot we’re taking home tonight is gonna be a real game changer. It’s the kinda thing that could change your life.”

Luke could see the excitement behind his words and he hated how much it intrigued him.

But still, there were more important things at play.

And if he was honest with himself, the last few days made him wonder if playing thief was all he had to offer.

He shook his head, raking his hair back with his free hand.

“We’ll see, Frank,” he said.