Page 19 of Wicked Games
“Why would he give up a spot at the Smithsonian to work at the Cincinnati Art Museum?” Lucien asked.
“You don’t have to sound like Cincinnati is one of Dante’s circles of hell,” Mother chided gently.
“I’m not a religious man, Mrs. Jameson, so I don’t give much thought to heaven or hell. I apologize if I offended you. I assure you it wasn’t my intention. I’ve enjoyed my time in the city, and I’ve found the people to be warm and friendly.” Not all of them, I thought, remembering the bite mark and bruises I’d left on him.
“You’ve never heard of Dante’s Inferno?” I found myself asking.
“Excuse me?” Lucien asked.
I knew from our brief time in Paris that Lucien was a highly educated man. He was extremely knowledgeable about art, food, books, and wine. I knew for a fact he was fluent in at least four languages. During our trips, he’d always tell me the history of the areas we visited and show me landmarks and the stories behind them. I’d imagined Lucien came from a privileged life like mine and attended one of the finest boarding schools in Europe, but maybe his urbane polish was nothing more than a disguise too.
“It comes fromTheDivine Comedyby Dante Alighieri. The first part is titled ‘Inferno’ and details Dante’s journey through the nine circles of hell. ‘Inferno’ is followed by ‘Purgatorio’and‘Paradiso.’ It’s the depiction of a man’s journey toward God and rejecting sin.”
“I’ve heard of it, yes, but I haven’t read it,” Lucien said, staring into my eyes as I wondered which level of hell he’d land in. He was treacherous and a betrayer, so according to Dante, it would land him in the ninth circle along with Satan and Judas. Then again, if I put faith in an Italian poet’s words, I’d land in the seventh circle just for lying with other men. I wasn’t a bit sorry either. Well, I was sorry for lying with this particular man, but I didn’t see homosexuality as a one-way ticket to hell.
“Forgive Ryder,” Mother said nervously, “he takes art and literature very seriously.”
“Too seriously,” I said with a self-deprecating smile. I needed to get the man on my side, not alienate him. “I apologize for taking us way off track. Dante’s Inferno has absolutely zero to do with our discussion.”
“I find it fascinating though,” Lucien said, looking and sounding sincere. “Perhaps we can discuss it after dinner.” He was looking for an excuse to get me alone. Fine. I could be alone with him and not tear his clothes off.
“Absolutely,” I said jovially.
“Wonderful,” Mother said, rubbing her hands together.
“As for Perez,” Lucien said, “you make a valid point, Celeste.” My mother practically preened when he used her first name. “I’ll see what I can dig up.”
“You’ll share with us, won’t you?” she asked, leaning forward.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to tell you much while I’m investigating, but I promise to share information with you as soon as I can.”
“Fair enough,” Mother said smugly.
Lucien continued to ask us both questions about our dealings with the directors, staff, and trustees. From there, he moved on to the night of the gala. Was anyone acting nervous or suspicious? Did anyone disappear for an extended period of time? The FBI knew about my office romp with the waiter, but I had hoped to keep that tidbit from my mother. I told Lucien I wasn’t aware of anyone disappearing. He stiffened and entered another note in his phone. When he looked up, our gazes collided. Once again, Lucien’s eyes had darkened with possessiveness and anger. What was the source? Had he found out where I’d gone and whom I was with? A childish part of me wanted to rub it in his face, but I wouldn’t with my mother sitting beside me.
Someone knocked softly on the door, so Mother rose gracefully and went to see who it was. “I’ll be right back, gentlemen.”
“Don’t you want your mother to know about your extra activities on the night of the gala?” Lucien asked softly.
“Would you want your mother to know?” I countered. Lucien tipped his head to the side to acknowledge the point. “How did you know?” Had the agents shared the information with anyone?
Lucien set down his phone on the table and leaned forward. “Do you think by now I don’t recognize the sounds you make when you’re fucking?”
He heard me in my office with Rhys? It felt like the temperature in the library had suddenly risen twenty degrees. I fought the urge to pull my shirt away from my skin to cool off. I would not give him the satisfaction.
“Did it make you hard, Lucien?” That wasn’t the question I should’ve asked, but when had I asked the right things or made the correct moves when it came to this man?
“You were only going through the motions with the guy. Who was he?”
“An adorable waiter,” I replied, searching for words to dispute his claims about how good it was. I wanted to call bullshit, but it would be an outright lie. “Before you ask, the FBI has already investigated him. It’s doubtful he was involved, but then again, I have a horrible track record with men.”
“Touché.”
“Ryder,” Mother said from the doorway, “Ezra and his parents have arrived for dinner. I can’t believe we’ve been in here talking for two hours. Will you please show Inspector Somersby to the powder room so he can wash up for dinner?”
“Sure, Mother.”
“Thank you, Celeste. Please call me Christian.”