Page 52 of Enthrall Shadows
Lotte spoke up. “We’re just friends.”
“You brought him to Imperial!” Richard waved his hand through the air. “Breaking protocol.”
“Doesn’t Cameron’s brother get a pass?” I reasoned.
“No.” Richard folded his arms. “Lotte, you’re banned from Chrysalis for a month.”
She inhaled sharply.
“Take a vacation.” He gave us a gracious nod. “I’ll have the chef prepare your food to go. The meal is on us.”
When Richard walked away, Lotte sighed.
“What am I going to do with all that free time?” she mumbled.
“Pull back on the recklessness, I imagine?”
She faked a sulk.
“Actually, I’m flattered you invited me.”
“You don’t hate me?”
“Hate’s a strong word.” I arched a brow. “Let’s just say this place would make the Smithsonian proud.”
“You’re taking it very well.”
I turned in my seat to face her. “I’m attending a garden party on Wednesday. Join me.”
“Whose party?”
“Some private bash.”
“Why would you wantmethere?”
I slid out of the booth. “But if I see a peacock in a leather vest, brandishing a paddle—”
She laughed. “Not to worry, you have to pay to see that.”
The waiter brought out our boxed and bagged food and I took it from him.
“My hotel’s close,” I said. “I’m at the Bel Air. Can you drop me off there?”
She slid out of the booth and grabbed her purse. “I imagine you can’t wait to buy a home somewhere. You can’t stay at a hotel forever.”
I smiled, preferring not to answer.
Right now, I didn’t need to exacerbate my loneliness in a house big enough for all my ghosts to find me.
The Beverly Park Terrace mansion was exactly where I’d expect to find someone like Henry Cole.
It was Wednesday, which gave away the nature of who else might be attending the party—the kind of people who could easily escape the office midweek.
The neighborhood was beyond real. I’d driven past other multi-million dollar properties, but this was easily the most distinguished, with dramatic Roman pillars and an endless driveway to reach them.
Flashy parked cars confirmed I’d be mingling with the super-rich.
Intrigue had brought me here, doubt held me back.
