The other four guests at our table knew each other well from the way they shared jokes and had an easy comfort. I recognized several of the senior officers who I’d briefly met a while back at Scotland Yard. Their wives chatted away with the familiarity of good friends.
Taking in the splendor of the high ceiling embossed with gold, which continued down the pristine pillars surrounding us, I marveled at the grandeur. Well polished hardwood floors added to the lavishness. I really was doing my best to enjoy myself. Or at least pretend to.
I’d reluctantly dragged myself away from the recordings filmed in Hauville’s office that Jadeon had given me last night. Having only made it halfway through, I still wasn’t convinced I hadn’t been caught in any of them. It was the only piece of evidence I had on the darker side of Hauville’s case. Considering how I’d come across this footage, it would remain for my eyes only.
Distracted, I let out a long sigh.
All this luxury should have been a welcome escape from all the crazy activity I’d immersed myself in over the last few days. After all, what else would I be doing tonight? Curled up on the sofa while picking at a Chicken Tikka Masala, with my laptop open and waiting to appear on surveillance footage as the leading lady. Damning evidence that would lose me my job and put me in prison. I hoped Jadeon was right and I wasn’t in any of them. My stomach was tied up in knots with the guilt of not pursuing Beatrice’s disappearance. Being misled from it at every turn wrenched at my nerves and decimated my trust.
Instead of creating some genius excuse about why I couldn’t make it this evening, I’d searched my closet for a suitable outfit and pulled out this long, red evening gown with a plunging back that I was currently wearing. I’d matched it with these strappy four-inch heels to complement my dress. The faux diamond bracelet on my left arm that Anaïs had given me went perfectly, though more importantly it hid my circled brand.
Some part of me wanted to prove I could move on. Though my heart hadn’t gotten the memo. My thoughts kept drifting back to Jadeon. Sipping my chardonnay, I tried to convince myself I’d not made a mistake. And why was I the one feeling guilty?
I reminded myself this event sponsored one of Scotland Yard’s most beloved charities, that of Salvador Moran’s Children’s Foundation. I’d felt compelled to donate a little myself, though by the look of the other guests all dolled up in the finest regalia money wasn’t an issue for them. The men all donned black tie and the women’s dresses were some of the finest I’d ever seen.
No, not the finest.
That honor went to the gathering of vampires I’d witnessed mingling within the foyer of the Athenaeum. The aristocratic nightwalkers who I’d chatted away with casually, seemingly without a care in the world. I had glimpsed such extraordinary beauty, a compelling peek into the underworld, and seen just how glamorous it could be. There had been so many striking women there that Anaïs’ accusation of Jadeon taking other lovers made perfect sense. How had I ever considered I was the only one? What was I compared to these breathtaking immortals who oozed perfection and raw sexuality. My naivety knew no bounds.
Way to lift your self-esteem Ingrid, I silently berated myself.
“This event gets more posh each year,” Nadine said, pulling my attention back into the room.
“This is my first time here,” I said.
“You’ve only been at Scotland Yard a couple of months, is that right?”
“Yes, I transferred up from Salisbury.”
“How do you find London?”
“I’m getting used to it. Do you enjoy living here?”
“I was born here so it’s all I’ve ever known.” She leaned in closer. “Let me know the next time you get an evening off and I’ll show you the London I love.”
“I’d like that.”
“At least the band isn’t too loud.”
With a nod I agreed, grateful we could talk without having to shout over the music.
Nadine scooted closer. “From what my husband tells me you’re a high-flyer, Ingrid.”
I looked away.
“Don’t be bashful. We need more officers like you.” She narrowed her eyebrows. “I’m having such a problem watching the news these days. So much seems to be going wrong.”
“The world’s always been like this,” I said. “Only the media makes sure we hear about it.”
“That’s true, I suppose.” Nadine topped up her husband’s wine. “I know, dear, we really should let the waiter pour, but they haven’t swung by our table since the last full moon.” She winked at him.
Inspector Brooks melted. I couldn’t remember seeing him look so, well, normal.
It was the kind of relationship I coveted. One where you’ve been together so long you finish each other’s sentences, fulfill each other’s needs, and where you get to curl up in bed together at the end of a long day.
Distracted by my romantic musing, I took a mouthwatering bite of steamed black cod with fennel, the tomato and mushrooms enhancing the flavor. A sip of chardonnay made the taste even more delectable.
“Wonderful food, isn’t it , inspector?” Nadine said, shaking me out of my foodie-trance.
“If I’m aloud to call you Nadine, please call me Ingrid.”
“Such a pretty name. Why did your mother name you that?”
“After Ingrid Bergman.”
“Well, you’re certainly as beautiful as her. Your mother named you perfectly.”
“Aren’t you lovely to me,” I said. “It’s much more flattering to get a compliment from a woman.”
“That’s true. You don’t know how refreshing it is for me to get out. I chopped up my husband’s waffles the other day just like I do for my children. We have two sons. Dillon, who’s one, and Thomas, who just turned three. I didn’t even realize I’d done it.” She looked over at her husband with affection. “Anthony ate it. Didn’t say a word.”
We shared a laugh and it drew attention our way.
Nadine went on to share the same story with the other guests at our table, delighting everyone with her self-effacing humor, which made her all the more adorable. I’d always enjoyed meeting the families of my co-workers. So much information could be garnered from merely watching their interaction with their loved ones. It was good to see Chief Inspector Brooks was liked just as much at home as he was at work.
“Could I have a quick word with your husband?” I asked.
“Of course. Let’s switch places.” She took my chair.
I took hers and waited for Brooks to finish the conversation he was having with Lieutenant Hailey.
“Sir,” I began when I got Brooks’ attention. “Anything new from S C & O about Hauville’s computer?”
“Jansen,” he said, “don’t you ever take the night off?”
Nadine’s elbow poked my rib. She was staring across the table and her expression was one of awe.
Orpheus stood a few feet away and he was suavely dressed in black-tie, his mega-watt smile directed at me.
“Inspector Jansen,” he said with a smile. “It’s good to see you again.”
Startled by the danger my table guests were under, not to mention the entire room, I tried to find the words to keep him calm and prevent the impending carnage.
No words came.
“Ingrid, are you going to introduce us?” Nadine asked with a glint of amusement, admiring the dashing specimen of a man before us.
Brooks shot up, pushing his chair back, and rounded the table toward Orpheus. I shot up out of my chair too, ready to assist.
“Lord Velde, it’s good to see you, sir.” Brooks proffered his hand to Orpheus and shook it. “How are you?”
They patted each other’s backs in a gesture of manly greeting. These two had met before, so it seemed, and from their demeanor they appeared to like each other.
What the hell?
“Chief Inspector,” Orpheus said. “I see you’ve bought your lovely wife.” His smile hit its mark and Nadine’s eyes widened in wonder, her face f
lushing.
“Would you do me the honor?” Orpheus offered his hand to me. “Dance.”
Nadine poked me again, blinking her excitement.
“Sorry, can’t.” I sat back down. “My shoe. Strap issue.” I gave him an oh well look and feigned interest in my napkin, folding it several times like I’d taken up origami. For goodness sake. I aimed for my best stony-face, hoping to give nothing away. If there was one thing I knew how to do well it was this. How many times had I needed to feign nothing fazed me, like when I sat through a suspect’s confession.
Orpheus strolled around to my side and knelt at my feet. His left hand discreetly slid up my calf and beneath my dress as his right hand feigned fixing the shoe strap with the same ease that I’d faked it was broken. My foot tingled as his fingers ran along the strap, caressing, sending shivers up my spine.
Displaying the same elegance with which he’d knelt, Orpheus rose with a predator’s grace and held out his hand again. “There, that should do it.” He gave a wry smile.
“Ingrid, we won’t let you say no,” Nadine said.
From Brooks’ glare, he wasn’t letting me off the hook either. I threw my head back in what I hoped was a convincing laugh and accepted Orpheus’ hand. He squeezed mine tight and led the way through the pathway of tables toward the dance floor.
“How are you?” he said.
“I’m not doing this,” I whispered.
“Yes,” he said. “You are.”
We stepped up onto the raised area.
My thoughts scattered, an action drill forming in my mind of how I was going to handle the moment when Orpheus started attacking each and every person in the room.
“Bit defensive,” he said.
“Just doing my job to protect everyone.”
“Talking of deadly, you look stunning.”
Making a passing sweep of the many faces, I imagined a strategy.
“Ingrid, I’m insulted.”
I glared at him.
“I’m merely removing you from your third glass of chardonnay,” he said. “The last thing anyone needs is a tipsy Ingrid grabbing the mic and singing karaoke. Trust me, they’ll be begging for a quick death.” He wrapped his left arm around my waist and pulled me into him. “You’ve been a little unpredictable lately. I’m looking out for you.”
“Unpredictable?”
“Yes, I’m taking into account driving to Cornwall in a stolen vehicle.”
“But I—”
“My Viper, to be specific. If that wasn’t bad enough for Scotland Yard’s finest and brightest, you went on to top it by imbibing in an unknown substance.”
His body felt all hard muscle and uncompromising, and I was powerless to resist. Three other couples danced around us, helping to shield us from prying eyes.
Orpheus’ chest pressed firmly against mine. His expensive cologne sparked all my senses, as though trying to convince me this was a good idea. His left hand rested on my lower spine where the dip of the dress ended, touching naked flesh and sending shivers of electricity between my thighs. In this slow dance, his left cheek was close to mine. His masterful hold swayed us slowly to a rendition of Etta James’ At Last.
I am out of my mind to let this happen.
I was dancing with Orpheus at a high-profile event, wavering between the need to arrest him and the desire to get away. Never had a more surreal moment found me. These two worlds I’d managed to keep separate clashed in the worst kind of way. This nightmare played out in slow motion. His grip tightened, reminding me of his strength, and his temperament that, if provoked, could become depraved.
“What are you doing here?” I said.
“This is my party, Ingrid. I run the Salvador Moran Foundation.”
My jaw dropped, shocked that Scotland Yard was unwittingly sponsoring a compromised charity.
“My work to protect orphans goes back centuries,” he said. “It’s my finest obsession. Other than you, of course.”
“I look forward to taking more of an interest in your extracurricular activity.”
He yanked me against him. “Be a good girl.”
“Sure, if you drop the theatrics.”
“Word of advice, remember who you’re talking to.” His lips brushed over my cheek.
My legs weakened and he sensed it, his fingers splaying over my lower back until I’d found my balance again. The chardonnay hit me. I regretted putting myself in harm’s way by compromising my agility. Orpheus was the last person I’d imagined seeing tonight and I wasn’t exactly dressed for combat.
“You look beautiful,” he said, as though trying to soothe my rambling thoughts.
“Strange how a tux camouflages.”
“If this is your attempt to arouse me it’s working.”
“Let me go.”
“I like it when you fight me.”
I flushed. It’s the wine, I reassured myself. I’d failed to censor my booze intake.
“I imagine you wish you were dancing in Jadeon’s arms,” he said softly.
I pushed thoughts of Jadeon away and rested my head on Orpheus’s shoulder. It was better this way. I didn’t want him reading my expression, and if a dance was all he wanted he could have it. Not that I had any choice.
“You will never be off the hook, Orpheus,” I whispered, “for what you did to those girls.”
“Boring doesn’t suit you, Ingrid.”
“Listen to me,” I snapped. “I’m only placating you in order to protect the public. God knows how they’d react if they knew about…”
“Vampires?”
“Shush.”
“If I really disgust you that much why are you so aroused right now?”
My breath caught in my throat. “Because you’re using that preternatural sexual manipulation to turn me on,” I silently berated him
“Actually I’m not,” he whispered close to my ear. “I don’t need to.”
A jolt of pleasure slithered up my spine. “I’m warning you.”
“Ever considered that’s just your natural attraction to me making you so wet?”
I went to pull away.
He yanked me back.
A dull throb settled between my legs and I realized it was useless to fight him. This was Orpheus, and from all I knew about him resistance wasn’t an option. I had no choice but to relax and let him lead the dance, lead me.
“That’s more like it,” he cooed.
The song changed to something more angst ridden, though I wasn’t really listening to that female vocalist singing about lost loves and painful pasts. I was too caught up in this moment and struggling with this urge, this inner voice coaxing me to succumb.
His hold tightened. “From what I hear your last meeting with Jadeon didn’t go so well.”
“Anaïs has been very informative.”
“She’s desperate, Ingrid. She’d tell you anything to get you to help her.”
I lifted my head to look at him. “I don’t like being manipulated.”
“You weren’t by Jadeon. Ever. Although I do admit to being guilty of it as far as you’re concerned, but then again you’re a challenge I can’t resist. The chase is too alluring.” He stepped back, turning on his heel with my hand in his, and led me across the dance floor toward a table.
With a nod from him, the three couples sitting there rose and took to the dance floor, allowing Orpheus and I privacy. He pulled out a chair and waited for me to sit.
He took the one beside it. “Shall I order you some coffee?”
“No, thank you,” I said.
Orpheus stared down at my bracelet. “How very decadent.”
I traced the stones along the gold band. “Anaïs gave it to me.”
“That’s quite a bit of bling.” He broke into a smile.
My gaze shot to it.
“You’re looking at a million pounds worth of diamonds. At least.”
I lowered my arm, having had no idea the thing was real. Oh God, I’d blatantly flashed the thing in front of
a table full of Scotland Yard’s finest. I hoped it wasn’t frickin stolen.
“Anaïs really does love you.” He shrugged a shoulder. “She has a funny way of showing it, I know. See it from her point of view. She’s angry with me for not resolving this issue fast enough.”
“You have to find Beatrice. I first heard about this a week ago and so far no one has any leads.” I shook my head. “How long exactly has she been missing? Three weeks?”
“We’re pouring all our resources into it, I can assure you.”
“So I’m told.” I shook my head. “It’s not enough. You need me.”
“Out of the question.”
“You’re losing precious time. Keeping me out of this is a mistake.”
“Putting you in danger is the mistake.”
“You and Jadeon are both so stubborn.”
“You have no idea how much your words hurt him.” Orpheus reached over for the decanter and poured a tall glass of water. Ice clinked into the tumbler.
“That wasn’t my intention.” I took the glass from him, my mouth dry and thirsting.
“You called him a monster.”
Oh, fuck. I did.
Caressing my brow, I tried to ease this throb in my forehead.
“Do you remember the evening you first met him?” He rested an elbow on the table and twisted to face me. “Let me refresh your memory. I sent you the postcard of Raphael’s portrait of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the invitation written on the back to attend the gallery at a specific time. I knew it would stir your intrigue and you’d visit the National Gallery. After tracking Jadeon’s every move for two centuries, I knew he’d be admiring the same portrait. The one on your postcard at that very same time you were meant to be there. He’s a creature of habit. Well, was.”
A Vampire's Bohemian Page 17