With one last glance at Celeste, he retreats back into the shadows.
“No wonder you guys left The Pit.” She throws a piece of bread with caviar in her mouth, chews then releases a longer-than-needed moan. “If I had such luxury to go back to, I would’ve left too. “ She pauses and tilts her head up. “Or is it your human pet that keeps you rooted in this place?”
My left eye twitches. “What are you doing here, Celeste?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” She chugs half of her champagne. “I’m experiencing your snobbish lifestyle.” She blinks her fake lashes. “How did you know it was me? I thought my disguise skills were on a professional level.”
“I can recognise a snake whatever she wears.” I look her up and down. “Besides, your fashion sense is the same. Knee-length dark coloured dresses to hide your knife’s sheath.”
“Touché.” A showy laugh erupts from her plump red lips. “But you’re not changing the subject. Since when did you start keeping human pets?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” How the hell did she know I keep Mae here? Only Kane is aware of that information.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she purrs again. Her arms circle my waist and she gets close until her generous breasts press against my chest. Her hot breath fans my neck as she tiptoes to whisper in my ear, “I saw you take her outside that nightclub, Aaron. You’re becoming reckless. Something tells me Tristan and Dylan don’t know about your little pet. Should I tell them and spike things a bit?”
I yank her hand, that reached for my knife, from inside my jacket and twist it behind her back. “You’re still centuries away from disarming me.” I shove her back. “What do you want, Celeste?”
A fake laugh leaves her lips. “How about we kill your little pet and you go back to being my partner?”
‘Yes, please.’ Aunt’s excited voice fills my head.
“The answer is no.”
“But, Aaron!” She pouts, the gesture so fake I want to choke the bad actress out of her. “When did you stop being fun?”
‘We’re asking the same question, lady.’
Screw off, demons.
“Probably since you’ve became a coward.” I lean closer to breathe her too strong perfume. “Why
are you hiding far away from the centre of the banquet? Are you perhaps... avoiding someone?”
She purses her lips, but her tone is still jokey. “Seriously? Why would I avoid anyone? People avoid me.”
“How about... Dylan?”
Her face contorts. I smile. It’s always fun to see her reaction whenever he’s mentioned. Even someone as Celeste has a weakness. It’s my pleasure to exploit it.
“Do you want me to call him?” I continue. “Perhaps chat about how you left him with a hole in his shoulder?”
“Yes, let’s do that.” She swallows down her reaction and plasters a wide grin. “Let’s also chat about the pet you’re hiding under his nose. Would he and Tristan let you be after you targeted an innocent?”
A knife hits me right in the face. I brought a weakness upon myself and that weakness is Mae.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I push those thoughts away to focus on my ex-partner whom I always thought I had no weaknesses like she does.
Guess we’re too alike after all.
To protect my freedom, I need to find an opening to take Celeste away and finish her life.
My eyes drift back to the hall. Tristan is conversing with Lowell and his family. Dylan’s busy with some old lady whose name I can’t remember. I search for the pig face. Nothing. There’s no sign of Hampton.
When I glance back to Celeste. She’s gone too.
God fucking dammit.