From Fear to Eternity: An Immortality Bites Mystery by Michelle Rowen Read Free Book Online Page B

without looking too anxious and swept my gaze over the cocktail party, trying again to pinpoint Thierry’s location.
    Hello? Evil boss man front and center. Where are you?
    Atticus leaned in a little. “I’m surprised your husband has left your side. If you were with me I wouldn’tlet you out of my sight for fear that another man might sweep in and steal you.”
    Since Thierry had left him with the impression earlier that our relationship had as much depth to it as a sheet of paper, I wasn’t too surprised at his careless flirtation. Maybe he even thought it might work.
    For the record, it really didn’t. Atticus was attractive, but I got a very unpleasant vibe from him—and not only because of what he’d been accused of. This man had threatened my life before. He was dangerous. And seriously creepy.
    But . . . wild guess here. Maybe he had a thing for brunette fledglings allegedly in unhappy marriages.
    Could I use this unexpected friendliness to my advantage? It made me uneasy to be this close to someone like Atticus, but I wanted to be helpful in Thierry’s investigations. And his current assignment was to investigate the man who’d just kissed my hand.
    “Thierry is . . .” I searched for an adequate word. “Easily distracted. At least, it seems that way when he’s with me.”
    “If Thierry doesn’t appreciate what he has with you”—he shook his head—“then he’s a fool.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.”
    Melanie moved past us and Atticus grabbed two glasses of champagne from her tray, handing one to me.
    “Has there been something specific on his mind lately to distract him?” he asked.
    I took a quick sip of the bubbly. “Oh, I don’t know. I just figured it’s how he is. I suppose anyone would be the same at his age.” I forced a smile. “I’m assuming you’re much younger.”
    “Not as much as you might think. It’s true, once one has seen centuries pass them by, life appears differently than it would to a younger man. It can change us—some for the better, many for the worse. Time is one thing that brings out our truest selves.”
    “Kind of like having too much champagne.”
    “Quite.” He clinked glasses with me. “I want you to feel comfortable with me, Sarah. If there are any specific problems you’re having with your husband, anything that might be troubling you, I encourage you to come straight to me.”
    Somehow, the direction of this conversation felt increasingly odd. “Problems? Other than feeling ignored?”
    His grip on his champagne glass tightened. “Thierry de Bennicoeur has always been a dangerous man, no matter what current goals he claims. I don’t think time has changed this.”
    “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
    “If that’s so, then I’m glad to hear it.” He swirled his untouched champagne, looking down into the crystal flute as if it might give him some answers. “Let me ask you this, Sarah. Do you know what piece Thierry is interested in acquiring at the auction tonight?”
    I tried my best to look confused. By now it wasn’t all that difficult. “I don’t know, really. Something shiny and expensive, I’m sure. He doesn’t share info like that with me.”
    “Fair enough.” Atticus nodded, then reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, pulled out a business card, and pressed it into my hand. “I would like you to call me if you need anything, either now or in the future.”
    I looked at the card, which had his name and a phone number printed on it. “Anything?”
    “Advice. Assistance. Anything you like.” He leaned closer so no one else could hear. “It would be best if Thierry not know I’ve made you this offer. He might not understand I’m only trying to be helpful.”
    “Of course. I understand.”
    With a nod, Atticus moved away from me and joined another nearby group who were toasting something and wanted the leader of the Ring to be a part of it. I was left standing there in the corner of the parlor