Page 18 of The Hunter's Empire

"That cynical?"

"That realistic."

I almost smile at that. Almost.

My attention drifts toward the ballroom again. "So how long before the auction starts?"

"When they decide everyone’s drunk enough to loosen their morals."

I glance sideways at him. "You’re participating too."

It isn’t a question.

The corner of his mouth lifts faintly beneath the mask. "Of course I am."

"You really think Domenico will accept someone’s offer tonight?" I ask.

Stefano’s gaze moves slowly across the room before settling somewhere behind me.

"He doesn’t care much about money."

There’s something unreadable in his tone now.

"Then what does he care about?"

A pause. "I told you. Interest."

Something about the way he says it makes my stomach tighten slightly.

Then Stefano looks toward the far side of the ballroom and sets his champagne glass aside.

"It’s almost time."

We move through the ballroom slowly after that, blending into the crowd without truly becoming part of it. Conversations overlap around us beneath the music, glasses clink softly against silver trays, and somewhere near the center of the room, a couple begins dancing beneath the chandelier light like this is an ordinary high-society party instead of whatever this actually is.

Stefano seems perfectly comfortable among them. People greet him as we pass. Small nods, quiet handshakes, brief exchangeshidden beneath masks and practiced smiles. He belongs in rooms like this.

I’m still deciding whether that should concern me.

"These events happen often?" I ask quietly as a waiter passes with champagne.

"Often enough."

Not much of an answer.

I glance sideways at him. "You’re being vague intentionally."

"That’s usually the safest way to survive gatherings like this."

Fair point.

A woman in emerald silk brushes past us, perfume lingering heavily in the air. Stefano waits until she’s gone before speaking again.

"Most people here aren’t interested in morality, Ms. Krogen. Only leverage."

My gaze drifts across the ballroom again. "Yes, I noticed."

"You say that like you’re different."