We arrived at approximately the same time assix other cars, all pulling into the forever-long circular driveright after us. Kids tumbled out, shrieking with delight to bethere as the drivers handed valets dressed in black and white suitstheir keys. The cars disappeared off to the side of the property.Fountains, lavish balconies, and gazebos spotted the well-manicuredlandscape around us. A sculpture of a beautiful woman, which lookedsuspiciously like one I’d seen in a garden in Belgium, caught myeye as we walked up the majestic steps to the front door.
Once our feet hit the landing, one of thetall, wide sections of door opened, and we followed another man inthe same type of black suit through a chandeliered and marbledgrand foyer and into a large reception area. The mission and Viktorand Jericho all flew out of my mind as I entered the lavishbuilding.
We left the shiny, hard marble to step onone of many ornate rugs that seemed to divide varying sections ofthe room. We’d come upon a large seating area complete with elegantfurniture. I ran my hand over the wood of one of the pieces.Although nothing was modern, it felt comfortable and welcoming inthe room. Large hot fires raged in all six of the fireplaces aroundthe room. The walls were completely trimmed up with warm wood, nota speck of plastered or sheet-rocked walls to be seen.
Viktor motioned for me to take a seat, and Imarveled at the shiny, well-placed chandeliers and lighting thatgraced the room. Viktor walked right up to the lavish bar andreturned with two glasses of some type of cola. I took it with asmile, “Thanks, Viktor, you knew just what I needed.” I pretendedto take a drink and then set it on a glass coaster on the sidetable next to us.
“Hold on there.” He looked around the roombefore picking my glass up. “Let’s sweeten the pot a little.” Heheld the glass close to his chest and pulled out a flask from hispocket, splashing some of the liquid into my Coke. That was all ittook to bring me back to reality.
“There.” He handed it to me and then did thesame to his drink. He clanked his glass against mine and thenchugged the Coke, now laced with some type of hard liquor. Ipretended to take a few swallows. He leaned into me and whispered,“Jericho’s parents don’t supply the good stuff, but they also don’tforbid it.” He laughed.
“So who’s driving us home?” I said, tappingmy fingernail on the side of my glass as I scanned the room forJericho.
“Me.” He knocked his glass into hischest.
“I don’t think so. Not if you’re going to bedrinking.” I set my drink back on the coaster.
“We’re here for four hours. I’ll only drinkuntil this flask is out, and then I’ll sober up. I do it all thetime.” His face scrunched up in irritation. “Besides, maybe it willloosen you up a bit.” He sat next to me and put his arm around meas he took another few swallows of his alcohol-laden drink.
I did worry. If he was impaired in any waywhen we left, it would be me driving, not him. “I’m pretty sure itwill be me driving at the end of the night, and no looseningup is going to be happening. I barely know you.”
“But you will after tonight,” he said,putting his face directly in front of mine, an understated smirkshowing on his face. I turned my head away from him and rubbed myhand over the sparkling wood hand rest.
His hand landed on my thigh, and I resistedthe urge to pull it away immediately. I couldn’t have him making ascene. I needed to be here. I turned to him, an eyebrow raised.“Look, if you want me to think of you as anything other than afriend, you need to slow down and show me why I’d want that.”
His hand left my knee, and he stood up andflashed his hands in front of his chest. “All you need to know isthis.” He took another long haul from his drink and headed back tothe bar.
I pulled out my phone and texted a codedmessage to Ace. These kids are probably going to need someone todrive them home. Find someone from HQ to act as my mom by the timeI get back.
The wood in the room sparkled with a lusterI’d never seen before—polished to more than just a shine. If I’dwanted to, I was sure I’d be able to see my face perfectly. Nomirror needed. I wondered if the bugs would even stick to the slicksurface. And if I were lucky enough to have them stick, how longwould it be before the staff polished them away? I’d have to besmart in my placement of the bugs for sure. I’d have to put themsomewhere the servants wouldn’t accidentally come upon.
I found it curious that the various seatingareas each offered a slightly different feel—from bold to sedateand relaxing. Even with thirty kids sitting and standing about, theroom felt spacious. My spidey senses were calm. That realizationleft me to wonder about Jericho’s family. Were they good people,and he was the rotten apple on the tree? Was it possible to betruly good parents and have a sociopath son or daughter? Viktorstood talking to a thin, blond boy. Viktor postured, as always, butthe boy seemed relaxed and calm.
How was I going to get into Jericho’s roomwith the wait staff around? I counted twenty in this room alone.Several moved about the room with tiny horsd'oeuvres while others stood about waiting for someone to help,and still others worked behind the bar.
Viktor summoned me
