The Royal Elite: Mattias (3 page)

“Certainly. Have a pleasant evening.” Mattias didn't need to be told that Alannah wouldn't seek him out for the tour. She was very adept at the brush off, a point that both bemused and amused him.

Alannah's bodyguard leveled a look at Mattias, then escorted Alannah back into the party.

Men in positions that close to people of interest were susceptible to bribes and blackmail, though Mattias surmised that if the bodyguard was a threat, he would have already made a move on the heiress.

Several minutes later, Leander broke cover and sauntered over. “Well, that was--”

“Don't say it,” Mattias said, knowing it was useless.

“...that was interesting. I believe she just ditched a Prince.”

The withering look Mattias aimed at Leander only succeeded in goading a large grin from the man. Mattias said, “I'd hardly call that ditching. She has...business.”

Leander scoffed. “She couldn't leave your side fast enough, you mean.”

Amused despite himself, Mattias changed subjects. “Did you learn anything new from your contact?”

“Nothing new. They're pressing a few other people for information, so we'll see what that turns up. Hopefully we'll have a definitive yes or no soon on whether someone wants Miss Astbury's head on a platter.”

“All right. Someone should also be paying attention to any lone stragglers arriving late to the gala. Keep track of faces and whether or not they gravitate toward a group. I know a few bachelors are here, all high profile, but I'm sure there are others I won't recognize and a hit man might easily blend into the background.”

“I'm on it. I've already identified most of the single men in attendance and have been systematically going through the ranks to make sure their presence is legitimate.”

“Excellent. It makes me wonder what the skittish woman has done, or what she knows, to make her a target like this,” Mattias said. In his estimation, Alannah wasn't the clandestine, game playing type that went looking for trouble. Appearances were deceiving, however, and she could have triggered someone's wrath who now wanted payback.

“We're trying to find that out, too.”

“Let me know. Have you contacted Ahsan yet to fill him in? I know he's here somewhere.” Mattias, Leander, Chayton and Ahsan were the only members of the group attending the gala, as far as Mattias knew. Unless another of their brethren appeared without warning, it would be up to them to see the Alannah situation through.

“Not yet.”

“All right, I'll take care of it. Now I just need to find him.”

Leander snorted as he split off. “Just look for the gaggle of swooning, fawning women.”

Mattias stepped inside the double doors while Leander did what Leander did best—disappeared. Striking out through the crowd, Mattias sought Alannah amongst the revelers, hoping that she hadn't retreated to her room. Possible danger lurked in the more private places of House Morano for Miss Astbury, little did she know it.

Tonight, luck was with him. Alannah stood near a burbling wine fountain, turning her glass nervously around in her hands. The bodyguard was there, too, leaning a few feet away against a table. Mattias thought any attempt on Alannah's life would be less likely in such a large crowd, although the notion didn't put him at ease. As soon as he informed Ahsan of the situation, he could return to a low key stake out of the heiress.

Heeding Leander's earlier advice, Mattias followed the natural flow of humanity toward the most central gathering point. It happened to be at the far end of the great ballroom, where no fewer than thirty women swirled and giggled and fanned themselves around what amounted to a human magnet. Mattias snorted to himself. It had always been this way as long as he'd known Ahsan—which was a very long time. Women loved him, gravitated to him as if caught in his inescapable orbit. Even now, as he drew nearer, Mattias could hear some debutante or another laugh breathlessly while others jockeyed for position, hoping to be the one singled out for a dance.

Unaware that women tracked his own movements the same way, Mattias circumvented the knot of femininity and came up on Ahsan's right flank. Of the Afshar Dynasty, brother to Bashir, Ahsan stood six-foot three with a physique rivaling most linebackers. Swarthy skinned and dark eyed, Ahsan was every inch a playboy, known in the elite circles as a man hard to get, and harder to keep.

With more important things on his mind than whether or not Ahsan was living up to his namesake, Mattias cleared his throat and met Ahsan's dark gaze.

“A moment?” Mattias said.

Ahsan inclined his head once in acknowledgement, then flashed the woman directly before him a daring grin before leaning in to whisper against her ear. Whatever he said brought an immediate flush to the lady's face.

Mattias swiveled away, assured Ahsan would follow. Easing through the crowd, Mattias greeted several more people, keeping his attention cordial and brief. Stepping down a long hallway, he slowed his pace in anticipation of Ahsan coming abreast in short order. Once they were even, Mattias chose a spot halfway between arches to stop and face his brethren.

“Did you get it?” Ahsan inquired without preamble, pausing when Mattias did. Scratching the ends of his fingers through a fine layer of whiskers on his chin, Ahsan watched Mattias with sharp eyes.

“The fact you have to ask me proves you have a large hole somewhere in your security system.” Mattias flicked the diamond brooch toward Ahsan. Their bet—whether or not Mattias could snatch a personal item of Ahsan's without detection—had come to an end. “And now you owe me a thousand dollars. Pennies to you, I realize, but it's worth every second of that perturbed expression you're currently wearing.”

Quick with his hands, Ahsan snatched the pin out of the air, mouth quirking with displeasure. “I was sure you wouldn't get past the four guards in the hall, much less the safe.”

“It's all about distraction,” Mattias said.

“Apparently. I'll be having a talk with a few of my men later, for sure.” Ahsan pocketed the pin. “Quit gloating. The look doesn't suit you.”

“It's not every day that I get one over on Prince Ahsan Afshar. I'll gloat as long as I need to.” Mattias allowed his amusement to linger only another minute before his expression sobered. There were more important things to talk about than winning bets. Before he could open dialogue about Alannah, periphery alerted him to company. Glancing down the hallway, Mattias observed three women, all dressed to the nines, heading their direction. Two he recognized from the gaggle that had surrounded Ahsan thanks to their colorful gowns. He waited with practiced patience as the women flirted openly with them both, passing by with wiggles of their fingers and coy bats of their lashes. Single, each and every one.

“Ladies,” Mattias said. Might as well indulge in a greeting until the women were out of earshot.

“Hello.” Ahsan joined in, eyeballing the sway of the women's hips as they sashayed away and eventually disappeared through an archway that would lead them back to the gala.

Swinging his attention to Ahsan, Mattias said, “There is something else. Leander approached me earlier with information about a possible situation with a Miss Alannah Astbury.”

Ahsan's demeanor changed at the news. Gone were all signs of the playboy; growing serious, a frown taking shape on his brow, he said, “What situation?”

“Leander is still trying to ferret out the details, but he said there has been a rumor floating through the lower ranks about a possible hit on the woman.”

“Here, at the gala?”

“I believe so, yes.”

“That's ballsy,” Ahsan said, brows shifting high in surprise from their former furrow. “Do they know who or why?”

“Not yet. It's still a rumor—or two rumors—at this point. Leander and I believe she deserves our protection, however, until we know for sure. Are you in?” Mattias knew he didn't have to ask. Any member of the Elite would be 'in'. They lived and breathed for these moments, for the danger and the challenge. Ahsan was as addicted to the thrill as the rest of them. Each man involved took their position seriously.

“Of course. None of my men has said anything, obviously, but if they come to me with any mention of her, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'll take a shift watching over her. I vaguely recall her family name and some pictures in a few magazines.”

“She's Dean Astbury's daughter. A little skittish in her own right, so it might not be as easy to track her as you might think.” As Mattias had found out firsthand.

“Mm, Australian banking empire, right?” Ahsan asked.

“Right.”

“What do you mean by skittish?”

“She's a little socially awkward. Doesn't appear to be like some of the other women present, who don't hesitate to make direct eye contact and help themselves to our company. I had to assert myself just to get into conversation with her.”

“
Really.
The esteemed Prince Mattias, chasing a woman down? Unheard of. I bet I'll have no trouble getting her attention.”

Mattias laughed a quiet laugh at Ahsan's arrogance. It was one of the man's calling cards, that and an over-abundance of confidence. “You're not winning any of that thousand dollars back, so no, I'm not wagering with you. Just wait until she makes
you
chase her down.”

Ahsan snorted, a comically shocked expression crossing his face. “I've never chased
any
woman.”

“You will now, believe me. I'll take over tonight. You and Leander can pick up in the morning.” Mattias didn't appreciate the sudden wariness he experienced at the thought of Ahsan working his particular brand of magic on Alannah.

“If you get an update from Leander, tell him to find me and update me as well.” Ahsan clapped Mattias on the shoulder. “I'll do some preliminary scouting around, see what I find.”

Mattias clasped Ahsan's other hand at the wrist and forearm, an informal shake, before releasing. “Let me know.”

Ahsan cut away after a glance along the corridor, disappearing through a separate archway than the women had taken.

Mattias went the opposite direction, emerging into the throng from an entirely different angle. Immediately he sought Alannah, relieved to know that Chayton was out there somewhere, keeping watch in the interim. A pair of eyes and ears to cover for Ahsan and Leander when they couldn't be present.

He spotted Alannah in the same place as before, next to the wine fountain. Some man a foot shorter than her but probably worth a few billion stood at her side, gesturing and talking. Trying to break the ice.

“Good luck,” Mattias muttered under his breath as he started through the room.

Relieved to see Katrina busy on the dance floor with someone else, Mattias arrived at the fountain. He selected a crystal glass and filled it half full. Confident no one had drugged wine meant for the public at large, he lifted the glass for a long swallow.

“
Or,
we could simply go back to my room and order up dinner there. I hear Morano has impeccable chefs--”

“Mister Ahtissari, there you are,” Alannah said, cutting the short man off as if he hadn't been speaking. “I'm ready to view the gardens now.”

Mattias schooled his surprise and turned a smile on Alannah. He offered the stunned potential billionaire a
what can you do
look while presenting Alannah his elbow for escort. “As you wish.”

Alannah ditched her wine, snatched onto his arm, and all but dragged him from the fountain. Chin tucked, eyes down, she glanced up every few steps as if to assure that she wouldn't bump into other guests. There were no lingering pauses near other notable couples to discuss the gala, their attire or the current state of political affairs.

Mattias hid his amusement behind a stoic facade, taking the lead when it became clear that she wasn't sure where to go. As he guided her skillfully through the masses, thunder boomed through the sky. Beyond the window panes, lightning flashed, illuminating sheets of rain that obliterated the landscape.

Of course. Just in time to ruin his chance to spend considerable time in the heiresses company. Fearing the woman might ditch
him
next, thanks to the bad timing of the weather, he halted their progress at a juncture of hallways and said, “I hear Morano has his extensive artifact collection on display as well. We might view that first until the rain ends.”

Alannah gasped and glanced up to his face. “What kind of artifacts? Prehistoric? Jurassic? What's your definition of 'extensive'?”

Surprised at the way the topic of artifacts changed Alannah's whole demeanor, he subtly switched direction. Once again, he was struck by the lucidity of her gray eyes and the faint rosy stain on her cheeks. The interest she displayed seemed genuine and heartfelt.

“To be honest, I'm not sure. Why don't we discover together? I only overheard a few others exclaiming that the pieces were exquisite yesterday. Once the storm passes, we can examine the gardens.” Mattias continued to guide her in the direction of Morano's extensive library which housed the collection.

Alannah smiled into his eyes, fingers fluttering nervously on his arm. “Excellent. Maybe we can just see the artifacts tonight and do the gardens
tomorrow.
”

Mattias was of the impression that Alannah merely wanted to spend more time with the collectibles, and that come tomorrow, she would provide some excuse or another to forego the gardens. Blow him off like she'd tried to blow him off earlier on the terrace. Glimpsing the bodyguard following at a discreet distance in periphery, he said, “Whatever you wish, Miss Astbury. I'm at your disposal.”

Arriving at the library, Mattias paused with Alannah in the doorway. Two guards stood at either side of the entrance, features schooled, eyes straight ahead.

Inside the grand room, bookshelves lined every wall but one. That space was reserved for a floor to ceiling stone fireplace with a mantel as long as a car. Dispersed in the middle of the room were waist high glass cases, the subtle lighting shining through the compartments to highlight the piece within. There were hundreds of items on display, and the sight of them—more than the thousands of books on the shelves—sent Alannah into a tailspin. She gasped, then tugged on Mattias's elbow to bring him abreast of the first case.