The Prince Next Door by Sue Civil-Brown

Author:Sue Civil-Brown [Civil-Brown, Sue]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2014-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE GROUP REGATHERED that evening in Darius’s condominium to share their discoveries and plan the break-in. An inveterate host, Darius had provided trays of meats, cheeses and vegetables with an assortment of dipping sauces and breads, and some bottles of very fine wine.

Serena couldn’t believe her eyes. As if this were a party, and not the planning session for a major crime! The urge to laugh nearly overtook her, especially when it became evident that Lead Legs was torn between admiring the paintings on the walls and easels, and evaluating the food, particularly the sauces.

Gina settled into one corner of the couch, a plate of vegetables in hand, and began to survey the paintings. Serena could almost see the abacus behind her eyes totalling up the value of the assembled artwork.

Impulsively she took Darius’s arm and urged him aside.

“Yes?” he said pleasantly.

“Do you realize what you’ve done?” she whispered fiercely.

“What?”

“You’ve invited a gang of thieves into your home…where they can see all your priceless paintings.”

He raised an eyebrow. “But they’re my gang of thieves.”

Serena rolled her eyes, but Darius was already turning away, recommending the shrimp and artichoke dip to Lead Legs. “It’s quite the best I’ve ever tasted,” he said.

Lead Legs spooned a small amount onto a plate, then dipped his finger into it and tested it with his tongue. His eyes closed, and he rolled the small bit of dip around in his mouth as if it were fine wine.

“Exquisite,” he pronounced.

“I’m glad you approve,” Darius said with all the gravity of a major diplomatic exchange.

Serena began to experience an urge to run before the absurdity of these moments grew any worse.

But of course, Sparks hadn’t arrived yet. Nor Ariel. Serena wondered if Ariel had wisely decided to bail out before this conspiracy moved to the point of indictment.

But as if summoned by her thoughts, the doorbell rang, then Ariel stepped in before anyone could so much as rise from a chair. “Hi, everyone,” she said brightly.

“Ariel,” Darius said, moving forward to greet her.

“Darius, I’m sorry I couldn’t join you this morning.”

“Who’s she?” Gina demanded. Serena couldn’t tell if she was more irritated by the arrival of someone new, the fact that Darius’s door was obviously unlocked or the fact that Ariel looked absolutely stunning this evening.

“Our mastermind,” Darius said smoothly. “When there’s a problem, Ariel always finds the solution.”

Ariel looked embarrassed. “Not really. Serena’s responsible for a lot of it.”

“Thanks,” Serena couldn’t help saying acidly. “Remind me to put you on the witness stand in my behalf.”

Ariel laughed. “Well, it’s the truth. Just ask Darius.” She hurried over to the buffet and picked up a plate. Before long it was heaping with a bit of everything. “Wonderful buffet,” she said, smiling.

Serena cast an eye on Darius. He held up his hands as if to deny everything. “Trust me. Under oath I’ll swear you knew nothing at all.”

That didn’t make her feel any better. “Do you often lie under oath?”

“I’ve never had a reason to before.” His eyes danced.

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