Bitter Bite (Elemental Assassin #14)(63)

inane pleasantries. But as Silvio had told me many times before, it was all

part of my job as the big boss now. Lucky me.

Mama Dee had also invited Silvio, who was already here, making the rounds and

seeing what info he could dig up to pass on to me later. The middle-aged

vampire looked quite distinguished in his tuxedo, his silver hair glistening

under the lights. A younger man whom I didn’t recognize was giving Silvio

come-hither looks over the top of his champagne flute, but Silvio ignored him.

The vamp caught sight of Owen and me and waved. I waved back and made a motion

with my hand, telling him that we would catch up later. Silvio nodded back,

walked away from his admirer, and continued circulating through the room,

chatting up a few people here and there as he passed.

Owen and I walked on. I said hello to a few more folks, rounded another case,

and there they were, standing in the center of the rotunda—Bria, Finn, and

Deirdre. Of course that was where Mama Dee would be.

Bria was a vision of ethereal beauty in a lavender dress that floated around

her like a cloud, while Finn looked as handsome as ever in his tuxedo, a

diamond pin winking in the center of his bow tie. But they both paled in

comparison with Deirdre.

She wore a tight, fitted, floor-length gown made of dazzling silver sequins

that sparkled even brighter than many of the jewels. A couple of long, thin

diamond pins held her blond curls in place, while her scarlet lips were a

perfect pop of color in her beautiful face. Her only other jewelry was her

rune necklace—that heart made out of jagged diamond icicles.

I wondered when she would finally reveal her own cold heart. Silvio was still

digging up info on her, insisting that there was something seriously off about

her charity foundation finances, but that didn’t help me combat her growing

hold on Finn.

A hold that was on full display tonight.

Even though Bria was with them, Finn was completely focused on Deirdre, his

gaze locked onto her face even as he belly-laughed at some joke she’d made.

So did everyone else who was gathered around them. Before his mother had come

to town, Finn wouldn’t have been able to take his eyes off Bria, especially

given how gorgeous she looked tonight, but that wasn’t the case anymore. No

wonder she was sick of Deirdre.

Bria saw me and waved. She murmured something to Finn, probably telling him

that Owen and I were here, but all he did was nod distractedly and go right

back to his conversation with Deirdre.

Bria stared at him, the hurt flashing in her eyes quickly flaring up into

annoyance and then outright anger. Not that he noticed. She sniffed, turned

her back to him, and stormed over to Owen and me. The sharp crack-crack-

crack-crack of her stilettos against the marble floor rang out above the

music.

Bria stopped a passing waiter, downed a glass of champagne, and grabbed

another one before coming over to us. Owen got waylaid by one of his business

associates, so then it was just my sister and me, drinks in hand, watching

Deirdre smile, bat her lashes, and entertain the growing crowd around her and

Finn.

“The more I see of that woman, the less I like her,” Bria muttered. “It’s

like she and Finn are joined at the hip. It’s getting on my last nerve.”

I scoffed. “You think it’s getting on your last nerve? You’re not the one

who has to be a dear and fetch her iced teas and grilled cheese sandwiches

until the cows come home. She and Finn had a three-hour lunch at the Pork Pit

earlier today, which meant three whole hours of listening to her laugh and

talk and simper and make an ass of herself and Finn. My face still hurts from

smiling at all her stupid jokes.”

Bria snorted her agreement, her gaze never leaving the necklace around Deirdre

’s throat.

“Did you ever figure out where you had seen her rune before?”

“Not yet,” she said. “I haven’t had much time to work on it the last few

days, and last night I was busy with all of Mallory’s old photos. Thank you

for giving them to me. I’ve only gone through about half of them, but it’s

been really great, seeing Mom’s face again.”

As soon as I’d left Mallory and Lorelei’s mansion yesterday, I dropped the

photos off at the police station for Bria, knowing how much she would enjoy

them. I’d look through them later. Right now, I needed to focus on Mama Dee,

not get all misty-eyed and maudlin about my own mother and my dim memories of

her.

“I’d almost forgotten what Mom looked like.” Bria’s voice rasped with

emotion. “I just wish I had a picture of Annabella too.”

I linked my arm through hers. “You’ll never forget Mom or Annabella, because

you see them every time you look in the mirror. You’re the spitting image of

both of them.” I winked. “Only prettier.”

A wry smile curved her lips. “Thanks, Gin.” She drew in a breath. “But I