Guild Boss (Ghost Hunters #14)(18)

“I was just getting started,” Lucy grumbled.

“I know,” Gabriel said.

A man wearing a sleek suit and a name tag that identified him as a concierge materialized.

“Welcome, Mr. Jones. I understand you and Ms. Bell are here to attend the Spence-Newport event.” The concierge eyed Otis with a politely blank expression. “I see you have a pet dust bunny, Mr. Jones. I assume the animal is well trained?”

“Otis is not a pet,” Lucy said coldly. “He’s a pal. My pal. And his manners are excellent.”

The concierge nodded quickly. “Of course. If you will follow me, I will show you to the ballroom.”

He spun smartly on his heel and headed across the crowded gaming floor.

Heads turned and the curious paused briefly at their slot machines and card tables to watch Gabriel, Lucy, and Otis make their way toward the gilded doors of the ballroom.

“Okay, this is weird,” Gabriel said.

“Get used to it,” Lucy warned in low tones. She sounded amused. “You’re a player in this town now. This is how we do things here.”

“I’m used to being in security,” Gabriel said. “That sort of work is pretty low profile.”

“You are no longer low profile.”

“I’m getting the picture. This is definitely going to take some getting used to.”

“Relax. You look like you were born to wear that tux.”

He slanted a wary glance at her, but he couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or giving him a compliment. He decided it would be a bad idea to ask her to clarify. He was already on shaky ground.

The scene inside the Amber Palace was classic Illusion Town glamour. Crystal chandeliers cast showers of sparkling lights on sequined gowns and elegantly cut tuxedoes and dinner jackets. The buzz of energy in the atmosphere reminded him that there was a reason the term gambling fever had been coined back on the Old World centuries earlier.

A few cameras appeared. Otis posed. There were some muffled giggles from the crowd. Gabriel heard a woman murmur, “Isn’t he adorable?”

The concierge opened the imposing doors of the ballroom with a flourish and stood back. Gabriel paused briefly at the entrance to get his bearings. Lucy halted beside him.

The music did not stop, but it might as well have. A curious hush gripped the crowd. Every head turned toward the doorway.

Lucy tightened her grip on Gabriel’s arm. “Wow. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to make an entrance. I can’t decide if this is very cool rez or simply terrifying.”

“Personally, I think I’ll go with terrifying,” Gabriel said.

Without warning, Otis bounded down off his shoulder and disappeared. That was probably not a good thing, Gabriel thought, but before he could tell Lucy about the disappearance, a uniformed host moved forward to greet them.

“Welcome, Ms. Bell, Mr. Jones,” she said. “If you will come with me, I will escort you to the receiving line.”

The ballroom unfroze. Everyone went back to their cocktails and conversations. Gabriel felt Lucy’s tension escalate a couple of notches as they approached the attractive couple greeting well-wishers.

The host stopped. “Mr. Anthony Spence and Ms. Emeline Newport, allow me to present Ms. Lucy Bell and Mr. Gabriel Jones.”

“Lucy.” Emeline’s eyes widened with delight and something that looked a lot like gratitude. “I’m so glad you could make it. Thank you.”

“Wouldn’t have missed your engagement party for the world, Emeline,” Lucy said.

Gabriel watched, impressed, as the two women did the air-kiss thing. The affection between them appeared genuine.

Lucy stepped back and smiled. “Gabriel, this is my friend Emeline.”

“A pleasure,” Gabriel said.

He smiled at Emeline, aware that Anthony Spence was watching him with an uncertain expression.

“And this is Tony,” Lucy said smoothly. “Another longtime friend.”

Tony nodded, acknowledging the introduction, and promptly turned to Lucy. “Thanks for coming tonight. We appreciate it. Means a lot, believe me.”

He, too, appeared relieved, but Gabriel noticed that no air-kisses were exchanged.

“I wanted to wish you both all the best,” Lucy said.

“We’re both very glad,” Tony said. He shot Gabriel another glance. “We didn’t realize you were bringing a … friend.”

“It was a last-minute thing,” Lucy said. “The invitation said plus-one. I hope you don’t mind. Mr. Jones is a new client.”

“No, of course we don’t mind. Just glad you could make it.” Tony gave Gabriel another assessing glance. “A client?”

“That’s right,” Lucy said. She smiled. “Congratulations on your engagement, Tony. I wish you and Emeline a lifetime of happiness.”

The best wishes sounded heartfelt, Gabriel decided.

Tony smiled. “Thanks.” He turned to Gabriel. “Welcome to Illusion Town, Mr. Jones. It’s about time we had our own Guild here.”

“Thanks,” Gabriel said. “I’m looking forward to joining the community.”

“This really is a surprise,” Emeline said. She looked at Lucy. “We had no idea the two of you were seeing each other.”