Catwoman: Soulstealer (DC Icons #3)(60)

It wasn’t just the signs of wealth—it was the sense of home, even in the ballroom, that radiated from each inch of it. Each room full of places where she’d love to spend an afternoon curled up. Tasteful, elegant, and welcoming.

A band played at one end of the giant domed space, the dance floor already full. Far more than usual, but the band was better than usual, too.

But even better: the diamond-and-sapphire necklace displayed in a glass case on the opposite side of the long, rectangular ballroom from where the band played.

She’d barely looked for Luke, even if it was his house. She’d spotted him by an archway, greeting almost every guest, when she arrived. All of them had seemed grateful for the security at both of the gates along the drive, stationed at every door.

Selina had seen it as a challenge.

Fifteen million dollars. That’s how much the Fox necklace was worth.

Taking it when there was so much security? An added bonus.

Clad in a long-sleeved red dress, Selina had quickly surveyed the initial details of the ballroom, bypassed Luke, and greeted his mother instead. She could barely bring herself to look too long at the kind, glowing woman who had welcomed her into this house, the woman who she’d be stealing from. At the tall, handsome man at her side, the spitting image of Luke in a few decades, who greeted each guest as if they were a close friend.

So the hellos had been quick, before Luke could finish greeting the guest before him and turn their way, and Selina had headed into the crowd, letting the swish in her hips do the talking for her.

They hadn’t seen or spoken to each other since that night, though he’d knocked on her door twice. She hadn’t felt like answering.

In the past two hours, she’d felt him watching her, though. As she danced with countless men, as she drank and ate with the various ruling ladies of Gotham City. And now, as she danced with an aging business titan, a coy, bland smile on her face, she felt Luke’s stare from across the room.

He was in the middle of a conversation with a truly ancient old man—good. The old man seemed to be talking his ear off, and though Luke seemed to be truly listening…Selina ignored the glance Luke cast her way. Perhaps she was being unfair, perhaps a bit sensitive, but…

She could still hear his cold words. About how he didn’t care what she did. She didn’t care if he apologized or not.

It had been her mistake. To hope for a different reaction.

The song rolled to a close, and Selina stepped out of her current partner’s embrace, offering a smile to the old man. Before she’d made it a step, a deep voice said from behind her, “Mind if I cut in?”

The old man only gave a charming bow before backing away.

Selina stared up at Luke. He stared back at her.

“Hello,” he said, his voice a bit hoarse. He was in his Marines uniform, dashing as ever.

Causing a scene by walking away would only draw attention to her presence. With the necklace in the balance, her best chance of remaining undetected lay in being seen here, but not really noted.

“Hello,” Selina said, offering up a hand for him to take.

Luke kept silent, sliding a hand around her waist as he took her hand and led her into the next song.

Selina cringed a bit as a sweet, old jazz melody filled the ballroom.

Not this song. Anything but this song.

It wasn’t the song from Carousel, but…How many times had she heard Maggie play this, singing along as best she could? How many times had she slow-danced with her sister in their kitchen to this song?

Her body turned distant, the dress stifling. Every beat and note a stab to the gut. She could barely look at Luke, at anyone.

Fighting the pain rising in her chest, Selina fixed her gaze on a spot over his shoulder.

Luke made it through the first verse and chorus before he asked, “Not a fan of jazz?”

The question pulled her out of the fog of memory long enough to look at him. It was another life ago. Another world. And this new world she inhabited…“I love jazz, actually.” It was the truth.

“Then why the grimace?”

She could never explain. Not really. “Someone I…They loved this song.” She shook her head. “Old memories.” It was as much truth as she could offer.

Luke swallowed. “I’m sorry for how shitty I acted the other night.”

Selina stiffened. “It’s fine.”

Luke frowned. “It’s not. I’m never at my best after a fight, and with the pain and exhaustion, and when you mentioned your date—”

“Oh, so it’s my fault you snapped at me?”

An older couple whipped their heads toward them. Luke led her a little farther away, voice low as he said tightly, “I didn’t say that.”

“Yes, you did.” Her jaw clenched as she looked away, searching for an escape route off this dance floor that wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.

He cleared his throat. “I reacted badly. That’s what I’m trying to say.”

“What do you even care?” The words were cold, flat. Not at all the lilting drawl she wielded with Holly.

“I thought we were friends,” he said carefully.

Again, she looked at him, no light or amusement in her voice. “I don’t have friends.”

A muscle flickered in his jaw. “Well, I’m trying to change that.” Selina said nothing. He went on, “And I’m trying to apologize to you.”