“Oh, is there somewhere else we’re needed? Admittedly, those two seemed to have things well in hand.”

Was she really making puns now?

“We are leaving,” Alec said through gritted teeth. “Obviously.”

They rounded another corner. Down another hallway and they would reach the back entrance.

“I hope you aren’t leaving early on my account. That hardly seems necessary.”

Alec gave her a black look. “I assure you, it isn’t.”

“I had no idea you were such a degenerate,” she continued lightly. “Most surprising. And to think of all the fuss you made over sharing a bed.”

“Shut up, Lottie.” Alec stopped and pulled her toward him until they were mere inches apart. “This is work. I told you I—” he broke off. Lottie shot him a confused look and he brought a finger to his lips.

Just then he heard a voice demand, “Over here! Quickly!”

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway they had just come from. Without another word he pulled Lottie deep into a shadowed alcove and shielded her with his body. If anyone walked past, his black-clad figure would hide them far better than her iridescent gown. Her skirts swirled around his legs, but otherwise they did not touch. Alec pressed his forearms on either side of her, and the marble wall was blessedly cool against his warm palms. He closed his eyes so he could focus on the footsteps, but he couldn’t ignore Lottie’s quick breaths. She was so close they tickled his neck.

The footsteps grew louder. At least two people, possibly three. Alec could identify the strident gait of Signore Cardinelli, who was joined by someone much larger, likely one of his powerful guards. His entire body tensed. They stopped perilously close to the alcove, and Alec instinctively moved closer to Lottie. She inhaled sharply as the lapels of his dinner jacket brushed against her décolletage, but he canted his head toward the hallway.

Cardinelli was talking to another man. Their voices were pitched low, but Alec heard enough: “I want them found immediately. And bring the professor directly to me. He and I have unfinished business. Use the girl as you wish.”

Alec swallowed hard. Thank God Lottie barely spoke Italian.

They exchanged a few more words, then Signore Cardinelli retreated back down the hallway while the guard stalked off in the other direction.

Alec let out a sigh and pressed his forehead to the wall just above her shoulder. A strand of her hair brushed his ear, and he nearly succumbed to the urge to lean his cheek against her mass of curls. At some point Lottie had taken hold of his shirtfront with trembling fingers. All her earlier bravado was gone now.

“It’s all right.” He placed his hands over hers and eased her iron grip.

“I heard the word ‘professore,’” she said, her voice uncommonly strained. “Are they looking for you?”