Left to fend for myself, I awaited my escort’s arrival. Threats aside, I hadn’t expected Mai to abandon me the first chance she got. Showing my ID wouldn’t have raised red flags, at least not tonight. When the guard realized I had none, they would ask me to call in and get a copy faxed over for their records. That shot past red flags and blasted straight into pyrotechnics.

If Vause had tagged my file, she’d know within minutes where I was and demand I put in an appearance to explain my actions. That would sink me and drag Mai down too, not to mention it was a short hop from Mai to Thierry. Without Thierry’s access to conclave resources, I would be forced to sit on my hands and wait out my suspension.

This whole night was turning into a lost cause. Any hopes I had of following up with Ayer burst.

“This is Officer Lam,” the receptionist chimed. “He’ll be escorting you.”

The lanky young man who breezed into the lobby wearing aviator sunglasses flung a grin my way. “It would be my pleasure.”

Heart thumping, I headed for the doors. Things were about to go downhill fast.

The guard beat me to them and held one side open. “After you, miss.”

Outside, the night air teased hairs into my eyes. We reached the coup, and I stalled. “I don’t have the keys. We’ll have to wait for Mai.”

“No need.” He reached into his pocket and brought out a sleek fob that made the car chirp. “Get in there and pretend you’re searching your purse. We need to buy her some time.”

I caught the fob when he tossed it to me. “Who are you?”

“A friend. Mai helped out my kid brother and me when our mom… It doesn’t matter.” He folded his arms and made a show of being impatient while I got in and pretended to search the car. “When Mai gets here, strap in and hold on tight. She’s going to be in a hurry.”

“What about the receptionist?”

He tipped his shades down his nose, revealing mercurial eyes that swirled with power. “I’ll handle it.”

That brief glimpse made my bones melt the way a hot bath at the end of a long day might. Assuming the bath also involved a glass of chilled wine, a tray of decadent chocolates and a blindfolded cellist serenading away your cares while a masseuse gave you the foot massage of your life.

My spine had dissolved, leaving me in a puddle. “Wow.”

“I aim to please.” He nudged the glasses back into place. “Trust me now?”

“Mmm-hmm.”

“Lam,” Mai snapped. “Tell me you didn’t whammy her.”

“Whammy? Really? That’s the best you can do?” His lips twisted. “It cheapens the experience.”

“So that’s a yes. Wonderful.” She huffed. “I hope her friend knows how to drive.”