Still, the bright, elegant atmosphere didn’t even come close to outshining all the jewels on display.
Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, and more winked from behind three-inch-thick glass cases throughout the rotunda. The jewels themselves were impressive enough, but the settings were even more extravagant: gold, silver, and platinum that had been hammered into all sorts of shapes, from classic princess-cut diamond solitaire rings to an owl pin with quarter-sized emeralds for eyes to a clutch purse covered with rubies that had been fitted together in the shapes of roses. It was like standing in the middle of the world’s most impressive and expensive rainbow. There was easily more than a hundred million dollars’ worth of stones in this room, each one vainly chirping about its own sparkling beauty. The gemstones’ boasting voices perfectly punctuated the fast-paced music.
“Deirdre owns all these jewels?” Owen asked.
“Just a few pieces,” I said. “Most of the items belong to folks here in Ashland. Apparently, Deirdre knows everyone who’s anyone, especially among the society crowd, and she got them all to loan their jewelry to her.”
“Impressive,” Owen said.
And it truly was. The display of Mab Monroe’s personal effects here back during the summer had been a sight to see, but this was something else. I’d never been much for jewelry, but even I couldn’t help gawking at all the unique and interesting pieces on view. I could almost admire Deirdre for putting together such a lavish, over-the-top show.
Almost.
“Let’s find Finn and Bria.” I paused. “After we have a drink. Or three.”
“Sounds like someone needs a little liquid courage for her next encounter with Mama Dee,” Owen teased.
“Absolutely.” I elbowed him in the side. “Now, shut it, wiseguy, and take me to the bar.”
Owen and I grabbed a couple of drinks—a Scotch on the rocks for him and a gin and tonic for me—then walked around the rotunda, looking at the jewelry and searching for our friends. In addition to Ashland’s upper crust, several underworld bosses were here tonight, and I once again had to stop and make nice with the more important ones, just as I had done at the bank’s cocktail party. Once again, my cheeks started to ache from all the fake smiles and 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.