Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Did he know what I was going to wear?
Regardless of how Ethan knew who I was, I gazed at him, wanting to finish our kiss, but knowing that it would make no sense for him now. My body burned for his touch, but I would have to wait for him to get comfortable.
Was he the sort of guy that didn’t want a super forward woman?
Because honestly, I didn’t want to talk anymore. I just wanted to rise on the tip of my toes and stuff my tongue in his mouth.
Ethan gazed at me. Hunger filled his eyes. “You look breathtaking this evening.”
“Thank you.”
“I. . .” He cleared his throat. “I planned to meet you by your limo and give you a private tour.”
“I would like that.” I hooked my arm around his.
Ethan glanced down at my arm. A stunned expression hit him, yet he recovered quickly.
I slowly turned us around and guided us inside the mansion. “However, I would really like to know more about the inside of this manor and even the innerworkings of this party.”
“O-kay. What did you have in mind?” He took the lead, had us enter, and steered us toward a massive ballroom.
I gasped.
The ballroom was a fantasy of white roses, shimmering gold décor, and crystal chandeliers.
At least five chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, which had been painted a sky-blue. The space could have been the setting for a King and Queen’s marriage, or a movie about a Cinderella-like heroine dashing off to a ball.
Hundreds of elegantly dressed dancers filled the ballroom with laughter and glittering jewelry. Expensive perfume and cologne added to the frivolity of the evening.
I widened my eyes. “This is magical.”
“Before I take you on the tour, would you like something to drink?”
“Oh no.” I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
He gave me a curious look.
That was when I spotted all of the different waiters strolling by.
My anxiety soared.
There must have been over twenty of them, carrying trays of champagne flutes and hors d’oeuvres.
They all wore the same long, hooded satin capes with layers of sequins glittered along the edges. And the same glittering gold masks covered all of their faces, leaving only their eyes visible.
Terrified, I inched closer to Ethan.
He looked down at me. “What questions did you have about the innerworkings of the party?”
“I have a question about the waiters’ costumes.”
“Okay.”
“Where are they kept? Can anyone just put one on? Or is it a particular room where they are stored?”
“Actually, there is a storage room where the costumes are kept. Anything can happen at a party—accidental spills, rips, and tears. During the party, I always want the staff to look their best.”
“So, if a waiter happens to rip or stain a cape, they go to the back and get a new one?”
“Correct.”
Was my killer an actual waiter with a chip for me on his shoulder?
Or was it someone I knew who snuck into the storage room to change and then come back out to kill me?
Wouldn’t that take planning?
The person had to know that I was actually coming to the party. Then, they had to know that the waiters were wearing costumes and where to get one.
The first time the person killed me, it was with poison to my champagne.
The second time they found me in the maze and shot me with a gun.
What the hell did I do to this person?
I gazed up at Ethan.
To my shock, he was glancing my way as he guided us through the party.
I blinked. “Um. . .”
“I am happy to finally have you near me.”
I blushed.
With each re-meeting of Ethan, I fell for him more and more.
“I. . .have a question.” I cleared my throat. “Who would know where to get the costumes?”
“Only the staff.”
“What about people outside of the staff?”
“It is not the pentagon. However, I like to keep things like the décor and costumes secret. Only people who work for me would know.”
Did my killer work for him?
Instead of taking us toward the bar, he led us to a massive doorway going to the hallway.
“It’s noisy in here.” Ethan smiled at me. “Can I take you to my office for a private conversation?”
“I would like that.”
Especially since someone is trying to get rid of me out here.
Ten feet away, a waiter walked toward us.
Oh no.
The long black cape seemed to float in the air.
Scared, I got closer to Ethan.
He snapped his view to me. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yes.” I kept my view on the waiter that looked to be heading our way.
Shit.
When ten feet lay between us and the waiter, he pulled something huge out of his cape.
I shrieked and jumped behind Ethan.
A couple of guests turned our way.
“What’s wrong, Maya?” Ethan gently held my arms. “How can I help?”
My bottom lip quivered. I peeked around him.
The waiter stopped right next to us.
Fuck!
I tried to rush off.