Dangerous to Know by Merline Lovelace Page A

every muscle and tendon in her body was tight with tension. Her mouth hurt from keeping it curved into a small, provocative smile, and her eyes felt dry and strained from trying to search the crowd without appearing to. She wasn’t sure whether she’d spent more time looking for David or for her prospective contact.
    She hadn’t seen either one.
    She’d been approached several times, however.
    Once by a rather florid-looking man in a tux and a stand-up collar that appeared to be choking him. Her heart had nearly jumped out of her chest when he stared at her from across a felt-covered table, but she’d managed what she hoped was a seductive smile. To her secret, infinite relief, he’d been detoured at the last moment by a chesty woman with short-cropped iron gray hair and a steely glint in her eyes. The man had sent Paige a regretful glance over one shoulder as he was led away.
    Another potential client had materialized at her elbow not long after that. Bowing over her hand, he’d presented her with a fresh flute of champagne. After a few moments of murmured conversation—smooth on his side, somewhat stilted on hers—he’d brushed a knuckle down the curve of her cheek and asked if she included a certain rare skill in her repertoire. Paige had stared at him blankly. Smiling, he’d elaborated. When she finally understood exactly what skill he referred to, she could barely contain her shock.
    Speechless, she’d shaken her head. Maggie had definitely not included that particular vice on Meredith’s list of offered services. With a murmured expression of regret, the disgusting pervert had moved away.
    At that moment, the glamour had faded from Paige’s grand adventure. For the first time, she’d understood the darker sideof this mission. And the danger if she didn’t do just as David had instructed.
    Her fingers had trembled as she slid them to the back of her neck, searching in vain for the tiny embedded chip. Suddenly her electronic tracking device felt less like a leash and more like a safety line. Only the knowledge that David was here, close by, a part of this glittering, swirling crowd had given her the courage to lift the crystal goblet to her lips and continue the charade.
    Although there were no clocks anywhere in the casino, Paige guessed it was now close to 3:00 a.m. She was feeling the effects of one of the longest, most emotional days of her life. She couldn’t believe that just this morning she’d pulled off onto a little overlook and gazed down at the Mediterranean for the first time. That just this morning she’d choked back tears as she slipped David’s ring over her knuckle.
    Since then, she’d lost her purse, her ring, and a little of her timidity. In return, she’d gained a new wardrobe, a new identity, if only for a short while, and an eye-opening insight into—
    â€œMademoiselle?”
    Paige jumped. Delicate pale gold champagne splashed onto her chest. Blotting it with her palm, she stared at the man she’d labeled the grand duke.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œOne of our guests much admires your charm.”
    â€œHe…he does?”
    â€œHe does. He comes to us well vouchered, you understand? Very well vouchered.”
    Paige understood. This unnamed patron represented the elite of the elite.
    â€œDo you wish to meet him?”
    So sophisticated, she thought. So polite. Unable to speak, she nodded.
    â€œAt your hotel? Within the hour?”
    She swallowed, trying to find her voice.
    â€œWithin the hour, mademoiselle? ”
    Her powers of speech had completely deserted her. She could only stare at the duke and nod.

Chapter 7
    P aige scarcely drew a full breath during the long drive back to the Carlton. The aching exhaustion that had racked her just moments ago was gone. In its place was a shimmering, shivering excitement.
    She’d done it! By God, she’d done it!
    Paige Lawrence, full-time