In Your Clutches

Part 13: Best Good Luck Charm

AMELIA

"Fuck, what do we do?" I asked him as the guard neared us.

"I don't know, channel your inner seductress or something. We have to get in," he replied, his voice tinged with desperation.

Inner seductress? I inwardly groaned. Did I even possess such a mythical charm?

"What you doing?" The guard interrupted, pulling his cigar from his mouth. He was a stout black man in a sharp black uniform.

"Uh... we're both expected at this event. Why else would we be lurking around?" I stuttered, sensing the guard's skepticism.

"If you think you can deceive—"

I slid off my fur coat with effortless grace, draping it over my arm in a calculated move that caught the guard's attention, his eyes inevitably drawn to my cleavage. Marco, noticing the subtle distraction tactic, shot me a knowing smirk as I twirled a lock of hair between my fingers with practiced finesse.

"Yes?" I squeaked, attempting to maintain an air of innocence.

The guard cleared his throat and pressed on, "He with you?" He gestured towards Marco.

"Yep," I affirmed, making the 'p' pop for effect. Fantastic, he probably thought I had a sugar-daddy.

"I need to see the evidence, Miss. If you can just show me the invitation card, it would be dandy." He licked his lips.

Fuck.Damn. I had no invitation. Think, think! I had exhausted all my womanly wiles. Panic set in. Marco shot me concerned glances from behind the guard.

"Oh... umm... hold on. It must be in my purse somewhere... You know how chaotic these things can get. Aha! Here it is! Oh no—" I I feigned distress, fishing around in my purse.

"What's wrong?" Marco and the guard inquired simultaneously.

"My ring... it fell. Didn't you hear it hit the floor?" I shot Marco a warning look.

"Oh, yes. Definitely. We should search for it," Marco quickly caught on, rubbing his brow in feigned concern.

"But, I didn't—"

"Yes, honey. You gave it to me and I don't wanna lose it. It was worth all of this guard's yearly income." I interjected dramatically, cutting off the guard and initiating a fake search for the ring.

I could practically see the dollar signs in the guard's eyes as he watched us frantically look for the nonexistent ring.

"Well, aren't you going to help? I might have to complain to Mr. Declan about the incompetence of his security," I accused the guard, laying it on thick.

"No, no, please don't do that. I'll assist in the search," he pleaded, joining our futile quest.

"Do you even know what you're looking for?" Marco whispered as we searched.

"Not a clue," I admitted, rising to my feet. Marco looked amused as I continued, "I think it might have rolled far. Could you check over there?" I pointed, distracting the guard.

He gave me an exasperated look but complied. I signaled to Marco, who nodded in understanding.

"Maybe it's in the bushes?" I suggested, feigning ignorance.

"Miss, I don't think—"

"Mr. Declan wouldn't think twice, too, before sacking you," I interrupted with faux concern.

"I'm looking, I'm looking." He raised his hands in surrender, bending deeper into the bushes.

"Perhaps we should check the other bushes," Marco suggested.