An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 28

I kept my eyes on Titus, he was laughing with Cesar for a bit before he bid his goodbyes and walked to another refreshment table.

Dante was also here, he was in a dark suit and a red mask and a women had her arm around his and he was speaking with an older couple. It must be Jacy.

Suddenly I felt sick and it wasn't because of the alcohol.

" What's wrong?" Adan leaned down to talk to me.

" Titus Gales is here."

" Cesar's apprentice." He said.

I exhaled, " I'm going to try to get a dance with Cesar."

" I think this is a good time to tell me why we're here in the first place. Why do you want Cesar?"

I sighed again, " It's a long story, but that women that Cesar has his hands around. She's wearing the queen's missing necklace and I got framed for taking it."

He looked appalled for a moment before he nodded. " What do you need me to do?"

" Take a dance with her and try to get it back."

" You think so little of me Sia, I've taken hundreds of necklaces."

" Exactly, you're more in practice than I am."

I quickly made my way towards Cesar, when he notice my presence he turn to greet me.

" Care for a dance Mister?" I curtsied, keeping my eyes on the ground.

" Sorry sweetheart. You have to sign up."

I cringed at the word sweetheart. Was this man so famous he had a line of fans? The answer was yes, another women pushed a clipboard into my hands and my mouth fell open. Over thirty girls had signed up. I put down my name and slid back into the background.

Sadly that didn't last long. The name Salina Dark had traveled quickly throughout the ball and everyone wanted a dance.

" Miss, may I have the honor of a dance with the most beautiful girl at the ball?"

A blond haired boy opened his hands towards me. I grimaced, and snuck a glance towards Titus and Dante. They looked too engrossed in conversation to notice.

I had no choice but to agree and he swept me up into a dance.

" You're very pretty." He repeated.

" Thank you." I narrowed my eyes slightly.

Salina Dark was a legacy. She was the daughter of one of the most famous sweetliars in the country as well as heir to a small fortune. Most people wanted her. Not many people wanted Sia, the girl who disliked sweetliars with a passion, the girl who adored oat pastries and felt more at home with the Krills than her own grandparents.

" I hope we meet again." His lips brushed against my knuckles and I fought the urge to pull away.

As soon as he left, more suitors lined up and I soon was passed from one boy to another. By the time I finished, my head was spinning and I quickly made it to a table to grab a cup of water.

Cesar was chatting up the women who was laughing at his words but she didn't seem like he wanted to dance.

A flash of white caught my attention and I gasped. The fortuneteller was here as well as her bodyguards. Oh gods. This was going to end in disaster.

Before I could think anymore I felt a tap on my shoulder, it was the women who had given me the clipboard.

" You're up next."

I smiled brightly and followed her to the other side of the room.

Cesar was practically oozing charm when he dropped off the women who was blushing. She giggled when he winked at her.

All I could think about was that I suddenly knew where Titus got his charm from. I took a quick survey of the room. Adan was still trying on the women, Dante, Titus, and Jacy were in a corner chatting with other guest and the fortuneteller was drowning her sorrows in glasses of wine.

Okay, I can do this.

Cesar held out a hand for me and I took it and he pulled me into a quick dance.

" So you're the girl everyone's talking about. Salina Dark. I thought you were missing."

I smiled, " Gossip is tiring don't you think?"

" There's always some truth to gossip." He replied just as easily.

I laugh politely, " Well I guess that depends on the person who speaks."

" Certainly." He spun me gently and was careful to keep his hands on all the appropriate places.

I felt sick. This was the same man who attacked me and framed me. I wondered if he even remembered that he did that.

I started to question him on his work, edging closer to the heist with the queen's necklace when he cut me off.

" How old are you?"

" Nineteen." I answered.

His eyes brightened, " Oh you're around the same age as my former apprentice. Oh I must introduce you two. He has been rather pitiful since his breakup with his boyfriend a few years back."

He was pulling me towards the direction of Titus and Dante. I swallowed.

" Oh, you're too kind. Perhaps later. They look busy."

Cesar shook his head, " No, no. It will only take a second."

My breath hitched as we stopped in front of Dante and Titus. Dante's eyes widened once he saw me and for a second his expression stayed like that until he relaxed.

Jacy seemed unaware and smiled, the same smile reserved for strangers.

Titus on the other hand narrowed his eyes like I looked familiar but couldn't quite place it.

My breathing went shallow.

" Titus, this is Miss Dark. Her father was a very famous sweetliar and this is the first time in years that she has attended a ball."

He smiled, " It's an honor to meet you." 
He lifted my hand to kiss it when he paused and I knew why.

The first day we met, the day I slammed my hand against the window, the bruise went away but left a scar.

His lips brushed against my skin, leaving behind a trail of fire.

" Why don't you two dance? I promised her a dance but I'm getting old." He laughed like he was so carefree.

For a moment Titus's eyes betrayed him. Disgust flashed through them before he nodded.

Titus took my hand and led us to the center of the room.

" Sweetheart, you're Salina Dark? You're a legacy?"