The Royal Elite: Mattias Read Online Free Page A

away, assured Ahsan would follow. Easing through the crowd, Mattias greeted several more people, keeping his attention cordial and brief. Stepping down a long hallway, he slowed his pace in anticipation of Ahsan coming abreast in short order. Once they were even, Mattias chose a spot halfway between arches to stop and face his brethren.
    “Did you get it?” Ahsan inquired without preamble, pausing when Mattias did. Scratching the ends of his fingers through a fine layer of whiskers on his chin, Ahsan watched Mattias with sharp eyes.
    “The fact you have to ask me proves you have a large hole somewhere in your security system.” Mattias flicked the diamond brooch toward Ahsan. Their bet—whether or not Mattias could snatch a personal item of Ahsan's without detection—had come to an end. “And now you owe me a thousand dollars. Pennies to you, I realize, but it's worth every second of that perturbed expression you're currently wearing.”
    Quick with his hands, Ahsan snatched the pin out of the air, mouth quirking with displeasure. “I was sure you wouldn't get past the four guards in the hall, much less the safe.”
    “It's all about distraction,” Mattias said.
    “Apparently. I'll be having a talk with a few of my men later, for sure.” Ahsan pocketed the pin. “Quit gloating. The look doesn't suit you.”
    “It's not every day that I get one over on Prince Ahsan Afshar. I'll gloat as long as I need to.” Mattias allowed his amusement to linger only another minute before his expression sobered. There were more important things to talk about than winning bets. Before he could open dialogue about Alannah, periphery alerted him to company. Glancing down the hallway, Mattias observed three women, all dressed to the nines, heading their direction. Two he recognized from the gaggle that had surrounded Ahsan thanks to their colorful gowns. He waited with practiced patience as the women flirted openly with them both, passing by with wiggles of their fingers and coy bats of their lashes. Single, each and every one.
    “Ladies,” Mattias said. Might as well indulge in a greeting until the women were out of earshot.
    “Hello.” Ahsan joined in, eyeballing the sway of the women's hips as they sashayed away and eventually disappeared through an archway that would lead them back to the gala.
    Swinging his attention to Ahsan, Mattias said, “There is something else. Leander approached me earlier with information about a possible situation with a Miss Alannah Astbury.”
    Ahsan's demeanor changed at the news. Gone were all signs of the playboy; growing serious, a frown taking shape on his brow, he said, “What situation?”
    “Leander is still trying to ferret out the details, but he said there has been a rumor floating through the lower ranks about a possible hit on the woman.”
    “Here, at the gala?”
    “I believe so, yes.”
    “That's ballsy,” Ahsan said, brows shifting high in surprise from their former furrow. “Do they know who or why?”
    “Not yet. It's still a rumor—or two rumors—at this point. Leander and I believe she deserves our protection, however, until we know for sure. Are you in?” Mattias knew he didn't have to ask. Any member of the Elite would be 'in'. They lived and breathed for these moments, for the danger and the challenge. Ahsan was as addicted to the thrill as the rest of them. Each man involved took their position seriously.
    “Of course. None of my men has said anything, obviously, but if they come to me with any mention of her, I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'll take a shift watching over her. I vaguely recall her family name and some pictures in a few magazines.”
    “She's Dean Astbury's daughter. A little skittish in her own right, so it might not be as easy to track her as you might think.” As Mattias had found out firsthand.
    “Mm, Australian banking empire, right?” Ahsan asked.
    “Right.”
    “What do you mean by skittish?”
    “She's a little socially