The location was lavish, drenched in gold light, with huge chandeliers suspended above. Elaborate-gown and powdered-wig men danced stiffly about in a ludicrous waltz, and dashing-suited women sporting silk cravats watched them with smiles of amusement.
And in the center of it all was Dante Calloway, his face set in a grim expression as if he wished the earth would open up and swallow him.
Raven was loving every minute.
"Smile, darling," she breathed, smoothing the lapels of her fitted coat as she gazed around at their environment. "You're meant to appear as if you fit in."
Dante growled at her from beneath his powdered wig. "I detest you."
Oh, I know." She smiled, tipping her hat to a passing noblewoman who winked back at her. "But you wear that corset so well."
Dante released a deep breath, rolling his shoulders uncomfortably. "I am going to kill Flynn."
"Get in line," Lucas grumbled, hardly concealing his amusement as he walked alongside them. Unlike Dante, he seemed far more at ease in his scarlet robe, complete with dainty lace gloves and a bejeweled fan.
Valerie, walking alongside him, fiddled with her cufflinks and grinned. "I don't know, Lucas. I think you might've been made for this life."
Lucas huffed dramatically. "Alas, I was born a criminal rather than high society."
Raven grinned. "And I thought you were high society."
Lucas waved his fan with a flourish. "Yes, well. I try my best."
Dante gave them all a deadly glare. "Are we actually doing the mission, or are you all going to keep teasing me?
"Oh, sweetheart," Raven cooed. "We can do both."
Despite their absurd disguises, the team navigated through the party undetected. The whole event was a decadent celebration of excess, complete with performers wearing court jester costumes, champagne flowing liberally, and the sound of laughter ringing through the large ballroom.
Raven leaned over to Dante. "I have to say, you're blending in incredibly well."
Dante gritted his teeth. "That's because nobody is looking at me."
Just in cue, a rather intoxicated nobleman in a very nicely fitted waistcoat strolled over to Dante, looking him up and down.
"My dear, I have to say, you are simply glowing tonight."
Dante's eye flicked. "Excuse me?"
The man smiled. "Would you dance with me?"
Lucas, trying not to laugh, leaned in. "Say yes."
Dante slowly swiveled his head, eyes flashing with anger at his brother. "I will kill you."
The nobleman smiled on. "I insist, madam."
Before Dante was able to commit homicide, Raven intervened with ease, wrapping her arm around Dante's. "Oh, how unfortunate! My handsome friend is already taken." She laid a gloved hand against her chest. "By me."
Dante's fingers curled.
The nobleman scowled. "Ah, a shame. But what a fortunate lady you are."
Raven smiled. "Oh, you have no idea."
As the nobleman wandered off, Lucas let out a breathless wheeze of laughter. "I take it back—this is the best night of my life."
Dante pinched the bridge of his nose. "I swear—"
"Focus," Valerie cut in, though she was enjoying this more than she should. "We're here for information."
Raven nodded. "Right. Let's move."
The others broke apart, moving off in separate areas of the ballroom to listen in on the Calloway associates. Raven gravitated toward a group of fat-cat investors, sipping champagne casually as she eavesdropped.
"…The cargo will arrive at midnight," one of the men whispered to his friend. "If everything goes according to plan, the deal will be set by morning."
Raven's ears pricked up. Jackpot.
She fussed with her cravat and stepped forward, but before she could listen any further, a familiar voice interrupted the air.
"You arrogant little brat!"
Raven spun in time to catch Dante—still clad in that stunning gown—towering over one of the Calloway lieutenants, holding himself back by inches from breaking the man's neck.
Raven sighed. "Oh, for God'ssake."
Lucas rushed over to them. "What did he do?"
Valerie rolled her eyes. "Be Dante, for crying out loud."
The lieutenant snarled at Dante. "You think you can strut in here, all glammed up like some pretty girl, and frighten me?" He smiled. "Sorry, darling, but you don't—"
Dante pulled him forward by the collar. "Say that again."
The man blanched.
Lucas clapped a hand over his face. "We are supposed to be undercover."
Raven, moving quickly, stepped forward with a fake, delighted laugh. "Oh, my darling—" She looped her arm through Dante's again, yanking him back before he could kill anyone. "He meant no offense, I'm sure."
The lieutenant stammered. "N-No, of course not—"
Raven grinned. "Oh, perfect! Now, if you'll excuse us—" She physically pulled Dante away, saying, "What the hell was that?"
Dante clamped his teeth together. "He had it coming."
Lucas sighed. "We allhave it coming, but concentrate."
Valerie, who'd witnessed the entire exchange, folded her arms. "We need to go. Now."
Raven nodded. "Agreed. We got what we came for."
Dante let out a harsh breath. "Finally."
Lucas smiled. "Oh, come on, big brother. You're telling me you didn't have fun with this even a little?"
Dante's glare could have vaporized steel.
Lucas adjusted his skirts with a smug smile. "I, for one, am doing great."
As they headed towards the exit, Raven elbowed Dante good-naturedly. "Admit it. This was fun."
Dante grumbled, "I hope your next tale flops."
Raven laughed out loud.
Lucas spun his fan one final time. "I, myself, will never get over how funny this evening was."
As they melted into the shadows, leaving the opulent masquerade behind, one thing remained in Raven's mind
This is going to be one hell of a story.