Alexandra knew the game was not only up, but the recriminations were coming. And she simply couldn’t face it.

Dareios was about to treat her like she was still a kid and tagging after him and Antonio. He was going to lecture her, and she’d go from feeling like a goddess to feeling like a mouse. She couldn’t stand it. And she saw only one chance to escape the disaster this evening had become.

Maybe if he didn’t see her face, maybe he’d doubt that she’d really been here. Maybe…just maybe, she could make him think he’d been wrong. She wasn’t certain she could pull this off, but she had to try.

She stepped up and slapped him—hard. Glaring at him, she put up her chin and moved away. “What kind of game are you playing—calling me another woman’s name?” While Dareios was nursing his reddening face, she headed for the door. She got out and hurried down the hall. She could hear Dareios calling for her to wait.

Seconds later, she burst back into the throng of people inside Club Senza. The noise hit her like a fist. The faint echo of Dareios’ steps behind her disappeared, and she wove her way onto the dance floor. The smell of sweat, booze and perfumes wrapped around her and left her head swimming.

She had to get out. She would lose Dareios in the mass of people dancing on the floor to a popular rock song, and then she’d bail on this mess. She darted around one couple, ducked under an outstretched arm, and ran smack into her vampire.

He grinned. He had one arm wrapped around a girl dressed as a fairy and one around her now. “I see you’ve changed your mind.” He pulled her against his chest. The fairy giggled.

Alexandra used both hands to shove against his chest. She wanted to smack him as she had Dareios but her hand was already stinging. She glanced over his shoulder and saw Dareios searching for her. Her throat tightened.

She simply couldn’t face him—it was too…too humiliating. What had she been thinking? That one kiss and Dareios would see her in a different light? Well, they’d had their kiss…and nothing had changed. For a few seconds, she’d been in his arms, and everything had been perfect. Better than perfect. Dareios’ kisses were magic. She’d melted under the touch of his lips—he’d tasted like heaven. And then…somehow, he’d recognized her. She wanted to cry. Or to hit someone.

The music was an upbeat number and she pushed against the vampire one more time. “Give me a little room to move if you really want to dance with me.”

The vampire grinned, took a slight step away. He twirled the fairy who smiled at Alexandra and gave her a wink. Stomach tightening, Alexandra wondered if this night could get any weirder or worse.

* * *

Dareios searched the crowded dance floor. He was almost positive his Greek goddess was Alexandra Rosso, but was she? She’d darted away from—she’d slapped him. But she hadn’t taken off her mask. And where the hell was she now? Who was she? Had he gotten it wrong? But how could he have—he’d known from the first instant he’d seen her that she looked familiar.

Oh, hell, what if she just looked a lot like Alexandra? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been attracted to a girl because she looked like…no, no, he wasn’t going there with that thought. Alexandra was his best friend’s sister—end of story. And he was going to drag her out of this club and read her the riot act for pulling a joke on him like this.

He headed for the main entrance. Brian was there, talking to the doorman, and from there Dareios knew he’d also be able to see the back exit opposite the front doors.

“Where did your goddess run off to?” Brian asked. He scanned the bar as if she expected the woman in question to magically appear. “Problems?”

Dareios shrugged. He’d lost his cape and now he pulled off his hat and mask. He was damn tired of costumes. “Do you have a copy of the guest list for this evening?”

“Sure. Weren’t you successful in getting her name?” Brian nodded to the doorman, who offered up his clipboard.

Dareios scanned the list. “No. Although, I think I know who she is.” He stabbed a finger at one name. “A. Rosso. Did Antonio make a donation?”

Brian nodded. “I don’t know. We haven’t gone over all the checks yet. But I know he’s usually good for a few hundred thousand. That’s why I sent him an invitation.”

“Well, his sister took you up on the invite.” Dareios turned his attention back to the crowded dance floor. The music changed to a slow, romantic tune. The mass of people diminished, with some leaving to find refreshments and others wrapping themselves around each other, leaving lots of open space.

The dim lighting wasn’t helping, but a flash of gold caught his eye. He pushed the clipboard back at the doorman. “Excuse me. I have an unmasking to attend.” He headed for that flash of gold. As he got closer, he could see the vampire had his hands on two women. Dareios clenched his hands at his side. He was going to punch out that damn vampire.

She’s not yours and never will be.

Dareios shook his head. Great, now she had him totally confused. But he was going to rip off her mask, and if it was Alexandra, he was hauling her ass out of here. He didn’t want to think what he would do if it wasn’t his Alex.