19. Ivy #2
The red carpet beneath my feet leads down a wide set of stairs, a golden spindle balcony framing the view down to the floor below, where hundreds, possibly thousands, of people fill the space, sandwiched between poker tables, gambling machines, and wide bars, drinks flowing freely.
The energy is a complete shift from the other side of that door, but I already know I prefer it out here.
There are a lot more people to contend with, but out here, the corruption doesn’t feel as suffocating.
All of the cunning people remain in that room, rubbing elbows and climbing an invisible status ladder, only to lose everything before they reach the top so that those holding down the fortress never lose their position.
“What now?” I breathe, and Archer huffs, his gaze fixed on the crowd below as he replies.
“Now, you guys become my eyes and ears,” he states, and I gulp.
“And you?” I press as he straightens his jacket.
“Now, I become an asshole.”
Before I can ask for any more details, he saunters down the stairs, fixing the button on his suit jacket as all the attention in the room seems to drift to him.
Curiosity.
Desire.
Jealousy.
It bleeds in everyone’s eyes, each wanting something from him in some capacity.
I can feel the sickly green burn in my veins, jealousy threatening to take me captive, when Baron clenches my hand and tugs me from my thoughts.
“Whatever you’re feeling, Firefly, let it pass.”
“I’m not feeling anything,” I insist, falling into step with the others as we head down the stairs, Sax leading the way as Teddy keeps a step behind.
“Of course not,” Baron muses, and I glare at him out of the corner of my eye. “But keep that magic under control when… fuck.”
I follow his line of sight, spying a girl pressing her hand against Archer’s shoulder, batting her eyelashes at him.
I will not let jealousy make me its bitch.
I will not let jealousy make me its bitch.
I will not let jealousy—
Dammit.
My hands curl into fists at my sides, emotions getting the better of me as I consider how to make her suffer, when Archer pries her hands from him, and a moment later, a member of security escorts her away.
“See, Firefly. He’s got this covered.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I insist, and he scoffs.
“You’re a hot mess, and I love watching you burn,” Baron declares, and my jaw falls slack as he winks before dragging me farther into the room.
“Teddy, hold my hand, will you? This guy thinks I’m a hot mess,” I grumble with a pout, and Teddy doesn’t waste a single second before tugging me from the Air Protector’s grasp.
“Don’t hurt her feelings, dumbass,” Teddy chastises as Sax grins in amusement, all while Baron pouts worse than I do.
With a new hated mate at my side, a pep in his step as he guides me deeper into the crowd, I let it swallow me up as I embrace my surroundings, working hard as hell not to look back in Archer’s direction.
“Let’s make you my good luck charm, shall we?” Teddy offers, coming to a stop beside a card table, and I gulp nervously.
He takes a seat, Baron and Sax filling the cushioned stools on either side of him as he tugs me into his lap.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as he splays one hand over my bare thigh, while the other sweeps my hair over my shoulder before he presses his lips against my skin.
I shiver.
“Not in public again, Teddy,” Sax grumbles, need burning in his eyes as he glances at me, and I press my lips into a thin line, desperate to hide the smile on my face.
It feels like a distant memory now that my mind is clouded with everything before me, but it was only a few hours ago.
Teddy raps his knuckles on the tabletop, and a pile of chips is placed before him. My eyes widen further with surprise. I’m aware how casinos work, but I’ve never been in one before, and to see the chips before me feels surreal.
The guys start talking, but everything goes over my head as the dealer sets out their cards. Teddy must sense my lack of presence, offering me a chip with one hand as his other strokes down my spine soothingly.
I smile, pressing my thumb against the plastic in my hands.
Letting the game play out, I cast my gaze over the room, curiosity seeping through my bones as I watch all walks of life get lost in the desire to win.
A woman sobs in the far corner, the machine in front of her gushing with coins as the screen flashes with a jackpot.
Not five steps from her, a man rages, arguing with security as they escort him from the building, face red and veins popping as desperation radiates from him like a thundercloud.
Tilting my head, my attention latches on to a couple settled at another high-top table.
He leans back in his seat, an air of swagger that’s noticeable from here, while she nibbles at her bottom lip, looking at him with longing in her eyes. I can’t tell if they’re familiar with each other or if she wants to be. Regardless, it has nothing to do with me.
“If you see anything out of the ordinary, Princess, just tap my leg,” Teddy murmurs, his lips dusting over the shell of my ear, and I shiver.
“You say that like I’m supposed to know what ordinary looks like in a place like this,” I retort, and his lips spread against my skin.
“You know, any sleight of hand or dodgy business, anything that could help Archer,” he explains, and my eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“No one really explained what is expected of him for me to know how to help,” I clarify, and his hand kneads my thigh.
“His father’s head of security is out, so he called Archer to fill in for him. If anybody manages to beat the casino by cheating, the wrath will fall on his shoulders.”
“Wait, what?” I rear back, my heart stuttering in my chest, making Sax place his hand on my other thigh in an attempt to calm me down.
Teddy gives me a moment to sit with my emotions as he continues the card game, then returns his attention to me.
“Baron can help him with sound, but he needs our added eyes too,” he murmurs, and I nod.
“No pressure then,” I grumble, recalling Archer writhing in pain at his father’s hands, and Teddy kisses my cheek.
“No pressure,” he repeats before slamming his fist against the table and cheering. “Bring me the money, boys. Hand it all over now if you want; I’ve got my lucky charm with me,” he sings, earning an eye roll from the twin brothers.
“Is that lucky charm for sharing?”
Leery eyes land on mine as an intoxicated man leans on the table, his gaze flickering to my chest and back twice as I grimace with disgust.
I part my lips, but it’s pointless because Sax kicks into action, slamming the man’s head into the table three times with so much force that the ground shakes beneath us.
With a huff, the Land Protector lets the limp body collapse in a heap on the floor at my feet, and I cringe as a drop of blood lands on my foot.
“Somebody get this rowdy fucker out of here before he loses his fucking pulse,” Sax snarls, security rushing toward us as my gaze finds Archer across the crowd.
Worry flickers in his eyes, drawing his eyebrows together as he considers coming over, but I shake my head, encouraging him to focus so his father doesn’t get any ideas. I can see the distress in the tightness of his jaw and I hate how torn he feels.
“My apologies, Miss. Would you like a drink? On the house, of course,” a lady offers, a glass of champagne in her hands as Baron kneels at my side, using the lapel of his jacket to erase the blood from my skin.
I consider the offer, but before I can accept or decline, Teddy waves her off and she huffs.
“You don’t take drinks from strangers, Princess,” he states before I can even complain, halting me in my tracks, and I nod instead.
“Why is this the in we were wanting?” I ask, peering at Teddy, who nods toward the door.
Following his line of sight, my jaw falls slack as his mother comes into view.
Anger vibrates through me, rage on the tip of my tongue when Archer appears, distress clouding his hazel eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I blurt, and he gulps, hands planted on the tabletop as he struggles to catch his breath.
“He set me up. That motherfucker set me up,” he snaps, making my muscles clench with worry.
“Why?” Baron asks as Sax speaks too.
“How?”
Archer drags a hand down his face, but it does nothing to ease the tension on his features.
“My mother needs me, and it’s his fault,” he rasps, lifting a hand to his chest as his breath comes in short, sharp bursts.
“You’re not making sense, Archer. Slow down, let us help you,” I insist, and I growl, rage burning past his lips.
“I have to leave because my mother needs me.”
“She needs you how?” Teddy asks, and I swear Archer’s lower lashes gather unshed tears.
“She relapsed.”