Doubt it. Then again, the thrill that he was watching, thathe’d chose to do that rather than Valerie tonight, had me shimmying closer to Archer. I needed out of Jameson’s orbit and to be pulled into someone else’s.
“No, but I know you haven’t had a night out for a while, considering you’ve eaten with me every night. So, before the Knights take over our lives, let’s live a little.”
The man was tempted. I saw it in the way he pulled at the back of his neck before he finally ground out, “One dance.” And then he pulled me close and rocked to the music with me. “I’ll take the risk tonight only, Ms. Darling.”
I glanced up at him and tried to feel something for his chocolate eyes and warm smile. It was comfortable, but not intoxicating. Nice, but not lethal.
Holding back the sigh I wanted to let out, I moved my hips against his and let the song play out, searching for some spark of chemistry.
There wasn’t much there, but we laughed and danced. As the alcohol flowed through my veins to the rhythm of the bass, I threw my head back and let go of my worries.
“I needed this,” I shouted to everyone in our dance circle as the song ended. We walked back to the bar and chatted more. I got a glass of water this time, watching people dance around us as Archer scanned the club. “You know you probably need to loosen up more than I do.”
He harrumphed, and so I sipped my water as Olive told us about how nice it was to be out. “Lucille across the street keeps talking to me about a bush we planted because I’m somehow not nurturing them right.”
“Archer sometimes talks to my plants for me and it helps them to grow.” I winked at Archer. His eyes widened and he stepped back like he wanted nothing to do with our conversation.
Pink eyed him up and down. “You only nurturing herplants?”
Archer groaned and I frowned at him and shrugged. “You want air instead of talking here?” I pointed to the elevators to go up to the balcony. He gave me a look, but I completely ignored it as I pulled his arm and told the girls we’d be right back. He let one of the guys know we were going out there, and of course half of them followed us onto the elevator.
“We need this security all the time?” I leaned against the metal rail to question him.
“It’s a privilege to have it, Ms. Darling. You should be thankful.” He pulled at his black shirt and then ushered me out of the elevator so that I could walk through another room full of people dancing that led to the balcony doors. I pushed through them and let the cool air embrace my glistening skin as we walked out.
“Well, thanks for the security and for the dance, Arch.”
“It’s Jameson’s security. And as for the dance … you’re aware of the boundaries you’re pushing, I assume,” he warned me as I breathed in the night breeze. “He’s more than a little uncomfortable.”
“With me? Doubt it.” I hadn’t received another text from Jameson, and it shouldn’t have mattered if Valerie was there to keep him company anyway.
He shook his head and sighed. “Onlywith you. He isn’t this way with anyone else, not even Valerie … even if you hear them.” My gaze whipped up to his as a gust of wind blew my hair back. I hated that my eyes watered, and I blamed the wind, but we both knew that wasn’t it. I was embarrassed Archer saw my weakness and looked away immediately. Then he said softly, “I know why you ask me to leave your room after dinner, Darling.”
“Oh God,” I whispered and ducked my head as I shivered at the idea. Archer mistook it for being cold and immediately unbuttoned his suit jacket to drape it over my shoulders. Ipulled it closed and murmured a thanks. It was handy that I could tuck my face into it and hide my shame. “Did you tell him?”
“Fuck no, I’m not telling him you’re listening to him and Valerie,” Archer swore, and I knew he wouldn’t. He’d been a friend when I didn’t have one, and someone who sat with me through dinners when he didn’t have to. We laughed together, watched shows together, took care of those kids together at the academy. “I’m not telling him shit. I’m just tellingyou. He’s got his demons, and he protects those he cares about. He’s starting to care more about you than most women. It scares him.”
“Because …”
“Because … it’s his story to tell.” Archer sighed. “Just trust me when I say if you keep pushing those boundaries, they’re bound to break, and you should be ready.”
“For what?”
We didn’t get to finish our conversation. It was only two or three songs that we’d been standing out in that cool breeze on the roof. I heard the bass hit like a warning. Or maybe it was the feeling of being watched by him that erupted over my skin.
Predatory. Invading. And dangerous. Jameson stood at the entrance of the balcony in all black, leather stretching over his shoulders instead of a tailored suit.
His hair looked ruffled, and his jaw was set in that sharp way I was used to seeing. He’d arrived in a hurry, probably to yell at all of us. His men flanked either side of him, and they all looked lethal, ready to stand behind him in whatever he did.
A syndicate that was powerful.Adamantem infractum manet.I saw it in that moment more than I ever had before.
The music around me died, the lights seemed to shine only on him, and the world faded out.
He was the only thing there for me as tension whippedbetween us. I felt Archer step back. “If you can’t find me tomorrow, Mia, I’m at the bottom of a damn lake.”
I opened my mouth to reassure him, but Jameson’s murderous blue gaze stopped me from saying a word. He had Archer in his sights, and I knew keeping him here wasn’t worth it. I waved him away quickly, but he stood his ground even as Jameson walked out the door someone on his security opened for him.
I heard people inside as he did: “Get out of his way. He’s a Knight,” and then, “Is that Bane Black with Dimitri from the HEAT empire?”
