I lifted my chin, anger flooding me. “Yes.”
He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face before pressing a button on his wrist. “I know you did this with good intentions, and it’s hard to be angry with someone who was trying to protect the person I care about most, but understand that you interrupted a scene that’s been planned for almost a month. And obviously, it won’t be the same after the interruption. So I am angry, even though I’m trying my best not to show it. Next time, make sure you know the circumstances before you interrupt somethinghere.”
Someone came sprinting out of the maze. “Everything okay?”
The man gestured to me. “Either the roof wasn’t cleared or someone slipped past you. Blondie over here interrupted the scene thinking it was real. Please escort her to Amber.”
I spotted a dark, metallic armband on the newcomer. A monitor. He looked me up and down, disapproval clear on his face, before looking back at the man, who’d closed in on his partner and was making sure she was okay. “You want expulsion or punishment?”
“Whatever Amber thinks is best. Just take her so we can get back to…” he gestured generally to the roof.
Blinking, I looked at them both again, shame washing through me. “I’m sorry.”
The monitor held my upper arm firmly and guided me through the maze back toward the elevator. He pressed his hand to his ear. “I need someone to replace me on rooftop duty for a few minutes.” Then he glanced at me. “What were you thinking? We told everyone to get off the roof.”
“I… I didn’t hear any announcement or—” Fuck, I hated it when my voice started to lock up. It took what felt like superhuman strength to finish the sentence. “anything.”
Was that the louder shouting I’d heard earlier? Them clearing the roof? “I was in the maze, but like… this little balcony area just outside it? I heard voices, but there were so many people up here when I came up, I thought it was them. I’m so sorry.”
He sighed heavily. “Well, that’s good to know. Now we know thatwe need to clear everywhere on the roof by sight. But didn’t you check the schedule?”
“Schedule?”
We were just stepping out of the maze near the elevator when he turned and looked at me. “You don’t know about the schedule? For members? Where you reserve rooms for scenes?”
My voice fought me, my throat closing. One long, slow breath and I managed to locate a whisper. “I’m not a member,” I said softly. “It’s my first time here. I’m writing an article about the club, so Amber let me explore.”
“Amber?” he spoke into his earpiece again. “Yeah, I need you at the elevator once we get down there.”
He still held my arm. I didn’t fight it, though it wasn’t like I was about to run away and hide in the maze again. Fuck. Tears pricked my eyes, and I looked down at the floor to hide them. This was the last thing I wanted.
If Amber didn’t want to do the article now…
This was the longest elevator ride in the history of the world. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach. I hated fucking up. It was my least favorite feeling. Knowing there was no one to blame but myself.
It was alwaysme.
Amber stood in front of the doors when they opened, and she frowned. “Trinity?”
The monitor guided me to her side before he let go. “She interrupted the scene. James says it’s your call on expulsion or punishment. He just wanted to get back to it. But personally, I’m for expulsion.”
My face heated, and I looked down once more. Over at the wall. Anywhere but at her.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll take it from here.”
As soon as he was gone, I started talking. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear them clearing the roof, and it sounded soreal. And I couldn’t let that happen to someone else. Someone had to hear her. Someone had tohear her.”
Amber studied me for a long moment. There wasn’t any anger there, but it felt like she saw far too much.
“Here, let’s sit.” Instead of taking me back to the bar, she grabbed her things and guided me to a shadowed corner away from the dance floor. Comfy couches and chairs were clustered together, and they were miraculously empty. They were close to a scene area that wasn’t currently in use and clearly meant for an audience to relax and watch.
“Can someone bring two water bottles to the main floor viewing chairs, please?” She put her tablet and phone on the couch between us.
A staff member appeared and handed both of us water bottles before vanishing. The party continued around us as if nothing had happened. It made me feel slightly better. Like I hadn’t just ruinedeverything for everyone. Just the couple upstairs. But that was bad enough.
I swallowed. “If you don’t want to do the article or the interview anymore, I understand. I truly am sorry. I’m… not sure what came over me. It won’t happen again.”
Amber leaned back and spread an arm along the back of the couch. She crossed her legs and was the picture of ease while it felt like I was falling apart at the seams. “Did you read the paperwork you signed when you came in?” she asked.
