Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Delilah and I chat and comment on how beautiful everyone’s dresses and suits are as we walk around. Occasionally, we shake hands with people who recognize me. By pure chance, everyone we make physical contact with wins big in their next game.

“Amazing luck people are having this evening, isn't it?” I quip as I watch

Delilah pat a man playing cards on the back. He draws a king card and lays down a royal flush.

“Oui, lucky indeed,” she muses.

We get to a roulette table and I look around, realizing we lost our guards and Musu, Carly, and Diane. I rub my fingers over my forehead to hide my eyes.

“Marco? I’m sorry, we weren't paying attention. We lost you guys,” I apologize through a mind link, “We are at the roulette table.”

“We've got eyes on you. I'm only ten paces back. You're fine,” he responds. I look back and see Marco towering above the crowd, "Tyree is with the other ladies.”

“Excuse me, monsieur,” Delilah says to the man running the game, “How do you play?”

He patiently explains the rules. It sounds like there's a lot of luck involved and no one else is at the table, so Delilah insists we should play. We lay a couple chips down on different numbers and the man lets Delilah drop the ball into the wheel. We watch the ball circle around until it slides into a numbered slot.

“Does that mean I won?” Delilah chirps.

“It does indeed, mademoiselle,” he grins, handing her another chip. He hands me the ball bearing, “Mrs. Mason, care to take a turn?”

“I would love to!” I place a chip ona different number on the felted table. Delilah places her chips as well.

I drop the ball and watch it swirl around the wheel until it lands in another numbered slot...which just happens to be where Delilah placed one of her chips.

“Another winner,” he announces, handing Delilah another chip. As we continue to play, people gather around, hoping to hop on the winning streak my best friend and I are on. The man switches out our chips for a higher denomination until our chips are worth one hundred thousand dollars each.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Marco watching carefully. Musu is standing next to him with Carly and Diane ata blackjack table nearby. Tyree is positioned on the other side of us, watching intently as well.

“Delilah, I think this will probably be the last game, then we should go find Bronx. Make sure he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble,” I scrunch my face up at her.

“Well then, we should go all in,” she smiles at the surrounding people.

Lex suddenly perks up in my mind, " Kas, danger, but it's not Leticia."

“Ladies, can I interest you in a drink?’ a server comes up behind us, hastily. When I turn around, Dionysus is standing with a small tray of champagne flutes and wine glasses. He is standing uncomfortably close to me, handing me a glass of champagne.

I

of VIP guests, so I brought a glass of our best champagne, just for you,” his eyes betray his smile. He barely contains the

thank you. I don’t drink,” I shake my head and

at me. I shake my head at him silently and brush my

Katherine was really the one who asked him to

question it. From the smell of the contents, if I drink whatever's in that glass, I'm going to die. You would think the God of Wine and Ecstacy would doa better

remember humans are surrounding us. I

of me and grabs Dionysus by the neck, lifting him off the ground with one hand. Marco and Tyree

at me, his eyes bulging out

fuck do you think you are?” I hear Saint's voice growl from Bronx, “ You think you

he is so damn hot,”

need to get him under control before Saint shifts in front of all these humans,”

sighs as

put myself in front of Bronx, hoping no one notices his dark eyes. I

to be a saint right now, but you need to put the server down,” I say as calmly as possible, emphasizing the word saint, “ The security guards will deal with him.” “Tl fucking kill him. Snap his neck like a dry twig,” Saint's voice rages as Bronx's whole body shakes in anger. I put my hand on the elbow of the arm holding Dionysus

go. It’s going to be okay,” I say in a soothing voice, trying to keep as still as possible. If I move too quick, Saint could go off the deep end, “Come on, Sweetheart. Please don't hurt him. Let security deal with it. You andI can go for a walk. Get some fresh air? Just the two of us. Okay?

get out of here. I have to give this roulette ball back to the nice man,

distract

Mrs. Mason?” the

it? I really need to leave,” I say, taking Bronx's hand

two million dollars,”

the money wired. And make sure Katherine holds up her end of that

I watch as they continue to hold their cell phones

back to the hotel. I think we need to give

he replies, “James will

way through the crowd until we are outside and halfway down the block from the event venue. I look back and see Marco and Tyree tailing us twenty paces behind us. Anger is still rolling off of Bronx as we enter an open square with a

you okay?” I ask, standing between his legs while he wraps his arms

on you,” he growls into my midsection, still

don’t have to threaten to kill anyone,”

up at me, still gripping my waist, “All I

of the square, keeping a close eye but staying at a distance. A few people stroll past us, blissfully unaware that my mate almost killed a Greek