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.

here?” I ask,

guests, so I brought a glass of our

don’t drink,” I shake my head

at me. I shake my head at him silently and brush my fingers against the side of my neck, signaling to

working for Zeus, but if Katherine was really the one who asked him to be

the smell of the contents, if I drink whatever's in that glass, I'm going

on top of his and let heat course through, burning him and ready to throw him over my shoulder before I remember humans are surrounding us. I pull the heat back, but don't move my hand. Dionysus freezes when he realizes Marco has a gun pressed against his temple and a large hand squeezed tightly to

off the ground with one hand. Marco and Tyree both take a step back,

eyes bulging out of his head, with Bronx's hand tightly over

hear Saint's voice growl from Bronx, “ You think you can put your filthy hands on my

he is so damn

not the time. We need to get him under control

so romantic,” she sighs as sends me extra

and put myself in front of Bronx, hoping no one notices his

“ 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 and very carefully press down. He lowers Dionysus to the ground, but doesn’t let go of his throat. I

don't hurt him. Let security deal with it. You andI

let’s get out of here. I have to give this roulette ball back to the nice man, first” I drop the

Tyree distract Bronx while they

the

I really need to leave,” I say, taking

million

Katherine holds up her end of

gathered around at the scene. I watch as

back to the hotel. I think we need to give Saint a chance to cool down,” I send a

will escort everyone else back to the

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 fountain in the middle. There's only a few people milling around. I lead him to the

his legs while he wraps his arms

he growls into my midsection, still

why I have guards, Bronx. So you and Saint don’t have to threaten to kill anyone,” I explain,

Baby. I couldn't stop Saint,” he looks up at me, still gripping my waist, “All I could think about was stopping him from

Marco and Tyree on the perimeter of the square, keeping a close eye but staying at a distance. A few people stroll past us, blissfully unaware that my mate almost