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.

you doing here?” I ask,

care of VIP guests, so I brought a glass of

thank you. I don’t drink,” I

through gritted teeth. His expression darkens as he glares at me. I shake my head at him silently and brush my fingers against the

Katherine was really the one who asked him to be at the

of the contents, if I drink whatever's in that glass, I'm going to die.

humans are surrounding us. I pull the heat back, but don't move my hand. Dionysus

neck, lifting him off the ground with one hand. Marco and Tyree both take

Bronx’s shoulder, I see Dionysus looking at me, his eyes bulging

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

my Goddess, he is

get him under control before Saint shifts in front of all these

romantic,” she sighs as sends me extra strength

and put myself in front

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 and

on, Sweetheart. Please don't hurt him. Let security deal with it. You andI can go for a walk. Get some fresh

back to the nice man,

and Tyree distract Bronx while

the roulette

sir, what is it? I really need to leave,” I say, taking Bronx's hand to step

two million dollars,” his face looks

sure Katherine holds up her end of that commitment?” I ask asI

I

we're going to walk back to the hotel. I think we need to give Saint a chance to cool down,”

replies, “James will escort everyone else

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 fountain and sitting

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

you,” he growls into

you and Saint don’t have to threaten to kill anyone,” I

couldn't stop Saint,” he looks up at me, still gripping my waist, “All I could think about

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