Peering out the window of the penthouse hotel room is much like being in the tower of the castle. However, instead of lush fields or a gentle city, we're surrounded by the hum of electronics and vehicles. The light from the town prevents the star cover that we had gotten on the beach, and the city is illuminated by the dull aurora of fluorescent light. 

At the highest point, the hotel has to offer, I overlook the massive city and all its glory as the sun begins to dip below the horizon and signal it's time to let him go. This city is larger than either of the ones we'd frequented, the cars are shinier and drive themselves, and the people are dressed nicer. 

It's nothing like the squaller of the city we originated in. I tap absently on the glass, pulling up an illuminated computer screen to check Artifice for updates on the concert. With the announcement of my sudden reappearance, the crowd expectation was double the original projection. There were so many places for her to hide I couldn't help but feel horrendously out of practice. 

Nothing had gone as planned, and our time to prepare our replacements became slimmer and slimmer every day. The corner of my mouth tugs downward as my fingers trail, and I tap in 'France', scanning over my options of venues. 

In my mind, I had prepared myself that failure would mean our demise, but what if we somehow pulled through this with nothing more than empty hands? What would our fate be then? 

In times of silence, I struggle not to allow the weight of the situation to rest so heavily on my shoulders. I do my best to remind myself that this is what I had been training for, that we were more than equipped to handle this situation, but the doubt finds its way to creep back into my mind. 

I had expected Helen to crumble, to succumb to the pain of loss, and yet, once more, she proved me wrong. She became the rock that her family needed; she surged past the stages of grief straight into the leadership role she had been bred for. 

It was times like this when I wished I knew her better. Was she okay with her relationship? Was this too much for her mentally? Could she handle this?

I longed to know how she was feeling, and how she was coping, if nothing else, than to relate to someone on a more personal level of my own loss. I hadn't thought of my mother in what felt like an eternity, and somehow, it felt like a betrayal as it did in the beginning. There wasn't an hour that passed when she didn't cross my mind. 

It was Verando she confided in; as her advisor, it only made sense, and prying into her life didn't seem right. Knowing him, there wouldn't be much he would allow for anyway. Mostly, I just wanted to see that she was okay.

My own protege wasn't so demanding of a case. Tyler was a constant and so unlike me in many ways. He was stoic, unemotional, and entirely selfless, if not a bit quick-witted and goofy, doting on Helen's every whim. Yet, in that same vein, I was disgusted by how critical he could be. 

He believed in her only as it suited him, yet when it did, he was the model husband. Surely he loved her; he did so many visible acts and truly seemed like he wanted what was best for her. Yet those words.. how he blamed her stuck out in my mind so strongly. Tyler didn't need me in an emotional sense; he needed me to help him learn our trade. 

For now, I was happy to keep that distance between us.

I run a hand through my hair, catching a glimpse of myself in the massive full-length windows I conclude the reservation at the Chateau de Challain, requesting a call back with a professional. At least it was a step in the right direction. 

I wanted a taste of our time, what we would have had if I had been able to fulfill that promise in front of our friends and family from long ago.

 I'm wearing a simple slim-fit blazer, a dark royal blue, over a black button-up with straight-leg slacks. At least in this century, I was permitted to dress as a man, where my stylists had put me in cramped, colorful garments that often were more cause for embarrassment than status these outfits were much more suited to my blossoming masculinity. 

I immensely enjoyed getting to pick my own outfits, a novelty that had been wasted on me in a previous life. Of course, our time on the war tour led me to find my individuality, but being totally free from the thumb of my court could have been quite liberating. 

My eyes linger on my warlord as he descends down the staircase, fastening the cuff of his shirt around his wrist and then adjusting the jacket of his suit. I hum appreciatively, approaching to adjust his tie and drink him in. The sneaking view of suspenders disappears under the cover of the jacket, and I know he's armed to the teeth. 

While I loved my war-torn veteran, the sleek look of a modern-day professional was really beginning to grow on me. "So what's the plan, boss?" I ask him in my best attempt at a New York-style accent. 

Verando knits his eyebrows, unamused, as he allows me to correct anything out of alignment. 

"Well, Ron is going to set it up so that you will have a moment to give a speech after I open and before Tiberius gives his performance. I'm hoping that Red will show up, and then, with Tiberius's music, she will be trapped here and give us a chance to find her. If she's here, she'll die tonight." He makes it sound simple as if this harpie hadn't been quietly ruining our lives. 

I am trying to envision this plan, but coming up short; I must be wearing uncertainty on my face. She wouldn't just step out so simply, she would have her party ready to defend her and ruin the event. "If she's here, the cats will show up, will they not?" 

All these civilians would be at risk, and with Tiberius's song, they would be defenseless to escape. 

"Do you not recall the effect those songs have on us?"

Regarding me in calculated silence, he puts on his professional face and composes his thoughts as if he wasn't prepared for my interest in the inner workings of our plan. "We can hope for Tonic instead of the cats; that would be much simpler. I have Helen on stand-by with Tyler; he's been working on this whole superhero bit." 

He trails off as if he wasn't entirely on board with this idea, and yet I find myself wondering where I was during all this planning. Sensing my growing anger and lack of involvement, he quickly defends his actions. "You were quite injured, I can admit that leaving you out of the decision-making in your own army was not a shining moment of mine. I'm falling into the trope of wanting to keep you safe-" 

I part my lips, and he stops me before I can interrupt. "I'm entirely aware of exactly how lethal you are. Listen, I know this whole thing between Tyler and Helen has you feeling conflicted. But, this is not what's happening here, darling. It was not my intention to exclude you." 

Crossing my arms over my chest, I tongue my cheek in frustration and shake my head at his 'not quite' apology. "So what is the plan if she shows up with Tonic?"

Casually, he snakes an arm around my waist and pulls me so my back presses against his chest. "Well, my dearest Nicolas, that is where you will be extremely handy. He wants you; I think you'd be quite capable of getting some information from him. I'll have my phone on me; you'll have yours. Try to get to Tonic when he shows up. 

After that little escapade, I anticipate that he wouldn't want to miss this. When you find out as much as possible, text me, and we will switch. I'm going to try and stay on top of Red."

How was it that he could make me feel as though we were going for a mere stroll? His chest was so warm against my back, his arms strong around my body, I felt safe here and reluctant to leave this hotel room. I slip out of his grasp with an exasperated sigh. 

"So you're relying on my good looks and talent to pull this off? Sounds like an awful lot of faith in someone you didn't bother to tell the plan until the night of."

Verando tracks me, following close behind, yet I spin away from him and stand on the other side of the large coffee table in defiance. "Couldn't risk you saying no." His voice is light, teasing me as he flashes my favorite look. 

I bite my lower lip, and he grins a one-sided smirk. "Poor Tonic. He has no idea what's coming for him." 

It's enough to make me scoff as he rounds the table, and I quickly rest my hand on the back of the couches to vault over and land on my feet. My body feels good, strong from so much use and the healing abilities of Sef. I feel fit, capable, sexy even. 

He's pulled me from my inner workings and back into reality. I lick the corner of my lip, catching my tongue between my teeth on the withdrawal at the sinister stare he rewards me with. I purposely entice the inner hunter, my body singing for the chase. 

"I'm surprised that giant ego can allow another man anywhere near me."

Allowing for a slight chuckle, he saunters around the furniture without an ounce of a hurry as he savors the chase. I drag my eyes over those sinful hips as he produces a black box out of one of his pockets. My curiosity is peaked, and I'm distracted as he finally catches me with an arm around my waist. 

I arch away he bends to hover his lips over mine. So close, yet keeping space as I match his gaze. "I know what keeps you coming back; I'm not worried. In fact.."His lips drag from mine to my jaw; his teeth graze my ear as he passes with an airy exhale. "I might even like to watch you work. So put on a good show for me, yeah?" 

I tilt my head back only to stiffen at the challenge and straighten my body. He'd like to watch, hmm? 

I eye the black box and reach for it, only to have him hold it out of my grasp with the playful glint of a young lad in his eyes. "Mmm, watch me?" I purr. 

Verando shrugs one shoulder, casual, dismissive. 

"You'd watch me get close to him?" I muse, pressing closer before curling around his body to circle him, grasping for the box only to have him rotate and swap hands. I catch his free hand in mine, bringing it up to cup my face, and find his palm with my teeth as I watch him through my lashes. 

His breath caught, urging me on till I grasped his tie and wrapped it firmly one time around my hand. "You might not like what you see. I won't be kind; I might even... touch.. him." Pressing my hand to his chest, I give him another firm yank to bring him even closer to me. "I'd tease him, not letting him touch me until he couldn't stand it." 

Backing a few steps, I pull him with me, ensuring I have him until my hips hit the couch. I let him think that's trapped me, and his hands land on either side of the couch to corner me here. "I might even let him corner me, think that he'd won, think that I'm stuck here to do his bidding." 

My body connects with his, and I slip my thigh in between his legs to rub against his groin. "And I'd tell him just how badly I wanted him." My voice is a sultry purr, surprising even as I speak against his collarbone. His body radiates heat, I know I'm affecting him by the firmness of the front of his pants. He'd take me himself if we weren't on a timeline. 

"You cheeky mink. Perhaps you're too skilled for this job; perhaps I need to sample your handiwork before I allow you to go?" His voice is rough, husky with restraint.

Glancing up, I smirk against his skin, pulling him lower till my lips find his ear, and my hand snaked down to grope him through his pants. "Is that for me?" I inquire so innocently, massaging his groin with my thigh. 

Verando growls low in his throat, pulling me impossibly closer as I tilt my head to meet his gaze.

 "When I was sure I had him, I would be ever so tempted to make him believe he had me too. I might even-" My voice trails, skirting my thumb over his lip. "If I was feeling particularly generous-" I parted my lips as I near him, feeling him reach for me. I snag the box from his relaxed hand and twist it out of his grasp with a satisfied chuckle and triumphant laugh. 

It surprises me that Verando looks the slightest bit caught off guard; I shake the box curiously and wink at him. 

"That's how it'd go."

"Quite impressive." He admits, fixing his tie as he waits patiently for me to open the box. Without hesitation, I pop it open to produce a gold band and glance up at him suspiciously. Rolling his eyes at me, he almost looks embarrassed for getting caught. 

"I wanted to give it to you at the night's end, but you can have it now if you like. A proper engagement ring instead of a mobster ring; I know you're not a fan of the mafia." 

My hand instinctively moves to cover my gifted ring, making me smile just thinking about it. It was the first piece of him I was given; even if Marisol had gotten the same as her proposal, this had been something that had meant enough to him to keep, and he gifted it to me. Taking the gold ring out of the box, I twist it and admire its simplicity. 

"Might be good ammunition for later." I allow, slipping the crime lord ring off my finger and avoiding his waiting hand to put it snugly on my other hand, then placing the gold band on. "There. Perfect." I stretch up to kiss his cheek and admire the band. "Thank you, though I'll be honest, this is not what I expected."

Scoffing at me, he takes the box and sets it aside on the counter. "I'd say not; you're quite naughty this evening. I do have something for such an occasion, but not tonight. Tonight is too important to mess up, and I don't need you getting distracted. You might have the most important job of us all. I almost feel bad for Tonic; he won't know what to do with himself." 

His words gave me confidence; sexy wasn't something that I often practiced; I never had to wonder if he found me attractive as it was evident by how he acted with others that I was his preferred flavor. 

Judging by his reaction, maybe he deserved more of my attempts for seduction, which wasn't something I often practiced. 

"Mmm, maybe you should worry more about yourself because there's no way you're getting away from me when we get home tonight. Not dressed like that and not after feeling exactly how you felt about my performance." 

Hooking my finger in his suspender, I tug him closer to me as he rewards me with my favorite look. Bending to kiss me, I happily meet him. "Maybe I need a demonstration of what Red is to expect." 

Sighing at my ability to kill a mood, he rubs his nose against mine before straightening. 

"A knife to her bloody heart, Red isn't getting the same treatment. She wants to fight, and a fight is what I'm going to give her." 

With that, I effectively squashed any hope of more affection, and he led me out of the penthouse and to the elevator to head to the main floor. In the enclosed space of the tiny elevator, my heart pounds in my throat from my excitement. 

I steal a peek and startle when I realize he's looking at me, too. As we descend, the floor number chimes lazily, and I stretch to clear my head. My body shudders with the feeling of his eyes on me, and I rake my fingers through my hair with an appreciative groan, only to yelp in surprise as he shoves me roughly against the wall of the small metal box. 

His stubble feels rough on my jaw as he kisses me with such intensity that I can hardly counter back. 

In a moment of weakness and sheer provocative bravado, my hand dives between us, and I grope him through his pants. "Fucking hell.." He curses under his breath, diving to kiss my neck. "Stop it." He demands, invading my mouth with his tongue, kissing me so intimately as he clutches my throat.

"Make me." I challenge only to freeze as the elevator door opens, and we're forced into a decent stance as patrons load into the tiny box. 

I stand before him, as it's only fair considering the predicament I've caused. I can't help but chuckle as an elderly woman notices him and quickly approaches to speak about how much her granddaughter loves his music and how he reminds her of the music from so many years ago.

She rants and raves about him, gushing over his hair and gentlemanly nature. It takes everything in me not to laugh, and I can feel the tension of his irritation as my amusement. 

We depart the elevator, and the women snap a picture with him before leaving. I yelp at the sharp smack to the ass I receive as we exit the metal box and make our way to the valet. 

"You're such an ass..." I grumble at him. "I should have said something. She thinks you're a nice guy. Little does she know you savage unsuspecting Kings in elevators."

"Good thing you know the truth." He tells me sarcastically as he opens the door for me. "Just remember who you belong to tonight." I mimic his typical dramatic eye-roll as I get in and prepare myself for the night ahead when I will be in charge of interrogating the man who had just tried to shoot my fiance and shot me instead.