Page 43 of Promise of Punishment

“My mask.” She points to it on the floor where I tossed it.

I scoop it up and make sure the satin tie is intact. If it weren’t, would that be so bad? I’d rather she stay with me or retreat to her room than let her return to work.

She ambles toward me as I walk to meet her halfway. It’s all I can do not to try to coax her to stay, but if I want to earn back her trust, I need to let her think she’s in control, even though I have a plan to win her over. I always do.

18

I MIGHT HAVE ENDED THINGS

Fable

Noah appears by my side as I stalk toward the Mirror that leads to the Crimson Chamber.

“What are you doing?” She bends to my ear as I speed walk.

“Getting my tray.” I snap and feel instantly horrible about it. Before I can apologize, she takes my sleeve and drags me away to a side door that leads to the prep kitchen. Trays with small plates stacked on top and empty flutes litter the counters.

As soon as the door closes, I throw up my hand. “We can’t both be off the floor. We’ll get in trouble.” She’ll be fine, but I’ll probably get fired.

She waves away the issue. “There are barely any guests left, and Ashlyn is handling it all, hoping to get the wolf to notice her. Someone leaked that he hooked up with you last night, and now she’s hoping to get a chance. It’s weird because she’s never been interested in a Lord before. Maybe you inspired her.”

“The wolf?” Meaning my Scotsman. Anger blazes through me. “The one I hooked up with?”

Her brows go up, and she crosses her thin arms under her big chest. “Jealous?”

“No.” Maybe. “Why are you back here? I saw you leave with the serpent.”

“Why is he a serpent tonight and not the wolf? It was the same guy, but he’s wearing a different mask, but you said the wolf always wears the same mask and the serpent always leaves with Nefertiti, so what is he doing with me?”

“That’s what we’re all trying to figure out.”

Jonah, one of the bartenders, walks in carrying a box of empty bottles. “Everyone’s gone. It’s clean-up time.”

We step aside.

Noah grabs cleaner and two towels, setting them on a cart. “We can work and talk.”

I hold the door open, then follow her as she pushes the cart to a seating area in the back. The lights are all on now, and the room isn’t magical anymore. Opulent? Yes. Messy? Also, yes. But it’s just a big room in a mansion.

“You said he’s Scottish,” Noah says as she cleans. “Do you know that for certain?”

I stack plates on the tray and squirt the table before wiping it down. “His accent sounds authentic. How can you tell if it’s not?”

“Hell, if I know.”

“What about the masks? Why are they switching them?”

“I don’t know. Camila isn’t in a good mood, even though she’s trying to hide it.”

“Because the serpent was with me tonight?”

“And the other night, from what it seems. He was just in the wolf mask.”

I clean up two glasses and wipe down another table. “Am I going to get fired?”

“She can’t fire you without informing the Lords. They have the ultimate say, and if one of them is into you, then you’re safe. Besides, that would be unprofessional, and Camila isn’t petty. She’s a great boss, and there’s no romance between her and the serpent. When he’s not here, she screws other guys or other Lords.” She pushes club chairs back in place around the tables.

“I might have messed things up tonight.”