Living alone in the house felt weird, and since Adele had transferred to a college in Duport, I couldn't help but realize how empty my life had become without her. Ever since we were thrust into this situation, with me, an eighteen-year-old, suddenly responsible for my ten-year-old sister, my daily existence revolved around keeping her safe and ensuring she had everything she needed. Thoughts of my own future or going to university never crossed my mind, even though Adele often brought up the subject.
I couldn't help but smile at the memory of her offer: she was determined to finish college, secure a job, and then insisted I could go to university too. She continuously pestered me about it, and to appease her, I agreed, although I had no real intention of pursuing higher education. What would be the point? We had enough money to lead a comfortable life, thanks to my cautious financial planning.
However, I never let Adele know the extent of my efforts to ensure our comfort and her safety. Being homeless was no easy feat, and protecting a young girl in such circumstances posed even greater challenges. I had to make difficult decisions, ones I'd make again in a heartbeat to keep her off the streets.
In a few months from now, she will be done with college and achieved her dream job, and then she'll be fine. My plan was to distance myself from her life at that point, to give her a chance at normalcy.
In my line of work, I'd made enemies, people who could pose a real threat to her. If she were to have any shot at a normal life, I couldn't be part of it.
When she informed me about her decision to transfer, I hadn't anticipated it. Although it surprised me and I wasn't thrilled about it, I supported her. With Adolf and Venom still lurking, I constantly had to trail her whenever she went on campus to ensure her safety. When she mentioned the prestigious university's offer in Duport, I encouraged her to take it without hesitation. She seemed worried about leaving me alone in Brooks and was hesitant to accept the offer.
However, I convinced her that it was a fantastic opportunity, knowing it would get her off those fuckers’ scent, giving me the chance to think clearly and protect Archer better. It had been challenging, juggling my responsibilities and trying to keep her safe at the same time. The fear of missing something crucial haunted me constantly.
I drove through the wintry landscape to Archer's estate. The ground was blanketed in a fresh layer of snow, glistening under the pale moonlight following our usual routine of meeting up at his house. When I arrived, Chad greeted me, his breath visible in the frigid air, and informed me that Archer was in his study.
"Are we going anywhere tonight?" I asked Chad, my words forming white puffs of vapor.
“I have no idea,” Chad replied.
It was a chilly Friday night, and Archer, always the night prowler, used these opportunities to oversee his nightclubs and the chain of hospitality businesses he managed for his family. He was a working tycoon, his financial acumen allowing him to guide me in investing in profitable ventures. Despite enjoying our friendship, I couldn't ignore the dark side I had witnessed in Archer. He possessed the capacity for brutality, cruelty, and even sadism. I remained cautious, aware that he could switch from cold to hot in a heartbeat, leaving the world spinning.
"Hey, boss," I greeted him as I entered the dimly lit office that also served as Archer's gym. The room exuded a masculine ambiance, with the scent of leather and musk lingering in the air. Archer donned a sleeveless shirt, his perspiration glistening on his face and bare back as he relentlessly pounded a punching bag. His once-trimmed hair and facial hair had grown longer, adding to his rugged appearance.
"Boss? We are being polite today," he growled, his focus fixed on the bag before him.
"I am always polite," I retorted, earning a snort from him.
Taking a seat on one of the sofas in the corner of his expansive office, I asked, "Are we going out tonight?"
"Yes," he replied curtly, his attention still fixed on his intense workout.
"Okay, where are we going?" I inquired, hoping for more details. Archer turned to face me, towel in hand, wiping away the sweat from his face and neck. He then downed a drink from a glass cup on his mahogany desk before picking up a hung suit on a nearby coat stand.
"You will see," he responded cryptically. I straightened up, scrutinizing him closely. As he made his preparations, a sense of anticipation and unease washed over me. Ever since the incident with Bernard Kuklinski, Archer had been acting unlike himself. He seemed almost withdrawn from things that he normally enjoyed. And for some reason, memories of the night he visited my house flooded my mind. I have this feeling that I had missed something significant back then. A frown furrowed my brow. "Chad is going to give you a dinner suit to change into..."
"A suit?"
"Yeah, hurry up and change, we are late," he said.
A few minutes later Chad was driving us to the business district of Brooks which was where the most expensive hotels and restaurants were as well. We were tailed by two security cars and one was ahead of us.
"I heard the mayor is hosting an auction today to raise money for some project for Brooks orphanages…" I said.
"Yeah, that's where we are going," he replied, responding to a chat message.
"Would it have killed you to tell me that earlier?" I exclaimed, frustration evident in my voice.
"I didn't give you details because you would have talked me out of it," Archer replied nonchalantly, still typing on his phone.
"Archer, we can't instigate violence at a party organized by the mayor," I reminded him, my tone filled with concern. "Your father is not going to be happy with us both."
"We're not going there to start trouble, Mark. Victor Donovan approved of this function," he assured me.
"Did he know the real reason why you wanted to be present?" I pressed.
"Of course, to show our support to Mayor Rightfoot. It's imperative that she knows we'll back her for reelection," Archer explained, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And..."
"And what?" I inquired, sensing there was more to his plan.
"I got intel that Adolf and Venom would be there. The mayor apparently has a particular Egyptian artifact he's dying to add to his collection," he said with devilish glee.
"So you plan to provoke him?" I sighed, already feeling exasperated by the situation.
"Well, Barbara and her father, Senator Isaac Blackwell, coincidentally also have a fetish for Egyptian artifacts. I plan to buy that particular piece as a gift," he revealed.
"Wonderful," I muttered sarcastically, my exasperation growing.
"By the way, Barbara will be joining us. She's looking forward to seeing you again," Archer said, a grin on his face. However, his eyes betrayed a hint of something deeper, something primal, which made him appear unsettling, especially with his new look.
Barbara Blackwell was waiting for us in front of the impressive building where the function was taking place. She was wearing a clinging red dress that accentuated her curves. Her hair was elegantly styled in twisted French braids, showcasing her attractive face. As she stood against the backdrop of the imposing building, she posed a striking picture. It was clear that the cream of the crop in Brooks had shown up, judging by the caliber of people arriving in expensive cars.
"Good evening, Archer... Mark," Barbara greeted with an overly bright smile, attempting to kiss Archer. He ignored the gesture and instead urged her forward with a polite hand on her upper back. The confusion on her face was evident, though not surprising to me.
Archer had a peculiar way of switching from lover to a polite stranger, which could be quite unnerving. The lady seemed to have difficulty understanding that her brief affair with Archer was just that – brief and over.
There were numerous security officials present, checking the guests as they entered the building. However, Archer, Barbara, Chad, and I strolled past the security without being thoroughly checked like the others.
"Good evening, Mr. Donovan, Miss Blackwell, Mark..." the town police chief greeted, nodding in our direction. I returned the gesture, while Archer walked past without acknowledging the older man. Barbara mumbled a reply, hurrying to keep up with Archer's stride.
He was a man on a mission, and I prayed that whatever fire he was about to ignite would be something we could control. We entered the exhibition center, which was themed as a cocktail party. Waiters circulated with glasses of sparkling wine, cocktails that range from martinis and cosmopolitans to more unique or themed concoctions and accompanied by trays of caviar, a selection of hors d'oeuvres, finger foods, shrimp cocktails, and other equally extravagant delicacies.
I grabbed two glasses from a nearby waiter, handing one to Barbara and Chad before taking two for myself and Archer.
"Thank you, Mark," Barbara said with a warm smile. I gave her a curt nod and looked away.
The mayor was on the podium at the far end of the hall, speaking about fighting crime and addressing the issue of homeless children on the streets. I couldn't help but smirk at the typical promises politicians make, offering the impossible to fulfill their own agendas. As the mayor's gaze fell upon Archer, she paused, smiled, and continued her speech, cryptically mentioning the prestigious families that stood by her side. When she gestured towards Archer, all eyes in the room turned to us. Uncomfortable with the attention, I moved towards the back of the hall with Chad following me. I always tried to blend in as much as possible at these functions, although Archer never made it easy for me.
A round of applause filled the room, and I watched as Archer confidently made his way toward the mayor, who was a middle-aged woman with dark hair and captivating green eyes. It was clear from the way she looked at him with adoration that they hadn't slept together yet. I glanced at Barbara, who stood on the sidelines, unsure of what to do with herself. Then I noticed Chad looking at me with a glint of amusement.
"I bet every penny I own that he'll sleep with her tonight," I remarked, pointing towards the mayor.
"You'll lose that bet," Chad chuckled, and I raised an eyebrow, sensing that he knew something I didn't.