Page 48 of Colton

The man is extremely dangerous. It’s been rumored that he has ties with some very disturbing parts of the mob, and although it’s never been proven, I don’t want my sister to be the one to find out. People have tried to outcast Dahlia for a very, very long time, and I understand why she’d want to prove herself, but this isn’t how I wanted her to go about it.

“She’s an adult,” Artemis deadpans. “It’s her choice. I did send Elsher with her.”

“I’m surprised he listened to you.”

“He didn’t,” she sighs. “He did, however, agree when Dahlia asked.”

“Dare I ask what their plan is?”

Artemis chews on the inside of her cheek, a clear tell of her being extremely uncomfortable. Paired with the fact that she’s avoiding my gaze like the plague, I already know it’s something I’d never approve of.

She takes a deep breath, then looks at me with a lot of uncertainty.

“Promise me you won’t do anything rash.”

“Speak.”

“Fine,” she pauses for a moment. “Elsher’s been able to figure out the circle of people Maxwell’s hanging out in New York. Tonight, there’s an auction taking place, and well… Maxwell and his friends will be there. Dahlia found a way in.”

Before she can say anything else, I’m already on my feet. Quickly, I send a message for my private jet to be prepared, and start pulling out a fresh set of clothes. Artemis is on her feet too, panicking.

“Wait! I promised I wouldn’t tell you! You can’t go there!”

“You should’ve thought about that before you told me any of this. You have ten minutes to get ready, if you want to come along.”

Artemis scurries out of my room, and runs out. With a deep breath, I pull out the gun I’ve been keeping in the back of my closet. I’ve never used it before, but I know how to shoot if need be.

I won’t think twice about using it either, if anyone so much as dares to look at Dahlia, the wrong way.

◆◆◆

“Your perfume is too strong,” I note, and Artemis rolls her eyes.

“You just have a taste for the sweeter things, Colton.”

Ah, that’s true.

“Don’t drink too much, I don’t know when we’ll have to leave.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I realize who I’m talking to. Artemis just looks away, gripping her glass of champagne as if her life depends on it. She smiles sheepishly, then she walks away, going to talk to some of the people she recognizes.

Maxwell arrives shortly after to the venue, and the people he’s with are anything but good news. Some have been involved deeply with the mob, though I’m not certain what their occupation is. But they all seem to have weapons on them, which is not a good thing.

Dahlia is nowhere to be seen. I check my wrist-watch, and a small sigh of relief slips me. It’s still too early, and Dahlia loves to make an entrance. I have no doubt she’ll be dressed spectacularly, given that it’s a black tie event, and that she’ll be with Elsher, I know she’ll be dressed to impress.

It bores me to attend these events. Fortunately, the five families have the same sentiment, so we just take turns. It ends up being that I only have to attend an event every two to three months, instead of much more.

The venue has been decorated to impress, which means that there are some very, very influential people coming here. Another reason why I don’t want my sister anywhere near this place, these people.

Just as I’m getting bored, and rather irritated that I have to wait, Dahlia and Clyde Elsher come walking down the stairs. Both of them are on high alert, and they definitely look the part of rich, snobby people crashing the party. Dahlia’s eyes are traveling all across the room, until they land on Maxwell.

Clyde notices it, too, and they exchange a silent glance, then nod at each other, before going their separate ways. Clyde makes his way toward Maxwell, grabbing two glasses of champagne off the nearby tray, while Dahlia is striding towards me, and she doesn’t look happy.

“What the hell are you doing here?” She hisses, annoyance and anger vibrating off her.

“I’m here to keep an eye out for you,” I glance behind her, ensuring Clyde has Maxwell’s attention. “Because apparently, you thought that mingling with the mob was a fantastic idea.”

“Damn it, Artemis,” she grumbles, under her breath. “Look, it’s not anything dangerous.”