38. Archer

E very year, I think my mother has outdone herself and every year she proves me wrong. When she first told me about the carnival theme for this year, I thought it was perfect. Down to earth, and understated in comparison to recent themes, but as we pull up to Hilton Manor, I remember who my mother truly is.

Frank Hilton is a friend of the family, and was more than happy to let my mother throw the party of the year on the grounds of his grand home. Of course, those grounds just so happen to expand across almost fifteen thousand acres, set right on the water. His net worth rivals Alexander’s parents, and I know he and Finn Hilton, Frank’s son, are friends. Despite knowing that, I really did expect something a little more understated.

A thought that is squashed instantly, as our limo pulls up beside the fountain at the end of their long driveway, where one of the staff members promptly opens our doors. I almost laugh at the confusion on Daemon’s face as we step out and he surveys our surroundings, it’s as if he has never seen anything like it. It only strikes me now that he probably hasn’t, and I quickly push the thought aside before it sours my entire mood.

My mother founded her investment company after Aurora and I were born, and my father used his contacts to get it off the ground. I don’t think either of them expected it to turn into a multimillion dollar empire, and every year she throws this huge party to give back to multiple charities, some of which will be here tonight.

The front of the house is decorated in big, beautiful red and white pieces of fabric, the logo of my mother’s company embroidered in the center of them in gold. Hanging below that is the list of all the charities being represented tonight, and it reminds me of why she does this, of why I attend. I turn to see Daemon’s eyes lingering on the banners in wonder, but then he is quickly distracted by the acrobats, fire breathers, and men on stilts waiting to greet us, as we are ushered through the manor and out into the backyard.

The whole place has been completely transformed, starting with a large dance floor and bar, sitting beneath a huge big top tent. It’s decorated with stunning lights and the roses that my mother stressed about. The space is surrounded by stalls housing small carnival games and elevated carnival-themed food. Further back is an array of rides and attractions, including a carousel, a Ferris wheel, a house of mirrors, teacups, bumper cars, and let’s not forget the already built-in Hilton Hedge Maze. Even by my standards it’s over the top, and I’ve had years to get used to it, but I’m not surprised when I turn to Daemon and find him staring in awe.

“Okay, I’ve never been to this kind of carnival,” he muses, looking at me with wide and concerned eyes, and I can’t help but bark a laugh as I toss my arm around his shoulders.

“Trust me, baby, no one has.” I grab us both a glass of champagne from a passing server, nodding in thanks, then lead him into the lion's den that is my mother’s party.

We are accosted by no less than ten people as we make our way through the crowd, all wanting to get in with some member of my family somehow. There are businessmen who want meetings with my mother, someone needing representation from David, and a few girls all asking if Everest is still single. Daemon rolls his eyes at all of them, remaining quiet at my side, until we eventually find my family, along with the Blakes and the Hazes.

Aurora is playing a shooting game with the help of Everest, while Griffin and Harden watch in mild amusement, every time Ever curses at her for making them lose. My father, David, Harden, and Griffin’s father, are in a deep discussion, as my mother, Katrina, and Harden’s mother all gush over the party.

“Oh, there’s my boys,” my mother coos, when she spots us, pulling me in for a hug, and then gently cupping Daemon’s face. It seems she’s already learned that his face is somewhere he can tolerate being touched by people. “You two look very handsome,” she adds, appraising the suits she dropped eight thousand dollars on, before motioning to Harden’s mom. “Gemma, this is Daemon, I told you about him.”

Gemma Haze’s eyes instantly fill with recognition, and something else, as she places down her champagne flute and holds out her hand. “Oh, yes of course, you’re Archer’s boyfriend?” she replies brightly, and a flash of panic swirls in my stomach at her description.

Daemon and I haven’t exactly confirmed the parameters of our relationship yet, but to my surprise, Daemon doesn’t even miss a beat. “Yes, his boyfriend,” he replies curtly, emphasizing the word slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Haze, I’ve heard a lot about you from Aurora,” he adds, shaking her hand, and Mrs. Haze looks positively smitten.

“Oh, she’s such a sweetheart, that girl,” she purrs in response, flashing her stare towards my sister, and I notice her son is now watching us closely, as her hold on Daemon lingers.

Again, Daemon doesn’t miss a beat, snatching his hand from hers and stepping further into my side, and my arm instinctively wraps around his waist. “Yes, she is,” he smiles politely, before surveying the rest of them. “If you’ll excuse us, I’ve never been to a party quite as amazing as this one, and Archer promised me a ride on the Ferris wheel,” he replies with ease, nodding at them all, before entwining our hands, as my mother beams at us.

“Oh yes, go and have fun you two lovebirds, we can catch up back at the house later,” she grins widely, looking at us as if she is already planning our wedding, and I quickly drag Daemon away, before she can force him to be fitted with another suit.

We nod and smile as we pass a few more people, before we finally step from beneath the tent and start moving towards the attractions. Daemon's eyes take in everything, but mine are only on him.

“Aurora warned me about Gemma,” he muses once we are far enough away, reminding me of his steady friendship with my sister. “She said she’s been hitting on you since you were in high school,” he adds in disgust, wrinkling his nose, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I stare at him.

When I don’t respond, he looks to the side to find me staring at him. “What?” he snaps, searching my eyes with his, as I lead us towards the house of mirrors.

“You said I was your boyfriend,” I smirk, and I feel his hand tense slightly in mine, but I feel too giddy to care.

“And?”

“Nothing,” I shrug, as we reach the attraction. “I just always knew you were obsessed with me, Forbes, that’s all.”

Daemon rolls his eyes, releasing my hand and nodding to the guy at the entrance, before making his way inside, and like the lovestruck fool I am, I follow him in. “Come on, admit you’re obsessed with me,” I demand, quick on his heels, except instead of reaching him, I walk straight into a mirror, and I hear his laugh off to my left side.

“I actually think it’s some form of brainwashing,” he starts with a laugh, sounding lighter than normal, continuing to move even further away from me, as I try my best to find him. “Or Stockholm Syndrome maybe? You know, when someone stalks you long enough that you just give in and accept it.”

I see a flash of him in another one of the mirrors and I dart after it, hitting another mirror as his laugh echoes out once more. “Is that what fucking me was? Giving in and accepting it?” I call out, bumping into a girl whose eyes widen at my words, before she flashes me with a flirty smirk that I completely ignore.

“After three years it was inevitable,” he shouts back, his voice sounding even closer now, and that’s when I see him. A flash of his black jacket in the corner of my eye, one I have been imagining stripping off of him ever since he came out of the dressing room this morning.

Moving quickly, I am on him before he can even take another step, slamming him against one of the mirrors and brushing my mouth against his ear. “Three years and still you run from me,” I pant, pulling his lobe between my teeth, before trailing my lips down his jaw.

I pull away before he can seal his mouth to mine, and a dangerous smirk crosses his face, as his eyes darken. “Oh, you wanna play with me, Golden Boy, is that it?”

Fuck. The way that fucking nickname rolls off his tongue, it could bring me to my fucking knees with how weak it makes them. “I’d play anything you want, just name the game, Forbes,” I tell him, and he makes a show of thinking, but I can tell from the look in his eyes, that he has already made up his mind.

“How about your favorite game? Truth or dare, of course,” he purrs, grinding his body into mine, and I know the second he feels my erection, because his smirk turns wicked.

“Well, we both know what I’m picking,” I grunt, finally stealing his mouth for a kiss, and he spins us around and slams me back against the mirror, not caring if anyone finds us.

“Truth or dare, Archer?” he asks, finally returning the favor of the game that started all of this, and my heart begins to hammer in my chest.

“Dare,”

“I dare you to run.”

“Run?” I repeat in confusion, as he pushes himself away from me, his eyes turning completely predatory.

“If I catch you, I fuck you,” he warns, holding out his hand and gesturing for me to leave first, but I only cock my brow at him.

“Sounds like I want to be caught,” I reply truthfully, and he erases the distance between us, stealing my breath with a kiss.

“Trust me, baby,” he purrs, his hand caressing my throat. “You really don’t.” Then he pushes away from me and dances his way behind another mirror. “You’ve got a five minute head start, use it wisely,” he calls over his shoulder, before he disappears completely.

Five minutes. Fuck.

I’m running and bumping into mirrors before I can even take another breath, leaving behind the sounds of his dark laughter, as I dart from the house of mirrors in a rush. I collide with two people on my way out, not even stopping to say sorry, and when I make it outside, my eyes flare wide in search of where to go.

“Arch, have you seen Harden?” Everest appears at my side with Griffin in tow, and I startle a little, as I eye them both.

“What?” I ask, flicking my stare back to the house of mirrors, worried Daemon will appear any second.

“Harden, have you seen him? He disappeared after his mom was eying up your boyfriend,” he snaps, clearly irritated. “Rora went after him, but now we can’t find either of them.”

I shake my head, as Daemon appears, spotting me instantly. “No, I haven’t seen them, but I’ll keep an eye out,” I reply, tapping his shoulder, and rushing away without another word.

There are people everywhere enjoying the fun, but as my eyes land on the entrance of the maze, I know it’s the only option.

Truth or dare, meet hide and fucking seek. Let’s go.