Page 10 of Mistress Mayhem

The three men who I let slip between my fingers—that I had to leave behind. I have no idea what they’ve been up to the last ten years, but what are the chances of just one of them being here? I’ve thought of looking them up over the years, but I knew all it would do is cause me pain. It’s not like I could come back to them. I was too broken. Hell, I’m probably still too broken even now.

I’m a little terrified at the idea of all three of them being here. I can only assume that they’re still just as inseparable as they always have been. It’s been like that since we were kids. Charlotte was Austin’s sister so of course she was brought into the fold. Fox didn’t like choosing between his friends, so he told the other two to be nice to me, and that’s how our group was formed.

I know they were hurt when I wouldn’t see or speak to them ten years ago, but I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t drag them into the darkness that consumed me. They were too good for what I’ve become. Not to mention, I’d failed all of us when I hadn’t been able to save Charlotte.

Part of me regrets making that choice, but I know it’s the only one I could’ve made. The only one that protected them. The only one that protected me from having to see the disappointment on their faces.

I don’t know what I’ll say if I come face-to-face with them.

Shaking my head again, I move toward the table at the head of the room. I can’t lose my focus. I have a plan tonight, and I can’t allow seeing Fox to distract me.

I smile as I stop beside my chair, seeing that everyone else has already sat down—including Cary.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It seems you will be my dinner companions for the night. It should be a good time all around.”

“The pleasure is ours,” Cary’s wife simpers. “To get to sit with the mysterious Sage Davenport. We’re the lucky ones who get to spend time with you.”

I force myself to continue smiling even as my eyes slide to Cary. His arm is wrapped around his wife’s chair as he chats with the man beside him. Someone stands, pulling out my chair for me, and I give them a gracious smile as I sit down.

“I will admit that not knowing anyone meant making the seating chart was quite... erratic. I hope I haven’t sat anyone near a mortal enemy or anything.” I laugh, and the others follow suit. Funnily enough, I know for a fact that I sat people together who can’t stand each other. What can I say? Mayhem is meant to be a night of chaos, isn’t it? And I have no problems with spreading the chaos.

Before I can steer the conversation elsewhere, a waiter appears at the table and sets a salad before each of us. I allow the others to control the conversation as we eat the amazing meal that Remi has prepared. She really is an amazing chef, but that’s not even the primary job she has with me. No, she’s my drug supplier. She makes the chemical compounds I release at parties like these that allow my guests to let loose.

She makes a lot of other drugs for me, but most are more hardcore than the ones for the parties. The other drugs are what I use for my victims during Mayhem. Whether they paralyze someone, knock them out… Let’s just say I have a lot of drugs at my disposal.

The meal is seven courses, which means we’re seated for nearly two hours before the party can really begin.

As soon as I’ve finished my decadent chocolate dessert, I make my way back up the stairs to stand on the holopad once more.

“I hope you all enjoyed the amazing cuisine my chef provided us with tonight.” I pause for the smattering of applause. “But how about we really get this party started? If you’ll please stand and move toward the center area, the staff will clear the tables. They’ll place cocktail tables around the room, but there are also many alcoves that include seating around the room, and I have an amazing DJ who is ready to begin playing for you all now.”

Nodding my head to Jack, he presses a button and soft music fills the space as everyone stands up and shuffles to the center of the room. He’ll play a mixture of music tonight, starting off with this light music. But once the drugs are released in the air, he’ll move to something more upbeat.

I start back down the stairs and by the time I’ve made it down, the room has been completely redone, and the lights are lowering. It makes it much more intimate this way.

My eyes move to scan the crowd as the guests move around the room, trying to decide where they want to start the evening.

“Miss Davenport, I was hoping I might be able to interest you in a dance.”

I lift my eyes to find Cary standing there, offering his hand to me. “It won’t bother your wife?”

He laughs. “Not at all. In fact, it was at her suggestion that I came over. We know you don’t know anyone and some of the others might not have the balls to approach you. But the hostess should always be one of the first people on the dance floor.”

“Well, thank you, Mr. Van Buren. It would be my pleasure.”

“Cary,” he corrects me as I lay my hand in his and we head toward the dance floor.

“Thank you, Cary, and of course, you may call me Sage. After all, there’s no need for formalities between friends, is there?”

Reaching the dance floor, he turns and takes me into his arms. He leads me into a waltz, my body moving of its own accord. Thank goodness for muscle memory because I have not spent much time waltzing over the last few years.

“Is that what we are, Sage? Friends?”

I shrug. “I would think so since we’re dancing together.”

He just hums, and I smile pleasantly up at him. We fall silent then, and I wish it was time to begin my plan, but Cary isn’t my first target. No, I’ll be saving him for last.

“Pardon me, Mr. Van Buren, but may I cut in?”

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