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navybrat817 · 13 hours ago

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Hold You Tight - Part 29

Pairing: Club Owner!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader

Fic Summary: The owner of The 107th wants you to be his girl whether you like it or not.

Part 28 | Series Masterlist | Part 30

Chapter Word Count: Almost 4k

Chapter Summary: You have a heart-to-heart with Bucky before going to the club, and you hope he keeps his word.

Chapter Warnings: Kissing, jealousy, tension, bonding of sorts, inner turmoil, world building, Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?), more warnings to come.

A/N: More Hold You Tight, and thank you for sticking with me! Bucky edit by the beautiful @nixakimbo . ❤️ Beta read by the lovely @mumbles411 and @whisperlullaby, but any and all mistakes are my own. Divider by the talented @firefly-in-darkness. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

You stared up at the ceiling as you soaked in the tub. It felt like you were screaming in your head, but the volume was turned down to the point where you couldn’t even hear yourself. You weren’t sure if you were still angry from Bucky breaking ties with your parents or if you were resolute in what would happen going forward. Or maybe you were still tired from everything.

It didn’t make sense. You should’ve been happy since tonight was going to be a night to take back control, something you desperately wanted. So why weren’t you smiling? Why weren’t you holding yourself high since Bucky agreed to your terms? Was the apprehension from the fact that the night was young and he hadn’t proven anything yet? The only thing he continued to prove was that he wasn’t letting you go, and he would hurt or destroy anyone who disrespected you… except for himself.

You dragged yourself from the tub after a while and checked your phone. A smile crossed your face when you saw how excited the girls were to go to the club. This night wasn’t just about you, but them, too. “The family I chose,” you whispered. The family you’d do anything to protect.

You frowned when you saw a message from Mrs. Crandle. “I know you're going through some things, so I arranged for you to have the week off. Don't worry about pay or your schedule. I have it sorted. You just let me know if you need anything.”

Your heart sank. A whole week off? You had the money, thankfully, but you wanted to do your job. You appreciated that she was looking out for you the way a good boss should. “Thank you so much. I’ll reach out if I need anything.”

Natasha’s face shimmered in your mind since you now had some unexpected time off. “Self defense lessons later this week? Please and thanks. I hope you’re doing okay.”

You wondered if you should tell her about your plans to help other women. Bucky gave you the green light and wanted to help how he could, but she would have insight and perspective that he didn’t. Would he be jealous if you sought out her opinion? Too bad if he did. This project would be yours with your rules.

“Barnes said you’d be reaching out. Send me your schedule and we’ll set up a time. And don’t worry about my well-being. I’m more concerned about you. Take care of yourself.”

You sighed, not wanting her to worry about you either. You had enough to think about. Lois, arranging the flowers for Bucky’s mom, Thor's party, the double date with Steve, the wedding, and-

“Enjoy your bath?”

You were lucky you didn't drop your phone or fall when you spun around to face Bucky. He had a smug smirk on his face as he leaned against the door. “Jesus,” you whispered, tugging the robe tighter around yourself. How long had he been standing there? “I swear you enjoy scaring me.”

“I wasn't trying to scare you. I was just watching you.”

You shivered. Bucky was always watching you in some capacity. “And you were tired of watching and wanted my attention… while I’m naked.”

His eyes flashed with lust. “You're not completely naked since you're wearing a robe.”

You felt his penetrating gaze. He wanted to see you, touch you. “Bucky, what if I never sleep with you? Would you still want me in your life?” you asked curiously. His obsession ran deep and he said he would never force you, but what if you never gave in? What then?

A thoughtful look crossed his face. “Yes, I would.”

You didn't blink. “Really?” That wasn't the answer you were expecting.

He nodded slowly. “I haven't made it a secret that I want you physically. I dream of all the ways I’ll make you say my name and I think of how perfect you'll feel when I'm inside you. The thought of having you haunts my every waking moment in the best way,” he answered, your breath hitching when he crossed the distance to you. “But I want your heart and love. That’s what I want the most.”

He looked at your mouth only for a moment before looking into your eyes. You didn't move. Didn't speak. No matter the question, no matter the path, the man was going to choose you every time.

Because love wasn't easy or a passive feeling. It was a choice. Love was about choosing someone over and over, even when it was difficult. As he chose you, didn't he realize you had to choose him in return?

“Will you really keep your distance tonight?” you asked.

You held your breath when his hand went to the tie of your robe, but made no move to undo it. “It’ll be very difficult, but I’m determined to prove my worth to you and that I’m a man of my word,” he replied.

Was that his intention, or was he playing the game of luring you into a false sense of comfort? You hated it. You hated how his manipulations, his gaslighting, made you continue to question every single thing. It wasn't a way to live.

“We both need help,” you whispered.

“What?” he asked, but you shook your head and pulled away. The weight of everything felt heavy once again and you didn't want to face it tonight.

“Nothing. I should get dressed,” you said. Tonight was for fun and reclaiming a part of yourself. Tomorrow you could continue to pick up the pieces of the wreckage.

“Let me help, please,” he said, taking your hand before you could leave. “At the very least, let me put your necklace and shoes on while we talk.”

If he helped you get dressed, there was a chance he may try something. It could be another way to prove his worth and word if he behaved. “You can help with the necklace and shoes.”

He smiled and kissed the top of your hand. “You’ll be the envy of everyone at the club.”

“That’s not the point,” you said, following him to the bedroom. You wondered how far away Curtis and Ray were. “I don’t want people to envy me.” Especially when there was nothing to envy.

He paused to gaze at you. “But they will.”

“Because I’m ‘your girl’,” you said. That made sense if people there knew you were with him.

“Because you’re you and you're beautiful,” he corrected you, staying back while you went into the closet. “I’m not looking.”

“But I know you want to,” you muttered, going through the dresses. You chose a sleek black dress, your heart weeping. A black dress was what you wore the night Bucky first spotted you in his club and led him to carving his twisted path.

“You sure you want to be out late tonight? You have work tomorrow,” Bucky said from outside of the door.

“Mrs. Crandle gave me the week off,” you replied.

“That was kind of her,” he said casually, respectfully. If he had a hand in it, he covered it up well. “Would you ever consider quitting the shop?”

Your hands shook when you selected the undergarments. You had to admit they were sexy and would look good on you, which was exactly what you wanted. He’d be on his knees begging for a glimpse while you’d be lost in the world of friendship and letting loose. “You said you’d never make me give up work,” you reminded him, and you wouldn’t.

“I only asked because if your new passion project takes off it may take a lot of your time and energy,” he said softly.

“You’re worried that doing both will take my time away from you,” you guessed. He’d want your attention too much and wouldn’t want to share with everyone else.

He chuckled. “We’ll make time for each other. Meals together, dates, talking to each other in bed before we go to sleep,” he said. He made it sound like a dream. “Time isn't the issue. I don’t want you spread too thin.”

You almost smiled at his genuine concern. “I’ll be okay. I know my limits,” you said, stepping out once you were dressed.

Bucky blocked your path before you could walk to the vanity. “Fuck,” he whispered, giving you a thorough look. It was the look you predicted he’d have, except hungrier when he attempted to close the difference. You felt powerful and untouchable when you held a hand up to stop him. “You’re so fucking perfect.”

“That word,” you whispered. He had you back on the pedestal. He never brought you down from it. “But thank you.”

“Will you really let me dance with you if I behave?” he asked, sounding strained. He wanted your love and heart, but it had to be pure agony having you just out of his reach.

You shrugged and walked around him. “Maybe,” you replied, running a finger along one of the expensive bottles as you sat down. “Depends on how much fun I’m having with my friends.”

How many of Bucky’s men would watch you tonight? At that moment you didn’t care. Let them look. Let them see that you weren’t broken.

He groaned and went to pick out a necklace for you. “You’re going to tell Addison, aren’t you?”

“Tell her what exactly?” you asked, taking a moment to look at your reflection. At least you didn’t look as exhausted as you previously felt.

“About your attack and the fact that you’re living with me now,” he replied.

You met his eyes in the mirror when he came up behind you and slipped the necklace on. Elegant, expensive. “Yes, I am,” you said. The second she saw you at the club, even when you’d smile, she’d sense something was off. She was your best friend and knew you too well. You owed it to her and yourself to give her at least a part of the truth of your life. “There’s already enough secrets and I don’t need to carry one more.” Even then, you couldn’t tell her what happened to your attacker since you still didn’t know.

His lips parted, but he didn’t look too surprised. “I imagine she’ll want to speak with me,” he said, his fingers moving along your skin.

That gave you a reason to pause. How would Bucky react when faced with her? “She will,” you agreed. She wouldn’t just want to, she’d insist. “Because she cares about me.” If the roles were reversed, you’d demand to speak to Brady and make sure Addison was safe and cared for.

“She does care about you.” He maintained eye contact when he leaned down and kissed your neck. “But no one cares about you more than I do,” he said. Sharp. Protective.

“It isn’t a contest,” you whispered.

There was a crack in his expression. “It isn’t a contest, but I still feel like I’ve won because I have you.”

He didn’t say it like you were a prize, but you felt like a shiny trophy anyway. “You won because you rigged the system in your favor,” you said.

His jaw tightened, but his eyes remained soft. “I guess I did,” he said, turning your chair so you were no longer looking in the mirror and dropping to his knees. You remembered the reverse in your old apartment, him on his knees taking your shoes off. It seemed like so long ago. “But I haven’t really won yet since the race isn’t over.”

“What race?”

“To win your heart,” he whispered, grasping your ankle to help put your shoe on. He did so carefully like you were a work of art he was carving with his own hands. “Bookstore.”

You refused to melt under his touch. “Bookstore?” you repeated, confused.

“In another life, I imagine us meeting in a bookstore instead of me doing what I did. I’d walk in, probably having an off day and needing something familiar and comforting, and I’d see you- smiling, beautiful, enough to make my heart stop before it started beating again,” he explained, bringing your foot up to kiss it. You shivered involuntarily. “I’d offer to buy you a book and maybe a treat to go with it. You’d say I didn’t have to do that for you, but I’d insist and you’d thank me before asking me to join you in the cafe area.”

“Us sitting and talking about our favorite books.” You didn’t want to picture it, but you could see it clearly in your mind. Bucky would’ve been dressed down instead of wearing a suit, a blue shirt to go with his eyes. His hair would’ve been a bit of a mess and he’d offer a soft smile when he bought the book. You wouldn’t have been able to resist.

“Yeah,” he smiled sadly, setting your foot down to grab the other. “I wouldn’t have left without getting your number and would’ve tried to wait a reasonable amount of time before reaching out.”

“I would’ve given it to you and would’ve looked forward to hearing from you,” you told him, his head lifting to gaze at you. “But that’s not what happened,” you whispered. As much as you wish things would’ve worked out that way, that wasn’t your reality.

“Our story is… different. Unique. Messy. Because I’m a monster disguised as a king,” he said, kissing your inner ankle. “You said so yourself that I’m a monster.”

You inhaled sharply. “Bucky, I…” How could you argue with that when you had called him that?

“A monster who has you trapped in an expensive tower, refusing to ever let you go, but hoping you’ll still flourish by my side,” he continued, kissing higher and breathing against your skin. You clenched, you ached, you couldn’t help yourself. “Maybe I can never be completely redeemed, but I can be… rewritten. Reshaped.”

You looked down at him, your eyes raw. The silence was tense as he placed another kiss on your skin, this time on your inner thigh. He touched you like he had the right, breathed your name like he owned it. “And what if you can’t?” you asked.

There wasn’t doubt in your tone, but Bucky was surrounded by people who fed the monster within and encouraged him to be the worst version of himself. Curtis and Natasha weren’t as bad as the others as they only gave him scraps and Ray did what he could, but you were the only one who seemed to soothe the beast. Was that power or just an unhealthy reliance?

His mouth didn’t move any higher, but you put your foot to his chest anyway to push him back. “If anyone has the capacity to love a monster, it’s you.”

“You think too much of me,” you said. He asked too much of you, too. “I’m trying to heal,” you added. From Clark, from Bucky, too. All of it.

He didn’t appear deterred. “Thinking too much of you doesn’t mean you won’t love me. And you heal as loudly or quietly as you need to. No one can tell you how to process it, especially me.”

Something in your chest twisted when he got to his feet. “I just wish you didn’t have to crawl into the cracks of my life to bring us here,” you told him. He shouldn’t have had to rearrange your world to get you.

His breath caught when he opened his mouth. “But you crawled into the cracks of my life and made me whole. How can I go back to who I was before that?”

He left, leaving something hollow in his absence. The necklace and dress suddenly felt too tight. You felt like you’d burst out of your skin. You refused because you wouldn’t let yourself shatter. He wouldn’t have control over you.

Not tonight.

The drive to the club passed in quiet solitude. Ray and Curtis hardly spoke a word to you once you left the bedroom, but you felt their focus on you just the same. Bucky didn’t say much either, but he didn’t need to. His presence would linger long after he let you be.

He had given you an olive branch on the way out the door- He set up a visit for you and Lois tomorrow. You hadn’t expected him to arrange it, but you shouldn’t have been surprised. He knew how much you wanted to see with your own eyes what condition she was in. You also wanted to assure her that Clark would never harm her again. Could you do that without revealing Bucky’s hand in it?

“Your friends arrived,” Bucky said, chuckling at his phone as you checked yours. Bucky had wanted you to arrive minutes after them, maybe so he could have a bit more time with you to himself. “And apparently Dana asked if Hal could be their personal bartender.”

You didn’t mean to laugh, but it came out anyway. You had a feeling Hal would eat that up. Not to mention Dana was harmless since she’d never cheat. She just appreciated a good looking man when she saw one. “Since I’m in charge tonight, I’d love for Hal to be our personal bartender.”

Bucky’s jaw ticked, but that stopped the moment you ran your fingers through his hair. “Kotyonok, that’s not fair. I know the bastard will flirt with you.”

“All’s fair in love and war,” you teased, watching him close his eyes and breathe deeply. “Hal won’t flirt,” you said, not believing your own lie. “Plus I trust him to take care of my friends and me.”

Hal had defended you when John snapped at you at the bar and took his job seriously. He seemed decent. Well, as decent as anyone working for Bucky could be.

“Fine, but I’m docking his pay if he throws his shirt at you,” he said, a small smirk on his face.

You tugged the strands and received a pleased groan in response. “You will not dock his pay,” you said. Bucky said he gave Hal a raise after the John incident, but you weren’t sure what his paycheck was and you understood the struggle of budgeting and being careful with your funds.

“Fine,” he said again. You were relieved at that. “Only because you said so.”

The bass thrummed through the car when it stopped in front of the club, a living and breathing entity. It was a bit ironic that you were willingly going there to take back control when you wanted nothing to do with the place the first time he brought you there. You had wanted to be invisible, to not be noticed. This time you painted the target on yourself for the man beside you.

“Curtis? You’ll stay close, right?” you called out when the partition rolled down. You put a hand on Bucky’s thigh when he growled and tried not to feel worried that he may fire him. Did Bucky fire people or did he make them disappear?

Curtis looked behind him and paid Bucky no mind. “I’ll keep handsy guys away if that’s what you’re asking for.”

“Jax and Ari can handle that,” Bucky said, his voice icy.

“And so can Curtis,” you said. What was he jealous of? You were fond of Ray and the reactions were nothing like this. “He’s my bodyguard. Don’t forget that.”

Bucky forced a smile, cruel and bitter. “He may be your bodyguard and I may have been the one to suggest it, but I know he has blood on his hands that won't ever go away.”

Curtis didn’t flinch, but something passed over his eyes. You felt the need to defend him because Bucky’s hands were far from clean and it wasn’t his story to tell. “My blood isn’t on his hands and that’s what matters, so leave him alone.”

The silence that followed cut like a knife. Curtis’s exhale was audible, shaky, but he gave you a single nod. One of respect and thanks.

Bucky’s breath out was shaky, too, but he gazed at you with respect, too, when he turned your face away from your bodyguard. “You’re right,” he whispered, kissing you softly. Not forceful, but certain. Gentle and assured. “I’m sorry I let jealousy get the better of me.”

So he admitted that he's jealous of Curtis. “It’s easier said than done, but there’s nothing to be jealous of,” you said in the space between you. It wasn’t like Curtis wanted you. Even if he did, nothing would come about with him or any other man for that matter. “Trust me.”

His mouth was on yours again, deeper but slow. “I do trust you,” he said once he pulled away. “I just… hate that he gets to be close to you tonight while I’m out of reach.”

Reverence and desire showed in Bucky’s eyes. He wanted so desperately to be in your orbit and he’d be tested once you walked through the doors. “You’ll only be out of reach until I offer my hand,” you said.

He sighed, but nodded. “And I’ll be waiting to take it,” he said, helping you out.

As Bucky led you inside with Curtis not too far behind, the vibrant chaos of the lights, laughter, and sin washed over you. Bucky kept a hand on your lower back, his grip a bit looser than usual. It was almost respectful. Almost.

Jax spotted you immediately and winked. You winked back and walked with purpose, carrying your invisible wounds and previous insecurities like badges of honor. Bucky held himself like a man who had everything. And he did, didn’t he?

“I still can’t meet her yet?” you asked when Bucky swept you past the coat check. Or maybe Steve’s girl had the night off.

“Double date,” he reminded you.

“That’s right,” you muttered. Another piece in the jagged price of his love.

Bucky nodded and smiled at a few people, keeping you tucked in at his side. “Go to your friends,” he encouraged, his lips grazing yours when you faced him. “If they ask why I haven’t stopped by, you can tell them I have business to attend to first.”

You craned your head toward the VIP section and smiled when the girls spotted you and waved excitedly. “And you’ll only join when I say so?” You met Bucky's gaze and a silent challenge passed between you before he smiled.

“You said ‘when’ and not ‘if’,” he said.

You faltered. Did you mean to say that? “Don’t get cocky just yet,” you warned. Depending on how the night went, he may not have a chance. “Keep your word and watch.”

There was reluctant submission from the man who never bowed to anyone. But he nodded, a king ceding his crown and part of his kingdom for the night. “I'll be watching and waiting, Kotyonok,” he promised, his gaze and aura still overwhelming even as he reluctantly released you. “But if anyone touches you, I’ll ruin them. I swear to fucking God, I’ll-”

You cut him off with a tender kiss, like he had done to you in the car earlier that day. His hands found your hips and he moved closer like the pull of gravity, but you turned your head before it could become too heated. Your rules tonight, not his. “If someone tries to touch me, someone will stop it,” you soothed him, pulling out of his grasp.

His fingers twitched, but he didn't reach out to touch you again. “Go,” he breathed, a warning to walk away so he could keep his promise.

There was a sway in your hips as you went to join your friends. You weren’t worried. He'd be your watchful shadow while you reigned.

But shadows had ways of wrapping around the light, and you'd be in his arms before the night was over.

I don't want to spoil things, lovelies, but things may heat up a bit in the next chapter. What do you think will happen? And the blood on Curtis's hands, what is that story? Love and thanks for reading! ❤️

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

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ironandglass · 1 day ago

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The Descent - Chapter 4 - Claws on the Marble

Silco x female reader - Dark Slow Burn - Modern Au - Stalker Silco

A strange man moves into the apartment across from yours, he likes to watch and you start to like him watching. What could go wrong?

<<<Go back to Chapter One

Warnings: stalking, obsession, veiled threats, and unsettling power plays, romanticized toxic behavior, alcohol use, toxic relationships, power dynamics, classism, unwanted physical touch, implied sexual exploitation, physical abuse, threats, psychological abuse, violence, mental health probably, class based power dynamics, swearing, bad editing (notsorry), evil Silco, dark Silco, cold Silco. He’s not gentle and sweet ya feel? No jinx.

Chapter four

Claws on the Marble

You thought innocently that you deserved a self indulgent night out, to feel beautiful, to be admired and desired. Well you got exactly what you wanted, but your own desire is like blood in open water, and every shark in the room caught the scent. Did you forget what happens to pretty things left unattended?

Finn’s hand tugs on your arm like an iron shackle, dragging you deeper into the maddening crowd. You sip your champagne awkwardly as you walk, as if the bubbles might settle your nerves. They don’t though. If anything, you know it will probably just make things worse.

You're still trembling slightly, trying to breathe, trying to still the storm inside you.

Your exit had felt like abandonment just as much as it felt like a rescue.

You let Finn pull you up alongside someone he seems to know, pausing in a quieter space along the edge of the ballroom, leaving you feeling like a parked car for him to lean against and show off while he chatters away.

“Well, you know what they say? When in Shurima,” a woman says, laughingly at something Finn just said. He grins, and you notice the creases at the corner of his eyes seem more genuine now, his mood lighter.

“Don’t forget that Shurima fell,” he counters, raising his glass. “All great empires do… it’s only a matter of when.”

The woman hesitates, then clinks her glass to his. “Bold. But undeniably true.”

You're not really paying attention to their blithering, your eyes still distant as you keep a polite smile plastered on your face, content to present yourself simply as bimbo arm candy for the moment.

Your thoughts are still back at the staircase, replaying the scenes out of order and scattered across your mind like buckshot. Silco’s ribbon, how his disappointment carved into you, the way he stood before you, the way his eyes sunk into your own, the curl of his lip as he critically appraised your ballroom attire and apparently found it distasteful, if not entirely offensive. But worst of all is the ribbon, that damn ribbon... even though you aren't supposed to be here. Does that mean he wore it for himself? Or perhaps he knew you would be here? Both options seemed awful. Your stomach churns as you take a slightly desperate swig of the remaining champagne in your glass.

You hope you haven’t fucked it all up completely, whatever strange thing existed between you and Silco. Even though you aren’t his. And there are no rules or promises between you. You certainly aren't in a relationship with him. He just... watches you.

So... why did it feel like a betrayal? Why did you feel so small and ashamed to be caught like this? Seeking comfort on a night out away from the madness. Why did it feel like it mattered so much that you’d been caught red handed arriving on another man’s arm?

The woman Finn had been speaking to turns away with a laugh and a clink of crystal.

Now Finn pivots back to you.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?” he asks, reaching out to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear. It feels so sudden and unexpectedly, wildly invasive.

You give him a polite smile, if not slightly forced.

“Even your smile… gorgeous.” He adds. He doesn’t care if it’s fake, apparently, so long as it looks the part.

His wicked green eyes flicker between yours, reading your face with that infuriating cockiness of his. Then he tilts his head like a friendly puppy.

“You looked like you were going to faint when you saw him.”

Your heart thuds. He knows? No, he's just fucking with you, how could he know?

Your thoughts are derailed further when he suddenly steps into your space, his lips hovering just over yours. His arms snaking lazily around your waist.

“Do you want me to make you forget him?” he murmurs, the words brushing over your skin, unwanted.

Your hands grip his forearms reflexively in an attempt to keep some space between you, but he leans in closer still. You feel is warmth and the scent of alcohol, his cologne and something else, maybe shampoo?

“I can help…” he whispers his words soft and intimate, filthy with mock generosity.

You had wanted to feel desired, tonight was supposed to be something easy. A night to enjoy and forget all your troubles but … but not like this.

Nothing about Finn was attractive to you, he was too slick, too sleazy, too cold in a way that felt dangerous and not in the fun way. You'd go home to your massage wand before you'd bed him. If you arrived with him tonight, you'd prefer not to go home with him, you knew that much for certain. No amount of champagne was going to shift that sentiment.

You turn your face away, pushing gently at his arms.

He chuckles and for some reason it feels like a slap, even though you were the one who refused him.

He hesitates for a beat and you look carefully up at him to see something sharp glinting behind his eyes but then he steps back smiling like nothing happened.

“I need… a moment,” you say gently, desperate to get away.

“Of course” he says, still smirking lazily and he lets you go.

As you walk away, you feel Finns eyes on your exposed back like fishhooks in your skin.

Outside in the crisp fresh air, you lean on a stately stone balcony, overlooking the grand estates main garden. Moonlight pools generously over the greenery below. Sharp hedges and patterned formal plantings create an interesting geometric feast for the eyes made more mysterious by the half light. A man and a woman exit the building from the floor below you, walking out some distance into the garden. Thinking themselves hidden under the shroud of darkness, despite the brightness of the moon, they fold together into a passionate and deep kiss.

It goes on so long you're about to look away when they suddenly tear apart, panting, staring into each other's eyes for a charged moment before continuing up the garden path, hands clutched together, giggling and laughing till they disappear into the large, distant hedge maze, now truly out of view. In the wake of their absence, you feel a longing squirm inside your gut, you try to brush it aside but it twists there, gnawing and clawing at you in discontent. "You envy them" Comes a woman's voice, rich and deep with a light accent that you can't place. You turn your head just slightly to see her, watching you from nearby. A tall, elegant woman with a square jaw, her eyes sharp as knives, wearing brilliant emerald green that catches the moonlight as she considers you. She's clearly amused, her lips tilted into a gentle smirk, not unkind but not gentle either.

"Excuse me?" you blink, caught off-guard.

She doesn't explain herself, casually striding closer, joining you at the balcony railing, her champagne glass swirling in an elegant hand.

"Don’t bother denying it," she leans her hip against the balcony, her eyes drinking you in, curious and appraising, as if you were a stray she was considering sheltering. She's close enough that you can smell her perfume, sharp and beautiful, like flowers cut by steel.

"It’s human nature, to see something that looks reckless and free and then desire it for ourselves." Her eyes flicker across your face. "Even if it will never truly nourish us." Her voice drops lower, almost a warning.

She holds herself like a queen, easy confidence, as if she's never doubted herself before, indomitable.

A breath of silence.

"Quite a dangerous game" Her last words are softer, almost a whisper.

Your heart races, this feels like a warning, like she's trying to tell you something but right now it merely sloshes against all the champagne bubbling in your hazy mind.

Her sharp eyes crease slightly at the corners as she studies your reaction. She sips her drink, gaze not breaking from yours, holding the moment for a long, pregnant pause before she seems satisfied and grins. Without another word she turns away, disappearing back into the bright lights of the ballroom. You are left standing there, confused about exactly what just happened.

Wes approaches a few moments later, giving you a polite moment of respite before breaking the silence. "I see Lady Rin has made herself known to you." He says gently as he approaches.

"You saw that" you mumble, turning to look up at him, his eyes confirm your question.

"You're not Finn's friend, are you" You say to him, it's not a question. "You work for him." He nods without hesitation, without trying to lie or feign looking guilty. You respect him for that.

You sigh. "Is everyone here a predator?" You ask as you stare into the night, feeling drained. Wes looks down at you for a long moment, then he looks out at the garden, shoulders sagging slightly.

"Probably" he admits. "They're definitely all dangerous."

You purse your lips but you appreciate his frank honesty, he was like a grounding breath of fresh air in all this madness. You didn't trust him, but for some reason you felt more at ease around him than the other glittering beasts that stalked the ballroom floor. Their long sharp claws tapping against the cold marble with every step. You both stood there for a moment longer, thoughtful and calm in the fresh air, until Wes finally turns towards you. "Let's go check on Mia, before she ends up in a scene from "Eyes Wide Shut" or something." He mutters dryly.

You laugh at the very real possibility of that when it comes to Mia, and follow him back into the glittering chaos of the ballroom, where monsters masquerade as man. --- When you reach the bar you find Mia laughing with a handsome man in heels, sporting immaculate eyebrows and a black sequined suit. "-and then HE explained what exsanguinate actually means so our man's just standing there with a face like a slapped ass!" Sequin suit guy's story has Mia nearly in tears laughing so you eagerly take a chair and join them all at the table. Mia introduces you in-between gasping breaths as she recovers from laughing way too hard. "Jules" The man who had been telling the story introduces himself warmly in return, his bright eyes skimming over you in hasty evaluation. "So THEN what did he do?" Mia slaps the table demanding Jules to continue, her expression intensely curious.

"So our man, obviously he excuses himself, because... what else can he do right?..." Jules continues and everyone laughs in disbelief. Even though you missed the start, the laughter is so infectious that you giggle along, enjoying the story. You feel cozy here for the moment, feeling like you're taking refuge, sipping a tall glass of whatever Mia handed you, vodka lime and soda maybe? You don’t tell Mia what happened with Finn and you're grateful that she's so engaged in her repartee with Jules that doesn’t seem to notice anything off in your return, so you feel like you've nailed your "I'm fine" act. Until Wes catches your eye across the table, by the look he shoots you, immediately you know he's clocked your unease. Gratefully he doesn’t make a scene but instead waits for an opportunity to covertly lean in.

"You alright?" He asks it softly, so only you hear.

You nod and wave your hand dismissively, making sure not to draw Mia's attention. He gives you a small nod but his sharp eyes linger on you for a moment longer before turning back into the conversation.

As Mia turns to chat with someone else you're surprised when Jules leans in to your space his eyes fixed on something behind you. "Don't look now, I just said DON'T look" he says as you start to turn. "Theres a man in the distance there, with a grey suit, he wears the sigil of The Ascendancy." "Okay... now, quickly take a look" Jules prompts and you do you best to turn casually and steal a glance.

You see a man wearing a grey suit, nobody stands too close to him, people near him seem to all look stiff and uncomfortable. He stands still in the centre, smiling as he talks, holding a small glass. You turn back to Jules. "Who is he?" "He's a diplomat, he represents The Ascendancy. His name is Archan, stay well clear of him. Don't even look at him, you do not want to be on that mans radar, okay?" You nod absently turning to sneak another look but Jules grabs your face by the chin and turns it back towards him. "Nonononono, I was not kidding honey, Don't even look at him." Jules says, deadly serious. You sigh exasperated and narrow your eyes up at Jules in defiance.

"Joykill" You grumble, it was frustrating that he warn you about something so intriguing and dangerous in your midst only for you to not be allowed to even look at it. It was like telling someone on a safari to not look at the lions.

"I'd rather kill your joy now than see your feet poking out the bottom of a rolled up carpet." Jules jabs back, tipping his glass towards you before knocking back the remains and leaving the table.

You roll your eyes and smile at his dramatic warning but silently decide to heed it for now.

The music stops and an overly enthusiastic voice makes an announcement on the other side of the room saying something would be happening in the main stage.

You look up and laugh to see that Mia is already rushing into the crowd towards the excitement and decide to follow after her.

As you cross the ballroom floor in between little cellular gatherings of people you wade through the sea of unknown faces when you think you recognise someone unexpected and familiar. "Echo?" You ask making the awkward scrunched, unsure face that everyone makes upon recognising someone from a lifetime ago. His face breaks into a brilliant smile confirming your suspicions and he draws you into a massive bear hug. You hadn't seen him since high school. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asks chucking "This is the last place I thought I'd run into you." "Oh I was invited with a friend by a guy called Finn" you shrug a gesture of "isn't this crazy?" Echo's smile falters for a second and concern creeps into his features. "Did you say Finn? Like... yellow suit Finn?" He asks his warm brown eyes widen slightly. "Yeah I don't really know him, he invited my friend and I along. It's fine, it's just a party." You shrug and smile trying to assuage his concerns but he just doubles down. "He buy you that dress too?" He asks pointedly, his tone more serious now. "Well... yes but-" Echo sighs. "You know that yellow? That's Tetrad yellow, Finns crew. This charity ball is practically a networking event for all the biggest players in the undercity, hosted by a the Kingpin himself. This isn't just a party." Your brows furrow in disbelief but as you look around the room, everything suddenly seems to align with what he is saying. The way everyone has been talking in riddles and half truths, the woman who kicked you out of the hallway talking about your dress, this fucking obnoxious yellow colour. You even watch a man, just a few meters away subtly pull a thick envelope out of his suit jacket and subtly slip it into another mans pocket as they shake hands, thinking nobody saw. Only you saw it, and so did Echo, who catches your eye now pointedly. "You see now?"

You resign a nod and sip your drink letting it sink in, adjusting your perception around this new information as best you can.

It was a lot.

"What do you know about Silco?" You ask suddenly, the words tumbling out of your mouth before you can help yourself. Echo's eyebrows shoot up in wide eyed horror. "Please tell me you have nothing to do with Silco" he begs you stepping backwards. "He can't be that bad, he's just a man." You say trying to minimise. Echo laughs in disbelief. "He's more like a monster." Echo says. You're about to reply when a body slams into yours.

You hit the marble floor hard, the breath knocked out from your lungs for a moment, you feel something cold and wet across your side and a glass shatters further away. What the hell just happened? You try to sit up, spying another person sprawled the floor nearby, a waitress. She must have knocked you over as she fell but... but the force at which you had fallen didn't add up with her slender frame. People rush in, some nearby gentlemen assisting you both to your feet.

You look up to see Echo backing away from you into the crowd. "I'm sorry" he mouths as he retreats. The girl who ran into you looks ready to cry. She’s helped up by another man in a dark suit. You catch her whispering "I was pushed." You take a hand offered to you, thanking them earnestly as they pull you to your feet. Wes pushes through the crowd,

“I saw you fall, are you hurt?” He asks with stern professional concern. “How did this happen?” You wave your hand. “I’m fine.” You explain. “Someone knocked a waitress into me and we fell, it was an accident.” Wes’ eyes sharpen and his brows furrow slightly as he looks down at you. You follow Wes' gaze to your dress, the yellow flourish was entirely transformed, every inch of it stained deep red. Not a single speck of yellow remained.

You marvel at this as one of Finns other men approaches Wes and softly tells him something you can’t hear. Wes gives a tiny nod and the man peels away as Wes scans the crowd briefly before looking back at you and sighing gently. "He's not going to be happy."

Finns face sours for a split second as he eyes your dress when you approach, escorted by Wes.

To his credit it's a subtle flicker, only a moment but you had been searching for it, so you recognised it distinctly.

You feel guilty for a split second, then remember his predatory behaviour when he'd just tried to kiss you earlier and you instantly feel significantly less bad.

You apologise and explain what happened and upon hearing the story he laughs.

“Well would you look at that?” He grabs a glass of champagne and raises it to the crowd around you.

“To unpredictable nights and unforgettable women.” Everyone laughs and toasts their merryment.

But when the moment passes he pulls you aside subtly, walking you off the ballroom floor so you’re alone in a small room just off the main hall.

After his attentions earlier you feel very vulnerable being in the room alone with him now.

"I think maybe I should go home, the dress is all wet from the wine and-" you start to explain.

He smiles and steps close suddenly, halting your words and you find yourself stepping backwards away from him.

“You’re supposed to be my guest, all you had to do was look beautiful and wear a dress.” He leans in, eyes scanning yours. “You can't even managed that. Disappointing” He curls past you and starts to circle you slowly.

Anger unfurls inside you at this unjust treatment.

“You can’t be mad that someone knocked me to the floor and spilt wine on me.” You retort bitterly.

At this he snaps towards you, wrapping his large hand under your chin and grabbing your face, lifting it up to his. You grasp at his wrists uselessly as he squeezes. His pale green eyes like toxic fire.

“You let it happen.” He hisses sofly. You look up at him, he’s hurting you. Lifting you up just slightly so you struggle to gain purchase in your high heels, making a pathetic sound as they scrape awkwardly against the floor in the tense silence. That and your heavy stilted breathing.

He's so strong that it's easy for him, which is all the more terrifying. His eyes are so cold and merciless, that you see it now, you are nothing to him. A part of you’d suspected this but you didn't understand the extent. Couldn't fathom the severity of it. Like he could slit your throat, look into your eyes as you died and then have a nice night out and sleep like a baby. Guilt free, no remorse.

You honestly had not seen Finn as a real threat till this very moment, and now?, now you were very afraid.

After a beat his eyes flicker and he loosens his grip, you pant a sigh of relief, as you feel your feet plant down on the ground properly.

“I am a generous man though” he smiles, stroking a thumb over your cheek before pulling away and resuming his menacing circle around you. “Maybe I could buy a ticket for one of your friends or family so they can take a trip? Somewhere nice, somewhere they’ve always wanted to go. A long one, maybe they won’t come back for a very long time.” He smiles at you sweetly as the threat sinks in. “Would you like that?” He asks as he trails around behind you.

You feel breathless, so you shake your head. This wasn't happening. No no no.

His sharp eyes catch it and he mocks hurt surprise.

“So ungrateful, tch, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew you were difficult from the start. A leopard can’t change its spots, unless you skin it... or spill wine on it.” He laughs coldly at the last comment shooting you a glare.

“So difficult girl, let me make myself crystal clear.” Finn finishes circling to stand in front of you, looking down at you so he blocks the light above him casting you in his shadow.

“You play nice, you smile on my arm. You wear MY dress, and if you disappoint me again,... before you can even apologize, I’ll buy a ticket for Mia and she'll be on the first flight out.”

All the blood drains from your face, it was one thing to be reckless with your own safety but the burden of responsibility for your beautiful, innocent friend? That chills you to your bones. Your mouth goes dry, the room feels too small, your guts flip.

Finn looks pleased as he smirks down at your horrified face. Watching the dread sink in, savoring it.

“I’m glad we understand each other.” He says stroking the side of your cheek with his fingertips. You almost flinch away before you stop yourself out of fear for Mia.

Disrespect was such a vague term, who knows how far he might decide it goes.

Finn notices, of course he does, and his smug smirk widens to show more of his shark like teeth.

“I’ll leave you with some time to think, and then l expect you to join me for the rest of the night.” His voice is smooth and smug as he turns towards the exit.

“Oh and… before I forget" he pauses in the doorway turning back to face you. "Don’t even think of running to Silco. If you do, I’ll know. The old mans power is waning, his people aren’t as... reliable as they once were.” he drums his fingers once on the door frame giving you a final grin before he's gone.

You found an empty powder room nearby and now stood in front of the mirror staring at yourself.

You looked immaculate, facing yourself in the mirror surrounded by flowers, which made this feeling rising inside you feel so much more alien.

Without the thick event makeup you might look pale, but it was all hidden underneath layers of powders and foundation and whatever else. A perfect mask of beauty, to hide all the ugly truths buried underneath.

Beneath the exterior, it feels like the room can't contain your stress and frustration as you stand there struggling to hold back tears. All that had happened in the last few hours felt like you had spent it receiving blow after blow of new and unique problems stacked heavily on top of each other. All you had wanted was a fun night out, instead you had been granted a nightmare, one that you can't wake up from.

You'd placed your friend in mortal danger, been dragged into some stupid criminal pissing competition. You'd spurned the one man you actually wanted, who you should also definitely not want or be with ever.

Your eyes fix on the red stained patch of your once yellow and black dress. It felt wet and sticky against your skin but the silk material betrayed none of your discomfort, it looked immaculate even now, not even wet. It still looked nice, the deep red could even pass as intentional the way the colour and design worked. It would have been better if the dress had been more obviously ruined or damaged, then you might have an excuse to leave.

The strange itchy feeling suddenly sparks and ignites now, into white hot fury. You want to tear the damn dress off, discard it and burn it. Shed the damn thing like a snake sheds it's skin and is renewed, restored. The feeling of it against your bare flesh is unbearable.

You very strongly consider smashing the vase in front of you, but the soft beauty of the flowers slowly eases your rage. It's not the flowers fault you are angry, they should not have to suffer for it, and it's certainly not your fault that you find yourself here and now.

You just needed one night out with your friend to let off some steam. A few drinks, a warm body, to dress up, to feel desired, beautiful even, a moment to feel like a normal person. You didn’t ask for any of this. You didn’t want any of this. It's not your fault, none of this is your fault.

You take a deep inhaled breath through your nose and draw yourself together.

It's just a dress, it looks beautiful, I can wear it for the rest of the night, and then cut it into one million pieces and burn it later. You take a few more deep breaths, looking into your own eyes and composing yourself in the mirror till you feel ready to return to the Ball.

For Mia.

-- You smile distantly and try to laugh at the right time, but mentally you’re a million miles away while your body is here on parade, on display. Finn hands you another glass of champagne that you accept gratefully, numbing yourself to your rage can only help in this situation you've decided.

The men chatting to Finn laugh in a rumbling chuckle, but something about their tone feels off, so you tune back in. Finn seems to notice your eyes sharpen as you enter the present moment with awareness.

"There she is" he smirks and the men laugh again.

"Sorry, did I miss something?" you ask with your forced smile laid on thick.

"No matter dear, we were talking about you, not to you." a gruff old man drawls.

You feel your hackles rise so you take a measured sip of champagne and smile.

"All good things I hope." you chirp playfully.

"Finn was just telling us you're a good sport." says one of the other men, in a way that makes you pause. Your eyes turn to Finns as uncertainty and fear flicker inside you. He looks down at you grinning.

"She's a good girl, always on her best behaviour, and always treats my friends with respect. Isn't that right babygirl" Finn says pulling you closer to him by the waist. You hesitate for a loaded moment as you look into Finns eyes and consider clawing them bloody but remembering Mia's safety you smile wide and lean against him.

"That's right Finny" you say adorably, hoping he hates it.

The men around him laugh and you feel sick to your stomach.

You held no ire for the girls who did this kind of thing wilfully, but to be forced into it was grating on your raw nerves. "Stand up and do a little spin for us." He gently pushes you forward and your spine stiffens. Finn was clearly toying with you, seeing how far he could push you.

You shoot Finn a brief look and he simply raises his brows, waiting. Mia's smiling face flashes through your mind and your heart aches. So you rise, pushing yourself up to your feet and indulge your audience in one slow, elegant, single spin before sipping your champagne and batting your lashes. Finn stands to join you and places one firm arm protectively around you.

"She is a lovely thing." One of the men says wistfully to Finn, never addressing you directly you notice. You tilt your head and smile at him like a vacant doll.

"I'm glad you agree, she's very special." Finn lifts your chin forcing your eyes to meet his as he says "It's hard to find well behaved girls like this."

You've been on Finns arm for a while and you'd drank multiple glasses of champagne in that time so it's not unreasonable when you need a moment to use the restroom.

When you try to pull away and excuse yourself he holds your arm tightly and you hesitate, turning back to meet his brilliantly cold, green, smirking eyes.

"Don't forget my promise." He says. With that, the hairs rising on the back of your neck feel like cold needles prickling against your skin.

You force a smile.

"How could I forget" you say, a sickly sweet little jab.

"Good girl" his words land like a pat on the head, and it makes your blood boil. You hold your smile though, as he loosens his grip, dismissing you.

Unmoored from Finn and wandering through the crowd alone now you realise that you're quite a bit more tipsy than you'd intended. All those glasses of champagne were starting to add up.

You walk slowly on your way back from the restroom, unwilling to return to Finn but forcing each step as you turn back towards the hall that leads back to the ballroom.

Before you can get more than halfway back a soft spoken waitress approaches.

"Excuse me ma'am, a moment?"

You blink and nod, slightly bewildered as she leads you through to an alcove room, a small curtained lounge off the main floor.

She waits for you to enter before she pulls the curtain shut, closing the ball room away and dampening the noise, the effect made the space feel private. This room was darker, and you blink as your eyes adjust to the dimness after the dazzling ballroom.

"Are we having fun?" Comes a familiar smokey voice. Your surprise is interrupted as the waitress pulls a seat out and gestures for you to sit at a small table, you hesitate for a moment, your brows furrowing, but you do so.

"You're drunk." Silco's eyes slither over you in obvious disgust. You feel your cheeks heat slightly as you sit there, cold and sticky in your wine stained dress. He was of course, infuriatingly correct.

You open your mouth to say something but Silco raises his hand and cuts you off as the waitress delivers a silver tray and places it before you, lifting the silver dome to reveal a variety of small pastries, tiny sandwiches, meats, olives, even a small serving of soup.

"Eat." He commands in a tone that leaves little room for argument.

You'd never heard him use such a tone with you before. It was so ruthless and sharp that you could probably cut stone with it.

You consider arguing but when your eyes flicker between the food and his and he narrows his own eyes at you in a dark humorless scowl, you decide it's probably not the time to test his patience.

You reach forward and pull the soup towards you and start spooning it into your mouth. It's rich and warm and comforting in a way you were not expecting.

You finish the soup quickly, the spoon making a gentle sound as you place it down the and move on to the sandwiches, cut into silly little triangles. The bread was soft and fluffy and the variety of fillings were delicious.

Silco was silent as you ate, which strangely was not uncomfortable. In fact you got the sense he was pleased and contented to sit there and smoke a cigarette in peace while you quietly ate.

You were already starting to feel much better, sharper, more refreshed.

You reach for the glass of water, it was ice cold, flavored with cucumber and lavender. The taste was delicate and refreshing in a way you'd never experienced. Your eyes widen in surprise at how good it is as you shamelessly chug more of it.

"You're not supposed to be here" Silcos voice cuts through the silence unexpectedly and you put the glass down to look at him.

He doesn't turn towards you though, instead he continues smoking and staring straight ahead as if he is deep in thought.

Clearly he's talking at you and not asking an actual question. Typical behaviour of someone "very important". You valiantly resist the urge to roll your eyes.

You wait a polite moment and he gestures annoyed for you to keep eating before you select another delicious little sandwich and bite into it.

He's silent for a while longer as you continue to nibble silently at the meal before you like a rabbit.

"Something happened." He says, turning towards you now.

You look at him annoyed because you'd just taken the large final bite of a sandwich and your mouth was much too full to talk. Did he do that on purpose? It feels like it takes a long time to chew and swallow. In your rush you now need a drink of water before you can respond.

You explain how you were knocked over, pointing to the now red flourish over your hip.

Did he just smile at that? You swore the corner of his mouth quirked up.

He waves his hand dismissively and shakes his head.

"No no no... I know about that."

You frown at him, waiting for him to continue. You're holding a sandwich but not game to take another bite till you know what he's going to say.

"Something else happened. You look pathetic... scared... Did he threaten you?..." He searches your face, those sharp eyes judging your reaction. You hesitate, because Finn had said if you told Silco he would know and Mia wold suffer. Shit, shit, shit. Maybe being in here right now was not such a good idea. You need to find a way to leave, and soon.

"No that's not it... Hmmm" he pauses tapping a finger against his lip thoughtfully.

"The friend, he threatened her" he counters, sharp eyes fixing on you again.

You try not to react but that in itself apparently gives you away.

"Ahhhhh... I see, much harder to risk someone else's life. Hmmm silly girl, playing around drunk in the lions den. What did you expect?" He laughs gently and cruelly stubbing out the remains of his cigarette in a polished brass tray.

"Did he lay a hand on you?" He now asks cooly, his eyes sharpening.

You pause, the thought of Finns hand around your neck, lifting you slightly off the floor flashes through your minds eye and your shoulders curl just a fraction. He see's it.

"He did..." Silco's eyes flicker and he looks away for a moment, just jaw tensing, his hand clenching and unclenching.

"Interesting." The single murmur like ice.

Not sure what else to do with yourself, you take another absent bite of the sandwich.

The silence stretches and becomes full of something uncomfortable, you feel ashamed and embarrassed suddenly. You'd gotten drunk, you were way in over your head in a very bad situation, and here he was making you eat to sober up, like a naughty delinquent. He may have been rude and harsh and chiding but the act itself betrayed care.

You want to apologize, you want to thank him for the sandwiches but the words won't come. It happens so quickly, Silco shoots to his feet and strides out, leaving nothing but the swaying curtain in his wake.

You stare at the curtain till it stops moving as you sit there, utterly alone and bewildered, with a half eaten cucumber sandwich in your hand like an absolute twat. ----

—

Thanks so much for reading Chapter 4! 🔪📖🖤

Thanks for your patience and kind words of encouragement! I know this chapter was slow to update, I rewrote it SO MANY TIMES y'all, so I hope you enjoy it. Seeing a villain crash out while I sit there nibbling on tiny sandwich triangles that he demanded I eat is life goals for me personally goals tbh. Hope you can relate.

<3 Iron

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>>>Chapter Five TBA