Abigail's POV

　　I wasn't born yesterday, nor was Maxwell the first male I had met with an agenda. I knew the second he approached that he wanted something from me. What wound me more was that if he asked outright, I would most likely oblige him; I was a people pleaser, I always had been. 

　　But scheming to get what you want irritated me, which meant I was more than likely going to drag my heels and then not help to be a stubborn mare. Deciding I would be all sugar and sweet, I smiled my most innocent smile and played the part of 'damsel' he had already decided to cast me in.

　　Feeling the tension between Damien and Jason rise to an uncomfortable level, I sighed; Damien wasn't helping with his need to touch me or be insanely close to me at all times. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy the feeling of his hands on me, nor the sensation it gave me. But I didn't enjoy seeing Jason put out over it. Despite what had happened today between us, I knew he had been pushed to snap like that, and I had a feeling I knew who had pushed those buttons. -purposely, I would bet!

　　I had already decided I would forgive him; let it go! It's not like I was a delicate human; I was an angel. I could take it! But that didn't mean I wouldn't be having serious words with him AND Archer because I could sense the pair of them at odds ever since it had happened, and that troubled me. I wouldn't come between them; they were stronger as a team! With everything going on right now, I needed him to be on top form. 

　　With Damien now agitating Maxwell, I knew it was only a matter of time before the ticking bomb of testosterone and ego exploded. I decided if Damien couldn't wind his neck in, I would have to teach him some damn manners. 

　　Maxwell and I had started talking when I felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity wash over me. A voice as smooth as butter cut through the air, like a magnet pulling me towards it; I walked from Damiens's side; Tommy took my hand gently, trying to pull me to his side protectively, just as Maxwell blocked my vision of the stranger. 

　　I could hear them talking, taking snipes at each other, but none of it registered; I was too focused on getting a closer look at this mysterious man who seemed to piss everyone off. Shaking my head at Tommy, I lifted up onto my tip toes and pressed a kiss on his cheek, whispering in his ear. 

　　"I am fine. I can protect myself... remember" Reluctantly, he let me go; looking at the death glare, Damien was shooting Tommy. I rolled my eyes. He was such a child. A female and a male can be friends without it being sexual. I felt like I had known Tommy my whole life. I felt an instant connection to him that one would have with a brother or sister.

　　Given how he blushed just as profoundly as me earlier when I came out of the bathroom in nothing but my towel, and the fact the room was filled with the desire both Jason and Damien failed to hide, I hoped that meant he felt the same about me. My life was complicated enough without the added drama of another male wanting to be more than friends! 

　　Jason, for once, hadn't noticed me approaching, which allowed me to admire his features. His eyes shone like the brightest emeralds, although I could see the black of Archer hidden in his orbs, which made me smile happy now I knew they were at least cooperating. Given how often he had run his hands through his hair today in frustration, I wasn't surprised to see it look dishevelled, in a 'just got out of bed' look that slightly raised my temperature. 

　　Jason might not have sensed me approaching, but I knew Archer had, given how Jason's hand reached around me greedily. Pressing my hand to his shoulder, I smiled happily at him. I wanted to tell him I forgave him, that everything would be ok! But I knew now was not the time; all that would do was open us up to more questions. 

　　Resting my head on Jason's shoulder to peek around the broad shoulders of Maxwell, I spotted the male my body felt drawn to like a moth to the flame. Unable to think of anything intelligent to say, I stepped in front of Jason. 

　　My eyes fell on the features of the magnetic voice. This man was slim like Damien but undoubtedly athletic. His ocean-blue hues studied me as mine studied him. His jet black hair cut shot, reminding me of a criminals mugshot, which made no sense given his expensive suit. 

　　"Hi, do I know you?" I asked, puzzled by the familiarity that washed over me the closer I got to him. My head turned around dramatically, hearing Damien speak. 

　　"Father! Making an entrance, I see!" Smiling wickedly, I placed my hand on my hip and turned to look at Damien. 

　　"Really? Why don't we ask Tommy about your ability to make an entrance? Hmm. Sounds a little like the apple doesn't fall from the tree." I laughed, turning my attention back to the man I knew as Mr Blackwood before Damien had a chance to answer. 

　　Seeing him eye Damien challengingly, I had a feeling a conversation between father and son was happening that none of us were privy to. Turning his attention back to me, his head cocked to the side, feeling him search my mind for something! Something, given how his face had dropped, he obviously didn't get.

　　"I am Abigail Nakia." I voiced warmly. 

　　"I know; I knew your parents." He answered matter-of-factly, making me step back in shock, my body colliding with a wall of muscle. No one ever knew my parents; if they did, they didn't want to tell me about it. 

　　"How do you know my father?" I asked, stunned and a little nervous that he knew the vulgar truth about my heritage. 

　　"Let's say we are in the same trade, shall we." The dark edge to his tone told me he was getting tired of my questions. 

　　"You have seen him recently?" I asked, not caring for his subtle warning; I had hit autopilot. I hadn't heard anything about my father the whole year I had been travelling, so now that I had someone in front of me who had some kind of information, I was unwilling to let the opportunity slip me by. 

　　Some of the party behind me shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to take the new turn of events. Deciding I would cool the questions for a moment, I turned to look at Damien, wondering how much he knew about me, about my past. For the first time since meeting him, I felt the first seeds of doubt plant inside my head. 

　　"Red?" I could hear my heart hammering in my chest, fear twisting my gut into a shrivelled knot. I felt like my blood was leaving my body through my feet; looking at the floor, I expected to be surrounded by a pool of my blood. 

　　The concerned faces of Damien, Tommy, and Jason spun in front of me as anxiety and fear poisoned my veins. 

　　"She's gonna pass out!" I heard Tommy declare, the tension in his voice not lost on me. 

　　"Red, focus on me..." I tried to, but fear splinted at my heart. Seeing him step closer, I took a step away, my body colliding with his Blackwoods burly chest; his hands gripped under my arms to steady me, causing heat to wash over me; panic swelled in my body, making my heart race unnaturally. 

　　"Damien, did you know?" I asked, seeing Jason's face before me; my hands instinctively reached out for him, needing his arms' safety. The all-mighty growl that came from the side of me only increased the dread that ran unchecked throughout my body. With a loud bang and gush of wind, Jason's face quickly vanished, replaced by Damiens. Even when concerned and angry, he was damn handsome, a part of my brain acknowledged. "Did you know?" I repeated.

　　"No, Red, breathe for me. I am here." I couldn't breathe; Panic had closed my throat. Was I dying? It felt like I was dying.