Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(58)

Before I can think of something to say in response, glass shatters as it hits the cement a few feet away, and a waiter tumbles toward us, his tray flying at my head. I jerk sideways to avoid it and lose my balance, and the tray and I go careening toward the water.

Forge’s arms wrap around me, but even his strength can’t overcome the laws of physics. We plunge beneath the surface together in a massive splash of thankfully warm water.

In a split second, I’m pulled to the surface and suck in a breath.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I nod, wiping the water from my eyes in a way that I’m sure will leave me looking like a drowned raccoon.

Forge frowns, sliding his palms up and down my arms as if checking me for injury. Although his black hair sticks to his forehead, hanging in his eyes, he gives no thought to righting himself. The bespoke tuxedo he’s wearing had to cost a small fortune, but he doesn’t give it a single thought.

His only concern is me.

“I’m fine. Just . . . wet.” I look down at myself, and my hair flops forward again into my face.

The entire crowd stares wide-eyed at us in the pool, and I can’t help it. I burst out laughing. The worry on Forge’s face fades away as my shoulders shake, and a smile crosses his face and a deep rumble emanates from his chest.

“We look ridiculous,” I say as tears slip from my eyes and my laughter continues.

He pushes my hair out of my face and uses both thumbs to wipe under my eyes. “You’re still beautiful.”





59





Forge





I follow her through the water to the steps that lead out of the pool, and a man is wringing his hands nearby.

“Sir, I’m so sorry. One of the waitstaff tripped. We apologize wholeheartedly for the inconvenience. Are either of you injured? We can send for a doctor.”

“We’re fine, but thank you,” Indy replies as she walks up the steps ahead of me.

The man’s eyes go wide with shock, noticing one fact before I do. Indy’s white dress is now completely transparent. “Is there anything—”

“We’ll take your jacket, sir.”

He straightens and then nods like a puppet. “Of course.”

Indy looks down, and I know the exact moment she realizes she looks completely naked. “Of all the times I chose to wear white.” Her tone is still filled with mirth.

I snag the jacket out of the man’s hands and wrap it around her. “Let’s get you back to the room, Ace.”

“I lost my shoes too.”

I look down at her bare feet on the stonework surrounding the pool. “Someone else will get them. I’ve got you.”

I lift her into my arms, and for the first time, Indy doesn’t protest. Probably because she wants to get the fuck out of here as quickly as possible. I’ll take it.

Like it’s the Red Sea, the crowd parts and I carry her through, wrapped in another man’s jacket. I would have offered her my own, but soaking wet as it is, it wouldn’t have been the most chivalrous offer. Not that I’ve ever thought much on the topic of chivalry.

When we reach the elevator, she wiggles in my arms. “You can put me down. I can walk now.”

“I know, but this is the least I can do since I couldn’t save you from going in to begin with.”

Thankfully, a smile forms on her lips. “I appreciate that you tried, but you didn’t have to go in too. At least one of us would’ve been dry then.”

“Where you go, I go. Even if it’s overboard.”





60





India





They say actions speak louder than words, but tonight, Forge’s actions and words are both equally loud. I’m really not sure what to think.

Actually, that’s not true. If I’m being honest with myself, I know exactly what I want to think—that what he said at the pier on the island is true.

“Talk is cheap, but I’m not. I’m going to prove it to you. I want you to shine, and I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.”

His words echo in my head as we approach the room to see Batman and Koba standing outside the door. They both start down the hall toward us, but Forge waves them off.

“We fell in the pool. Everything’s fine.”

Bates straightens with a quick nod. “We heard, sir. Mrs. Forge’s shoes are being retrieved.”

“Thank you,” I tell him. “Although I don’t think I’m going to be wearing them anytime soon.”

“I’ll have them sent out for cleaning and repair, ma’am. If they can be salvaged, I’ll have them returned to you.”

I give him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“We’re in for the night. See that we’re not disturbed.” Forge delivers his order and Bates hurries to open the door, standing aside to let us enter. As soon as it shuts behind us, Forge lowers me to my feet.

“Let’s get you out of these clothes.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Turning on the charm, I see,” I say with a wink.

One side of his mouth quirks up. “I don’t think there’s enough charm in the world to get what I want from you, so I’ll earn it the old-fashioned way.”