Trigun Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Mine ❯ All Is Fair In Love and War ( Chapter 51 )

 

Disclaimer: Hmmm... I own my kids (Because I made them) I own my husband, (Because the Marriage License says so) and I own a REALLY big mortgage. (Because I'm stupid and signed on the dotted line.) However I don't own Trigun. (Because if I did, I wouldn't have said mortgage.)

“blah blah” : talking

`blah blah' : thinking

“blah blah” : telepathic talking

blah blah : other misc. stuff.

 

*~*~*

 

Forever Mine

Chapter 51: All Is Fair In Love and War

 

 

 

“Man, doesn't anybody read the papers anymore,” the golden blonde whined to his brother as they stepped out of the City of Inepril's jailhouse. Both men had just finished delivering a pair of overzealous, not to mention inebriated, bounty hunters to the city's sheriff after they had tried to collect the rescinded bounty on one Vash the Stampede.

 

The twins had just dropped the girls and Caden off at the hotel and proceeded to find suitable parking for the truck. Then a few minutes later, after Vash had located a spot behind the hotel, he and Knives started to head back up the street to meet with their companions. That's when they heard the snickering of two men exclaiming that they found the Humanoid Typhoon and they were going to collect the bounty. Of course, Vash told them that the bounty was no more because he was now a Federal Marshal and if they would just turn around and leave, he would drop the matter…

 

They didn't believe him.

 

So both Plants, with little effort, over came the drunkards and advised them that they were going to have to spend some time in the city jail because they were simply too stupid to realize that Vash was telling them the truth and to sleep off the booze.

 

“Well, what did you expect?” Knives asked haughtily as he slipped his shades on. “Most of those cretins don't even have the reading comprehension of a six year old and you're expecting them to pick up a newspaper?”

 

“But it's been all over the satellites!” Vash then said in exasperation, while both men started to head back to the hotel.

 

“Then I guess most bounty hunters don't know how to listen, either,” he added with a short bark of laughter as he smacked his twin on his back. “Or it could be that you just have the worst luck possible.”

 

“The way things are going, I'd say it's my luck,” Vash mumbled out sadly just as a black cat with luminous green eyes started to cross his path to prove his point.

 

“Shoo… you damn feline,” Knives spat out as he kicked up the sandy ground to scare the cat away and preventing it from crossing either men's pathway. Then as if nothing happened, he simply continued on walking down the busy street. Vash immediately stopped in place and looked strangely at his brother with his mouth wide open. “What?” Knives asked after he stopped and turned back to look at his twin.

 

“What did you do that for?”

 

“To prove a point, you idiot,” he replied in annoyance as he stepped back to stand in front of Vash. “Sometimes you need to implement change in order to rid yourself of all of the bad luck. You can't just sit back and let it happen, change the scenario if it's necessary.”

“Wow… I never thought of it like that before,” Vash said as if a divine light opened his eyes for the first time.

 

“Of course you haven't, you have become ignorant after living with these trivial beings for so long, Vash,” Knives replied with a smirk before out right laughing at his brother's annoyed expression. “Come on,” the platinum blonde then said, still chuckling over his brother's antics. As the two started back toward the hotel, he then added, “I want to retrieve the map tonight and then we will leave this city within the next two or three days.”

 

“Well… why not leave first thing in the morning, Knives?” Vash asked out of curiosity, while they turned the corner and started to walk across the street to the hotel.

 

“We are on the second floor and McKenna said that they are all waiting for us in the girls' room,” he said instead and after a few moments as the two walked through the revolving doors. “It's room 209.”

 

“Knives?” Vash asked again, a minute later, as the two walked through the lobby and headed toward the open stairwell at the other end of the room. When Knives didn't answer, Vash decided to push his brother a little when he asked yet again. “Alex, why are we going to stay here for a couple of days instead of leaving first thing in the morning? I know that you would prefer to go someplace less inhabited.”

 

Upon hearing his given name, Knives stopped in place just as he set his right foot on the bottom stair. Only McKenna (not including her father) called him that and usually it was when they were alone. With a sigh, he took off his rectangular shades and turned, giving Vash an awkward smile. He knew his twin would tease him endlessly once he told him Mac had insisted that they stop for a few days. After all, who would have thought that Millions Knives would be wrapped around a woman's finger? “It isn't by choice,” he muttered right before sighing again. “McKenna insisted.”

 

“What… did she say that she would cut you off if we didn't stay?” Vash asked as a glimmer of amusement twinkled in his eyes.

 

“Hardly,” he snorted before turning to head up the stairs. “She simply stated that it would be nice to actually sleep in a real bed for a couple of days instead of in the truck and I agreed with her, nothing more.”

 

“Yeah right,” the man in red laughed out, starting his accent up the stairs. “Sleeping was the last thing on your mind, when she stated that she wanted to sleep in a real bed for a couple of days.”

 

“And your point is?”

 

“My point is… well, I don't know really, but I'm sure once I come up with it, it will be quite profound!”

 

“Whatever, Vash,” Knives muttered with a roll of his eyes as he turned left and started to walk down the second floor hallway. A moment later, he reached room 209 and sharply knocked before walking in with Vash right behind.

 

“Gosh Mr. Vash, Mr. Knives,” Milly immediately gushed out once the two entered the room. “Are you two okay? Miss Mac told us you contacted her and told her that you were attacked by bounty hunters!”

 

“It was more bothersome than anything,” Knives stated dryly before looking over to Caden who was sitting at the faux wood dinette table with the women, all drinking coffee most likely. “So, where can we attain this map?”

 

“Its someplace safe and I'll go and get it here, shortly,” Walker calmly replied after reaching into his pocket and pulling out a peppermint.

 

“You will not go alone,” Vash commanded, while crossing his arms over his chest.

 

“Fine,” he said sarcastically as he brought his emerald colored eyes up to Vash and narrowed them. “However, the women should stay behind.”

 

“Oh no we won't!” Meryl complained as she pushed away from the table and stood. There was absolutely no way she was going to be left behind. “It is Milly and my duty to keep you under twenty-four hour surveillance and there is absolutely no way you are going without us,” she insisted, while watching as Caden casually popped the candy into his mouth.

 

“Want one?” he asked instead of commenting on her exclamation.

 

“Oh I do, Mr. Caden!” Milly chirped as she reached her hand out for one.

 

“Milly! He's trying to distract us!”

 

“Look Meryl,” he sighed after handing a peppermint to the big-girl. “It's just that the place I hid it isn't exactly a place where you lovely ladies should go, is all.”

 

“I don't care,” she huffed, while crossing her arms over her chest.

 

“Okay, come along then, but don't say I didn't warn you.”

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

Less than two hours later, all six of them were standing outside of the doors to a business that specialized in the oldest occupation ever known to man, prostitution. However, that wasn't all that Sylvie's was known for. For the brothel also housed the best burlesque show on Gunsmoke where men and women alike would travel from the far reaches of the outer realm just for the show.

 

So, in order to keep the regular patrons satisfied and to make first timers, repeat customers, Sylvie LaRue, made it a requisite to keep the best of everything in her establishment. From the food and alcohol to the real wood furnishings, it was all top notch. Even the bar that lined the far wall of the first floor was entirely made of cherry wood with a high gloss finish that shimmered with the light from the stained glass chandlers. Then there were the women, all beautiful and well versed in their chosen career, guaranteeing that one would get their money's worth. That is if a customer could afford it. Depending on the service and what they decided to charge, it could cost up to two thousand double-dollars for an hour with one of the lovely ladies.

 

“Are we really going in there?” Meryl asked apprehensively, while watching two men walk out of the brothel's doors with big smiles plastered on their faces.

 

“Not if you're too afraid,” Vash replied smugly as he pushed his golden shades up his nose. “I suppose you could always go back to you're room and wait, while the rest of us go and have a really good time.”

 

“Ugh… you're such an ass,” she complained, shooting a glare at the lawman before stiffening her resolve and heading for the doors.

 

“Gee… wait for me Sempai!” Milly chirped, while quickly following her partner through the doors with Caden right behind.

 

“Vash, you stay with them, while McKenna and I sit at the bar,” Knives said after grabbing his twin's prosthetic arm to prevent him from going in right away. “I think it would be beneficial if we separate. That way we can keep an eye out for trouble.”

 

“Okie Dokie, Knives,” Vash replied as a lecherous grin crossed his face.

 

“And Vash?”

 

“Yeah Knives?”

 

“No fooling around!”

 

“Who me?” the golden blonde asked, pretending to be insulted, as he brought his right hand up to his chest. “I would never dream of doing anything remotely deviant,” he added, overly sarcastic, before slipping out of his twin's grasp and turning to head in.

 

“I have a feeling that this is going to be a very long evening,” McKenna sighed as she watched her mate's brother enter the cathouse.

 

“I would say that you are correct in your assumption, woman,” Knives replied with a shake of his head before grabbing her hand and leading her through the doors. Walking in between the throng of occupied tables lying strategically about the large two-story room, he quickly made it up to the bar. Once there, he realized that all of the high backed stools were taken and decided to mentally assist in the vacating of one. Entering a man's mind, who was sitting on the corner, he ordered him to go and stand at the other end of the bar. Just as soon as the command had been carried out, he offered the chair to McKenna.

 

“You made him leave didn't you, Alexander,” The redhead telepathically asked as she sat in the now empty seat.

 

“I couldn't have left you standing, now could I,” he simply stated with a shrug of his shoulders right before one of the bartenders approached them. After placing an order of a tequila sour for Mac and whiskey for himself, he brought his attention back to her before giving her a lopsided smile. “See, there's yet another advantage of being the mate to such a perfect breed.”

 

“And what's that? I won't ever have to worry about not having a seat?” she sent back, feigning awe.

 

“Cute, woman,” he replied as he placed his left arm on the back of the chair and his right on the bar, while leaning closely into her. Giving her a wicked smile, he added, “But I was thinking more in the line of my infallible chivalry. No mere mortal will ever treat your body…” he trailed off momentarily to look her up and down before bringing his ice-blue eyes back up to her hazel ones. “…the way I do. And if you behave yourself, I will remind you of that actuality later.”

 

“Promise,” she countered out loud, her eyes flashing in anticipation as she prepared to slip her hand in between the front two panels of his overcoat to caress his inner thigh.

 

However, before she could do so, the moment was interrupted as the bartender set their drinks down. Knives immediately straightened, acting as if the sensual banter never occurred and reached into one of his many pockets. Pulling out a few double-dollars, he paid for the drinks before turning completely around to lean his back against the bar.

 

“So, do you see them anywhere?” McKenna asked after taking a sip of her drink, while twisting the swivel chair around so she could search through the multitude of people and tables for their comrades.

 

“Yes, they are three tables back from the stage and two from the stairs in the far right corner,” Knives informed her, while nodding his head in their general direction.

 

“Okay, I see them,” she said absently, while looking around the space noticing all of the beautiful, not to mention scantily clad women walking about, openly flirting with the men. Some were even sitting on potential client's laps, while others were escorting their tricks up one of the two sets of stairs situated on either side of the stage. Mac thought it was quite amazing really; the entire room was set up with one thing in mind, sex. The dimmed lighting, the red and gold hues of the walls, the alcohol, and even the music the strippers on the stage danced to, all tools in the game of seduction being played in the successful establishment.

 

She could easily see the lure the place had and knew that even the most faithful of men would have a very difficult time keeping their vows to their significant others. She even wondered if mated Plants were able resist the allure. Not that she was worried, well at least not too much. McKenna trusted Knives implicitly, but at the same time he had never really been around women like this before. Not to mention that little voice in the back of her head kept telling her that he could easily find someone more attractive and with a much better body than hers, especially since she was quite a bit rounder than the rest of the female `employees.'

 

Then the ultimate test came, wearing a long black silk negligee. The woman was gorgeous with inky black hair that freely fell down her back in soft curls, while thick sooty lashes framed her cobalt blue eyes that were currently pinned on someone standing by the bar. McKenna immediately knew who the woman was ogling and internally groaned when she saw the seductive smile float across her stunning face. Then sure enough, she started to slowly walk toward Knives. The nightie she wore flawlessly accentuated her long and lissome form with every move, effectively showing off the incredibly long and ivory flesh of her right leg through a slit reaching her upper thigh. While the spaghetti straps of the garment barely held it in place over her pert breasts. `Just perfect,' McKenna thought sarcastically to herself as the other woman stalked her prey.

 

“Hello, my name is Celeste,” she purred, once reaching Knives as she raised a perfectly manicured hand up to his chest, playing with the black buttons on his duster. “And you have to be the most incredibly gorgeous man I have ever seen,” Celeste added, completely ignoring McKenna's frown, while looking up to the tall man to show the blatant desire in her eyes.

 

“What do you want?” Knives asked coldly as he looked down at the woman, showing his obvious annoyance with her interruption.

 

“You,” Celeste replied, undeterred, before moving her hand from his chest, so she could lightly run her fingers over the soft swells of her breasts.

 

“I have already laid claim on one woman from your race and do not require another. Now go away,” he asserted before mentally commanding her to leave. The very next instant, the beauty simply walked away, with her mind completely wiped clean of any memory of him. Knives internally sighed in relief after her departure, especially now that McKenna's uneasiness was finally subsiding. He thought it was rather bothersome that she actually thought he would want someone like that whore, while thinking she couldn't compete against someone of that seductress's caliber. Well, she was correct in one sense. She couldn't compete with any other and that was simply because there wasn't going to be a competition. She had already won him.

 

“You do realize that your insecurities can be rather annoying, don't you?” he commented as he turned to look down at her. “Woman, you have won the coveted prize of being my mate and will not ever have to worry about any of these insignificant creatures changing that fact.”

 

“Sometimes I wonder if you are such a prize, though,” the redhead sarcastically remarked after listening to his arrogant words, while reaching for her glass on the bar.

 

He just grinned over her smart comment as a thought crossed his mind. Turning his head, Knives brought his attention back to Celeste's retreating form, before raising his right hand up to rub his chin in thought. “However, I will admit the whore did have some redeeming qualities.”

 

“And what would that be?” she asked with jealously lacing every word as she glared at the woman who now, by the way, had her arms wrapped around another man sitting a few yarz away.

 

“Her attire is rather appealing,” he answered, looking back to his mate, showing a sinful gleam in his darkening eyes. “Perhaps we could find you something like that… only in a dark green.”

 

“Perhaps,” Mac said with an insinuating smile and was about to add that they could go shopping tomorrow, until she saw Knives stiffen. She watched as he immediately turned to stare in the direction where their partners were sitting. “What's wrong?”

 

“It's Vash, he just told me he's going after the map,” Knives answered telepathically, just as the two of them watched a woman, wearing a scarlet dress, pull him from his seat and escorted him to the stairs residing to the right of the stage. He fully knew his twin wasn't using the strumpet for the sole purpose of obtaining the map. He was also using her to needle Meryl. “That idiot,” he bit out, realizing that Vash was going too far and had probably lost her, forever.

 

 

 

*~*~*

 

 

 

“Gosh… I didn't realize we were supposed to dress up,” Milly said, while looking around the room at all of the women.

 

“We weren't,” Meryl corrected as she took a healthy drink from her glass of scotch. “They work here, Milly,” she added with a shake of her head. She definitely knew it was a good thing that she decided to have a drink (or two). She was going to need it.

 

“Wow! I wish we could wear such pretty dresses to work. Sempai, we should talk to the chief about changing the dress code,” the big-girl cluelessly declared, making both men smile at the prospect, while Meryl groaned into her drink before finishing it off.

 

“I know I would love to see you wearing something so… enchanting, blue-eyes,” Caden said suggestively as his eyes twinkled. “And by very close observation, I know Meryl most definitely has a hot enough body to pull it off,” he added, while looking across the table and smirking at Vash.

 

Vash simply ignored the outlaw's meaning behind his words as he downed his glass of whiskey before signaling to a waitress for another round. He didn't even want to think about just how close Caden had gotten to viewing Meryl's perfect form. So instead, he decided to change the subject. While raising his real hand up to adjust his golden shades, he looked over to the longer haired man and bit out, “Where's the map, Walker?”

 

“Don't worry… it is safely hidden,” Caden retorted, not wanting to admit to its location with the girls around. “I'll sneak off and get it shortly.”

 

“Where is it, exactly?” the Federal Marshal asked again, only this time in a tone that meant he wasn't going to be put off any longer.

 

“Fine,” he sighed as he reached under his Stetson with his right hand to scratch his head. “It's hidden in one of the bedposts upstairs in a privacy suite.”

 

“Gee… Mr. Caden, how did it find its way up there?” Milly asked as she tilted her head to the side, looking curiously at him.

 

“Well…” he started slowly, while internally cursing Vash for sticking him in such a tricky situation. Fortunately, the waitress came, delivering their drinks, giving him a reprieve from answering right away.

 

Then she left and Vash spoke up.

 

“Yeah, just how did it get up there, Walker?” Vash interjected after the outlaw didn't immediately answer once the server left.

 

“It doesn't matter how it got up there,” Meryl bit out in exasperation, while reaching for her fresh glass. “What matters now, is how we're going to retrieve it!”

 

Then the `how' presented itself.

 

“My, what a delicious looking table,” a woman wearing a form fitting dress of red satin practically moaned out in delight, as she stepped up to stand in between Caden and Milly. As all eyes rose to meet with hers, she smiled seductively at the quartet before slowly running the long fingers of her left hand through her cropped auburn hair, finally slipping them around to her full lips. Then her bright olive green eyes met with Meryl's expressive silvery ones. “You are absolutely breathtaking,” she said to Meryl with a hopeful gleam in her eyes as the moved around the table to stand right behind her.

 

“Thhh…hank you,” Meryl stuttered, while blushing profusely over the stunning woman's complement.

 

“My name is Cassandra. What's yours?” she asked, blatantly flirting with Meryl, while the other three gaped at the interaction.

 

“Meryl,” the petite beauty whispered still not certain what she should do about the predicament she found herself in. She had never had a woman hit on her before.

 

“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” Cassandra breathed as she placed her hands on the short-girl's shoulders and leaned in. “Please tell me you're here for more than just the show, because I would love to get to know you better…”

 

“Oh god, what I would pay to see that,” Vash groaned out, momentarily forgetting what he was doing as he watched the familiar red-haired woman rub her ample chest up against Meryl's back, while slowly blowing in her ear. If he remembered correctly, she was one of the two women that were sent by officials of this fair city as a late night gift when he saved the Plant the last time he was in town.

 

“NNN…No… I'm afraid, I'm just here with them,” Meryl stammered out, while nervously gulping, completely ignoring Vash's lewd remark.

 

“Is one of them your lover?”

 

“Yeah he is,” Vash answered crossly, pointing to Caden before slamming his drink back. He just remembered that he wouldn't be the one lucky enough to watch. Not that Meryl would actually permit it, but that wasn't the point. The point was that she held Caden in higher regard now and it really pissed him off. Then a reckless idea started to form in his head that would not only make Meryl green with envy, but it would also be an opportunity to get the map…

 

“Oh…” Cassandra said, mildly surprised as she straightened herself. She thought for sure the blonde man was, especially with the way he reacted when she approached Meryl. Maybe he wanted her, too? She knew she did. “Very lucky, man,” she added with a smile as she looked at the handsome long haired man before moving her gaze to the very pretty brunette woman then stopping on the gorgeous blonde. Taking a good look at him for the first time, she realized that she had seen him somewhere before, but in her line of work it was very unusual to remember a previous encounter. Perhaps he was famous or more specifically, infamous. “Do I know you? You look awfully familiar?”

 

“Actually, I think you might,” Vash arrogantly replied, reaching for his shades and removing them. “My name is Vash,” he then added, giving her a lopsided smile as his aqua eyes twinkled roguishly. “As in Vash the Stampede.”

 

“Yes… you are,” she replied in wonder as her eyes flickered in awareness. She remembered the lost opportunity to sleep with him a few years ago and realized that she may have a chance after all, if she worked it right. `Too bad Jeanette is off tonight,' she thought idly, while remembering her cohort who had also been asked to join in on the fun. “So… Mr. Vash, are you happily attached to anyone?”

 

“Me?” he over innocently asked as he pushed his chair back from the table and folded his arms behind his head, while leaning back. “Nah… I have no permanent attachments.”

 

“So, would you be interested in taking up where we left off the last time we met?” the wanton woman questioned, while stepping over and running her index finger down his cheek.

 

“That would depend on how much it would cost me?”

 

“And that…” she breathed sexily before pausing for effect. She knew that the Humanoid Typhoon was going to end up in bed with her and was thrilled with the prospect. It was too bad she couldn't get Meryl to join them, though. “…would depend on what you can offer a girl, Mr. Vash?”

 

“Well then… why don't you find out what exactly I do have to offer a lovely lady, such as yourself,” Vash responded suggestively. Instantly getting his meaning, the woman in red straddled his lap and slowly slid a hand to his crotch and started to caress his generous proportions. She breathed out a silent `Oh' as her mouth rounded to match the word, when she realized that he definitely had quite a bit to offer.

 

“Marshal Saverem, I don't think acting like a complete reprobate is appropriate for your new career choice,” Meryl spat out heatedly. She couldn't believe that he would actually stoop so low as to accept a whore's offer right in front of her. “You need to stop your antics right this instance!”

 

“You're a Federal Marshal? That is incredibly sexy,” Cassandra purred into his ear before nipping on it. “Then I'd have to say that this one's on me, big boy. What do ya' say?”

 

“I'd say… you lead, beautiful,” he retorted huskily, since she was still thoroughly petting him. However, before she could lead him away, he telepathically contacted his brother to tell him what he was doing and then Caden in order to ask which room the map was in.

 

At first, Caden was taken aback when he felt Vash in his head, but since he knew about their abilities (thanks to Milly) it was easy to overcome the surprise. He callously advised Vash where exactly the map was just as the redhead pulled him out of the chair. And by the time they reached the stars leading upward, he told the ex-outlaw what exactly he thought of him. Vash just internally chuckled over the venom lacing Caden's thoughts and simply informed the long-haired outlaw that once it was in hand, he would let him know before severing the connection.

 

“What a fucking asshole,” Caden ground out, before hearing a sniffle coming from the woman sitting to the right of him. “Oh Meryl, I'm sorry,” he said softly as he reached for her hand to hold it, while Milly started scolding Vash for making her Sempai cry yet again.

 

“Don't be,” Meryl whispered sadly, unable to stop the tears from falling. It was completely over now. The bastard just drove a stake right through her heart. “It's not your fault. It's mine, I should have known better.”

 

“Now Meryl, you didn't make Mr. Vash go up there with that… that hussied up woman!” Milly exclaimed before instantly adding, “I ought a go up there and give him a piece of my mind!”

 

“No, don't,” she quickly replied, verbally stopping the big-girl from standing. “I just want to leave.”

 

“Okay we'll go, but he did contact me and said that he was going after the map,” Caden sighed before adding, “So who knows, he just might come back down once he gets it.”

 

“I truly doubt that, but we can wait until you hear from him,” Meryl mumbled, pulling away from Caden's hand so she could wipe her eyes, while he motioned for yet another round.

 

The fresh drinks made it back to the table within five minutes and by the time Caden paid for them, Vash had contacted him. With a shake of his head he looked down to his drink momentarily, before downing its contents in one gulp. He was severely tempted to climb the steps himself and kill the S.O.B. for what he was doing to Meryl, especially since he was the one who was going to have to tell her what the bastard just said. “Well…” Chaos started slowly as he set his glass back down and looked over to the petite insurance girl. “He has the map...”

 

“And?” Milly prodded when Caden trailed off.

 

“And… he said not to wait up for him.”

 

“We're finished here,” Meryl muttered before grabbing her drink and finishing it. “And I'm tired, let's go,” she added before pushing away from the table and standing. Milly and Caden both followed her lead and stood, but when she turned to leave Caden grabbed her hand to stop her.

 

“Milly, why don't you go on out,” he suggested, smiling warmly at the statuesque beauty. “I want to talk to Meryl for a minute.”

 

“Okie Dokie, Mr. Caden,” Milly replied before quickly leaving the place.

 

“Are you sure you're okay?” Caden asked with concern as he softly touched her cheeks with his free hand to remove the tears. “He isn't worth the tears you're shedding over him.”

 

“I know,” she sighed. “And I'm usually stronger than this.”

 

“There is strength in tears, too. You should remember that,” he simply stated before saying `come on' as he led her to the exit. Then just as luck would have it, several very familiar faces started to enter the establishment. “Shit,” Caden muttered, while Snider and his associates stood just inside the entrance.

 

Fortunately, Meryl and he hadn't been spotted yet, but they would be at any moment if he didn't think of something and fast. Then he thought of what to do and before Meryl could cry out `what the hell' he had her pinned between him and poorly lit part of the wall. “Please play along,” Chaos pleaded as he cupped her bottom and picked her up right before he swooped down and kissed her.

 

The plan worked splendidly. Snider and his men walked right past them, without even bothering to look at the couple kissing ardently up against the wall. As a matter of fact, only three people seemed to have any interest in the two, at all. Knives and McKenna were two of them, who saw the entire exchange from the beginning, while the third was in the process of descending the stairs from the privacy suites.

 

Except he didn't see how Caden froze in place upon seeing the group of men entering space, nor did he see Meryl's surprised face when she was pushed up against the wall. All he saw was how the Bringer of Chaos had his Meryl pressed up against the wall, kissing her intensely, while she eagerly responded with her legs securely wrapped around his waist and her arms locked around his neck…

 

All Vash saw was his worst fear coming true and it shattered his heart into sixty billion little pieces.