Chapter 48 : Play Your Part And I Will Protect You
"I don't think he minds at all. He stayed right by her side the whole time you were unconscious."
Whether it was Archer's voice or his attitude, Madam Berry's face darkened even more.
She ignored him and looked at Allison. "Ms. Rogers, thank you for saving me again. I'll have Jareth handle your consultation fee later. You’ll be paid fairly.”
Everyone in the room understood what she meant. Madam Berry was only acknowledging the transaction, not the favor.
Archer kicked his sneakers up onto the table and arrogantly said, "Grandma, do you think the little nutjob even understands what you're saying?"
Then he turned to Allison and mocked her, "Hey, she means take the money and get as far away as possible. You would do everyone a favor if you just stayed locked up in the Rogers house forever."
"Enough, Archer," Madam Berry's voice rose.
Archer was about to argue back, but then he caught Jareth's stare. That shut him up quickly. He dropped his feet from the table and sat up straighter.
Jareth was crazier than he was, and Archer knew better than to poke that bear.
Madam Berry said, "Everyone else out. Jareth, you stay."
Archer had been waiting for that. He stood up with an exaggerated stretch and strutted out as if he owned the place.
Allison let out a light breath. Archer not liking her was the best outcome she could hope for.
But just outside the room, her wheelchair suddenly would not move.
Archer had not left. One of his sneakers was pressed against the wheel, blocking her path. He leaned down toward her with a smirk.
Allison shrank back, and her spine went stiff against the wheelchair. He clearly would not touch her. He found her disgusting. He just wanted to intimidate her.
He sneered. "Your family really thought they could send you out to deal with me? I won’t forget this insult. Go home and tell them if they want to kiss up to me, they’d better send your sister next time."
Allison kept her face frozen in fear, but inside, she was laughing her head off.
If Nigel ever found out he tried to suck up to someone like this, he would choke on regret.
After Archer finally left, Jareth came to Allison’s room and handed her a card.
"There’s a million in there. From Madam Berry."
From Madam Berry?
Allison held the card and read between the lines.
So Jareth was drawing a line. What was hers from Madam Berry was hers. But what about the scar on her face? Was he going to repay that, or not at all?
The second option seemed more likely. Jareth had already said he was not some saint. He was not the type to repay favors. If he did not backstab her, that was already generous.
Just like in the black market. She had saved his life, and he had stolen her bracelet.
She had made medicine for him, and he took it without a word of thanks, all while taking advantage of her.
The more she thought about it, the clearer it became. Jareth was not someone she should expect anything from.
Allison got up and went to shut the door.
When she came back, she looked at him and said, “Roll up your pants.”
It came out blunt. Far too blunt.
Jareth’s eyes darkened instantly. She quickly explained, “Your leg was hit. If you don’t treat it, the tissue could start to die. You could end up in a wheelchair.”
Back during the fight with Ronan, Jareth had slammed his leg hard.
For someone already disabled, that kind of injury was serious. Just from the way he walked, she could tell how bad it was.
But he had not rested. He was clearly forcing himself to hide it.
Still, her concern did not seem to move him at all. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, sneering. “Do you know what it means when a woman touches a man like that?”
The force pushed her up onto her toes.
“You’re reading too much into it…”
Jareth narrowed his eyes. “You were jealous of Archer just now. What now? You couldn’t get him, so you’re trying to hook me instead?”
To him, she was too obvious. Always trying to please whoever held the power. It looked stupid and desperate.
He let go of her wrist and said coldly, “If you want to win me over, it’s not that hard. You know what I want. Play your part, and I’ll protect you.”
He had been alone for too long. Having a woman who knew how to behave did not seem so bad.
But Allison would not accept it. “Jareth, you’ve got it wrong.”
“I never had any interest in Archer. I don’t trust romantic ties. They’re the least stable thing in the world. That goes for him, and for you.”
“I treated Madam Berry not to gain favor, but because my father left notes behind. He asked me to finish what he couldn’t. Her condition was a mission and an opportunity. I missed that opportunity, but that doesn’t mean I was being manipulative.”
All this time, they thought she was calculating, like she was plotting for something. But she had never asked for anything, not even once.
Jareth barely listened to the rest of her words.
He only remembered two words.
Jareth frowned, clearly irritated. “What did you just call me?”
Allison did not understand at first. After a brief pause, she said carefully, “Jareth?”
What was wrong with that?
Everyone called him that. Only Oliver and those close to him used his given name directly.
Jareth’s jaw tightened in annoyance. “I’m only five years older than you.”
Respect did not really have anything to do with age, though.
Before the awkward moment could drag on, someone knocked on the door, loud and hurried, as if something urgent had happened.
Jareth’s anger hadn't vanished yet as he growled, “Come in.”
Oliver walked inside, and immediately, he could feel the tension between them. His eyes shifted to Allison.
Allison could tell Jareth was furious, but she had no idea why. She couldn’t understand him at all.
Oliver leaned down and whispered something in a low voice.
Jareth’s expression darkened even more. He turned without saying a word. “Let’s go.”
The two men left in a hurry.
After that, Allison went to find Jake to say goodbye.