Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and Cassidy exhaled through her nose, adjusting Parker's half-conscious weight against her side. His head lolled slightly, but he was still awake—barely. Drunk off his ass, and so were the other three.

Ava was the least wasted, her sharp eyes hazy but still aware enough to stumble along beside them, heels in hand, hair wild from the night's chaos. Claire and Alina? Cassidy wasn't even sure they knew where they were.

They clung together, giggling into each other's necks like the floor was made of clouds.

She'd seen a lot in her life, but never expected this from him. Not the quiet kid she used to know. Not the sharp, controlled young man she'd seen earlier today. No—this was different. Loose. Vulnerable. Reckless. And she was partly to blame for this.

The hotel staff had done their best to keep things discreet, but Cassidy still felt the weight of their stares as she guided the group toward the private hotel suites above the venue.

A polished young man in a vest stepped forward with professional calm, he recognized Parker and Ava from yesterday and today morning "Miss, do you need assistance—"

Cassidy shot him a look. "Get the doors. Now."

"Yes, ma'am."

The staff moved efficiently, elevators and then later they arrived, opening the massive penthouse suite double doors while Cassidy maneuvered Parker through, his arm still slung over her shoulder. Ava staggered behind them, muttering something about needing more champagne.

Once inside, the door clicked shut. Silence.

The suite was massive. Floor-to-ceiling windows framing the New York skyline, glittering lights bleeding into the velvet midnight. Plush furniture, a stocked bar, and a fireplace already crackling low with ambient heat.
Stay tuned for updates on My Virtual Library Empire

Cassidy didn't care about any of it.

She dumped Parker onto the sectional couch with a low grunt. He blinked at her, confused, a stupid grin on his face as he half-sat, half-slid sideways.

Ava dropped next, heels forgotten on the marble floor as she sprawled next to him, eyes half-lidded. Claire and Alina barely made it to the other side of the couch before tangling into each other, whispering and giggling again.

Cassidy straightened, brushing invisible dust from her black dress. "Alright. You're all here. No one's dead. My job is done."

Ava tilted her head, blinking at her with an exaggerated pout. "You're leaving already? The party just started."

Cassidy's jaw tightened. "This party's over. Trust me."

"Loosen up, Cass," Parker mumbled, voice slurred but teasing. His arm dangled off the couch, eyes glazed but still catching her with that damn smirk. "You're always so... serious."

Cassidy raised a brow. Serious? "Someone had to keep your drunk asses from making something stupid tonight."

Ava snorted, resting her chin on Parker's shoulder, the movement far too familiar. "You worry too much, Reed."

Cassidy stared for a beat longer, taking in the sight—the three of them curled together in a luxurious mess, beautiful and chaotic, and all too careless.

Fine.

They were adults. Mostly. "Try not to burn the place down."

With a sharp pivot, she turned for the bedroom door—

"Cassidy." Parker's voice stopped her cold, she turned back, hand on the doorknob.

He was still sprawled out, but something... shifted in his eyes. Clearer. Just for a heartbeat, he's still in there, not completely out.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Cassidy held his gaze, searching it for something she couldn't quite name. She gave a tight nod. "Get some sleep, Parker."

And then she left for the bedroom to get some rest.

The door clicked shut.

The suite was silent living room, save for the crackling fire.

Ava stirred, head still on Parker's shoulder. His breathing had slowed, but his mind was swirling.

What the hell had just happened?

Cassidy... Was she mad? No. No, she was just... Cassidy, and yet, for some reason, that look she'd given him lingered, he barely noticed Ava shifting closer, until her fingers trailed lightly down his arm.

"Parker," she murmured, her voice softer now, a whisper near his ear. He turned his head slightly, and there she was. Close. Too close.

Her dark eyes met his—searching, lingering just long enough to make his pulse spike, his lips parted to speak, but Ava was already leaning in.

Warmth.

Soft.

The kiss was slow, a brush of lips that sent heat curling through his stomach.

And for a moment, the world blurred again—just like it had when he was drinking like crazy.

But this time...

He kissed her back.

And the night was far from over. They headed for the bedroom where Cassidy had disappeared to... The four of them... With drinks in their hands from the mini bar.

****

The sun broke gently over the Manhattan skyline, spilling warm hues of gold and orange across the towering glass structures. Morning light filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Parker's penthouse suite, casting a soft glow over the polished floors and the untouched champagne flutes scattered around the room.

A quiet hush blanketed the space—almost serene, except for the faint rhythm of a distant city already awake below.

The air was cool, crisp, carrying the scent of expensive perfume, lingering traces of last night's celebrations still clinging to the luxurious suite.

And then—

Parker stirred.

The ache in his head hit first. A dull throb pulsing right behind his eyes. His mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, dry and foul from whatever ungodly amount of alcohol he'd consumed.

"What the hell..." As he blinked awake, his senses caught up.

Silken sheets. Expensive, ridiculously soft.

And then—

A glimpse of hair sprawled beside him.

Ava.

And on his other side? Claire and Alina.

All three of the women... Naked.

His brain short-circuited.

Staring straight at the ceiling, Parker's breath hitched as the realization slammed into him like a freight train.

He'd done it. Fuck!!

His arms were tangled with them, the heat of bare skin pressing into him from both sides. Ava stirred first, pressing closer, her leg draping over his waist, lips parting in a soft, sleepy sigh against his shoulder.

Claire shifted next, murmuring something incoherent as her fingers brushed his stomach.

And then Alina, still deeply asleep but—dear god—her head was right there against his chest. She looked hella beautiful, all three were so beautiful in this crazy morning.

The whole thing felt like a fever dream.

No.

No, this couldn't have—