by Anne Marck
The confident woman is speechless, just staring at me expressionlessly. Then she finally takes a deep breath. “Girl, this is going to be so very good.”
“What? What will be good?”
“Making your man go crazy.”
“Oh?”
She smiles like a devilish angel, if that’s possible. “I think I understand the problem here.” Looking pensive, she deliberates something in her head. “He’s the type of guy with ‘rules.’” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “The best. Definitely the best.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“It means he has his own rules with women. He’s not one of those imbeciles who wants to be with many different women; he’s selective … Shit, it only makes Dominic more interesting.” Her eyes widen. “Oh, I’m sorry, Lu. I shouldn’t have said that.” A giggle slips from her lips.
“So, what, then?” I ask, trying to understand his reasoning.
“Let’s work on discovering the limits of that man,” she decides. “And then tear it down brick by brick. The first step: tell me where we stand in this situation.”
God, who is this woman?
As I peel more vegetables, I tell Gabrielle a little bit about what we did and how I felt. As the words flow, I feel lighter.
“And that’s it …” I catch Dominic’s curious stare on me. “I’m in love.”
Gabrielle sighs. “Yeah, you are, girl.” She stares at Dom. “I think he is, too.”
We talk some more, and then she gives me her phone number.
“I’m about to leave town for a while. Before that, though, we’ll work on your mission, Lu.”
“Luna,” I say, trusting her. “My name is Luna.”
Gabrielle smiles.
Her three friends approach.
“Luna, this is Julia, Alice, and Katy.” She points at each woman.
Alice is Gabrielle’s sister-in-law. Julia and Katarina are her friends. I learn that Julia offers free legal services at the community center for those in need.
• • •
People start filling up the space. Volunteers take their positions, either helping to serve or sitting at the tables and talking to those who have arrived. Dominic is near the door, welcoming visitors.
I cautiously approach him, wanting to know why his shoulders are tense, more so than when we left his house. Despite that, he is able to put on a false passivity as he talks to those coming inside.
I notice a tall black man with a beige striped shirt and brown dress pants that has seen better days, matching his belt and shoes. Under his arm is a Bible. And next to him is a young boy with a black eye and a swollen lip. The boy, apparently the man’s son, walks with a limp.
I observe Dominic’s posture change discreetly when he sees them, his muscles contracting and his expression becoming impassive.
He leans over to stay in the boy’s line of sight. “Did you fall again, Alan?” he asks gently.
The child gives a worried, even fearful glance at the father. I have the feeling that a silent message passes between them, and Dominic also notices.
The boy answers with a quick, “Yeah.”
The owner of the center just smiles. “You know what, Alan? A huge package of that candy came today. You should go see Simone”—Dominic points to where she is—“and ask her not to forget to save some for you.”
The boy smiles timidly then throws another look at his father. The man doesn’t react to Dominic’s sharp expression. Then, in the blink of an eye, Alan runs off to get his candy.
“You read the Bible now, Peter?” Dominic’s voice is low and deadly.
Peter chokes, looking at everything but him.
“I hope you’re making good use of that book.” Menacing, that’s what Dominic looks like right now while talking so softly. “Because the next time I see that child hurt, no prayer will suffice for what I have in mind for you.”
Peter narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t deny the injuries to the boy’s face.
My gaze falls to Dominic’s clenched fists.
“You’re a sadistic bastard who takes advantage of his kids, and that ends now. I already gave you a warning. I’ll be keeping a close eye on those kids. Pray for your life if anything happens to them.”
Peter swallows.
I wait for the abusive father to pass by before I touch Dominic’s shoulder. His body vibrates as he turns, having not noticed me yet.
“Hi,” I say, smiling to try to ease the mood.
“Hi, baby,” he says softly.
God, to say those words don’t surprise me would be an epic lie. He went from intimidating to gentle in a second, his gaze warm on mine.
Is it possible I love him even more?
“Are you all right?” he asks in a tone that melts my heart.
I bite my lip and nod.
“Well, it’s been too long,” a familiar voice rumbles from behind Dominic.
Damn, I’ve heard that voice before. This isn’t good.
Dominic turns, positioning me behind him to hide me from the man’s view.
If I thought I’d seen Dominic tense before, I was seriously mistaken.
“Dirty,” he growls.
Dominic
“What do you want?” I ask dryly, staring up at the man with a sneer.
He already knows about Luna and is here to come after her; that’s obvious. But hell, I didn’t expect him to make a move so soon.
The guy lets his gaze wander around. I can hardly believe he has the guts to come in here, with this fucking intimidating air like he owns the world.
“I came to pay a visit, Dominic.” He tilts his head to the side, trying to see Luna behind me. “I’ve been away for a long time, you know. I need to keep up to date on business.”
My fists vibrate in anticipation of a single misstep from this asshole. All I want is an excuse to crush his head into the ground.
I feel Luna shudder. Fuck, my girl is scared.
“There’s nothing for you here. Go away.”
“Whatcha got back there? You’re not gonna introduce me?” He laughs.
Hell!
I step forward, ready to act if the bastard doesn’t back down. I don’t want to start anything here, in the presence of everyone and on a busy day like today, but Dirty isn’t worried about the audience, so I shouldn’t be, either.
I notice the weapon that the fucker carries under his jacket. One movement and it will be pointed at his own head.
“I want my bitch, Dominic.” His mask slips away, revealing his true intent behind empty eyes.
“Get out of here, Dirty. Forget that shit and move on,” I give one last warning.
“Forget what? That one of my women, the one who owes me the most, disappeared? Or that the bitch behind you popped my head?”
“Jasmine isn’t yours. And if you touch this girl, Dirty, you’ll be signing your own death sentence. I let you play your game for too long. Stay away or the result will be different this time around.”
The bastard lets out a low laugh. “Different how? Are you not going to put me back in prison like last time?”
“Believe me; you’ll wish I’d sent you to prison again.”
Hesitancy enters his eyes. “I have debts to collect, Dominic. Nobody gets in my business, steals what’s mine, hits me, and goes unpunished. You should know not to get in my way.”
“Jasmine isn’t your business. In fact, none of them are. Women are getting bored with you, Dirty. And, as far as I know, you’re going through some other guys’ businesses who aren’t too happy about your return. Recognize that it’s time to get your shit together and get out of the city. Your luck is ending.”
I know I get my point across when his scowl becomes gloomy, his ego wounded.
“One thing at a time, Dominic. I’m not going anywhere. This city is still mine. You and I have our own shit to work on. You’ve gone where you shouldn’t.”
I’ve heard a lot of threats before, but I wouldn’t be here if I did
n’t know how to deal them.
I feel the exact moment Luna is affected by the asshole’s words. She moves from behind me, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
“You’re a coward who likes to hit women. If you don’t leave us alone, I’m going to the police!” Her tone is both bold and frightened. I would laugh if I didn’t want to strangle her with my own hands.
Dirty tilts his head, his eyes widening as he watches her like a snake would watch the little mouse thrown into its cage. Suddenly, something shines in his empty eyes. Something like realization.
Fearful as to what he might be plotting, fury bursts out of me. Without thinking, I stand in front of Luna, one hand holding her in place and the other going straight for the jerk’s chest with a shove.
“Get out now!” I roar.
The bastard takes a step back, raises both hands in surrender, and smiles victoriously. “Okay, okay. I’m going now, Dominic. I see your hospitality has reached its limit. I came for a visit and now I’m leaving. Tell your little friend back there that it was a pleasure to meet her.” At that, the damned man turns and walks out the door, but not before laughing low enough for me to hear.
What the hell was that? Why do I get the impression that Dirty looked at her as if she knew her?
No, it can’t be what I’m thinking …
Luna
As soon as the man leaves, Dominic tells me that we’re going home.
“I’ll tell Simone. Wait here.” His tone is indecipherable.
“I have to say goodbye to Gabrielle,” I say, wanting to know what’s going on in his mind.
He nods, and I stare at his face for a few moments, but nothing there tells me what’s on his mind.
“Go on, baby,” he says softly, not looking at me.
I look for Gabrielle and find her at a table, talking to Katy and three other people.
“I came to say goodbye,” I tell her, touching her shoulder.
The blonde gets up and surprises me with a hug so tight it could easily pop my back. “It was good to meet you, Luna,” she says into my hair. “Call me tomorrow so we can strategize.”
I can’t help my smile. “Are you sure?”
She tosses her platinum hair to the side. “Absolutely. The next thing you know, you’ll be marrying the lickable—oops, I mean Dominic—in a dress I’ll make myself.”
I marvel at her sincerity. “Why are you doing this for me?”
“Because I like you, Luna. We’ll be great friends.”
Is it that simple?
Without thinking, I embrace her again. “I loved meeting you, Gabrielle,” I say excitedly.
“Gabi. Call me Gabi.” Her bright smile melts me.
Katy is already on her feet. With a kiss on the cheek, she says goodbye like a long-time friend.
Dominic
Making sure Dirty isn’t around, I put Luna in the car and fasten her seatbelt, my thoughts in a whirlwind. I can’t stop picturing the stupid expression on his face when he was staring at her.
Something smacks me in the head. The damn paper I took from Luna’s pocket with a picture of her face and a description of her features. Could Dirty have seen that poster and recognized her?
If she knew him from somewhere else, she would have told me. But they live in opposite worlds. Luna is rich. Before her accident, she didn’t even know this neighborhood existed. And Dirty would never attend their social gatherings. Dirty wouldn’t even know what a real job was if it bit him on the ass.
He had to have seen the poster. Reward is the keyword. If I’m right, that’s what Dirty was thinking.
Luna’s protection needs to be doubled, now more than ever. I should send her to Damien’s house, too, but dammit, the idea of being away from her kills me.
The buzz of my cell phone vibrates across the car’s dashboard. I touch the device without even looking at the display.
“Dom?” a familiar, sweet voice comes through the line.
“Sophie,” I say, without looking away from the traffic.
“Are you busy?” She doesn’t sound right. Probably another relapse. Has this day been good for anyone?
“How are you?” I ask carefully.
From my peripheral, I notice Luna looks distracted, looking out the window.
A defeated sigh is Sophie’s answer.
“I wish I could be there, Sophie, but I can’t tonight.” Leaving Luna at home alone is out of the question.
“I understand.” Her whisper reveals what I already knew.
Shit, shit. Sophie has really bad days. What happened to her is hard to shake off, and sometimes it comes back to haunt her.
As soon as I solve this mess with Luna, I’ll confront the only person who can do something for Sophie. This has to stop.
“Listen, I’m busy right now. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I glance at Luna again to make sure she’s not paying attention. “Be strong. I know you can.”
• • •
I open the door to the apartment and let Luna in first.
“I’m going to take a shower,” she says dryly, striding across the room.
Grabbing her delicate wrist, I haul her back to me. “What’s bothering you, baby?” I tread carefully, having some idea of what the cause might be.
When she doesn’t even look at me, I arch an eyebrow, waiting.
Her lower lip twitches, and then those blue irises connect with me. “What do you have with Sophie?” She lifts her chin in confrontation.
I was right on the mark.
“She’s a friend, Luna,” I say calmly.
“Only that?” With a frown, she scrutinizes my face.
“That’s it. No lying.”
The trembling of her lip increases, and her pulse accelerates. “Did you guys have …?” She deliberates. “Chemistry before you met me?” She crosses her arms.
Taking a deep breath, I touch her nose then arrange her fiery hair back from her face. “Up until a few days ago, I was with her. Our friendship was a bit untraditional.” I’m trying not to freak her out, staying the facts so she doesn’t imagine the wrong things in her little head.
“And this means …?”
I hold her eyes with mine, wishing for her to see the truth I’m telling her. “It means we fucked every now and then. But no more,” I reply honestly.
“After I came to live here, you …?”
“Once, before we kissed.” I want to get this over with in time to stop the train coming straight for me.
She closes her eyes and takes her time to reopen them. Then air is forcefully pushed out of her small nostrils.
Okay, if I had any doubt that she was about to explode, I don’t anymore.
“From what I understand, she wants to see her non-traditional friend again tonight, so I’m guessing it’s not over for her, is it, Dom?”
I snort. It’s easy to see the jealousy in her flushed cheeks.
“Please don’t go there, baby. You’re jealous, I understand, but don’t use that against me. Sophie isn’t only a friend in bed; she is a real friend, who has problems, and I worry about her. That’s all.”
Those blue eyes narrow. “You’re right. And, you know, who am I to judge anything, right? Keep your friendship or whatever you call it and don’t worry about me, Dom.” She hisses my name. “It’s good to know that you can go all the way with someone.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I snap, throwing common sense out the window.
“It means that at least someone knows what it’s like to have sex with you, Dom.”
“Luna …” I warn.
Her attitude has me wanting to punish her. Instead, I choose to break this damn black cloud over us.
Without warning, I take her mouth, licking her lips and breaking her resistance. I then bite her bottom lip, punishing her with the right amount of pressure. I stick my tongue in her mouth, finding a barrier of clenched teeth. I want to laugh at her beautiful stubbornness.
Luna, Luna, you drive me crazy.
&nb
sp; “Don’t tempt me, baby.”
A longing moan rips from her chest. I take advantage and enter her mouth, reveling in her taste. I kiss her possessively, finding and exploring every bit of her. Her body sticks to mine, small hands curling around my neck and pulling my hair.
My cock cries out for its suffering to end. I hate to hold back, but I have no right to go further until this whole mess is resolved. I want her to surrender to me with nothing else hovering over us.
I pull back from the kiss and stare at her stormy face. “The next time you call me Dom in that way, baby, I will not think twice about marking your rebellious ass.” I hold back a smile. “Now go take your shower.”
If looks could kill, I’d surely be lying in my own pool of blood.
• • •
I take some time alone to examine the situation. Then I pull out my cell phone and dial my brother’s number. It takes forever before he answers.
“What is it now, Dom?” Damien grumbles from the other end.
“How’s she doing?”
He snorts in disgust. “You should have told me she has a bad temper.”
“If I had, would you have taken her?” I grin.
The silence on the other end surprises me. I expected a quick response.
“Maybe …” He lowers his tone a note. “Anything to bring you back to the company.” The last part was added to quickly correct what he thinks I didn’t catch.
What the fuck is going on with him?
“What’s wrong?” I ask bluntly.
“Nothing’s wrong, man.”
Too late, brother. I have the impression that Jasmine’s “bad temper” isn’t a bad thing at all.
“Great. Well, I called to tell you that I’m going to get her out of there tomorrow. I got another place for Jasmine to stay,” I lie, hoping to torture my brother if what I’m thinking is true.
“No,” he says quickly, and then I listen to his short sigh. “I mean, you can leave this badly bred shit here, brother. She’s safer in this building than the president.”
“Don’t you dare touch her, Damien. Keep your dick for your hook-ups and leave Jasmine alone.” The last thing I want is this asshole fucking up everything. Luna would kill me if Jasmine got hurt.