Page 61 of Heirs of Havoc

I finally come back to earth with his arms wrapped around me, my back against his, his back against the door. Then he laughs. “Hell, if Dom finds us like this, he’ll be fucking pissed.” He’s out of breath, but despite his words, he sounds unbothered. He always does.

With Feliks’ hands trailing my body, the vibration of his chuckles soothes me. “Know what? I don’t give a fuck.”

Maybe I’m safer here after all.

At least with Feliks.

* * *

Two Years Ago

Don’t turn back.

Don’t you dare turn back.

Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” croons through my earbuds, my white sneakers pounding against the concrete. If it’s as loud as my heart, it’s hard to hear.

Don’t look back.

There’s no going back.

Streetlights line my path, sirens in the distance, laughter mixing with it from a nearby bar. Or a restaurant. Somewhere with life. Freedom. Only a few more feet until I’m out of my stuffy neighbourhood and closer to independence. Like Sinatra says, I’m flying to the fucking moon.

Except I don’t know where that is. Or how to get there. But it doesn’t matter. With the wind in my long coils and the summer air on my cheeks, this feeling is too good to second guess.

Getting closer to the streetcar tracks along the main road, I’m tempted to look behind me to see if he noticed. Or to see how many men he’s sent, but no freaking way. Not this time. My backpack weighs on my shoulders, a month’s worth of clothes and supplies tucked inside. I’m making this choice for myself. Not anyone else. Not for my family. Especially not my father.

Coming to a major crosswalk, people push past me as billboard lights shine on my path. There’s just one thing. I don’t know where to go.

“Spare change?” A gravelly voice comes from behind me and when I turn around, a man outstretches his hand in a fingerless glove. It’s not the first time I’ve come face-to-face with the reality of the city beyond Forest Hill. Pulling out a twenty, my eyes scan his attire. There is something about him that looks off, but his gloves fit the bill. His face doesn’t look as hollow like the others who find themselves home-insecure. His clean-shaven mug matches his clean manicure and what looks to be a professional haircut.

“Don’t trust anyone.”

My father’s words ring in my ears, the green bill between my fingers.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

So do my mom’s, her favourite words before she’d open an assuming book, and we’d get lost in the tale.

Shaking away the weird vibe, the twenty lands in his hand. But he lunges forward, reaching for me.

“Hey!” Taking a step back, I dodge his hold, my brows furrowing. The man sneers before he reaches for me again.

My eyes widen.

“Mia Mouse.” That voice comes from behind me, making my body still. I can already feel his body heat against me, a tingle up my spine. The man’s eyes land behind me, bulging as he settles back against a metal door. “Always looking to get caught.” Then my feet lift off the ground. “Always Mother-fucking-Theresa.”

Squirming, my fists pat against his back, my backpack falling over my head. But it’s no use. It never is. I’m plopped into the seat of a Mercedes truck and it only takes a couple of seconds before Dominik Federov slides in beside me. “How did you know where I was?”

A thick, pale finger lands under my chin. Fire on my skin. With light pressure, he turns my attention to the driver’s seat, leaning over the console. I’m not running anymore, but my heart feels like it is. Those round, grey eyes sparkle under that slick dark hair. He grins like a wolf, sharp teeth ready to devour anyone in his path. “I always know where you are.” His full lips hover close to mine. “Don’t you forget that, Mia Mouse.”

A smile threatens to appear before I tighten my lips, hiding it. “I don’t mean to get caught.” I don’t miss the sultriness in my voice. Sure, I’m only eighteen and have no clue what I'm doing, but Dominik Federov brings that out of me.

When I inch closer, he leans back against his seat. “Except you do.”

A freaking tease. Everything we do is on his terms, including a kiss. The power he wields in our world doesn’t stay within business.

“Well then, you must enjoy catching me, since you always do.” It’s hard to settle in my seat, Dom’s presence as overpowering as his muscles.

---