Page 3 of Dangerous Games

“Ah, well Nanette here is a very priceless woman. We wouldn’t want that beautiful face of hers to be tarnished. But I have some plans for her.” The man—Dom? —takes a few steps farther into the room and Jimmy is cowering like a fool. I’m not afraid. I push Jimmy to the side and go toe-to-toe with the man.

“Look, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but Jimmy is out. You should be ashamed of yourself. Did you do that to his side? I should call the police.”

“Call off your dog, Jimmy. I’m warning you.” The man looks down at me, intense eyes locked on mine. Inside I’m just as scared as Jimmy, but I’ve dealt with his kind before and back then I was weak. I refuse to be weak. I refuse to cower again.

“Nan, please. Just let me handle this.” I feel Jimmy’s hands at my back, trying to pull me away but I don’t back down.

“Who do you think you are?”

“Nanette, this man back here must love you an awful lot.” Dom is smooth, unfussed. He hasn’t raised his voice or shown even a hint of anger. Something tells me he could have assaulted Jimmy with the same placid expression on his face and never batted an eyelash. “It’s because of that love that I believe you will be my greatest asset.” He doesn’t move, he doesn’t even breathe. He’s as still as a statue and twice as hard.

The familiar tremor races down my spine as I imagine his hands running down my arms, across my body. The fear of that night plagues me, but I can’t let that get at me now, not when Jimmy needs me.

“Asset?” I glance at Jimmy, now nervous. What could he mean by that?

“Jimmy, have you done what I asked yet?” His eyes stay fixed on mine as Jimmy whimpers out his reply. Whoever this man is, he has Jimmy scared stiff. There’s no aggression in his stare—he’s like a bored and arrogant cat who knows he’s the greatest parlor trick machine known to man.

“Uh, no. Dom, please. It’s only been three days.”

“I told you your deadline was three days.” There it is, the first hint of anger. The tiniest of growls rumbles out of the man’s chest and my hands are shaking as bad as Jimmy’s voice.

“Dominic, please, leave Nan out of this. Let her go. We can talk when she leaves.” Jimmy successfully pulls me away from Dominic and I’m glad he does. I have no idea what’s happening or what job Jimmy was supposed to do for this man, but I’m scared for him now. This guy is twice Jimmy’s size, and wealthy too, by the looks of it. That Armani suit wasn’t cheap, and neither was the Rolex.

“What if Nan came to stay with me for a while? Maybe as a little insurance that you’re going to do the job right?”

That doesn’t sound like a suggestion. The tone of his voice is sinister, maniacal. His eyes drink me in like a cheap glass of whiskey. I’ve never had a man look at me like this before and I’m not sure if I dislike it. Jimmy stands in front of me, arms out as if building a wall. His little wall will not stop Dom, even I know that. Nothing would stop this man if he wanted something.

“No, Dom. I swear I’ll do it. I swear. I just need more time, please.” Jimmy is pleading now, groveling like an idiot.

“What job, Jimmy?” I ask, my voice wavering. I’m not sure if I want to know the answer.

“No, don’t say a thing.” Jimmy shakes his head hard. I know he’s a hitman. What could be worse than that? I don’t understand. He seems terrified that I’d find out what is going on, which only makes me more scared too. What has he gotten himself into?

“Jimmy, you’re a smart man. I’ve told you that. You know how I work. I don’t fuck around and play games.” Dominic holds his hand out to me, wiggling his fingers. There is something in that gesture that compels me to act. I walk toward him against my better judgment, trembling the whole time. “Come on, Nanette.”

“Nan, no,” Jimmy pleads. He grabs my arm and pulls on it, but the gravitational force of this giant in front of me sucks me in. He’s terrifying but devastatingly handsome all at once. Why do I do this to myself?

“It’s okay, Jimmy. I’m going to be okay.” I know if I don’t go, something bad will happen to Jimmy, worse than just a boot mark on his ribs and a gash. And as much as Jimmy thinks he’s been my protector for the past decade, I’ve been the one watching out for him. I can do this. “I’ll go with you, if you promise not to hurt him again.” I try to keep my tone even and my voice steady, but my voice cracks.

“Aw, look how sweet that is, Jimmy.” Dominic smiles, but it’s not a genuine smile of happiness. It’s sinister, seductive even? “She’s got your back. How devastating it would be to lose such a precious gift in your life. She’s willing to fire walk for you, even though your life isn’t worth the pair of boots you’re wearing.”

My jaw drops and the spell is broken. This man isn’t charming, he’s an asshole. I start to back away, but he snatches my wrist and pulls me into his side where I can’t move. I push on him, grunting and clawing at his expensive suit. I want to get away. I want to take back my words, but Dominic is strong—too strong.

“The longer you take, the longer Nanette is mine. Take too long and she will be mine forever, or perhaps one of you will happen upon unfortunate circumstances.” He starts to back down the hallway, clutching me to his side, and I am still squirming.

“Dominic, please. We can work this out. You don’t have to do this. Please, don’t do this.” Jimmy follows. His hands wrap around my wrist, and he pulls but it’s no use. Dominic won’t ever let go. He has what he wants and I’m not sure why I am the thing that he wants.

“Finish the job, Jimmy.” Dominic’s last words as he forces me out the front door come with a snarl. He’s angry, and now I’m alone with him. The neighborhood is quiet, but it’s broad daylight. If I scream, someone will hear me. Someone will notice and call the police. But I get the feeling that if I do that, bad things will happen. I feel the gun holstered at his side, lodged into my ribcage with the pressure of his arm around my body.

“You’re not getting away with this.” I protest against being put in his car, pushing against the door so he can’t open it, but he simply turns me away where I can’t reach it, and opens it easily. “You’re a monster.”

“I prefer the term beast, but yes. I am. Now get in the car or Jimmy dies.” He’s close, too close. I can smell the leather from his jacket, the aftershave he wore. I can see the muscles in his arms flexing under his shirt.

He’s stunning beyond belief, and I don’t mean because of his looks. I mean because there is something so captivating and dark, something that I’m not supposed to see, something I’m not supposed to know.

His threat sobers me though. I taste the fear that dries my mouth, so thick that I can barely swallow. I glance around, hoping someone saw this, but no one is out today. Jimmy lives in too nice of a neighborhood, too quiet. Fuck. I climb into the car of my own volition and sit down. Dominic buckles me in and flips the switch in the door well to engage child safety locks. I feel the press of the seatbelt as it tightens around my waist. As soon as the door shuts, I try to open it, but it won’t budge. My hand is throbbing and I’m starting to feel lightheaded.

When he climbs into the car, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a long strip of cloth. He hands it to me as he shuts the door. “Here tie this on your eyes.”

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