Page 42 of Darkest Retribution

“Killing a man for using you? For not putting in an effort to please you?” His fingers skirt along the edge of my jaw. “A man stupid enough to not realize he should worship you doesn’t deserve to live.”

“And if you’re stupid enough to walk away from me, you fall into the same category.”

A deep, low chuckle sounds from his throat. It’s void of amusement, more bitterness and frustration than anything else. “Trust me. I know.”

And then, just like that, he walks away. I’m left breathless, leaning against the door, wondering what the hell just happened.

I don’t stay there for long, though. Can’t. It was worth it to stay on my feet for that long, but they’re aching. I need to sit down.

Before I return to Mike, I creep through the hallways until I find a bathroom. Inside, Chelsea is washing her hands at the sink.

When she sees me, she straightens, plastering on a smile. “Hey. Are you and Dom a... thing?”

“What would you say if we were?”

She chews on her lip for a second, thinking, before deciding on what to say. “He’s just not that great of a boyfriend, that’s all. He never really prioritized me. And he always looks out for his family, which is great, but sometimes he puts them first when he shouldn’t.”

“Good to know.”

She leaves, and I let out a relieved breath. Why she thinks I want her opinion on anything is beyond me. I have no clue what happened between her and Dom, but based on their interaction either, she fucked up pretty badly.

Once I’ve cleaned myself up, I find Mike. Thankfully, he’s sitting at a table with an empty seat next to him. He gives me an amused look when I lower myself into the chair, which I pointedly ignore, my cheeks heating.

Thankfully, the rest of the evening flies by. Dominic leaves me alone, but every once in a while, I feel his gaze on the back of my neck, and I turn to find him watching me. He still looks jealous, which I find odd.

I’m disappointed that he didn’t take me up on my neighbors-with-benefits arrangement, but I have to admit, it’s for the best. While I’m pretty sure I can keep my feelings in check, even if it’s hard, I don’t want to use Dominic.

Mike and I make a move to leave around nine, giving Chelsea and Garrett one last congratulations before heading out. Dominic watches the interaction from across the room, and his gaze sends heat twisting through my belly.

Just as I’m thinking the polite thing to do would be to say goodbye to him, he rips his gaze away from mine and pulls his phone out of his pocket, answering it. Concern—and maybe a splash of anger—tinges his features. He hangs up, staring at his phone for a minute, before grabbing his jacket.

Dominic speeds right past Chelsea and Garrett, not even giving them a glance. When he’s through the majority of the crowd, he breaks into a run, heading for the exit.

How odd.

If Mike notices, he doesn’t say anything. So I make a mental note to text Dom later to make sure everything is okay.

In the car, Mike turns to me with a grin. “I take it you and Dominic had an interestingconversation.”

I ignore his implications. “You know him?”

“More his father. They’re both good men. So is Blaze. And Dominic is your age, correct?” He says it with a conspiratory tone that has me rolling my eyes.

“Settle down, mister matchmaker. I’m still young. I’ve got time.”

“Jade, I saw how head over heels the man is for you. Ialsosaw how you were holding yourself back from him tonight. Why?”

“I . . . have some things to figure out.” I clench my fists in my lap.If only you knew.

Mike makes a disapproving noise. “So? You deserve to have a little fun, Jade. Even if it’s nothing serious.”

My gut instinct is to protest, but I don’t. Wasn’t I thinking the same thing earlier? A no strings attached arrangement?Just some fun.

But Dominic said no. Said I deserved better. And fuck, he’s right, I do. But I can’t get better in this situation. Not with him, not with anyone.

“Maybe you’re right,” I say quietly.

“Glad I could convince you.”

---