Page 43 of Darkest Retribution

I bite the inside of my cheek, staring out the window.Now I just need to convince Dominic.

Chapter eleven

Dominic

WatchingJadewithMikeis so miserable, I can actually feel the food and alcohol in my stomach souring.

She said he paid her to be his date—justhis date—and I believe her. And honestly, I’m glad. Mike and Marcie were two peas in a pod. He’s been lonely. And if he needed some moral support to start living life again, then so be it.

But what’s getting at me is everything else. I was on my knees for her, her taste potent on my tongue, about to tell her that I want her.Allof her, not just her body. I just have to deal with some things first.

The words were right there, about to leave my mouth, when she said that’s not what she wants. That she can’t do emotions or falling in love.

No strings attached.

That’s what I’ve been doing for years, and I’m fucking sick of it. What’s worse is thatshe’sthe reason I want more. Her and Rosie.

I told her she deserves more than being fuck buddies, and I meant it. But I also said it becauseIwant more.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have hoped she felt the same way.

Now I’m stuck here watching her and Mike talk like old friends, laughing away the night. That’s whatIwant. That connection. I want—need—to be the reason behind her smiles and giggles.

When they get up to leave, I can’t help the relief that floods me. If I have to keep watching them, I think I might explode. And like the lovesick idiot I am, I can’t keep my eyes off her.

As they move toward Garrett and Chelsea, Jade’s gaze flits to mine. She’s drawn to me. I know she is. Maybe it’s only lust, or maybe she has a reason for holding back, too. Frankly, I don’t care. I just want a chance with her. A proper one.

Somehow, I have to convince her that it’ll be worth it. But first, I need to deal with David. There’s no way I can try dating her with the threat of her possibly getting hurt looming over us.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I yank it out, grateful for the distraction.

“Dominic Grayson.”

“Hey, it’s Felix. Someone broke into Blaze’s house. We’re on our way.”

“Fuck. Why didn’t I get any notifications? Did you let Agent DeSanto know?”

“Are you fucking kidding me? I trust the FBI about as far as I can throw you.” Felix pauses. “Actually, I trust them less than that.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

I end the call, glaring at my phone. When the security system goes off at my house, Blaze’s, my dad’s, or either of the Hendricks’s, I’m supposed to get a notification. So why—

There they are.

Fuck. I was just too... busy to pay attention.

This is exactly why you can’t have her yet, you idiot.

I grab my suit jacket from the back of the chair I claimed earlier. Then I slip out, not even bothering to say goodbye to Chelsea and Garrett. It’s a short run to my car, and then I’m peeling out of the parking lot faster than I should.

Blaze and Brooke are still safely tucked away at their oceanside resort. This could just be your run-of-the-mill break-in, but I doubt it.

A couple weeks back, David managed to kidnap Brooke. She was able to get to safety, but then things got messy, and that’s how Blaze ended up getting shot. I wasn’t there, but Brooke said David was pissed and making some pretty large threats.

Long story short, he wants payback. In his eyes, Brooke betrayed him. My guess is he’s trying to find them, and he’s hoping that Blaze left some clue as to where they are.

Thankfully, my brother isn’t that stupid. But maybe David is. If he’s still there by the time we get to Blaze’s house, we could end this tonight.

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