Page 66 of Heathens

“Seems like you and I have a lot in common,” I remark.

For the first time, I feel like I’ve met my match. Hates his job, hates people, and he’s got a grumpy disposition. Sometimes it sucks to look in the mirror.

My chauffeur stares straight ahead, but a small smile tugs at the corners of his lips. I want to ask him what his name is, but when I look over again, his expression has already soured.

The ride is quick and quiet, the same direction as I drive to the blood bank. There’s almost nobody on the street, save for small packs of stupid young vampires looking to hunt any human who dares to venture outside. I draw in a deep breath as we pass them, the driver slowing down to take a turn. One of them makes eye contact with me: a redhead with piercing yellow eyes. He smiles, baring his fangs. The driver scoffs.

“Don’t let him intimidate you.”

“You know him?”

“Yeah. His name is Jared.” He smirks. “What kind of fuckin’ vampire is named Jared? You know what I mean?”

I try to hold back a chuckle as he turns a corner.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

He shakes his head, and I sigh.

“Okay, fine, Mister Mysterious. What if he follows us?”

“If he touches Dominic’s property, he’ll be dead before he hits the ground,” the driver replies.

My brows snap toward my hairline. If that’s what this is, he might as well just turn this fucking car around. I’m not going to be some suckhead’s property.

“Is that what he thinks I am?”

“I’m just the driver, doll,” he replies with a shake of his head. He parks the car in front of the towering high-rise and grabs his gun off of the dashboard, cocking it. “Here we are. I’ll walk you inside.”

When I step out, I feel like a walking lunch. Totally exposed. Dread pools in my stomach, crawling its way through my body as we rush into the building, through the black tinted glass doors.

I’d only ever seen Duncan Towers from a distance, and never had a reason to step inside, but it’s strangely both less and more than I expected. The building smells clean and fresh. Modern, with black and gold marble floors, and a few matching wingback chairs in the lobby that look like they were bought strictly for decoration. I wouldn’t be surprised if no one’s ever sat in them, or anywhere in the lobby ‌for that matter, as the echo of our footsteps ring out through the hollow surroundings.

I spot a stained glass window in the back that looks like it was lifted from a church. A few small sconces line the walls, making the room glow a warm golden color. I let out a whistle, and as if on cue, the elevator dings and Dominic steps out.

He’s wearing a dark red suit with a slightly unbuttoned black dress shirt. His tattoos are on full display, along with his well-sculpted chest. There’s dark stubble peppered across his jaw and his eyes are the most intense shade of electric blue, somehow brighter than I remember them being back at the club.The second he sees me, a warm smile lights up his face. My mouth is immediately dry, desperate for a cool drink.

He turns to the driver.

“That’ll be all for tonight, Mateo. You can go… frolic.”

The newly named Mateo flashes him a sly smile and winks, his grumpy disposition melting away with the all-clear from his boss. He flashes us both finger guns, spins on the balls of his feet, and struts out the door whistling.

“I hope he didn’t give you a hard time,” Dominic murmurs. “I would have sent a human driver, but my last one had an… unfortunate incident with one of Rene’s men.”

“Mateo was a perfect gentleman.”

“Glad to hear it. He’s still young. I told him he had to behave himself.”

Dominic stretches out his hand. He’s like a fucking magnet, and I can’t stop myself from closing the gap between us and sliding my palm against his. He brings my knuckles up to his lips, kissing them before he pulls me close, his lips ghosting my neck.

“Thank you for coming.”

I try to think of something impressive to say, something to let him know I’m still a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, nothing comes to mind, and I wing it.

“Thanks for being hot and rich.”

He laughs and pulls back, tilting his head as he grasps both sides of my face.

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