Page 30 of Heathens

The gentle click of footsteps at the mouth of the alley pulls me from the past. My muscles coil and I grab my gun, aiming it at the darkness. My heart is in my throat and my hand trembles as I try to steady my breathing.

“You can relax. I came looking for you, but you weren’t in the club.”

That voice, somehow soft and rough at the same time. It sends a chill down my spine.

His footsteps get closer and I spot the red glow of a lit cigarette floating in the darkness before the moonlight cascades over him for a moment, illuminating him perfectly. His bright blue eyes are even more intense than I remember, before being lost again as he dips back into the shadows.

Dominic.

“And you just happened to find me out here?” I ask.

“I can smell your perfume, actually.” I can hear the smile in his voice before I see it. “Normally it wouldn’t be that useful, but yours is unique. Lavender, cinnamon, bergamot, and a pinch of vanilla, I think? You were wearing it the other night.”

I raise an eyebrow, taking a whiff of my wrist. He’s right.

“I’ll take your word for it. All I can smell is blood, whiskey, and sweat.” I glance off toward the dumpsters. “And of course, whatever else the alley has to offer.”

I turn back and he’s just a few feet away from me, smirking.

“That’s in there too,” he replies. “Really though, your friend said you were outside. Made me promise I wouldn’t hurt you or she’d,” He mimes cocking a gun. “I believe she said she’d blow my dick off.”

“Yeah, that sounds like Ruby.”

My eyes glide up and down his body. I tell myself I’m checking for weapons, that I’m not looking athim. I’m not very convincing.

He’s dressed in a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, slightly unbuttoned to expose a chest full of tattoos. An upside down gold cross dangles from his neck and his pants hang low on his hips, the shirt just barely tucked into them. His whole vibe is a lot less professional tonight. I can’t help but like the change.

“It’s more fun back in the bar, you know. That’s where the action is.”

“A matter of perspective. I’m interested in a very specific kind of action.”

He puffs on his cigarette and an uncomfortable silence nestles between us. I look down at my watch.

“Sun rises soon, and last call is in thirty minutes. You’ll turn into a pumpkin if you stay out here for too long.”

“More like a pile of goo,” he chuckles. “But, sadly, I can’t simply flee with the sunrise just yet. I still owe you that drink.”

“Well, that’s a shame for you, because I don’t give up my cigarette breaks for anyone. Not even Dominic Duncan.”

The flippant remark seems to ignite something in him, as though he sees it as a challenge. Dominic tilts his head as the fading moonlight carves out his features, making them even more intense. Those cheekbones are so sharp, I can practically feel them cutting into my thighs. He’d look beautiful with his head between my legs.

I force myself to push the thought out of my head as he takes another step toward me.

“Look, what you do is your business, so long as you don’t bring that shit into my club, but if you keep this up, we’re gonna have trouble.”

“Ah,” he chuckles, taking a step back and blowing a smoke ring into the air. “I was going to buy you a drink for what you did to Deschamps the other night, but I suppose if you don’tcare…”

I quirk a brow.

“What I did?”

He can’t stop the big smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Shoved a gun right in his face. That’s a big move. I wish I could have done it myself.”

“So, what, you let me do your dirty work for you?”

“Seems like you had everything under control. I wouldn’t want to disrespect your club. The rules are sacred, right?”

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