Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
THEO
Two weeks later, Blake and I finally manage to get back to the nightclub that I’m ninety-nine percent sure has something to do with Harper. The bass of a bad dance track plays as I push my way through the crowd, Blake’s small hand engulfed in mine.
The minute she opened her apartment door, I was speechless at how stunning she looked in her black dress with her long hair in a ponytail and her makeup smoky, enhancing the brown of her eyes. Every inch of the dress hugged her curves, and my mouth watered at the sight.
We finally reach the bar, and I catch a few men eyeing my woman—hungry, lingering looks I don’t appreciate.
Don’t get into a fight, Theo. Don’t get into a fight.
Wrapping an arm around Blake’s waist, I pull her closer, basically as close as I can get her.
Insecurities start shouting at me, but I ignore them.
I won’t let them ruin this. Working with Mike and spending time with Oscar has helped mute those voices somewhat.
Helped me notice when they try to sneak in so I can push them away and not let them get to me.
I still have bad days, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it used to be.
I mean, I still act like a child, but I think that’s just my personality now and who I am as a person.
Taking Oscar to the comic bookstore a couple of weeks ago wasn’t some life-changing moment—for him—but for me, it meant everything.
Watching his face light up as he stepped inside, his eyes darting from shelf to shelf, was something I won’t forget.
I had to stop myself from buying the entire damn place just to see that look on his face every day.
While we were there, I cautiously asked if he’d want to join my MMA classes.
I was terrified he’d shut the idea down, but instead he got excited and said he’d love to.
After buying him a ton of toys he didn’t need, we grabbed dinner at the Mexican on the corner opposite.
We stuffed ourselves full, arguing over which episode of Transformers was better, and then he fell asleep in the car on the drive back.
I had to fight back tears as I watched his face glow beneath the passing streetlights. I hated waking him when we reached his mom’s place, but he let me carry him inside and tuck him into bed.
I’ve never felt so whole in my entire life.
Blake clutches onto my arm, bringing me out of my thoughts. She reaches up as if she needs to talk to me, so I dip my head to her level.
“The manager is by the DJ booth,” she shouts.
I glance behind her, and sure as hell, the guy’s standing there with a smug look on his face in a suit that really needs to be tailored to his lanky ass, and a girl clinging to his arm.
He didn’t give me a good vibe the minute I met him, and I’ve got a funny feeling he’s behind a lot of the girls going missing. Should I leave this type of stuff to the police? Yeah, but I also know how unreliable they are. I’ve long realized that if you want the job done right, do it yourself.
After ordering drinks for us, I lean against the bar, surveying the area.
Habitat is packed to the rafters, full of young kids dancing their cares away.
This was me at eighteen, running from the horrors life had already shown me by drowning them in alcohol and drugs to make myself feel better, if only just for a minute.
Then I grew up, stopped the drugs, and threw myself into work instead.
Noticing the lingering looks still being sent Blake’s way, I tug her into me again, so her back is pressed against my chest. I lean down to her ear, enjoying the feel of her chest heaving up and down under the hand splayed across her front.
Running my nose along the nape of her neck, I breathe deeply, allowing her scent to settle my anxieties.
She exhales and relaxes back against me, moving her neck to the side slightly.
The caveman in me roars in triumph that she’s not pushing me away. That she’s not telling me to get fucked. We’re toeing the line of something we might not be able to come back from, but she’s worth it. She’s always been worth it.
The last couple of weeks have been incredible.
Not only have I been able to start really forming a relationship with my son, but I’m also forming a new bond with Blake.
It’s scary, the way she can quiet the voices in my head with just one look.
I don’t even think she’s realized she’s doing it or how it’s affecting me.
My dick begins to thicken in my slacks, pushing against her back. I’m just about to move, to hide my growing desire for her, but as always, she surprises me and grinds gently against my erection.
Should I pull away? Yes.
Do I? Nope.
I bite down gently on the curve of her neck, the one that drives me nuts when she’s reading a book and her hair’s in a ponytail.
Blake’s breathing hitches as I bite just that little bit harder, sucking slightly on the skin.
It won’t bruise, but it will leave a red mark for these assholes to see.
To know that she belongs to someone. If I could tattoo the words ‘property of Theo’ across her forehead, I would.
Because she’s mine, and she’ll always be mine.
“Theo?” Her words are low, but I can hear them all the same, even over the music.
“Dance with me, firefly.” I don’t ask, I tell.
Blake pulls away from me, indecision warring on her face.
Finally, she gives me a smirk before turning on her heel and sashaying to the dance floor.
And do I watch? You bet your fucking ass I do.
Blake’s always had a curvy figure, and since having Oscar, she’s filled out more and looks all the better for it.
Pulling myself out of my gaping, I make my way over to her, taking her in as she dances to the new song that’s playing.
Stopping behind her, I begin rolling my hips.
I’m not the world's greatest dancer, but I’ve got moves.
I don’t touch her, though, I’m just there like an ever-present shadow, mirroring her.
I promised her and myself that nothing would happen, that we’d be friends.
Hell, we’re supposed to be here tonight watching the manager and trying to get answers, but as usual, Blake’s taking up every bit of space in my head.
She presses against me. I’m not sure if it was on purpose or if she stumbled, but I seize the opportunity and wrap an arm around her, moving her with me to the beat of the music.
It’s slow, sensual, and dirty, and I’m loving every second of it.
Her arm comes up to wrap around my neck as I continue to grind into her.
Our bodies are slick with sweat from the people surrounding us, but I’m too focused on Blake to care.
I bite her earlobe, tugging on it, and I watch her nipples pebble under her dress as goosebumps rise on her arms.
“I love the way your body fits against mine. Like it was always meant for me,” I tell her, my tone low but enough to be heard over the music. “How your curves are enough to drive me wild, even covered in clothes. It makes my dick hard knowing what you look like underneath.”
Blake’s chest rises and falls quicker with every word I speak. I have the desperate urge to slide my hand under her dress, to see if she’s as soaking wet as I think she is.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the dick of a manager walking—I say walking, but it’s more like suspiciously dragging—the girl from earlier. The way she struggles to hold herself up makes my spine tingle.
Reluctantly pulling myself away from Blake, I take a step back. She looks up at me, confused. I tilt my head in the direction of the manager, and her gaze follows. Understanding what I’m not saying, she takes my hand, and I discreetly move us through the crowds to the door where they went.
Before twisting the knob, I glance around, checking to make sure no one is watching.
Once I’m happy, I push the door open, Blake pressed tight to my back.
It reminds me of the night James and I went to get Raven, except this time the roles are reversed.
I swear if a fucking clown jumps out at me, there’s gonna be hell to pay.
Ignoring my crazy brain, I continue down a nondescript hall. Black walls and low lighting leave little to the imagination. The smell of sweat and damp permeate my nose, making me feel a little nauseated.
“Where’s he taken her?” Blake asks quietly.
“I have no clue, but I really don’t like what we’re about to walk into,” I murmur.
“Don’t worry, big guy, I’ll protect you,” she quips, a smile in her tone.
I smirk even though she can’t see me. “The fact you think it won’t be me saving you is funny, firefly. I’d take a bullet for you, no questions asked.”
Nothing happens as we move further down the hall. There are no other doors, but the smell is getting worse. Finally, we come to a lone door at the end of the corridor… why is there always just one fucking door?
If I didn’t know the person who kidnapped and tried to kill Raven is firmly behind bars, I’d expect to barge in and find them standing there, it's so similar. How I keep getting myself in these situations, I’ll never know.
The sound of a muffled scream pulls me out of my ruminating, and I shove the door open.
It's an old office, one that doesn’t look like it's seen the light of day in years, and cardboard boxes are stacked everywhere.
Old paper, and a… typewriter? sit on a desk—one the manager has a very naked woman slumped over.
“The fuck are you doing, dickhead?” I shout, storming in and calling back, “Blake, stay there.”
Thankfully, she does as I tell her to. I don’t want her anywhere near this if it gets ugly.
The manager startles, turning toward me with the front of his pants undone, and his teeny tiny weeny on display for the world to see.
“Put that… thing away. No one needs to see that. And get your hands off her.” I can faintly hear Blake talking behind me. I really hope that means she’s on the phone with the cops.
“Get the fuck out. You shouldn’t be in here,” he spits angrily, putting his dick away and zipping his pants up.
Thank Christ.
“Until I know this is consensual, I ain't going anywhere,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.
He gulps as he sees the muscles on my arms bulging against my white T-shirt, but he straightens, squaring up to me.
He shows how deluded he really is, though, when he rushes me.
I roll my eyes as I place my hands in front of me, effectively blocking him before slapping him on the backside of his head.
“Down, kitty,” I taunt, grinning as I shift my left foot behind me for balance. I have a feeling this asshole is just gonna keep coming.
He proves me right when he attacks again, a war cry ripping from his throat as he tries to hit me, but I bat his hand away.
“Please, are you trying to fight me or tickle me?” I quip. His face goes red, the veins on his neck popping from gritting his teeth. “Careful, you might burst a blood vessel if you keep that up.”
I’m really not a violent guy, and I’ll try to incapacitate him gently, but jeez, this asshole is a knob.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Blake slowly creeping around the room, trying to keep far away from the two of us as she approaches the now unconscious woman. With my attention distracted, the guy delivers a blow to my face. It stuns me for a moment, but I don’t move an inch.
“You hit like a girl,” I tease, swiping my thumb across my bottom lip. “Wanna see how a real man hits?”
His eyes go wide just before I land a punch straight to his face. He crumples to the floor like the sack of shit he is, blood spurting from his nose and staining his suit.
I said I’d try to incapacitate him gently, not that I’d actually do it.
“Theo!” Blake shouts, worry in her voice.
After taking one last look at the asshole, I rush over to Blake. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” I ask, running my hands down her, frantically checking her over.
“Aw, I didn’t know you cared so much,” she retorts, her lips quirking. “But no, this girl needs medical attention. I’ve called the police, and they're on their way, but god knows how long it’ll take them to arrive.”
“Stay here,” I command. “I’m going to tie fuckface up so he doesn’t go anywhere, and then I’ll get you both out.”
I make the mistake of looking at Blake, my body acting on instinct like it always does around her, and I lean down, giving her a quick, firm kiss that I don’t want to pull away from. Her eyes are still closed when I draw back, her lips pursed as if in a daze, and I give a smug smile.
Heading back to the dickhead, I search for anything I can use to tie him up. Moving boxes to the side, I find some duct tape. Not the greatest, but with enough of it, it should hold him until the cops turn up.
I wrap the tape around his hands, making sure to get as much of his arm hair caught in it. I whistle as I work, knowing it's going to hurt like a bitch when they come to rip it off.
I give the same treatment to his legs, probably wrapping him up a little too tightly, but you can never be too careful.
Before I stand up, I rifle through his suit, looking for his wallet. Finding it in his back pocket, I check his driver’s license, mentally remembering his name so I can do my own research when I get home.
Once I’m happy the asshole isn’t going anywhere, I head back to Blake and the unconscious girl. Blake’s managed to find a sheet to wrap around her, so her modesty’s intact and a sigh of relief escapes me.
We managed to save at least one person tonight.