Chapter Eight
CHAPTER EIGHT
ANGEL
Dropping my keys and backpack on the floor, I stumble into the tiny apartment Violet and I share. I don’t bother turning on the lights. There’s nothing in this shithole I care to see.
Besides, I’m no stranger to the dark. Where most people fear the unknown, I’m drawn to it. They never understand until it’s too late that the light is what they should fear. There’s nowhere to hide under a spotlight. It doesn’t chase away the monsters. It leads them right to your door.
Kind of like Dominic McCallum.
Of all the men to walk into the bar, of all the men to choose to steal from, it had to be the one I hate with every fiber of my being.
So, why can’t I get him out of my mind?
“Because I’m obviously insane,” I grumble. Pulling my shirt over my head, I toss it on the floor and stumble toward the bathroom while simultaneously trying to pop the button on my jeans. Not an easy task, made painfully clear when I slam into the wall like a human pinball .
“Shit!”
Have I mentioned how much this day can go fuck itself?
Keeping one hand braced against the wall, I bend down and kick off my sneakers. After ten hours on my feet, the sudden freedom feels so good I let out a groan that borders on obscene.
“Well, that was definitely worth the wait.”
The deep timbre in his voice skates up my spine, and I scream, spinning around so fast, I slam into the wall again, my spine cracking against the cheap plaster. “Who’s there?”
“Do you always wander around your apartment in the dark?”
“I have a gun,” I warn, which doesn’t sound remotely convincing.
“You have a set of keys and a backpack. Both of which you dumped at the door on your way in.”
My mind whirls as I try to figure out how he knows that, but logistics aren’t important when I’m about to be murdered. “I’ll scream.”
He snorts. “Be my guest. From the looks of the people who live around here, you’re more likely to collapse a lung before anyone gives a shit.”
I hate the condescending tone in his voice, but what I hate even more is that he’s right. “I won’t go down without a fight.”
His low chuckle floats across the room and crawls up my spine. “Oh, cupcake. I’m counting on it.”
Cupcake?
Before I can say a word, there’s a click, and I’m momentarily blinded as the room is bathed in bright light. Then my gaze lands on him . The man sitting on my couch with his hand shoved under the lampshade.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. It’s you ?”
“And it’s you, Angel Smith.” I wince at the sound of my name rolling off his tongue. Familiar icy blue eyes slide up and down my body, a wicked glint hiding behind them. “Quite a bit of you, in fact.”
I follow his gaze, mortified to realize I’m half-naked. “Wipe that smirk off your face,” I growl, grabbing my shirt off the floor and tugging it over my head. “I was going to take a shower in what I thought was an empty apartment.” My eyes narrow as they shift from him to the barred window. “How did you get in here, anyway?”
“Through the door.”
I swear this man…
“It was locked,” I say through clenched teeth. “I had to use my key to open it, so unless you can walk through walls, I’ll need another answer.”
He points a finger at me like I’ve just passed some kind of test. “Beautiful and quick witted. You might just be the perfect woman, Angel Smith.”
“Do you ever give a straight answer, Mr. McCallum?”
In response, he digs in his pocket and pulls out a switchblade. He waits a fraction of a second before pressing a button and causing one hell of a blade to pop up. “It’s Dominic, and let’s just say I acquired a few skills in my younger days that come in handy from time to time.”
“You picked my lock?”
“In ten seconds flat.” With a click, the blade disappears, and he tucks it back in his pocket. “You should really look into getting a deadbolt.”
“And you should really look into seeking professional help. Stalking is a crime.” Sighing, I rub my palm across my forehead. “I’m too tired for this shit. You already have your wallet, so what do you want, your twenty bucks back? Are you that hard up?” Digging into my pocket, I fish out his damn twenty dollars and throw it across the room. “There, congratulations, you’re now twenty bucks richer and have proven you’re not only a gigantic dick, but a huge perv.” I fold my arms across my chest. “Do you want a gold star?”
“No, but a thank you would be nice.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re not the most punctual person, you know. After sobering up and driving over here, I still waited over two hours for you. There were only so many ways to entertain myself, and after refilling all your ice trays and organizing your underwear, I had to get creative.”
“You did what to my what ?”
“Sit down, Angel.” He waits, staring at me with those damn condescending eyes, until I do exactly what I shouldn’t. I sink into my chair. Nodding, he waves a hand in the air. “The point is, eventually, I had to take a piss.”
“What the hell does that have to do with—?”
“And happened to see this.” He opens his palm, and in the middle sits a tiny black plastic circle no bigger than a nickel. Red, blue, and yellow wires spider out of the end as if someone had hastily cut them.
“What is it?”
“That, cupcake, is a high-tech waterproof camera.” I look up at him in shock, and he nods. “Drilled into the ceiling right above your shower.” His free hand pats the knife stashed in his pocket. “My guess is if I let myself into your landlord’s apartment, I’d find a whole wet and wild file he’s jerked his dick raw to for months now.”
That’s it.
At least if I took Reggie up on his offer, I’d get fucked for money, but this is too much. I can feel it bubbling up inside me like an overfilled pot. Now my hands are shaking, and I can barely see straight as I fly toward the couch and swipe the camera out of his hands.
“Motherfucker!” I stomp toward the door .
Dominic leaps to his feet and falls in behind me. “Where are you going?”
“Where do you think? To kick this guy’s ass so hard he chokes on his own balls.”
He grabs my arm before I can open the door. “Easy, Rocky. Not only is that the wrong thing to do, but it’s kind of anatomically impossible.”
I gape at him. “You want me to just sit back and take it?”
“No, I want you to hit him where it hurts.”
“I’m trying,” I hiss, grinding my teeth. “But you won’t get out of my way.”
He shakes his head. “I meant his spank bank collection. Pain heals, cupcake, but tits are forever. Besides, if you think this guy doesn’t have five extra copies duped on a flash drive somewhere, you’re na?ve as hell.”
“So, what do you suggest I do?”
“Let me handle it.” A smirk tugs at his lips. It’s that smirk that makes me step back. My stomach twists, a warning flashing through the static in my head.
Predator.
Clearing my throat, I cross my arms over my chest. “And I’m supposed to just trust you? The guy who broke into my apartment and color coded my underwear.”
“You know, I’m all for attitude, but you might want to dial yours back a little.”
I scowl. “Oh, trust me. You haven’t heard attitude, yet.”
He lets out a small laugh, his anger gone. Just like that. Which is more rattling than if he’d shoved me against the wall again. “Oh, trust me , I have. A full two minutes and thirty-nine seconds of it.”