Chapter 27
Love
I slowly drive while talking with Toby, he’s a very vocal cat and responds to my every sentence with a “Meow,” the most adorable one. Sammy made a good choice. I enter the condominium and sigh in relief when I park by my house and find Dominik outside of it.
“You adopted a cat?” Dominik asks when I approach him carrying Toby.
“He’s Sammy’s. Say hi to Toby-”
“Toby,” Dominik repeats as if he’s trying to familiarise himself with the cat. “What did Thomas Alakai want from you?” Dominik asks taking the carrier from me and moving up the stairs, I follow him to my home.
“From me? Nothing. He wants Aiden,” I reply and Dominik laughs.
“Fine by me. But what did he tell you exactly?” Dominik asks as I open the entry’s door.
“That’s why I came here earlier. Thomas wants an alliance to kill Liot.
He wants to be in control of Mitkus' mafia. Allied to us,” Dominik puts Toby on the floor.
I open the door of the carrier, then going towards the bags and boxes on the kitchen counter, to find him some food.
“He knows where Liot is at,” I continue handing him the address.
“Camilla’s number?” Dominik asks and I turn the piece of paper around. “What else does he want?”
“He wants Aiden to call him to finalise the deal. He also has insiders within Liot’s people,” I say and Toby tries to call Dominik’s attention by rubbing himself on his legs.
I see Dominik look at him like he’s an annoying useless thing, and for once, I wish he were more emotionally connected.
But that’s not who he is, or who I fell for, and Dom has come a long way for me.
“How convenient,” Dominik responds grabbing the cat and putting him on the couch, over a pillow. “Good luck with this infested house”
“It’s a cat, not a parasite. You’ll grow accustomed to it,” I say and Dominik laughs hard.
“Highly doubt that. I’ll learn to tolerate his needy presence,” he says once Toby is back on his legs, I brush Toby’s fur and he purrs.
“And I’ll be jealous of a small furry being,” he looks annoyed while saying those words.
“Did Thomas threaten you or Aiden?” Dominik asks and I shake my head.
Even if he did I wouldn’t disclose that to him.
And I was the one who threatened him, so reason isn’t on my side.
“Thomas was only mad I let Camilla come home with us,” I say and see Toby has settled on a chair next to the couch and is almost asleep.
“Comprehensible,” Dominik says, “Why did you let her come anyway?”
“Camilla needed to see her brother, she’s worried, and she wants to help,” I respond to Dominik’s question and he puts his arm around me.
“Tell her to stay away from our missions, I don’t need another liability!” Dominik exclaims with a tense sigh.
“Another?” I ask and Dominik puts me on top of the counter and joins our foreheads.
“Her brother, Aiden. He’s too merciful,” Dominik informs, “What do you say we go on a date?” he asks and I’m caught by surprise. “Is that a no?”
“No. It’s a yes. I would very much enjoy a date,” I answer and Dominik smiles, I pull him closer for a kiss. My hands around his neck. His hand falls to my back and I gasp.
“That’s not taking us to a date. That’s taking us to bed,” Dominik says and I laugh pushing him away.
“Well, I’m going to change clothes,” I say and trail my hand down his body, his arm, hand and leave the kitchen.
I may have been too teasing and it surprises me when he doesn’t come after me like he usually does.
So I pick my sexiest dress. I quickly change clothes, brush my hair, put on mascara and lipstick before leaving the room.
“Good thing, I chose a private location,” Dominik whispers to himself, I wasn’t supposed to hear it.
“You look absolutely stunning,” he says kissing me, thankfully I changed to no transfer lipstick when Dominik and I started dating.
Or he’d be red-painted every single second he’s around me.
That wouldn’t be too bad in public. Let’s just say Dominik calls too much attention. Girls and boys.
“Where are we going?” I ask him and he puts his index finger over my lips.
“Confidential,” Dominik responds, taking his hand away and sealing our lips once.
“Confidential?” Dominik doesn’t say a word, he just holds my hand and takes me to his car. When we arrive at my grandfather’s beach house I look over at him. A vicious look in his eyes.
“Remember when you asked what one of my kinks was?” Dominik asks and I nod getting out of the car never ceasing eye contact.
“Run,” is all he says, still walking in my direction.
I know what comes next, but in this moment looking at his vividly wild eyes I run towards the house.
He can’t know my hiding spots can he? My adrenaline starts racing as I hear his steps behind me, never close yet never far either.
When I get inside the house, the lights flash on.
“Happy birthday, Love,” I hear several voices scream and I look at my clock, my heart still racing in flight mode.
“Thank you,” I say checking my phone and seeing June 16th. It’s my birthday, and I didn’t even remember it. My birthday is a little over a week after Sammy’s.
I look around and see every single one of our friends, balloons with 23 and 22. Mine and Sammy’s current ages, respectively. They didn’t only wait because we were shaken, they wanted to surprise me.
I hug Sammy and Maya, congratulating Sammy once again. I can feel Dominik’s eyes on me, but I greet everyone first. Aiden excuses himself to make the said call upstairs, before he goes I mouth “Will you be ok?” and Aiden assents.
“Anyone want a drink?” Maya asks and I nod, walking in Dominik’s direction.
“That wasn’t fair. Is that even one of your kinks?” I question and Dominik chuckles.
“Maybe, maybe not, we’ll never know,” he responds, and I sigh frustrated, “Listen, you are my favourite kink Love, I need no more,” he whispers in my ear, my body heating.
“Stop being so hot,” I whisper back and he laughs looking down at me defiantly.
“Sorry, can’t do,” Dominik responds, “It’s one of my many charms,” Dominik says and hands me a cup of champagne that Maya is distributing.
“Aren’t you drinking?” I ask him and he shakes his head.
“Someone has to drive us home,” Dominik says and I see Josh isn’t drinking either. Of course, they planned this ahead.
We’re all enjoying the music and company when there’s a knock on the door. “Is anyone missing?” I whisper to Dominik, when he goes silent and reaches for his gun I know the answer. Josh comes his way and takes the gun from his hands.
“It’s Alakai, Aiden invited him over-”
“No way, he must’ve brainwashed him. Make him go, he’s not welcome,” Camilla says to Josh but no one orders him to do anything, so he’ll probably do the opposite.
“Thomas, come in,” Josh says greeting him warmly while sneaking a look at an enraged Camilla.
Aiden walks down the stairs and I thank god he does. Thomas and he alone would be his fall. I walk to Aiden and take him outside excusing us.
“Thank you, I was in need of some fresh air,” Aiden says and I hug him briefly to whisper in his ear.
“If he ever does anything, message me and I’ll end him-”
“He promised to behave,” Aiden responds, his voice sounds desperate. Like he’s trying to convince himself Thomas will keep his word.
“Why did you two break up anyway?” I ask Aiden grabbing a rock from the floor and sending it flying to the water, it bounces two times before sinking.
“Thomas said it was him or my father. I chose my father. I lost him, he probably doesn’t care anyway,” Aiden speaks but it couldn’t be further from what I see.
“I doubt that. Thomas was too invested in talking to you, specifically you. He still cares in some way,” I tell him and a faint smile phantoms his lips.
“You’re exaggerating,” Aiden immediately responds.
“I’m pretty sure I could get him to beg for your number but I didn’t want to push,” I say and see Dominik walking our way.
“Good call,” Aiden whisper before Dominik hugs me from behind.
“Are you done kidnapping my girlfriend, Javol?” Dominik asks and I elbow Dominik.
“I kidnapped him, not the other way around,” I respond and Dominik turns me around watching me daringly.
“Someone will need a lesson later,” Dominik murmurs in my ear sending a shiver down my spine. But if anyone asks it’s the cold wind. “Go back inside, Aiden, Camilla is asking for you,” Dominik informs yet I suspect the information is false. Camilla seems to be having a blast.
“That was uncalled for,” I tell Dominik sealing our lips, Dominik deepens the kiss and devours my lips, mouth, tongue, neck, any place he can touch.
“People can see us,” I say stopping the kiss and Dominik doesn’t seem concerned.
“They won’t if they don’t want to lose their sight for good,” Dominik says and an eerie feeling fills my chest. Sometimes I forget he’s Dom to me, but he’s still a born and raised mafia king.
“Calm down, Vee, I’m not blinding anyone…
today,” he assures and I feel relieved, the fear washing out of me.
“Let’s get back inside,” I request and hold his hand, he locks our fingers, and I forget about everything I just heard. Maybe it’s Dominik's effect, or maybe it’s the alcohol talking.
We walk back inside and I dance with Maya and Sammy knowing Dominik doesn’t do dancing. Yet when Rian starts to dance with me and a slow song starts, Dominik politely steals me.
“I thought you didn’t dance,” I say startled but leaning my head towards him looking up at him.
“I don’t. Only for you!” he says but he actually knows how to dance, he’s more coordinated than I am.
“You know how to dance?” I ask him when he makes me spin and tunes us back in pace with the music.
“I never said I didn’t. I choose not to,” Dominik clarifies but that doesn’t really clarify anything.
“It’s part of my duties, dancing, there were a lot of parties while being a mercenary.
It helps the cover up if I fit in,” Dominik says and I glue our bodies, my hands around his neck, good thing I’m wearing heels or I’d be barely touching it.
“Group photo,” Maya screams and I look at Dominik he doesn’t like photos or videos, they can be easily manipulated according to him.
But he’s the first to pull me towards the balloons and all the others.
I hold Sammy with Josh, Rian and Aiden behind us, Dominik and Damian by my side, Camilla, Maya and Marcus on Sammy’s side.
Thomas is taking the photo or better photos. Several of them.
We call it a night when all four bottles of champagne and one of whiskey are empty. I tried not to drink much, I always make a fool of myself.
“Here, Miss, you’re coming with me,” Dominik says and opens the passenger side door, and I sit down turning my knees forward and Dominik closes the door.
Maya, Damian and Sammy are with us. Aiden, Marcus, Rian, Camilla and Thomas are with Josh.
Seems like Thomas has temporarily glued himself to our group.
I scream Taylor Swift lyrics Dominik keeps playing on repeat on his car for me. Maya and Sammy join me shortly after I start. Damian puts on earphones, but I think he’s just blocking the screaming; he doesn’t seem to be listening to anything.
As we arrive home and it’s Camilla’s first night, I depart from Dominik and walk to the girls’ apartment to make sure there’s no murders tonight.
“So tell me juicy secrets,” Camilla says sitting on the couch Maya sits next to her, I sit next to Sammy on the other end of the sofa. “I see you have a feisty relationship with Dominik,” Camilla says and Maya shushes her.
“Don’t scare her away, it’s literally so rare to have her here,” Maya says and I laugh.
“I’m here all the time,” I say and even I know that’s an overstatement. Maya looks at me as if asking for the truth. “Fine, I’m here plenty of times,” I correct, May seems more satisfied.
“Anyway, how’s your life, Cami?” Maya asks and while Camilla gets ready to reply, Sammy prepares to leave. I try to stop her, but she shakes me away. Sammy has never shaken me away.
“Where are you going, Sammy?” I ask and Samantha looks behind opening the door.
“Visiting the devil, feel like burning in hell tonight,” Sammy says and I know the devil is Josh.
“Who’s the devil?” Camilla asks. Maya and I laugh. “You don’t know the real devil do you?”
“Lucifer himself yeah, he lives in the form of Love’s brother,” Maya replies and I just frown.
“I have to check on Sammy,” I whisper, Maya shakes her head several times.
“Sammy can take care of herself, she knows who to call if trouble arises,” Maya says as if pleading for me to stay and I do, but not before texting Dominik. His reply arrives quickly.
Me: Can you keep an eye on Sammy? She’s planning on engaging in witchcraft with Josh or something.
Dominik: Don’t worry I won’t let him sacrifice her to Satan. I will let him sacrifice myself next time you leave me alone with the boys. They’re too annoying.
Me: Everyone is annoying to you…
Dominik: Except?
Me: Except me.
Dominik: Good girl. Now dream of me, and when you wake up it might be true. ;)
I leave him on read, knowing I will pay for that later, too. But his payback is making me a fucking mess, too bad I like it.
“Do you guys sense that smell?” Camilla asks basically dragging us out of the house, gun in hand. When I see where the smell comes from, the burning flesh smell, I puke right then and there. Someone holds my hair. Kit, the personal guard assigned to me.
“Who did this, Kit?” I ask him, the brown-haired, broad-shouldered man doesn’t reply at first.
“Liot, he left a message. Thomas for our lives”