Chapter Thirteen
“Thank you,” I muttered, pressing the off button on my phone.
It had been the police. They'd called to tell me that they’d given Brandon a second warning and if he had one more, he would be taken to jail, no questions asked.
Touching the bruise on my cheek, I cringed and stepped away from the counter. I understood why so many women were killed by their ex-partners or stalkers now. The cops did fuck all.
“Everything okay?” Lydia, Gracie’s mum, went to the food counter and placed down a tray of empty cups.
Plastering a smile on my face, I nodded. “Yeah, all good.”
“Was that the author?” She busied herself putting the cups in the washer before getting out a clean one. “You sounded disappointed and you mentioned that there was a chance she would pull out.”
Searching my brain, I frowned. “Oh, no. She just texted to confirm that she can make the grand opening. I'm… just unsure whether it's a good idea. Maybe I should leave that room closed.”
It was Lydia’s turn to frown at me. She paused making the coffee and looked over her shoulder, checking who came in when the bell went. She had picked up a couple of shifts while Gracie was at school and we were fast becoming friends.
“You've put so much hard work into this place, including that room.” She passed me the freshly brewed caramel latte. “You can't get cold feet now. You just have to do a couple of TikToks to reach the dark romance girlies. I'm sure plenty will turn up.”
Sipping the hot drink, I smiled in appreciation. I hadn't known that I needed coffee… lovely sweet hot coffee. I'd not slept well the night before, tossing and turning, or dreaming of Moth and how he'd given me the best orgasm I'd ever experienced.
“I'm not sure about that, I…” My phone beeped a couple of times, so I picked it up. “…oh.”
Talking of the video app, I was being tagged, several times over. What was happening?
“Look at that photo!” Lydia exclaimed, her eyes wide as she stared at her phone. “Who is that? Oh and that one. Someone had a good time yesterday.”
She winked at me so I quickly opened the app and studied the posts. There I was, in amongst several masked men. I looked a little wide-eyed and tired… shit, I looked tired. There was Moth, bigger than the other men with his helmet on… and… my heartbeat sped up as I spotted Brandon in his balaclava.
The sick bastard stood behind me on one of the pictures, looking down at the back of my head. He even had his real knife pointed at my side, as if he were play acting. He could've stabbed me at any moment, and for some reason, he didn't. He still wanted me. No doubt he had a sick fantasy of raping me before slitting my throat.
A shudder moved my whole body as a customer came to the counter and placed a copy of Haunting Adeline in front of me. “I'd just like this, please.”
“Sorry,” I muttered, putting my phone down, “but where did you get that?”
The woman's eyebrows creased. “In the epic dark room upstairs. Why? Oh, sorry, was I not meant to go in there?”
Her face was so panicked, I put a hand on the book to somehow reassure her. “No, it's okay. I hadn't officially opened it yet, but I'm glad you like the space.”
Smiling, she did an excited wiggle. “I absolutely love it. I was going to ask when people can use it to read or have a drink? I suppose I should've guessed when all the lights were off. I might have stared at the men a little bit.”
“I know!” Lydia exclaimed. “Isn't the UV paint a genius idea?”
They giggled together, their faces lit up. Their excitement lifted my mood and I smiled with them. So, I was all over social media with my stalker, right there, ready to pounce… which he'd done… but I had to find a way to live, even if it was just until he got me. I knew that he would be coming back now that Moth had hurt him too.
“We do have an opening night next week.” I flicked my hair over my shoulder nervously. “I have been debating putting it off, but–”
“Oh no!” The women wagged her finger at me. “You must carry out your plan. I do have just one question, though”.
Nodding, I gestured for her to go on. I loved her enthusiastic energy and hoped she'd give me the courage to go for it.
“How will you police kids under eighteen?” She held up the book she was about to buy. “I wouldn't want my eight year old having any type of access to this stuff, you know?”
Opening the drawer under the counter, I raised my eyebrows and brought out the cards I'd had made. “These!” I handed her one. “This after-hours book club is members only. I tried to think of the best way to host these events and to have a safe space for readers who like the darker genre. It needed to be a space that couldn’t be encroached on by young people and the non-approval readers.”
“Oh,” she murmured, “I like! Will it cost much? Please don't think I'm being rude. I have a ton of online friends from around the town who would die for a place to speak to like-minded smut readers without being judged.”
I glanced at Lydia and shrugged. “We've been talking about it between us, but we're not actually sure.”
“Okay.” Taking out her phone, the woman pressed the screen several times. “I'm a bit of a TikTok influencer with a few BookTok followers, let's find out! If you don't mind, of course?”
Waving her to carry on, I looked at Lydia, who was now leaning on the counter, staring at our latest customer.
“My BookTok girlies,” the woman started as she held her phone up in front of her, “I'm here at The Bookworms and Brews Cafe and the owner Alia has a surprise for you.”
I held my chest as my stomach churned. Was she about to put the spotlight on me? I had always frozen when a camera was pointed in my direction, let alone a video.
“She's opening an exclusive club for the dark romance girlies.” She moved closer to the stairs and pointed at the arrow on the wall. “And let me tell you, I've seen the top secret clubroom that will be members only. You can come to read to your hearts content… and there's even a stage. Maybe we can get some sexy rock stars to play here and indulge in our fantasies.”
I gasped and bit my lip, shaking my head as the woman put a hand over her mouth in mock surprise.
“The owner has a dilemma,” the woman went on. “Firstly, would any of you actually turn up? And, secondly, how much would you lovely lot pay for access to a clubroom with books, booze and like-minded readers? And maybe I'll persuade her to do a theme-night or two. Let me know in the comments.”
Blowing a kiss, the woman ended the video and turned back to me. “Are you happy with that?”
Opening my mouth, I nodded, unable to think of what to say. She was talented and so confident in front of the camera. How did people do that?
“That was fantastic,” Lydia spoke for me. “What's your name so I can follow you?”
“Liona.” She offered her hand to Lydia and then me, grinning wildly as she waited for me to speak.
“Oh, yeah,” I said, almost stuttering. “That was incredible and so helpful. Hopefully you'll get a few replies and that'll help me decide. We've only been open a few months so I'm still catching up.”
Handing me her card, she tapped Haunting Adeline. “I'm happy to collab on your marketing. It's literally my job. I've been in a few times and enjoyed the atmosphere you've created in here, in all your areas. I just had to sneak a peek at the room marked Staff Only. It was just a sixth sense.”
“I appreciate you so much.” Picking up the book, I handed it to her. “And this is payment for helping me with the video.”
She tilted her head to the side, her gorgeous reddish-brown hair flowing over her shoulder effortlessly. “Now that's my kind of business transaction. I'll be back soon!”
As she left, Lydia stared, watching the flow of Liona's coat as it fanned out behind her. I stared too, mesmerised by her presence. If her post worked, I would have no choice but to go ahead with the dark romance themed room.
“Oh!” Lydia suddenly grabbed up her phone. “I'm going to comment on all of those photos from yesterday, inviting everyone to follow our TikTok for info on a private dark romance membership and book club.”
Licking my lips, I wrung my hands together. If Brandon saw what we were doing, would he turn up? I'd have security on the door and insist that all ID gets checked. I'd even consider asking a cop to patrol outside to deter Brandon from coming close. I also had to think of Moth.
I hadn't heard from him since he'd left the day before. Our talk had played out in my mind, over and over. Would he tell the police about what I'd said? They would have grounds to arrest me for manslaughter, even though I hadn't told the whole truth about the events of that day.
Or would he exact his revenge now that he thought he knew the truth? He'd threatened me all those years ago and I could still feel the hatred radiating from him, even when he'd fucked me.
“Sounds good, although I'm terrible at social media.” I came out from behind the counter and headed towards the stairs. “I just need to go and tidy up upstairs and lock the room so no one else can get in there.”
Lydia was distracted by her phone, so I left her to it, smiling at a customer who was reading The Hobbit in the fantasy section. The way he lounged and sipped on his tea was the epitome of what I'd hoped to achieve. Somewhere for readers to feel comfortable to get lost in a book.
My palms were damp as I checked the contemp room, smiling at the small group of women who were discussing the book they'd been reading that week. A couple of small children played in the corner with the toys I'd provided, keeping quiet while their mothers did something for themselves.
“Everything okay in here?” I asked as I cleared a table of two coffee cups. “Can I get you anything?”
They shook their heads and smiled, too engrossed in their discussion to do much else. I waved at the kids as I left, going to the forbidden door – that was the new name I had for it – and slipping into the room. I had assumed that the Staff Only sign on the door would've been enough to stop anyone from entering. However, a keen eye would notice, through the sliver of glass above the door, a UV light. What sort of staff room would have a light like that?
Smiling to myself, I placed the coffee cups on the nearest table and shut the door behind me. The dark space had no windows, hence why there was always a light on. The bar was finished now, the black wood carved into dark flames.The shelves behind it were slowly filling with different alcohol bottles and mixers. The stage was as black and rustic as it was going to get. My vision was almost complete. I just had to have the readers in the room, bringing it life.
Sitting down, I opened my phone and baulked at the amount of mentions I was getting. Not only from the readers who were at the con, but Liona had posted her video, and already, lots of opinions were coming in.
“Shitting hell.” I rubbed my face and put my phone down, only to pick it up when it started ringing a second later.
Staring at the name Moth on the screen, I inhaled sharply before answering. “Hello?”
It was law to answer a man’s call as if I didn't already know who was on the other end of the line. I couldn't be seen as feeling any type of way about Moth calling. It was easier to make him take the first move.
“Your bastard ex attacked me last night.” His voice was thunderous, booming down the phone. “He's now on my hit list.”
I gripped the edge of the table and sat forward, my heart thundering like his voice. “Did he hurt you?”
“No,” he barked, “but he broke Fly's leg. I swear, Alia, you better give me his address or I won't be responsible for my actions.”
My knuckles were white as I squeezed the wood between my fingers. I knew exactly where Brandon lived, but I didn't want to be implicated in anything Moth did.
“Aliaaaa…” His tone was sing song as if he knew what I was thinking. “You won't be involved… unless you want to be.”
A jolt of confusion burst through me as my pussy clenched and a thrill ran down my spine. Did my body just respond to his darkness?
“You better come here.” I sighed. “I won't tell you over the phone.”
“Ggrr..” He sounded on the edge, too on the edge. “Fine. I'll be at the shop soon. I'm assuming that's where you are?”
Clearing my throat, I closed my eyes. I didn't want to bring his shit to my business doorstep, but I also didn't want to be alone in my house with him again, especially when he was in such a volatile mood.
“Yeah,” I replied before he got even more agitated with me. “I'm closing in two hours, then you–”
“Fuck that, Alia,” he interrupted, “I just visited my best friend, who could lose his fucking leg. I'm coming now.”
The line went dead and I stood, looking around the room. If he stormed into the shop, his anger would permeate everything and everyone. How could I stop him from harming what I'd worked so hard for?
There was a knock on the door and I jumped, quickly opening it. Lydia stood on the other side. Part of me had expected Moth to be standing there, however stupid that seemed. When stalkers were a part of your life, it was common to expect the unexpected.
“I'm going to pop to the shop, we're low on milk.” Lydia zipped up her jacket. “Did you see the responses? I think you're going to have a hell of a crowd on opening night.”
Smiling, I tried not to show my overwhelm, instead holding up my phone and nodding like a lunatic. “I can't believe it.”
“We need to get Liona on our team.” She started down the stairs as I followed her. “She's clearly got a good following and is a natural in front of the camera.”
“Unlike me,” I quipped, forcefully laughing.
“And me!” Lydia waited until we'd reached the bottom of the stairs and then turned to me. “But we can do this. All of it. You have my full support… and Gracie's too.”
Genuinely smiling this time, I threw my arms around her and squeezed. She yelped and hugged me back, laughing when I pulled away.
“Thank you.” I couldn't confide in her about anything going on in my life, but having her there for me with the shop meant everything. She was the only person I could trust.
Waving me away, she turned and left, blowing me playful kisses as she walked out of the front door. The bell rang and I hugged myself. The sadness of the realisation that I only had one person to trust dropped my mood like a bomb. Although my parents were amazing, they were so different to me, and so traumatised by my brother’s death, they'd withdrawn, leaving me to get on with my life. I was having to make it on my own right now.
Moth came into my mind and I retreated to the sales counter. Lydia wouldn't take long to get the milk, which wasn't a bad thing, I needed someone else to look after the shop while I spoke to Moth. I just hoped she wouldn't ask too many questions about him.
Hovering by the counter, I read all the comments on Liona's video, pleased to see that there was a consensus of yeses when it came to paying for the membership. I hadn't really wanted to make people pay to come to the shop, but the dark romance theme meant it would be easier to control.
I jumped when there was a knock on the door behind me. Moth's helmet showed through the misted glass so I yanked it open and ushered him inside.
“Go up to the dark room,” I ordered him, “I'll join you when my assistant gets back in a minute.”
He strode through the counters, grunting in reply to my direction. I watched as he approached the stairs, not even looking back towards me or acknowledging the customers who sat reading. They glanced at him, their eyebrows raising as he disappeared.
Lydia thrust through the front door, ringing the faithful bell, which always grounded me. I wasn't sure whether to tell her that Moth was upstairs or whether to keep him a secret. In the mood he was in, he probably wouldn't wait for the shop to close before leaving, which meant I had to be honest with my new friend.
“Lydia, I've got someone upstairs who wants to talk about the club.” Searching my brain, I clasped my hands together. “A performer who apparently wants to take part in opening night. Are you okay down here while I deal with him?”
“Of course!” Gesturing for me to go, Lydia manoeuvred to the counter with her bags of milk. “Go, go. Everything's covered down here.”
Going to the stairs, I rushed up them and went into the clubroom, closing the door behind me. I didn’t lock it, just in case Moth lost his shit and crossed me off his hit list, once and for all.
He was on the dancefloor, pacing back and forth. I approached slowly, stopping between two tables in order to have something to hide behind.
“What happened?” I asked, shrinking back when he yanked off his helmet and threw it across the floor.
The moth was highlighted in the spotlight as the fibre glass crashed into the wall. Luckily, it held its frame, only coming away with a scratch or two.
Stepping closer, Moth pointed at me, jerking his hand back and forth to punctuate every word. “Your cunt of an ex drove to the bridge, where Fly and I were talking about our fucking oath and drove at me. Fly, being the fucking saviour that he is…” He dropped his hand and bunched it into a fist. “… tried to stop Brandon, but he got pulled under the car.”
“How did Brandon know where you were?” I covered my mouth with my hand. “And why would he drive at you unprovoked?”
The corner of Moth's lips quirked into his cheek for a brief second. Had he just smirked?
“I may have told him that I fucked you.” A chuckle broke the intense mood, but I didn't laugh.
“Are you fucking mad?”
He frowned at me, the mock hilarity quickly vanishing. “I couldn't resist. Anyway, I'm not here to play nice. Tell me where he lives. I'm going to go and kill him now. If you want to come, I won't stop you. As long as you're a good girl and give me the information I need.”
“Moth?” My hands shook as I stretched them towards him. “You need to think rationally. As much as I'd like to see Brandon brought to his knees, I can't support your plan.”
He took a step towards me as he scratched his stubbled jaw. My heart fluttered and I retreated, just two steps back. He was barely holding on, his temper bubbling under the surface.
I was stuck in a room with him… and he expected me to aid in a fucking murder?
“Alia.” His gruff voice slipped over my skin, enticing me to comply. “I'm not asking you to support me. I just need his address.”
“Think of Fly.”
He snarled and strode towards me, his hands opening and closing at his side. The tightness of his jaw and the way his leather clung to his tense muscles gave him an air of danger that I'd never felt from him before.
Clearing his throat, he stopped when I went towards the far wall, just to keep some distance. I could've screamed for Lydia, but I didn't want my new friendship ruined before it had properly begun. As fired up as Moth was, I trusted that he wouldn't actually slaughter me in the middle of the day with no way to escape without being caught.
“Fly is currently in surgery,” he bit through his clenched teeth as he followed me, moving a chair out of his way, “and he may come out without his fucking leg. He's a biker, a musician and a man so loyal, he would die before letting a loved one fall. He deserves vengeance. Now.”
Holding my hands up as I scooted onto the dancefloor and backed towards the wall, I tried to reason with him. The glint in his eye, the darkness that rolled from him, literally sent tingles over me. No, I couldn't be attracted to the man who was backing me into a corner.
“I won't deny you that.” I stepped in front of the stage as he came to the side of the dancefloor, his footsteps calculated, but purposeful.
He was giving me a moment, but he would get exactly what he wanted, no matter what it took.
“Just not right now,” I muttered.
He growled and ran for me.
My heartbeat tripled as I rushed across the dancefloor towards the bar. He caught my arm, wrenched me round and pushed me against the hard surface, pinning me with his bulk.
“Alia,” he muttered, bringing his head down so his lips were against my ear. A shudder vibrated through me and he inhaled sharply. His fingers came around my neck, resting gently on my throat. “Don't push me. I need this.”
Shaking my head, I reached for his arm, holding onto it tightly. “Let's release all this tension first,” I whispered, not quite sure what the fuck I was doing. “Please.”
My free hand cupped his crotch and he instantly got hard, his cock pressing into my palm.
“What the fuck are you doing?” His throat was tight, his voice strained as he spoke into my ear. “You're playing with fire… but this time, you will get burned.”
His hand tightened on my neck and I tried to suck air into my lungs. The pressure flooded my pussy and I reached up to his waistband, undoing the fly and digging my hand into his briefs. The heat of his hard cock warmed my hand and I moaned as the pressure in my head intensified.
He thrust against me and released his fingers slightly, allowing me some oxygen. I gasped as I worked him, sliding my palm up and down the length of him. He moaned and buried his head in my neck, sniffing my hair.
“I suppose this is your way of getting me back?” he muttered. “For taking you a little dubiously.”
At least this time he was allowing me to lead the way. I had to calm him down and he was right, it was my turn to take what I wanted.
His hands came up and stroked my sides as I clenched him tight, flicking my fingers over the top of his foreskin, stretching it back down again.
“Fuck!” He gripped me tight and picked me up, pushing me to lay back lengthways on the bar.
I tried to reach for him, but he batted my hand away and tugged my skirt up, moving my thong to the side. I bit my lip as he shoved his jeans and briefs down his legs, his jaw clenched tightly and his cock so swollen, it looked ready to burst.
“Open your legs so I can get to your pussy,” he barked, his anger still brimming beneath the surface.
I spread my legs, revealing how sopping wet and ready I was. He was dark, he was dangerous, but fuck me, he was hot.
Running a hand up and over his cock, he came closer, hitched one of my legs in the air with a hand under my thigh and positioned himself at my entrance. “This is going to hurt, Sunshine,” he muttered, “so you better hold on.”
Resting my head back on the bar, I held either side of the surface and surrendered. My whole body hummed as he grabbed hold of the opposite shoulder to my leg and thrust himself deep. I gasped, my whole body shunting against the wood as he instantly pulled out and pushed back in again. My pussy sucked on his cock as it dragged back and forth, so violently, I banged my head on the bar. And yet, I clutched on hard, moaning under my breath. The idea that someone could walk in on us only heightened the excitement.
I opened my eyes as the pleasure grew, my gaze clashing with his as he gritted his teeth. His pounding jolted me, and I loved it, savoured it. Licking my lips, I stared at him, showing him that I was completely surrendered to his cock as it pounded me. Something snapped even more in him and he sped up, pushing into me as hard as he could. My thighs screamed as my orgasm exploded from me, sending my head back and my mouth stretching open in a silent shout.
I was so wrapped up in my own pleasure, I didn’t even feel him cum. He held me tight so I didn’t fall, only relaxing his grip when my body started to soften. He was still buried in me, breathing hard and fast.
“I have a plan regarding Brandon,” I huffed as he pulled out and tucked himself away. “Let's work together on it so you can still go about your hit list and oath or whatever you have going on.”
He scowled and stepped away. “You have no business knowing about that. I wasn't thinking straight, I–”
Getting up, I righted my clothes before going to him and placing a hand on his chest, almost thumping it directly in the middle with my palm. “Let's not ruin a perfectly good orgasm.” I grinned at him. “We'll figure out our revenge plan together. Like Bonnie and Clyde.”
Scoffing, he backed away from me and went to retrieve his helmet. I appreciated the tightness of his butt as he bent, his jeans hugging in all the right places. When he straightened, he sighed loudly before turning to look at me.
“Don't confuse…” He pointed between us. “…this …with something more than it is.”
My skin turned to ice and I hugged myself, shaking my head at the same time. “Don't be fucking stupid,” I replied, trying to hide the shake of my voice. “This was just a way to stop you from doing something outrageous.”
His sneer marred his handsome face and I turned away, making sure that my clothes were straight and my hair wasn't too messy. My fingers got caught in the knotted strands as I breathed hard, suddenly realising that I really was playing with fire.
I went still when his hand gripped mine and detangled my fingers from a knot in my hair. I stayed facing the bar, not able to look into his eyes. I hadn't been completely honest, something had blossomed inside me as he'd laid me on the bar and taken me, even though it had been rough.
“Don't get me wrong,” he whispered in my ear, “I enjoy fucking you, a little too much. But…” He inhaled sharply as he leant his hips into my butt. “…I still hate what you did… and I can never…” He moved my hair from my neck and put his mouth next to my ear. “…love. I'm too damaged, too numb.”
Opening my mouth, I went to reply, but the rush of air as he moved away snapped it shut. I didn't want him to fall in love with me. Why would he think such a thing? I spun to ask him, but he was striding off so fast, he was already near the exit.
Turning as he grabbed the handle of the door, he stared coldly. “I'll come to yours tomorrow first thing to arrange what we're going to do. No more distracting me or I will have to take you out of the equation.”
Not bothering to reply, I swallowed as he shut the door behind him. Being around him was like being on a fucking rollercoaster, literally. We'd fucked twice, despite our vast differences, but it wasn't thawing his hatred against me. He was clearly more fucked up than I'd ever imagined. Still, I had managed to calm him before he did anything crazy. I still stood by my reason for calming that beast within him. Brandon was an arsehole, no doubt. However, making him suffer in jail was going to do much more damage than getting rid of him permanently. He deserved to suffer, just like I had.
And if Moth didn't like my plan, he could go suck on his own cock. I wasn't about to let him take my revenge away from me, when he'd only just met the bastard.
Today, it was Alia 1 Moth 0.