Chapter 7 #2
“I don’t know about that, but I did enjoy having your scent caressing my skin.” As soon as the words tripped from my mouth, I managed to press my hand against my lips before laughing. He seemed as surprised by what I’d said as I was in realizing I’d admitted how much he’d affected me.
“Well, then I guess you’ll need to keep it.”
“I’m glad you made the offer. I might have slipped the jersey into my purse.”
His laugh was so genuine, so entirely different than the darkness overshadowing him the night before. “Maybe I’ll have the opportunity to see you in it again.”
Mmm… The thought gave me shivers.
The awkwardness continued until he finally grabbed his keys. As with all delicious dreams or fantasies, they had to come to an end.
He nodded toward the door and I took his lead.
Once inside his car, I tried to think about what I could say to him. For all the songs I’d written in my life, all the melodies carrying me through every emotion, there were no words of phrases that came to mind.
Maybe I’d try to use music to entice the random thoughts about what we’d shared.
He knew where I lived, not needing a GPS or asking me any questions. It was obvious he’d arranged everything about my residency. I took some comfort in that, especially since the accommodations had been so elegant.
As soon as he pulled into the driveway, I felt an odd sense of loss. It was just one night. That was it and here I was pining away for something that could never be.
“Thank you for last night.”
“I don’t usually have women thanking me for sex.” I could tell he was trying to lighten the mood but seconds later, he scrubbed the stubble on his jaw. “I’m not very good with small talk, Lainey. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry. Another secret safe with me. And I was thanking you for protecting me. Only my father has done everything in his power to protect me. I’ll see you tomorrow at the party.”
“Hold on. I’m walking you inside.”
“You don’t need to. I’m perfectly safe. There’s an alarm system. Remember?”
He tossed me a look as he unfastened his seatbelt. “Full-service date.”
“Ah, okay.” My reactions were silly, as if I was a high school girl on a first date, Daddy waiting just inside to ensure the boy didn’t dare kiss me. When we were at the door, a strange tingling suddenly flowed through me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Just an odd feeling.”
Sasha grabbed the keys from my hand, immediately unlocking the door. “Stay here.”
“What’s going to happen? It’s broad daylight outside.”
“I said. Stay right here. I’m going to check it out.”
“Do you need the security code?”
His look was totally commanding. “I know everything.”
“You do, huh? I’ll keep that in mind.”
After he walked inside, I stood where I was for a few seconds but couldn’t stand the wait, so I pushed the door open. There was nothing out of place in the foyer, but the tickling sensations remained. I moved further inside and as soon as I stepped foot in the living room, I gasped.
“I told you to stay outside.” His command was more of a bark, but I knew why.
The house had been ransacked. A chair was flipped over, blinds torn from the window. There were pillows strewn everywhere, their stuffing ripped as if the fabric had been slashed by a knife. Even pictures had been tossed across the room, glass shattering everywhere.
Horrified, I was silenced as the ugliness settled in.
“Who would do this?” My whisper was hoarse. I knew the answer.
Exhaling, he gave me another commanding look and that’s when I realized he had a weapon in his hand. It finally hit me completely who and what he was.
Bratva.
Organized crime.
He moved quickly, heading into the kitchen first while I slowly trailed behind.
His silence was as unnerving as what I was facing.
The kitchen was a disaster, plates smashed.
Glasses broken. The refrigerator door had been left open, food tossed violently, spaghetti sauce covering one wall in crimson strings like blood from a horrific murder.
“My God.”
“This was personal,” he said.
Finally, I broke away, my entire body numb as I headed into the bedroom, knowing what I would find.
Clothes had been pulled from the closet, ripped or cut to ribbons.
Dresser drawers were broken, the contents strewn everywhere.
It wasn’t the loss of my things that bothered me.
It was the writing on the wall over my bed that captured my attention and almost pushed me into a panic attack.
The letters were bold, blocky, and painted in red.
Also, like blood.
BITCH
I was still trembling, staring at the wall when I felt the heat of Sasha’s body from the hand he placed on the small of my back.
“Damien,” he hissed. “The motherfucker is going to…” He took and held a deep breath instead of finishing the sentence, but I could tell by his body’s electric vibrations his intent.
And in my heart, I wanted the heartless pig crushed like a bug.
“I can’t believe he’d do something like this.”
“You’re not staying here. I’ll take you to my hotel where you’ll have round-the-clock protection. Do not argue with me.”
I almost asked him why I couldn’t stay with him, but I knew why. He had business to handle and even thought I only knew a little about him, I knew that included hunting down the person responsible.
And the crazy thing?
I wanted him to do so. I would be right there like a cheerleader once the culprit was found. Even though I already knew in my heart Damien was responsible. Why would he do something so horrible? Did he hate me that much?
Or was it all about jealousy? He’d once told me no man would ever touch me again. Well, too bad, buddy. He was the one who would never touch me.
Anger boiled inside and I had to fight to keep from reacting in a tantrum. “What a bastard.”
“Yes, he is,” Sasha said quietly. “Don’t worry, little butterfly. He’ll be taught a lesson. Why don’t you see if there’s anything you want to bring with you. I’ll make arrangements for your items to be replaced and the house cleaned. You won’t have to worry about anything.”
For whatever crazy reason, I felt safer with him than I had at any other time in my life.
After all the songs I’d written about there being no heroes, I realized I was wrong.