Chapter 4- "The Line We Crossed"
1231 Words
(Dominic’s POV)
Suddenly, she shoved at my chest, panting.
"We can’t," she gasped. "Not here."
"Give me one reason," I hissed, pursuing her mouth again.
She buried her head, breathing hard. "Because this isn’t real."
I froze.
Her words smacked like freezing water.
I pulled back, letting her slip down until her feet reached the floor.
Her outfit was crumpled. Her lipstick was smudged. Her eyes were glazed with emotion.
"You think this isn’t real?" I inquired, voice low and menacing.
She paused.
"Tell me," I urged. "Tell me this doesn’t mean anything to you."
She opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Swallowed hard.
"It’s complicated," she muttered.
"No," I answered, going closer again. "It’s simple. You desire me. I want you. And it terrifies you."
Her hands trembled as she pulled her hair back. "You’re my enemy."
"And you’re my obsession," I snapped.
Silence.
We gazed at each other, breathing hard.
"I don’t know how to want you and hate you at the same time," she said finally, voice shaking.
"You don’t have to choose," I said. "I’ll take it all."
She laughed cruelly. "You’re insane."
I touched her face, softer now. "Maybe. But you’re the only thing that makes me feel sane."
She closed her eyes, leaning into my contact for one heartbeat.
One frail second.
And suddenly the phone in my pocket vibrated, ruining the moment.
I cursed and took it out.
A single text.
Unknown Number: Blackwell knows. Get her out. Now.
My blood turned to ice.
Sienna noticed the look on my face and tensed. "What is it?"
"No time." I took her hand. "We have to move."
"Dominic—"
"Now, Sienna."
I wrenched open the door and pulled her into the dark corridor.
The music outside was louder now, rougher.
The audience had changed. I could sense it in the air.
Something was wrong.
Very incorrect.
We slid into the shadows, aiming for the rear exit.
Halfway there, a person stepped into our path.
Victor Blackwell.
Blocking the door.
He grinned coldly. "Leaving so soon?"
I went in front of Sienna, sheltering her.
"We're done here, Blackwell," I remarked, voice deadly calm.
Victor inclined his head, amused. "Funny. I don't recall dismissing you."
Sienna tightened behind me.
I gripped her hand. Stay calm.
Victor’s thugs emerged out of the shadows.
Two. Maybe three.
I could take them.
But not without getting Sienna injured.
I needed a diversion.
Victor's gaze glided across Sienna like a razor. "You picked a pretty one this time."
Rage shot through me.
Before I could move, Sienna came forward, chin high.
"Careful," she whispered pleasantly. "Your jealousy is showing."
Victor chuckled, thrilled. "Oh, I like her."
"You won’t like what happens if you touch her," I added.
He grinned wider. "I think I'll risk it."
He lunged.
Sienna gasped.
I moved quicker.
In a haze, I threw my fist into Victor’s face.
He stumbled back, yelling.
I took Sienna’s hand and bolted.
Gunshots crackled behind us.
The audience yelled.
We tore through the rear exit into the alley.
"Get in!" I yelled, yanking open a black SUV’s door.
Sienna hurried inside. I got in after her and shouted, "Drive!"
The driver sped off, tires roaring.
My heart thundered.
Sienna was shivering beside me.
I drew her to my chest.
"You’re safe," I whispered. "You’re safe."
"For now," she muttered.
I pulled back to look at her.
There was something in her eyes.
Fear.
Anger.
And something else.
Determination.
"What are you thinking?" I questioned.
She raised her chin. "That I’m tired of being used."
My stomach twisted.
"I’m not using you," I stated harshly.
"Then tell me the truth," she urged. "All of it."
I hesitated.
One second too long.
She saw it.
"You're lying to me," she replied, voice flat.
I grasped her shoulders. "Listen to me. I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?" she yelled. "Victor? Blackwell? Or you?"
The automobile screamed around a turn.
I gazed at her, hurting.
"I never wanted to hurt you," I said.
She laughed, broken. "Funny. Because it sure as hell seems like you already have."
I opened my mouth—
And the SUV crashed to a stop.
The driver turned pale.
"We have company."
I looked up.
A dark vehicle was blocking the road.
Armed guys spilled out, weapons raised.
Sienna’s hand found mine, clutching firmly.
"Dominic..." she whispered.
"I know," I answered.
I groped for the pistol hiding in my jacket.
And grinned grimly.
"This is what happens when you fall for a monster, sweetheart."
I kicked open the door—
And rushed right into hell.
"If you keep looking at me like that, Dominic, I'm going to start believing you're not the monster they warned me about."
The words came from my mouth before I could stop them.
He didn’t grin. He didn’t even blink.
Dominic’s palm clenched the steering wheel so firmly his knuckles turned white.
"I never said I wasn’t a monster," he remarked rudely. "But I'd burn this whole city down before I let them hurt you."
I glanced at him, pulse pumping.
Why did the most dangerous man in the room make me feel safer than anybody else?
The SUV rushed through the dark city streets, headlights piercing through the darkness.
My head said run.
My heart whispered.
And my body?
It had already made up its mind the instant Dominic kissed me.
"I should hate you," I muttered.
His jaw stiffened. "You do."
I shook my head slowly. "No, Dominic. That’s the problem. I don’t."
He pressed the brakes without warning.
The SUV slid to a stop in an empty parking lot.
Before I could respond, he turned to me, seized my face in his muscular hands, and slammed his mouth to mine.
It wasn’t soft.
It wasn’t sweet.
It was raw. Fierce. Dangerous.
I kissed him back like I was drowning.
Because maybe I was.
Maybe I wanted to drown.
When he finally drew away, we were both breathing hard.
Dominic’s forehead rested on mine. "You’re going to be the death of me, Sienna."
I gazed up at him, bewildered. "Better me than Blackwell."
He gave out a weak laugh and lowered his hands, resting back in the seat.
"I need you to listen," he whispered, his voice low and anxious. "Things are moving quicker than I intended. After tonight... there’s no turning back."
I swallowed hard. "I’m already in too deep, aren't I?"
"You have no idea," he added bitterly.
Then he hesitated, scrutinizing my face.
"You trust me?" he murmured, so quietly it almost shattered me.
I didn’t even hesitate.
"I trust you."
The truth weighed heavily between us.
I didn’t know if it would rescue me—or ruin me.
Maybe both.
The door opened unexpectedly.
Dominic's driver, Ethan, stuck his head in.
Late twenties. Sharp brown eyes. Tattoo peeping from his collar.
"Sir," he said, nervous. "We have company."
Dominic swore under his breath and pulled out his revolver.
"Stay close to me," he urged.
My mouth got dry. "What's happening?"
Before he could answer, glass broke.
Bullets tore through the SUV windows.
I shouted and dove as Dominic flung himself over me, protecting me with his body.
"Move! Now!" he screamed at Ethan.
The door was wrenched open.
Dominic hauled me out, never letting go of my hand.
We fled across the parking lot as gunshots burst around us.
- Writer
