Falling Into Ruin.

What Are The Chances

[Briar’s POV]

Later, I sit at a table with Miles, a glass of beer sitting in front of me along with some appetizers that I happily nibble on while Miles recaps our time together at the academy. As promised, after he got off work, he texted me the location of a pub that wasn’t popular so that we could talk peacefully, but to my surprise, it was busier than I was expecting.

Maybe it was because a live band was playing for the evening, or it was because pool was only a dollar a game, but the place was crawling with big dudes who looked like they bullied others for funsies. However, I didn’t give a s**t about them and found myself enjoying Miles's presence and the stories he was recapping from our time together in the academy.

“...And then you told him that you’d kick his ass with your arm tied behind your back.” Miles laughs, taking a swig of his beer. “Do you know how shocked I was to hear such a thing? Especially from a tiny little creature like you.”

“And I stood behind that.” I point out, remembering the incident that led to me being called devilish kitten since everyone thought I would be easy to beat because of my height and my baby doll looks, but deep down I had the claws of a tiger. “I kicked his ass, and he never bothered me again.”

“You did,” Miles confirms with a grin. “No one wanted to step up to you after that.”

“Except you,” I point out, finishing off my drink. “Wait here; I’m going to get another.”

“Allow me,” he announces, getting up before I can. “Just stay here and don’t cause any trouble, alright? I need you in one piece for our mission next week.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I huff, relaxing in my seat.

Nodding, he heads off, and once he’s gone, I let my gaze travel along the pub around me, taking in the men that mill about smoking heavily and talking loudly. They all remind me of the men that attended the strip club I was working in, and that alone leaves me wondering if there was a chance that maybe, just maybe…

No, Briar. I hiss, realizing too late where my mind was going. How the hell could you begin to think such a thing? Remember what he promised.

Shivering, I let that dangerous bastard’s words wash over me, caressing me with their promise, and while I should be afraid. I should be totally opposed; all I want is to see if he would go through with it.

You’re a goddamn masochist, Briar. I huff, shaking off such improper thoughts and continuing my examination until my gaze comes to rest on a broad back that makes a wave of shock go through me.

“No,” I hiss, watching that back as the owner slowly begins to turn, and when that glowing golden gaze comes to rest on me, I know that I’m not overthinking. “Fuck.”

For a moment, I find the world around me disappearing as that gaze stays locked on me like a predator taking in its prey as it cowers in a corner, trapped and unable to move.

What are the chances? I think inwardly, wondering if fate was playing some type of sick joke on me. How is it possible that he’s here?

As this thought hits me, Miles returns and places a beer in front of me before taking his seat across from me, blocking out that gorgeously dangerous man so that I’m able to break free of his golden gaze.

“What’s wrong?” Miles asks, not missing the look on my face. “What’s happening?”

Having absolutely no tact, he shifts his body so he can look around the bar, taking in the patrons that go about their day, but when his gaze reaches where mine was, the man is gone, and I’m left wondering if I imagined him.

“Am I missing something?” He asks, turning back to me. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I may have,” I admit, taking a long swig of my beer. “Or maybe my imagination is running away with me.”

Frowning, Miles takes me in as if he can find what I’m talking about on my face, but when he can’t, he just shrugs and goes back to his prattling, allowing me to get lost in the words and the alcohol that I slowly drink until my head starts to get fuzzy.

“Bathroom,” I announce after my fifth, or maybe my sixth beer. “Be right back.”

Not waiting for a response, I’m getting up and then moving through the crowd until I reach the hall where others wait their turn to relieve themselves.

Sighing, I lean against the cool wall, letting it attempt to sober me up just a little as I realize that I may have overdone it after my initial scare, but it doesn’t do any good. Instead, as I lean there, I start to feel even more drunk until hot breath brushes my skin.

Eyes widening, I don’t move as a low rumble envelops me, and I know exactly who is behind me.

“What do you want?” I say quietly, my voice quaking from the anticipation and fear that I’m feeling. “And why are you so close?”

Drawing on my courage, I attempt to move before another rumble of warning reaches me, all but telling me to stay in place and not to look, and to my surprise, my body obeys it.

“Didn’t I warn you?” He asks, his voice so low I know that I’m the only one that can hear it. “I told you what would happen if you appeared in front of me again.”

“That,” I begin, but stop as his hand slides along my side and comes to rest dangerously close to the top of my pants. “I didn’t…”

“I also,” he continues, his fingers slowly venturing beneath the hem of my shirt. “Told you that you better not let another man touch you.”

Eyes widening, I realize that this crazy bastard was being serious about everything, but who was he to tell me what I could or couldn’t do?

Sure, he was capable of killing a man with his bare hands, but I wasn’t some doll that could be bossed around, and now that my shock was wearing off, my frustration was growing.

“Listen here,” I hiss, whirling around to find that the bastard’s golden gaze is directly in line with mine and his face is mere inches from mine. “I don’t take commands from others, do you…”

“Ssssshhhhh,” he warns, lifting his fingers and covering my lips. “Don’t cause a scene here, sweetheart.”

Instantly, I open my mouth, allowing that damned finger to slip between my lips and teeth so that I can bite down on it, earning myself a shocked grunt from the bastard trying to bully me.

“Oh,” he chuckles, pulling his finger free. “I forgot that this kitten has claws.”

“It’s best you remember.” I snap, straightening out and crossing my arms. “And just so you know, I didn’t intentionally appear in front of you. Anyway, aren’t you the one that appeared in front of me since I was here first?”

What are you even saying, Briar? I think inwardly, knowing that I sound like a f*****g i***t, but I was panicking.

“And if you have such a problem with what you see, don’t pay attention.” I continue. “Problem solved.”

“Are you really willing to test whether or not I mean what I say, sweetheart?” He asks, standing straight so he towers over me. “Do you think that’s such a good idea for your friend? With just a snap of my fingers, he will be dead, and you’ll be the one to blame.”

“What?” I hiss, peeking around the man to find that there are four thugs hovering too f*****g close to him. “You can’t be serious!”

“Oh, but I am.” The man smirks. “Since you went against what I said, you’re going to have to pay the consequences.”

“And what are those consequences?” I challenge, feeling my body thrum with anticipation due to the strange pull I feel to him.

“Follow me,” he orders, turning and beginning to move. “And don’t you dare attempt to run away.”

“But,” I hiss, looking longingly toward the bathroom. “I need to…”

“Come,” he growls. “I won’t repeat myself again.”