Chapter Nine
” DRAVEN
What I love most about the little shop I’m in, is the prices are all pretty decent. The one that Domonic dropped me in front of was awesome too, but way too expensive. Once I got a look at their prices, I left. Luckily, there were four other boutiques on the same portion of the block, and I would still be able to see Domonic when he returned for me.
The shops weren’t too busy, a few people straggling about, but not many. After I purchasing a few essentials, one of them being a turtleneck, I saunter outside to await Domonic’s return. When I see the curb is still empty I begin to wish I bought a watch.
Spying a little cafe across the street, I shrug and walk over, intent on waiting at one of the little tables outside.
With coffee in hand, I take a seat at one of the five stone tables and sipped my mocha greedily. A large shadow passes over me and I look up startled to see one of the guys from the bar standing over me and blocking the sun.
“You didn’t leave,” he says.
It is the blond guy. The one that was seated in the bar with Domonic yesterday when I first arrived.
“I didn’t,” I grin, crossing my legs toward him as my eyes scan the street. Where is Domonic?
He laughs, sticking his hand out for me to shake. “Paul,” he introduces himself, lifting my hand up to kiss the back of it. “May I?”
I nod, kicking one of the chairs out in front of him so that he might sit down. “Draven.”
He smiles flashing a barrel of white teeth. “I know. And might I just say, I’m glad you’re still here. We get fresh faces in this place all the time, but none of them ever stay. And yours is not only fresh, but it’s terribly beautiful.”
I have to laugh at that. So they can be charming when they want to be. I wonder what changed this one’s mind. I’d hate to think Bart and Domonic have told the entire town about what I hide behind my clothes.
“Might I ask who you’re waiting for?” Paul queries.
My eyes narrow, and my gaze travels over him with mild interest. He’s trimmer than Domonic. Not as heavily muscled. “You might ask, but I might not say.”
He chuckles, the laugh lighting up his entire face and crinkling his eyes. He’s actually pretty damn cute.
Blue eyes twinkle as he studies me, taking in my hooded sweater and then locking in on my neck. Smile faltering, he swears, “Jesus Christ.”
I put up a finger, “Don’t!”
noticed the bruises, even with my hoodie completely zipped
of his foot is shakes the table until I send
I say. “So, I just would rather forget about
looks around us as if watching for someone. “So, listen, if you
holding up my coffee. “So,
“It does.”
for the offer, but
go wide with shock.
“Yes, he did. And for that I
But Domonic – he’s different. I think he was more than just a little thrown off by your appearance yesterday. I mean – we were all expecting a dude. Domonic’s really intense most of
guy, sure. “So, what does that mean – do you all own the bar, or does it belong
all own it,
wonder they acted that way when I
Again, he studies me. “I’m sorry if it felt that why.” Leaning forward, he dips his head in
my head. “No. I was but apparently it needs to be renovated, so Domonic
His eyes narrow. “Really?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s weird,” he quips.
be shocked. “Why
rest of us not to help you. In fact, he was very clear about wanting
“Is… that…right…”
DOMONIC
changed her name. And for some reason it’s taking a while to retrieve a copy of the marriage certificate, but I should have it by tomorrow afternoon. Her mother died two years ago. The cause of death ‘undetermined’. Last known address for Draven puts her close to the beach in Miami, in a house owned by one Marvin Ryder. At first, I thought this Marvin might be her stepdaddy, but turns out he’s too young. Marvin was the owner of
“So, she’s Italian.”
“Yes, looks like it.”
real father might still be out
look into him
why she has
Rainier laughs, “What?”
still don’t want her here, but she
here – who the fuck are
placing his big Sherrif boots on my desk. “Okay, so what? A lot of girls have beautiful skin, Domonic. Yesterday you said you wanted her gone, then this morning I
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Uomru56WUaCri1TGkPPVGFfte1maI966oQ68DQH752SUVn/DM1I1VR8ugZXbuoRUJX8dvZAfzEMv07d8fug5NsL0g/84b5+YraPKCHm/EAUDh1jAU+ovp5xBeHrwHNuF3MZY/bPGLC2xVvNPsxGqszHnz8bayKfV2MBLYzfcQQSXS6eV/ZuDhG9+u254Hi9uiTi1Jp9C8cAyJ1dp2+xu964EpXd+O9HNXzovQ8mg
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