Water shut off from the bathroom. He must be taking a shower. Heat rushed to her cheeks just thinking about those lucky beads of water trailing off his skin. The door opened, and Dominic came out dressed in some low-riding sweat pants. His muscular chest was bare as he towel dried his gorgeous hair. She dropped her gaze to the food. It was a toss-up as to which sight caused her to drool more.
“Eat.” Dominic was a man of few words, but he always managed to get his point across, or it seemed to as far as she was concerned. He smelled so clean and fresh. She pulled her hair back and tried to smooth the wrinkles from her pants.
“Sit.” Dom pulled a chair. The table and chairs were stunning. Simply made, but impeccably crafted. Her finger slid along the wood. It was flawless and smooth.
“Did you make this?”
He just nodded and placed a plate in front of her and one for himself. It was heaped high with some biscuits and gravy, eggs, and bacon. There was enough for an army of lumberjacks, yet it went down easy. Her opinion of Dominic had changed since yesterday. The man was many layers, not one dimensional. They ate in silence. She didn’t want to revisit what happened last night, and luckily, he didn’t press.
“Madison sent a message. She’ll be here any minute with your purse and can take you home and to work. They’re still working on your car.”
“Thanks.” Stephanie ran her fingers through the tangles in her hair. “I must look a mess.”
“I think you look beautiful,” Dom admitted before turning his attention back to the food. The rest of the meal was spent in silence, but Stephanie kept hearing it over and over in her head. Dominic Scarlatti was a man of few words, but when he said something, he meant it.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Are you sure you’re fine being left alone today?” Madison had been a mother hen ever since she’d picked her up at Dominic’s place. Her boss dropped her off at her place and waited while she showered and changed. “I can cancel our getaway.” They had just arrived at the bridal store and parked in the back.
“No, I’ll be fine. You’ve been waiting forever to get some time away with your man, even if it is just for one night.” It killed her to say it, but the last thing she wanted to do was cause more trouble and suspicion. “Dominic said the guy was fine and already left town. End of story.”
“When we have more time, I want to hear more about you and Dom. Alone at his cabin all night.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
“Nothing happened. I fell asleep on the couch, and that was it.”
“Sure. You can tell me more some other time.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” Stephanie gathered her purse and lunch bucket.
“Yeah. Well, I still can’t believe Roman questioned you, but he was just trying to help. You know you can count on us for anything you need.”
“I know. Now, please. Don’t worry about me. Just go and have fun.” She hugged her quick and then got out of the vehicle before Madison could ask her more. After unlocking the back door, she turned and waved. She watched as Madison put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the lot.
Stephanie quickly locked the door behind her. It was stupid to still be worried. It probably wasn’t the guy she thought it was anyway. He wouldn’t have just left town if he was. Still, she was on alert the rest of the day. Roman had put security cameras in the shop when Madison still worked there. They were still there, just not turned on. There wasn’t much chance of anything happening there now, but she did have a panic button by the cash register.
The day went by at a steady pace. She had a few new spring brides stop in, as well as high schooler girls and their moms shopping for prom dresses. Madison called in the middle of the day to make sure she was fine and to let her know Dom would be over with her car later. As if she wasn’t nervous enough as it was, now she had to worry about seeing him again.
It was hard to concentrate on work when all she could think about was how he looked coming out of that shower. Even though she woke up alone on the couch, she knew she hadn’t started out that way. His scent was still there, locked in her brain. The heat of his skin still imprinted on hers. It was a disappointment when some guy named Jasper, another man that worked for Roman, dropped off her car in the back.
Finally, the work day was over. Stephanie flipped the open sign to closed and collapsed against the front door after she locked it. All day long she wished for it to be over, but now she had nothing to look forward to except going home to her empty place. They wouldn’t mind if she went over and volunteered at the arts center, but that would just postpone the sadness and loneliness. It hadn’t always been like that. A stormy night so long ago took everything away and changed her life forever.
After cashing out the till, she grabbed her purse and turned off the lights. Her shoulders slumped, and a frown formed on her lips. Her hand was on the knob of the back door when it came crashing against her. The impact knocked her against the wall and onto the floor. What the hell? When the cobwebs cleared in her mind, shock knocked her for another loop. It was him. The biker she’d hit with her car. She didn’t know his name, just that he’d been there at the scene of the crime. The turbulent night that had changed her life forever. His crazy mustache was hard to miss. The badge on his cut said he was named Handlebar. It fit. He was just as guilty and horrible as all the rest of them and just as dangerous. More so because he knew she was here. That she was alive. That she was a threat to them all.
“Well, look who we have here.” The guy shut the door behind him, and she took the chance to scramble to her feet and run into the main room. If she could just get to the panic button, help would be on its way. She was close, but it wasn’t meant to be. Handlebar grabbed her arm and threw her in a nearby chair. “Going somewhere?”
“Yes, home. Someone is expecting me. If I’m not there soon, they’ll come looking for me.” How she wished that was true. She didn’t even have a dog.
“Wrong answer. We both know that’s not true.” He balled his fists. “I did some asking around. You live by yourself. Don’t date. Keep to yourself.”
Is that all she was? It seemed to be her life in a nutshell. He was one of the reasons that she existed that way and didn’t want to draw attention. “I thought you left town.”
“I did, but then I came back. Had to make sure it was you. There’s a huge reward out for you, girlie. If you hadn’t broken my phone in the crash, I could have just taken a picture of you and called for reinforcements. Now I’ll just have to bring you back.” He cracked his knuckles.
“I’m not going back,” she hissed. “Ever.”
“You don’t have a choice in the matter.” The man got in her face. An odor of sweat and unwashed clothes stung her eyes.
From what she remembered, the guy was just a member of the crew, not a high-ranking member. “Why are you here?” Were there more in the area looking for her? She’d been so careful.
“Like I told the guy in a suit that came to my hospital room, I’m looking to start a chapter here.” The guy had to be around forty. He looked as out of place in the bridal shop as a man from outer space. “Was that a friend of yours?”
“Could be?” There was no way she wanted anyone she knew here involved in this mess.
“Too bad you won’t have a chance to say goodbye to anyone.”
“You can’t take me back. I’ll be killed.” Or worse.
“Bitch, you tried to kill me with your car. Do I look like I give a damn what happens to you? Hell, it’s a long way back. Hard to tell what kind of condition you’ll be in by the time we get to California.”
“I’m not going back there.” She ground out every word.
“Yes, you will. You scratched up my bike, and I want the money.” The guy twirled around one of those long chains that connected his wallet to his belt.
“I can get you money. Just go away and don’t say anything,” she pleaded. Her hands were together, as in prayer.
“You don’t have that much cash.” He strolled ove
r and stood in front of her.
“Please.” Her lower lip poked out.
“I love it when a woman begs.” His eyes narrowed, and he reached out to grab a chunk of her hair. “Maybe we can have a little fun before I give you up.”
“Never.” She spit in his face, rose up, and kneed him in the groin. He’d been expecting it and moved at the last second. With all her might, Stephanie shoved him away, but he still had a grip on her hair, and he pulled her with him. Handlebar tripped on the leg of a table, and his hand let loose as he braced himself for the fall. Now was her chance to get behind the counter and hit the button.
A hand locked around her ankle. She lurched to the floor. The carpet burned her face as she was pulled back inch by inch. Stephanie was flipped over, and Handlebar landed on top of her. If she survived, her body would be black and blue from head to toe.
“Well, look what I got here.” His hot breath made her gag. With her free hand, she pushed at his face with all her might.
“Let go of me.” He slapped her across the face, and she saw stars. His hand locked on her wrists like handcuffs, and she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe with his full two hundred plus pounds pressing down on her. Stephanie gasped for air as the room went in and out of focus. Would he just kill her now and be done with it? Had all this been for nothing? Her thoughts turned to Dominic. She’d admired him from afar and yet never had the guts to act on it. Would it have been so bad to have acted on her desires? Now she would probably die without ever getting a kiss.
CHAPTER SIX
Stephanie
Her head swayed. The man didn’t need to choke her. She was suffocating just from his weight. Who would find her? Was he just waiting for her to pass out so she’d go willingly?
All of a sudden, the heavy bulk was gone. Stephanie rolled onto her side. She coughed and drew in short, deep breaths. Trying to rise, all she managed was to get her back against the register counter. Stephanie wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. Her lips hurt like hell, and there was blood on the back of her hand.
Hearing a scuffle, she glanced up to see Dominic with Handlebar in a headlock. Both of their gazes were directed at her. Both of them exerted power like they were wrestling in a cage match—Handlebar to get free, and Dominic to keep him under his control. Dominic was here. He’d come and saved her.
“Is this the man you hit?” Dominic gritted his teeth. “Is it?” he snarled.
“Yes.” With her back to the counter, she slid her way to standing.
“Did he do that to your face?” Handlebar swung his body back and forth like a fish trying to get back into the water.
“Yes.” Her fingers touched her cheek, and it hurt like hell. She quelled the urge to cry out.
“Are you hiding from him?” Dominic seemed determined to get to the bottom of things. “Tell me.” He was furious, yet stunning in his anger. Was he mad at her or the guy in his control?
“Yes, him and others in his gang. I can’t tell you anymore. It’s for your protection and the whole town’s.” It was tough to admit, but she didn’t have a choice.
Dominic cursed in Italian and tightened his grip around the man’s neck. Sweat dotted his forehead, and veins popped on his forearms.
“Get off me. She’s crazy. Bitch tried to run me over,” Handlebar screamed, kicking Dom in the shin.
“Do you want him dead?” Dominic tightened his arm around the man’s throat.
“What?” Her mouth dropped open. Did she hear him right? Stephanie turned her head to the side but still kept her eyes on his.
“Stephanie?” Dominic was breathing hard as was Handlebar. It was like viewing a wrestling match but surrounded by lace and tulle.
“Is that what she calls herself now?” Handlebar panted. “I told you, she’s crazy.”
Her legs trembled as she rounded the counter to find the button. Roman needed to be here. He would know what to do—but they were gone.
“Stephanie. Wait. Look at me.” Dominic let go of his hold on the guy’s neck, but only long enough to punch him in the face. “I need you to think. If we call for help and he’s let go, will others follow?”
Slowly, she nodded. Her hand hovered above the button. It didn’t matter what happened to her, but she didn’t want others descending down on her friends and the innocent people of the town.
“I’m asking again. Do you want him dead?” His beautiful blue eyes were unreadable.
“I’ll kill you, bitch.” It was clear that Handlebar was panicking. He knew Dominic would do it even if she didn’t give her say. All the horror she’d seen and the things she knew had been done came rushing back. It had to be done.
Stephanie nodded and finally whispered, “Yes.”
“Yes, what?” Dominic gritted his teeth, and the man struggled harder, fear giving him renewed strength.
“Kill him.” It was the last thing she ever dreamed would come out of her mouth. She wasn’t judge or jury, but she’d just condemned someone to death.
It was quick. The crunch of Handlebar’s neck breaking turned her stomach. Dominic released the man, and he dropped to the ground. What had she done? It was kill or be killed. End his life or cause the deaths of others. The man would have killed her after doing God only knew what along the way. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she rushed by Dom, but he grabbed her arm.
“Where are you going?” Power and heat radiated off of him.
“We need something to put him in.” From the look on his face, that was the last thing he expected her to say. Her body had gone into automatic pilot, and she quickly returned with a garment bag. “We have to get him out of here. I know you know what to do afterward, but we can’t just carry a body out the back door for anyone walking by to see. With this, if anyone sees you leave, they’ll think you are just protecting a wedding gown.” For the next few minutes, they worked together to get Handlebar zipped up in the bag and the store tidied up. Would she ever be able to look at that spot on the floor and not see him lying there? Would she ever forgive herself for sending someone to their death?
Stephanie tossed an old veil that had been the victim of a tug of war between a toddler and a bridesmaid on top of the garment bag that contained the body of Handlebar. From a distance, it would appear as if Dominic was carrying someone’s gown and headpiece to his van parked out the back. Luckily, there was no one in sight. It might seem odd to have one of Roman’s men carrying a dress bag, but everyone knew Madison’s mom owned the place and Madison herself designed dresses, so it wasn’t that out of the norm.
“How did you know he was here?” she asked as soon as he returned inside.
“I spied his bike down the street. I’ll have Jasper take it to the chop shop.”
“What do I do now?” Besides break down and cry as soon as he left. It was adrenaline keeping her upright now. As soon as she got home, she’d probably collapse.
“Go home. Act normal and pretend nothing happened.”
“I want to tell you who he is, but I can’t.” Stephanie stepped closer.
“In time, you will.” Dominic had just killed for her. He would demand answers.
“Thank you.” What did one say in circumstances like this? He just saved her life. “I owe you.” Her lower lip quivered, and she hugged him around the waist. It was the first time she’d felt safe since the whole thing started the day before. It seemed like a lifetime ago. His body heat warmed and comforted her, but still she trembled.
Dominic untangled her from his arms and framed her face in his large hands. “Yes, you owe me, and I will collect.” His mouth covered hers, at first gentle and then intense. It was a mind-blowing kiss that had her swooning. He tasted of coffee and mint. Her body pressed against his, and he tightened the hold. Dominic wanted her. That was very evident. Her heart pounded. Her fingers shook as they entwined in his hair.
His words flittered back in her mind. She owed him. What did he mean? Dominic wanted her. Dominic protected her and fought for her. Dominic killed f
or her. A chill ran down her spine. He saved her from a fate worse than death, but in doing so, he’d just tied them together forever. Was he her knight in shining armor, or had she just made a deal with the devil himself?
The End
About Ginger
If you want to read more about Dominic and Stephanie please check out their book Destroying Dominic from Limitless Publishing. Taken to the Cleaner is part of the Genoa Mafia Series. Other books in this series are Madison's Mobster, Crossing Roman, and Escaping Ryan.
Find out more about Ginger Ring and her books by visiting her website: http://gingerring.com/
HEX
An Asphalt Gods’ MC short
Morgan Jane Mitchell
“Tell me the truth. Have you ever done this before?”
We were both out of breath.
“No,” I puffed, honestly but quickly added, “I’ve always wanted to.”
“So, you’re a virgin?”
“I guess so…”
Even on this moonless night, I could see him smile at that. A blush took over my pale skin, as I became more breathless. Thayer Drake’s uneven smirk was a rare treat that I’d jump hoops for, obviously.
I so didn’t want to be here.
When Thayer unlocked the back door and held it for me, I froze.
“Don’t be nervous.” His cold hand landed on the small of my back, making me suck in a breath.
“Will it hurt?”
“Yes, but it’ll be worth it. Trust me.” His amber eyes met mine, crinkling at the corners as he smiled again—two in a row—and I did trust him. Too much. I let him guide me through the door. Rounding the corner, my regrets grew legs. The lights were on in the parlor. Sure, I’d detected music playing low when Thayer first cracked the door, but people leave the radio on even when they’re gone. Now, I could clearly hear several voices and smell cigarette smoke, which I abhorred. When I’d agreed to walk across town, halfway uphill, I thought we’d be alone. All alone.
Twisted Tales of Mayhem: 2019 MMM Special Edition Anthology Page 57
