Moonlight Rising

by Linski, Megan

  I passed by the calendar hung on the wall with a big red circle around the date, June 15th. Nausea clawed up my throat. My heart started pounding, and I could feel the beads of sweat accumulating on my forehead. I leaned up against the refrigerator and took a deep breath.

  This must be what the guys were talking about. Cold feet. It was starting.

  I splashed some water on my face, cupping it in my hands and dousing my head and neck in it. I had nothing to be worried about. I loved Sofia more than anything. I had proposed, and she had accepted. We were in love, and I wanted her to be my wife. So why was I freaking out right now?

  Sure, we were young and maybe the proposal had been spur of the moment, but I knew I wanted to be with her forever. It wasn’t just because I’d been shot, and scared I’d die. I remembered it like it was yesterday. I’d finally woken up from the surgery, and her face was the first thing I saw. Big green eyes bored into mine as the haziness of anesthesia wore off. I was so happy to be alive and to see her again that I’d proposed on the spot.

  There had been tears and laughter, and I’d felt like the luckiest guy in the world. So why did I feel like I was suffocating now?

  I reached for another beer from the fridge, then stopped midway. I needed to get out and clear my head. I grabbed my jacket instead and rushed out the door.

  The cool crisp spring air raced through my lungs, and the tightness in my chest subsided. This was exactly what I needed—a nice long walk. I walked up Delancey Street without a clear destination in mind. I just needed to think and with the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I couldn’t be sitting still.

  I passed block after block of graffitied buildings and dimly lit trash-littered sidewalks until I found myself in the East Village. The dark streets gave way to trendy bars and raging nightlife. I wasn’t really in the mood for partying, but another beer sounded pretty good. I turned down a quieter side street.

  At the corner, stood a guy with a cigarette clenched between his lips and a mug in his hand. He leaned against the door of a small pub. I walked up to the establishment and stared up at the old wrought iron sign – The Vampire and The Werewolf. Seriously?

  I peered inside, and it looked decent enough. A few people littered the bar, but it wasn’t overcrowded. It didn’t seem trendy enough to be expensive, so I walked in.

  “What can I get you, darlin’?” A young girl with porcelain skin and jet-black hair leaned over the bar. She would have been beautiful if not for her almost sickly pale skin. A sign behind her read “$5 Long Island Iced Teas on Tuesdays.” It must have been my lucky day.

  “I’ll take a Long Island.”

  “Comin’ right up.”

  I pulled up a bar stool and got comfortable. A few minutes later, a tall glass appeared in front of me. The bartender gave me a big smile.

  “Do you want to open a tab?”

  “No, thanks. I’m just having the one.” I reached into my wallet to pull out some cash, but a hand flashing a credit card appeared over my shoulder.

  “I’ve got this,” a deep voice said.

  I spun around. Clear blue eyes met mine, and every nerve in my body tingled. I swallowed, clearing my throat. “Bradley?”

  “Yeah, Damian, right?”

  I nodded. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “After the day you had, I think I did.”

  My eyebrows drew together. “How did you know?”

  “You know how cops talk. You and the rookie are the talk of the town.”

  I grumbled and buried my nose in my drink.

  Bradley pulled up a stool next to mine. “Would you mind some company?”

  There was something about this guy that sent goose bumps all over my skin, but if I was being honest with myself, having someone to talk to might not be the worst thing in the world. It was either that or drowning my sorrows in Long Islands. Eighteen was the official drinking age so I wasn’t exactly what you’d call a pro—I’d only been legal for a short time. Between Police Academy and working so much overtime, I hadn’t had time to indulge. Anyway, Sofia would kill me if I were drunk when she got home. “Sure, have a seat,” I finally answered.

  He lowered his hulking frame down onto the bar stool and ordered a beer. “What brings you to this place?”

  I was about to ask him the same thing. “You know, crappy day and all.” I shrugged. “I just kind of found myself walking here. It’s my first time. You?”

  He winked at the young bartender as she placed the tall frosty mug in front of him. “Thanks, Bea. Put it on my tab.” He turned back to me with a sly grin. “No, I used to be a regular.” He lowered his voice and leaned in. “Lots of unusual stuff goes on in this place.”

  Again with the weird. “Right.” I swallowed a big mouthful of Long Island, the mix of alcohol burning my throat and sloshing around in my stomach.

  “You better take it easy on those. They pack a mean bite.”

  I took another sip and set it down. “Are you married, Bradley?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

  “No, sir.”

  My expression must have fallen because he looked at me with the biggest sad puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen.

  “Why, you having girl trouble?”

  “No, not at all. Sofia’s amazing, and we’re getting married a month from today.”

  He clucked his teeth. “Ah. Gotcha. Someone’s got cold feet?”

  “Not exactly. Maybe more lukewarm.” I took another sip.

  “I wish I could help you, man, but I haven’t had a lady in awhile.”

  I stared down at the ice cubes floating around the caramel colored liquid. “No problem. I just thought I’d ask.” Heat flushed my cheeks. What was I doing, asking some stranger for love advice?

  The old bell hanging over the door jingled, drawing my attention to the entrance. A tall brunette strutted in, her wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. My jaw dropped. Her low cut top left nothing to the imagination, the tight black leather mini skirt hugging every dangerous curve. Dark sultry eyes bored into mine, her scarlet lips puckering into a sensual pout.

  “Stay far away from that,” Bradley whispered, leaning in.

  “Huh?” I turned back to him, my mouth dry.

  “That’s Isa, and she’s not someone you need to get anywhere near.”

  I swallowed hard. “No. Of course not. I’m engaged anyway.” I swung back around on the barstool to face the shelf of liquor bottles. And still, I could almost feel the woman’s gaze drilling into the back of my head. I sipped on my drink and tried to slow my racing heart. What was wrong with me? I never checked out other women.

  “So the reason I’m in town is to enlist.”

  Bradley’s words yanked me out of my troubled thoughts. “Oh yeah? Which branch?”

  “Army. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for awhile now, and I think the timing is finally right.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at the door. The woman was gone. I exhaled a long breath and tried to focus on the conversation. “Good for you. I’d considered it for some time too, but then I met Sofia.”

  “Yeah, it’s a tough gig if you’ve got a girl.”

  The barstool on the other side of me scraped against the wooden floor. “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” a woman’s voice purred.

  Onyx eyes peered up at me.

  “N-no,” I stammered.

  She sidled the barstool right up beside mine and slid on. “Which one of you boys wants to buy me a drink?”

  Bradley frowned. “I’m sure there are plenty of men in here more than willing to buy you a drink, Isa. My friend and I are in the middle of something.”

  She ran her finger across my arm and electricity sparked where her skin touched mine. My breath hitched.

  “Oh, so you brought the tasty human?” Her eyes danced mischievously.

  My brows scrunched together. Human? I guzzled down the rest of my drink.

  Bradley’s eyes shot daggers at the stunning brunet
te. “Don’t do this, Isa.”

  “Do what?” She batted her long lashes. “I just came in here looking for a good time.” She held out her hand. “I’m Isa, and who might you be, cutie?”

  I cleared my throat, willing my tongue to work. “Damian Spiros.”

  “Police officer Damian Spiros,” echoed Bradley.

  Isa giggled. “Oh, I love a man in uniform.” She ran her fingers over my chest.

  I gasped and nearly fell off the barstool.

  A Bon Jovi song blared through the speaker, and a huge grin flashed across her lips. She began to sway her hips to the music. “Forget the drink; let’s dance.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me off my seat. She was much stronger than her slim figure would have suggested.

  Isa dragged me onto the dance floor as I searched Bradley’s eyes for help. He shook his head with a sigh.

  My head was already spinning. What the heck was in that Long Island? Isa leaned up against me, pushing her backside into me and swaying to the beat. She took my hand and spun herself in a circle. My heart hammered against my ribs.

  “Come on, Damian. Are you going to dance or just stand there?”

  She danced toward me, seductively swinging her hips as she moved. Her short skirt hiked up her long legs. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me into her. Her chest bounced against mine, and I squeezed my eyes shut. What the hell was I doing?

  I opened them, and her dark eyes were inches from mine. Her black pupils swirled with crimson. I gasped.

  “Don’t be scared. We’re going to have fun tonight,” her words flowed as smooth as honey.

  The panic building in my chest relented. My shoulders relaxed, and I began to dance like I never had before. It was like I’d lost all control of my body. In a good way.

  Isa rest her head on my chest then slowly moved up, leaving a hot trail up to my neck. Something felt wrong, but I couldn’t stop her. Her lips skimmed over my skin, sending tingles over every inch.

  A sharp prick on my neck, sent my nerves over the edge. “Ow!”

  “Don’t scream.” Her eyes were inches away from me again.

  I nodded. It was the only thing I could do. I wanted to scream, to run, but I’d lost all control.

  A thick arm wrapped around Isa and hauled her backward. Bradley’s crystal clear eyes were a raging storm. He spun on her and growled, “Not him, Isa. Come on!”

  She narrowed her eyes at him, and for a moment, I feared for his life. Why? I couldn’t tell you. A petite woman against a big guy like Bradley; it should have been Bradley’s win hands down.

  The entire bar had gone silent.

  “Back away now shifter. Or I’ll end you right here. Then I’ll go after every single person you’ve ever known.”

  Shifter? An icy chill crept up my spine.

  Bradley glanced over at me. He patted me on the back and slipped something in my back pocket. “I’m sorry, man.” He walked out of the bar, his fists clenched. He never looked back.

  “Now where were we?” Isa shimmied back to my side.

  Something warm dripped down my chest. I put my hand up to my neck, and it felt sticky. I pulled it back and dark red blood cover my palm. Before I could react, Isa was in my face again.

  “Everything’s fine, Damian. Just relax and enjoy yourself,” she crooned.

  I wiped my hand against my jeans and kept dancing.

  That was the last thing I remembered of the night.

  Chapter Three

  Sunlight flooded into the room, and my eyelids fluttered open. Peeking through narrow slits, a woman’s figure materialized in front of floor to ceiling windows.

  “Good morning, lover.”

  Silky sheets caressed my bare chest, and I yanked them up to my chin. My head throbbed. How many drinks did I have? “Isa?” I croaked. I scanned the unfamiliar room and sweeping views of Central Park behind her. “What happened last night?”

  She sauntered over to the bed and sat beside me. The woman moved like a tiger. She was all style and grace. Her dark eyes flitted over me. Why did I feel like I was her prey?

  “We just had some fun.” She stroked my bicep, setting off a sensation of spiders crawling up my arm.

  I shook my head as the haze began to clear. “No! I can’t be here with you.” I shot up from the bed. “I need to get out of here.”

  She flashed me a wicked smile. “As you wish.” She tossed me my clothes and disappeared into what I assumed was the bathroom.

  I threw my shirt over my head and stepped into my jeans as I rushed out of the bedroom. My chest tightened as nausea swirled in my gut. What had I done? I made my way through the maze of corridors that was Isa’s condo. Somehow I made it to the front door. I whipped it open and jabbed my finger at the elevator call button.

  Glancing at my watch, my stomach roiled. Sofia should be back from work by now. She must have freaked out when she got home, and I wasn’t there. The sleek elevator doors slid open, and I rushed in. Leaning against the cool metal siding, I raked my hands through my hair. I tried to piece together the events of last night, but everything was a blur.

  Bradley! I needed to talk to him. Maybe he’d know what had happened. I rifled through my pockets and fished out his business card. Thank goodness he’d slipped it to me at the bar.

  Speeding out of the swanky building, I exhaled a long breath as the sounds of the city drowned out the turmoil in my head. I stood on the corner of Central Park West and W. 62nd Street. This was not a part of town I frequented often, but there had to be a payphone nearby. A few blocks down, the statue of Christopher Columbus rose over the traffic. I headed toward it; certain there was a payphone by the subway stop at Columbus Circle.

  Finally finding one, I stared at the phone number on the business card as numbness spread over me. I couldn’t go home and face Sofia. Not yet. I slipped the dime into the coin slot and dialed the number.

  “This is Bradley,” the deep voice carried through the receiver.

  “Hi, Bradley. This is Damian from the, uh, shooting range and bar last night.”

  “It’s good to hear from you, Damian. Is everything all right?”

  “No, not really. Do you think we could talk in person?”

  He cleared his throat. “Yes. Tell me where to meet you.”

  I glanced around the hectic circle as cars whizzed by, pedestrians hurried across crosswalks, tourists milled around and bikers wound through traffic. Not here. “How about the coffee shop on the corner of Delancey and Allen? It’s called Two Brothers.”

  “Sure. I’ll see you there in thirty minutes.”

  I slammed the receiver down and shoved the card back in my pocket. How did I get myself into this mess? I sped down the subway stairs, keeping my head down. I tried to convince myself that once I talked to Bradley, he’d explain everything, and it would all be okay.

  The tangle of nerves in the pit of my stomach said something different entirely.

  My fingers clenched the coffee mug as my foot tapped an incessant beat on the table leg. I raised the cup to my lips and inhaled the sharp scent of roasted beans. This was my favorite coffee place, but today even the hot beverage couldn’t chase away the growing chill inside me.

  I sat directly across from the entrance door. The moment Bradley’s large form appeared in the doorway, I waved him over.

  His clear blue eyes scanned over me as he sat. “You okay?”

  I put the cup down and clasped my hands together. “Not really.” I sucked in a breath. “I don’t remember much about last night. I was hoping you could shed some light?”

  His light brows furrowed, and his jaw clenched. “What do you remember?”

  “Meeting you at the bar, having a drink, and that woman, Isa, coming in.”

  “Anything else?”

  I shook my head, my lips pressed together.

  “You never made it home last night?” He eyed my clothes, which he obviously recognized from yesterday evening.

  I gulped. If I said the words aloud
, it would make them real. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.

  He held his hands in the air. “Listen, Damian, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I’m just trying to figure out how I can help you.”

  My shoulders sagged, and I leaned back in the booth. “I woke up at Isa’s place.”

  A low growl reverberated in Bradley’s throat and he cursed. “I tried to stop her. This is my fault. I should’ve gotten you out of there as soon as she showed interest in you.”

  “Do you know her?”

  “Everyone knows of Isa in my circle. She’s a real man-eater.”

  “So I left with her? How much did I have to drink?” I didn’t think there was enough alcohol on the planet to make me cheat on Sofia.

  His hand reached out for my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “This wasn’t your fault, Damian. She can manipulate people. You had no control over what you did.”

  I raked my hands over my face. I don’t know what I was expecting Bradley to say. That this whole thing had been some big mistake? That she had slipped me a mickey? There was no denying the truth. I’d slept with that woman. I’d cheated on my fiancée—the girl I loved most in this world. The person that was supposed to be my wife, the mother of my children. How could I have done such a thing?

  Bile clawed up my esophagus. I needed to get out of there.

  I jumped out of my seat. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. I need to see Sofia and tell her everything.”

  Bradley stood, his eyes matching pools of regret. “I’m so sorry, Damian. I’m in town for a few more weeks if you need anything.”

  I nodded and tried to get around him, but he stopped me.

  “Stay away from Isa at all costs.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. I don’t plan on ever seeing that woman again.”

  Chapter Four

  I slid the key in the lock, my heart pounding so loudly it roared through my eardrums. Get it together, Damian. You have to man up and tell Sofia the truth. She deserved to know, and I deserved whatever happened next.