8. CiCi

He leaves me in the dark hallway, breathless and wanting more. My heart is still pounding deep within my chest as Miranda approaches.

“What the hell just happened? Why did Drake grab his sidekick and haul ass out of the bar?”

“I-I’m not sure.” The butterflies in my stomach are still flitting around in my throat as I try to bring myself back to this universe.

“Umm, why is your lipstick smeared across your face?” She smirks.

As if she knows, she starts mocking me, “Oh, Mister Scary Crime Lord doesn’t want me!”

Turning away from her, I push the door open to the women’s restroom. Staring in the mirror, my eyes are glassy, my cheeks are flushed, and my red lipstick is, in fact, smeared across my mouth.

Damn it, Reign.

Miranda follows me inside the bathroom and leans against the wall, “So what was he like? He seems like he would be a damn good kisser.”

“Miranda.”

“Did you feel up on his dick? Is he huge?”

“Miranda.”

“Come on, girl, give me the deets.”

“MIRANDA!” I slam my fists down on the counter.

She nearly jumps out of her skin at my outburst.

“Geez, girl, what the hell are you so wound up for?”

Gripping onto the counter, I let out an exasperated sigh. “Drake’s not just a crime lord.”

She waits for me to continue, her arms folded impatiently.

Checking the stalls to make sure we are alone in the bathroom, I pause, trying to gather up the strength to betray his trust.

“He’s The Dragon.”

Her mouth gapes open. “You mean you found him and you weren’t going to tell me? He has the answers we need!”

“I don’t think he does. I don’t think he knows who was responsible that night.”

“If that were true, then why does he go after every big crime lord in the city? He knows something. He lost his father that night. He’s trying to find his killer, too!”

“I asked to work with him. For him.”

Her eyes almost bulge out of their eye sockets, “YOU WHAT? Do you have a death wish? You’ll get yourself killed!”

“I can help him gather information here and help him with new technology.”

“You’re insane. That man must have an enormous dick.” She snorts.

“Miranda, he needs me.” My voice is pleading, as if I’m asking for her permission.

“You’re not doing this alone. So…what are we going to do?” She asks.

“There was a man in the bar tonight that caught his eye right before he went all crazy on me. We need to keep our eyes and ears open.”

Smiling, she holds her arm out to me and I link mine with hers. “Let’s go catch ourselves a crime lord.”