Chapter 19

Chloe

Morning comes, and I instinctively look for my phone on the nightstand when my alarm goes off. But it's not there because I'm not at my place.

I'm at Dom's.

He cracks his lids as the thing blares, and I jump out of bed and hurry over to my duffle on the floor where the cell is blaring away.

Silencing it, I look back at Dom with an apologetic smile, and he stretches with a head shake. His chest and abs are on full display as he reaches up, and I'm one hundred percent guilty of ogling him.

The cooler air outside the blankets tickles across my legs because I never bothered to pull the sweats back on after we?—

We had sex. Again.

My mind spins a little, and I remember everything that got me here and how wildly irresponsible I'd been for not asking him about a condom.

Dammit. He probably thinks I'm on the pill.

The truth is, I technically am, but this was the off week, and I needed to grab my new prescription yesterday.

I just got caught up in the restraining order thing and making a stop at Planned Parenthood with Dom seemed less than romantic.

It's probably fine. I'll just get it today before work.

"That's a hell of an alarm. You didn't want to go with something more soothing?"

Dom smiles at me, and I shake myself out of my head, joining him back in the bed.

"Sorry. I have a tendency to not hear it."

He pulls me into his arms, and my tension is immediately soothed. The way he smells and how he strokes my arm has me sighing as I lean back against him in no time.

"Well, I'm definitely awake now. Should I make food?"

I smirk. "Let me guess, French toast?"

He glares playfully at me but then concedes. "I could have something delivered?"

"I like that idea. I'm feeling eggs." I look up at him, and I can't help but laugh. "This is so weird."

He furrows his brows at me. "What's weird?"

"Oh, you know, that I'm sleeping with my boss. With my brother's best friend. While I'm on the run from my ex, no less."

Dom chuckles hard, and his brows rise in agreement. "All right, fair enough."

There's a beat of silence as Dom considers something, and I wait for him to finally speak up.

"Is that bad?"

My mouth falls open as I try to think of what to say. I stare at him, putting aside all the outside shit for a moment, and just tune in to how I'm feeling.

"No. This is…I'm happier than I have been in years."

He smiles genuinely without any walls up. "Good."

"You should order, though. I still want to have time to shower and stuff before I have to go to work."

"I wouldn't worry about running late. I know the owner."

I snort, shaking my head. "You dope. I still need to be there on time."

"Fine, fine. I can take you."

Glaring at him a bit, I lean back. As I raise my brows, I wait for Dom to realize what he said. "Dom."

"What?"

"You don't need to go into the club. You haven't needed to."

He gets serious, eyeing me as he leans forward. "I want to be able to keep an eye on you."

I tense, that phrase still like a kick in the gut. "You can't keep tabs on me at all times. Watching me like a hawk. Sound familiar?"

Dom breaks eye contact first, sagging a bit as he takes my hands. "I'm not trying to do that. I just don't like the idea of not being there to help if necessary."

We're at a bit of a stalemate, and I just sit there feeling Dom's thumb rub back and forth over the back of my hand.

"I promise to stay out of your way. I'll go to my office. I'll be out of your hair."

I tip my head, squinting at him. "No coming down to ‘check on me' during my shift. Deal?"

He nods.

"Deal."

"All right. Now order breakfast. I'm hungry." I shove his chest playfully.

"Now who's bossy?"

With a laugh, I get up to pull my pants back on.

"I'll make some coffee." Snagging my phone, I head for the door. "And I suggest pants if you're going to greet the delivery guy."

The club is bustling even for the late afternoon, and I've needed to make at least a dozen Flaming Opals. Still, even I'm surprised by how I'm managing it.

Dom is still up in his office, and I'm thoroughly pleased that he hasn't come down to harass me at all.

During a brief slowdown, Yasmin comes over to chat.

"So, you look like you're picking things up. Do you feel more confident back here?"

Yasmin's smile is so pure, it's like she's helping a kid with their homework or something, not teaching a newbie how to mix drinks.

"I do. Thanks, in no small part, to you. I'd be lost without your help."

She nudges me with her elbow as we lean against the back counter. "Ah, it's nothing. But I fully expect you to repay the favor someday."

"Of course!" I grin, and then my blaring ringtone sounds for the second time today. "Oops, must have left an alarm on."

I reach in under the bar for it and see it's actually a call. The area code is local, and I vaguely recognize the last four digits.

"Oh my God!" My brain clicks, and I turn to Yasmin. "Hey, this is important. Can I take this?"

"Sure, just don't be gone long."

"Totally. I'll be right back."

Hurrying to the lockers, I answer before they have a chance to hang up.

"Hello."

"Hi, is this Chloe Hamilton?" The woman's voice is calm and controlled.

"That's me."

It has to be the school. Who else would call me?

"Hi, I'm Renee Caldwell. I'm on the hiring board for the new school that's being built. We got your resume and were very impressed."

I freak out for a moment, doing a little dance to myself, and I'm so happy this isn't a video call.

"Oh, great. I'm so happy to hear from you."

"Likewise. We'd like to schedule an interview with you. Would you be able to come in next week?"

I nod excitedly. "Yes, of course. I'm usually available during the mornings."

"That works perfectly. How about Wednesday at 9 am?"

"Sounds great. Will it be at the new school?" I sit down on the wooden bench as the flare in endorphins eases off.

"Yes. The school is just about finished. You can have a look around at where you'll potentially be working."

"Amazing. I look forward to meeting you."

"And I you, Ms. Hamilton. See you then."

"See you then." I hang up, and when I'm sure the line is disconnected, I set my phone down on the bench.

Leaping to my feet, I dance around a few times again before I can settle myself enough to go back out on the floor.

I nearly tear a hole in the new fishnets Dom got me as part of the uniform, and I have to untangle my thumb ring from one of the loops.

When I hit the floor once more, Yasmin is standing behind the bar finishing up an order, and I sidle up alongside her.

"Hey! So what'd I miss?"

She smirks over at me, chuckling. "Someone's in a good mood. I take it the phone call went well."

"It did. Thank you."

I laugh a little, a weight on my shoulders easing off that I hadn't noticed feeling.

"Well, I think I have another bit of luck to add on." Yasmin reaches under the bar and pulls out a small box. "This came for you when you were on your call."

My stomach drops through the floor.

No one knows where I'm staying. The only people who know I'm working here are Anthony and Dom, and Dom's been with me the past few days.

Yeah, and this isn't Anthony's style.

The excitement that was bubbling in my chest is squashed, and I clench my jaw.

"Oh, okay. I'll bring it to my locker." My hands start to tremble as I reach for the box. "Thanks."

"You all right?"

I'm apparently doing a piss-poor job hiding my reaction, so I just smile and brush it off.

"Of course. Just surprised. I'll be back." I playfully roll my eyes. "Again."

"You're good."

Yasmin just grins, and I take the package to the back.

Sitting down with it in my lap, I don't really want to open it. Images of bugs pop up in my mind, and I have to breathe around the panic choking me.

Of course, I also remember what the clerk said. I need proof.

So, if I can see what this is and hide it somewhere, maybe I can bring it to the judge later?

There's tape on the box and a fragile sticker. I can't get it open with just my fingers.

I don't have a knife or anything, so I grab my keys to use the long edge to bust through the tape. It works, and I gingerly pull the flaps back.

At first, I'm relieved there aren't more insects, but then I notice the familiar shape of a crystal bottle.

"My perfume?"

Stuffed in around a bunch of packing peanuts is the thing of Armani Sí, the red of the glass bright against the dull green packaging.

The top of the bottle has been smashed off, though, and I have to take it out carefully to avoid cutting my finger.

The gaping hole at the top of the container has made it possible to drop something inside, and I tip the bottle over above my palm to see what it is.

My engagement ring falls into my hand, and I stifle a sob. But that's not the only thing Ethan's stuffed in there.

Pressed against the edges is a piece of paper. I'm not sure if I can get it out without rubbing against the broken glass.

An idea hits, and I use my key to lift the paper forward and toward the hole enough to pull it free.

I don't want to know what it says. But a part of me knows I have to. This is all evidence that I could use against him.

The tiny slip of paper unfolds, and I read the message.

"Ticktock, Chloe. Ticktock."

The lettering is done in a deep brownish-red, and it bleeds into the paper the way good ink doesn't.

The memory of Ethan throwing a wine glass surfaces. Then another of him crushing a cup in his grip and me having to clean his blood.

I can't hold back the panic, and a rough sob bursts from me as I stare down at the note. The world blurs behind the tears, and I can't catch my breath.

A pang lances through my chest as I remember my interview for the teaching job. I'd be putting all those kids at risk. God, I should cancel .

The idea stings. I don't want to cancel. I want to finally have my life back, but with all this…

"Goddamn it!"

"Chloe, what's wrong?"

Dom rushes into the room, and when I try to hide the box from him, he frowns.

"Chloe."

It's no use now, and I hold the package out for him as my sobs pick up.

Taking the thing, Dom glares, looking over the note before looking back at me.

"This is from him."

It's not a question, but I still nod.

"He's really not backing down."

The fury on Dom's face is terrifying, and I thank God I'm on this side of it.

"He won't. He'll always keep coming."

I shake my head, and Dom sits on the bench next to me, pulling me into his arms as he drops the message to the floor.

"Hey, I'm not letting him hurt you." He looks me straight in the eye, wiping the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs. "Never."

"I don't know what to do." Collapsing against his chest, the tears just flow harder. I give into it, the fear and embarrassment too strong to fight.

I feel Dom move, and he goes for his phone. He dials someone, putting the phone on speaker, and it's answered immediately.

"Hey, boss. What's up?" It's Sean.

"Hey, man. I need to you double security. And Chloe isn't to receive any more packages or letters."

"Oh, um, of course, Dom. Whatever you say."

"Thank you."

He ends the call before closing up the box and putting it under his arm. Somehow, he still manages to scoop me up into his arms, and as much as I want to fight him and walk myself, I just can't.

"Let's get you home."