Sean speeds in sideways, barely stopped before he’s flying out of his car and stalking over to where Dominic is unleashing hell. Tallahassee trails in last, the side of the car caved in as it comes into view under the firelight, wheels wobbling, smoke billowing out of the hood. The driver gets out, a crocodile smile in place as he watches Dominic beat the ever-loving shit out of the Miami driver. Everyone at the party stands by, watching, including Sean, for several punches before he moves forward, barking at Dominic to stop. I can’t help myself. I move closer to hear the exchange as Miami finally steps up in defense.
“Ease up, Dom.” The guy Sean informally introduced as Andre says, moving in. His expression puts me on edge. These men are dangerous, and as I survey the faces of most of the onlookers, I see amusement. They’re clearly desensitized by what’s playing out in front of them, which instills some fear in me. I’ve never bore witness to this type of raw violence. Not only that but by a man who less than an hour ago was lighting my body on fire with tender touches.
Though a little fearful, a foreign but carnal desire begins to course through me as I watch him destroy his opponent. Dominic delivers one last punch and the guy goes down, landing limp at his feet.
Dom steps away, his power rolling like a tidal wave over the crowd as he addresses everyone within feet of where he stands. “Happy to fucking address any objections.”
Andre jerks his head and two of the guys behind him lift what’s left of the guy on the ground.
Dominic’s livid gaze follows him. “You do that again, you’re out,” he barks as the guy spits out a mouthful of blood. Dom’s hand is dripping with it, and I push through the crowd to get to him as Sean speaks up.
“Ease up, man,” he mutters just as I reach them.
“Fuck him,” Dominic snaps, his rage-filled posture challenging everyone within feet of him.
“You’ve made your point,” Sean takes his place by his side.
Dominic looks over to where Tallahassee stands, surveying the damage to his car. “You all right, man?”
He nods as I reach Dominic, lifting his hand to inspect it. He jerks away from my touch, turning on a dime and rears back, fist drawn. He drops it once he sees my face, which drains of all blood when I witness up close, the rage in his eyes.
“I’m good,” he snaps, jerking away from me and I back away, right into Sean’s chest just as he hooks a hand around my waist. “Let him cool off, baby.”
I nod as Sean pulls me to his side and glance over his tense frame, scanning for Alicia in the crowd, but she’s disappeared. “Let’s go,” Sean prompts, tugging me in the direction of his Nova.
My gaze flits back to where Dominic stands, his chest heaving, his eyes frighteningly feral before he stalks out of sight.
“He’s good,” Sean assures before he whisks me into his car and in seconds, we’re back on the dark road, the eerie quiet a stark contrast to the party we just left. If I hadn’t have been there, I would have thought I’d imagined it.
“You’re pissed,” he speaks up as tension grows in the cabin. I am angry, but these men make it impossible to rationalize a functional line of hard limits and remain sane while doing it. But in choosing my battles, this one I’m not backing down from. I’m done with all the mystery.
“First of all, you left me at a party where I hardly knew anyone.”
“I knew enough people to know you were safe, safer than you are locked up all alone in your house.”
“Whatever. Second, you went racing—racing—in the middle of the mountains at night.”
He grins. “Sorry, Mom.”
“It’s fucking dangerous and stupid. Look what just happened.”
“I love that you care.”
“Don’t smile at me all sexy.”
His grin only grows as he checks his rearview.
“Third, what the hell is all this?”
He expels a breath.
“And don’t you dare tell me it was a party, or you can lose my number.”
He flicks his gaze on me, and it’s unforgiving. I’ve just pissed him off. Good.
“What is this, Sean?”
“It’s your explanation.”