Page 4 of Retaliation
Jackson huffed and stumbled off. Dev stood with his arms crossed, watching him until he pushed through the exit. His sea-green eyes turned back to me, concern etched on his face as his gaze slid down my body.
“You okay, beautiful?”
I nodded and smiled. “Yeah. He’s pretty harmless.”
Dev grimaced, his muscular arms tense and itching for a fight. “He’s a drunk and a douchebag.”
I smirked. “Well that too. I’m good, though. Thanks, Dev.”
He reached out and gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, heating my skin beneath the soft material of my horror movie sweater. Dev nodded to the image. “We should catch a movie sometime. Haven’t seen a good thriller in ages.”
“My favorite genre.” I smiled, tugging at Ghostface printed on it. “You pick the day, I’ll bring the popcorn.”
Dev leaned down, dropping his mouth close to my ear and making me shiver for a whole new reason. “It’s a date then.”
He stepped back smoothly and wound his way through the customers, picking up empty bottles and chatting casually with the patrons. I didn’t know what to think about his last comment. A date? Dev had never asked me on a date. Why now? Did he know who I was? Was I overthinking this? Fuck. I’d have Tibby look into his latest movements to see if anything changed.
I downed the last of my whiskey and watched him work. Maybe this was a good thing. Devon Parrish had no contact with the other three Obscuritas sons, as far as I could tell. But if I could get into his apartment, maybe I could find something new. The sons were easy enough to find, but the four men truly responsible for destroying my family were like ghosts. I found Vespertine Hall about two months ago. The place was a fortress, but there was no evidence of anyone actually living there, just a massive mansion about two hours outside of town where The Obscuritas held their secret meetings and fancy parties. So where were the leaders of The Obscuritas staying now?
Dev might be hiding information that could help, and if going on a date with him brought me closer to my end game, so be it. Speaking of the devil’s son, Dev sauntered over, flipped the whiskey bottle, and filled my glass once more. He popped open the fruit box and dropped a sticky, blood-red cherry into the glass.
“What’s that for?” I batted my eyelashes up at him.
“A dive bar’s Manhattan.” He winked with a smirk, and my pussy purred with desire.
Fuck. I should probably play with a toy or two on my own before going anywhere near Dev’s apartment or he’d have me parting my legs faster than a whore in heat. Get it together, Sara. Since when do you get so turned on?
“So fancy.” I winked back, pulling out the cherry and pushing it between my lips. I watched his hungry eyes track the movement. I sucked the tart fruit into my mouth, enjoying the bite of whiskey coating it. “Delicious.”
Dev’s eyes heated as his gaze locked with mine. His hands gripped the edge of the bar, and his biceps bulged as he leaned toward me, bringing his lips close enough to taste. I licked mine slowly, my skin feeling hot everywhere his eyes roamed.
“That’s what I think you’d taste like, Sara Braun.”
“Oh?” I whispered, my whiskey brain melting any real words before they could form coherently in my mind.
“Oh yeah.” Dev shoved off the bar and went back to slinging drinks.
What was his deal tonight? He was never so forward with me. I needed to get out of this bar fast before I dropped my panties and let him get a taste right here in front of everyone.
The whiskey was warming my insides as quickly as Dev’s flirting, and I stood slowly, needing some air. I felt Dev’s eyes tracking me as I walked toward the front door and pushed out into the street. Multiple patrons followed as the local bars began to close for the night. January in New England was always cold, and the chilly air bit into my face, cooling my skin. I walked toward the alley leading around back to the fire escape, figuring I’d just tuck in for the night. If I was going to take Dev up on his offer, I needed to be sober and in control of the situation. Maintaining my plans was required to do what needed to be done. For my sisters, for my parents, for myself. The Obscuritas deserved all the pain I had planned for them.
Someone shuffled in the dark behind me, and I turned my head, the liquor slowing my movements just enough that I stumbled and fell into the rough arms of the shadow behind me.
“Hey, blue bird. I’ve been waiting for you,” Jackson took me by surprise, grabbing my arms and shoving me against the wall.
“Fuck, Jackson. You scared the shit out of me.” I tried to laugh and push him back, but he wouldn’t budge.
His sagging dad bod pressed into mine, and his rank beer breath filled the air between us as he looked down at me. I couldn’t see much of his face in the dark but I knew this was not good.
“It’s time to pay up, little birdie,” he slurred, gripping my waist and pressing into me as the cold bricks bit into my back. Fuck he smelled awful.
I needed to think fast. He was on my list just for being a creep, but not worth my time tonight.
“Okay, Jackson. How about tomorrow, though, at your shop?” I lowered my voice to a seductive whisper. “You know I’ve always wanted to test out that ’70 Chevelle tucked away in your garage.”
His hands tightened around my waist, and I fought the instinct to punch him in the nose. I couldn’t murder a local in the alley next to my apartment. Too many questions. Too many nosy cops, and all my plans would go to shit. I refused to let some lecherous drunk ruin everything I had planned. But I could use my body as a weapon to lure him in. I learned very early on how easily men turned into vile animals at the sight of a beautiful female body. Only then, I was too young to realize I could say no, and by the time I did, it was too late. But this old prick, I was more than prepared to handle.
“I’m going to fuck the shit out of you against that car, blue bird,” Jackson slurred.
