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My first day back at work has already been exhausting. We’ve had three fire calls, two wrecks, and a downed power line. Is it a full moon in broad daylight?
Thankfully, we had a lull so we took the truck to the store to pick up some groceries. Seems Antoine wants to make us lasagna today, and well, none of us are complaining. We just had to chip in on all the ingredients and we’ll have a hot meal as long as nothing happens.
Which we’re all praying doesn’t. At least, not until we’re done eating.
I’ve just turned the corner, head down as I read the ingredients on the box of pasta to ensure there’s no gluten anywhere in it. I was hoping to find veggie noodles, but there weren’t any on the shelf. But instead of heading down the aisle, two large hands grip my biceps, stopping me.
“Funny running into you here,” a deep voice grumbles. One I know well. That shouldn’t be anywhere near me.
I pull away from him, trying to break his hold as I scan my surroundings for my co-workers, only to come up empty-handed. His grip tightens as I continue to struggle against him, the box of pasta noodles falling to the floor. Any other time there’d be people around, ready to help, but there’s not a soul in this aisle.
I want to scream, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you and you’re going to listen. Do you know who you’re whoring yourself out to? What they do? Who they are? One of them is part of a family of criminals. What would your precious job think of that?”
I keep pulling away from him until I’m either finally able to break his hold, or he lets me go. I’m not sure which one it is, but I’m hoping it’s because I had the strength to get away.
“Leave me alone. I’m not listening to your lies, and you’re violating the order. You’re going to be arrested,” I hiss at him as I step backward, moving further down the aisle away from him. He keeps advancing on me as I retreat. I should turn and run, but that would be putting my back to him, which is not something I want to do.
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m going to leave you alone for now. You want to know why, Alexis?” he asks, but I don’t respond. “Fine, I’ll tell you. It’s simple, really. Once the truth about the scum you’re dating comes out, then you’ll come running back to me.”
“You can keep dreaming because that’s never going to happen. Especially now that I know what a psychotic fuck you are.”
“Oh, it will happen. But I’m not taking you back. No, not at first. You’re going to have to beg for my forgiveness, grovel at my feet, and worship me, as a bitch like you should.”
“Keep dreaming asshole.” I turn and head toward the end of the aisle, but I can hear his shoes beating against the concrete floor as he rushes up behind me.
The weight of his hand lands on my shoulder, bearing down like a mother in labor, as he spins me around. I have to take a step to catch my balance as I feel myself falling sideways.
“Trust me, Alexis. You’ll come running when the fire hits.” He lets go of me, just as Antoine rounds the corner.
“Alex, are you okay?” he asks as he steps up beside me.
“I was just helping her. She lost her balance and was about to fall,” Lionel tells him, smirking the entire time as he steps past me and heads down the aisle, turning at the end.
I gasp loudly, releasing the breath I’d been holding as soon as he’s out of sight.
“Alex, was that who I think it was?” I can’t find my voice, so I nod. He wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly as I try to hold myself together.
“Didn’t you say you had a restraining order on him?” I just nod my head again. “We need to call the cops.”
I pull away from him, shaking my head vehemently. “No, let’s just let it go. I don’t think he’s going to try that again. It was just weird fucking luck we were in the same place at the same time. He hasn’t done anything until now.”
Antoine clenches his teeth at me, warring with himself about what to do before finally relents. “Fine, but I don’t like this, Alex. Make sure you tell your boyfriends and have them with you when you’re not at work. At least until the hearing.” He’s my closest friend at work and when he asked why I was glowing, I had to share what happened during my break. Well, I didn’t give him all the details.
“I will.” I wrap my arms around myself and head down the aisle.
I’m ready to get out of here. On my way out, relief washes over me when I don’t see him anywhere. The pounding in my chest subsides and I can actually think clearly. I should call the cops. I know that’s the logical thing to do. But I don’t. And fuck, I hope I’m making the right decision.
But now my heart is heavy with something else. I need to confront Dimitri about what Lionel told me. I need to know if it’s true and if it is, what else are they keeping from me? Is this even a way to build a relationship?
Will it be a deal breaker for me?
I barely finished my shift before Dimitri and Donovan were messaging me, wanting to meet for dinner. At first, I declined, so exhausted from returning to work, but I relented and they’re bringing over Mexican food. A girl can’t complain about tacos.
This also gives me the chance to ask about what Lionel said. All afternoon I was obsessing over what I would do if it was true. Each time I played it out in my head, my decision changed.
I’m heading home, my mind racing about how I’m going to bring the topic up. I’m so preoccupied that before I know it, I’m pulling into my parking spot. I don’t remember half the drive. I need to get out of my head. When I make it up to my floor, I find two sinfully hot men leaning against my door. “How was work?” Donovan asks, stepping to the side so I can unlock it.
