Hazel
Relax, I’m just having drinks with Wright. Going home soon.
It’s a dangerous lie, one I’m not sure will last, but I don’t think Flynn would be too happy with me going to celebration drinks for the guy who stood me up. Never mind the fact that I’m here because I asked said guy to look into the man Flynn doesn’t want me anywhere near.
Dexter
Good girl.
I melt against the cushioned booth, dropping my head back and trying to ignore the tingles that run through me at those two words. Especially when I know I’m being far from good.
“Everything alright?” Connor asks.
“Oh yeah, just dealing with my stalker.”
His eyes widen.
“Kidding,” I rush out. At this point I’m not even sure I can call him a stalker anymore, I’m far too complicit. “I think I’m going to head home. You going to be alright?” I ask.
Connor gets up. “Yeah, I’ll go see if I can convince Erica to turn in.”
I say goodbye to Connor and weave through the officers to where Derek’s perched at the bar, ordering another round.
I sidle up to him, and he rests his arms on the bar, leaning over so he’s at my height. “Please tell me you’re here to rescue me. I’m not sure I can take any more small talk,” he mutters.
“Life of a captain I’m afraid.”
Derek groans.
“Did you find anything?” I ask, staring straight ahead at the bottles behind the bar.
“There was nothing to find.”
I twist my neck to look up at him and he grimaces.
“Almost nothing.”
“What does that mean?” I keep my voice hushed.
“He’s clean, Hazel. But he has a sealed juvie record.”
I open my mouth but my question’s cut off when a body knocks into me from behind. I stumble into Derek and he grabs my arms, holding me steady as he glares over my shoulder. “Hey, watch it.”
Whoever knocked into me snorts. “Youwatch it.”
I do a double take because I know that voice.
“Listen man, maybe you should drink elsewhere tonight,” Derek says.
I twist around to see a snarl curl across my ex’s face. “And maybe you should mind your own fucking business.”
“Hey, you’re talking to a police officer, buddy.”
Tommy’s not listening though because his gaze has dropped to me and a vicious laugh slinks out of his throat. “Oh, this is good.Whoring yourself out to a cop now, are you?” He pokes me in the chest, his breath thick with alcohol. “Should I tell him how you and your little psycho friend assaulted me the other week?”
“Tommy,” I grit out. “Just leave.”
He grins. “You know, I don’t think I will. I think I’ll stick around.” He dips his head to my ear and attempts to whisper. “Maybe I’ll find you later. Remind you what it’s like to be fucked by arealman. Even if you hadn’t failed to show I wouldn’t have got my chance back then, but nothing’s stopping me now.” He tugs on my hips and my stomach roils as his erection digs into my waist.
