AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Liz swallowed. “What’s going to happen after all of this is done?”
Ben’s face, silky as a rose, suddenly hardened like the wings of a gargoyle. He grew grim and irritated, taking her hand from his chest and barking orders at her.
“Don’t worry about that. Let’s just get through this first.”
A dagger sank into her heart. She wanted Ben to care about her after she’d paid off her debts.
She pulled her hand away and nearly leapt out of the car, her eyes stinging with confusion, hurt, and, worst of all, something resembling desire.
She whipped into the lobby as she heard the car start, then zip off, the engine roaring like the guttural growl of a big cat. She stood in the elevator, her vision blurred by encroaching tears.
Her heels clapped against the hallway floors, tears running down her cheeks slowly. Once she finally got to her apartment and opened the door, she let them flow, safe from Ben or even the landlord’s judgment of her aching heart.
Liz often criticized herself for being too sensitive. Her parents, from whom she likely got the habit, did the same. Despite not having the best dating experiences, she fell for people easily. Her inclination to find the plushy part of their souls was a unique and unavoidable superpower.
Perhaps trying to do that with a mobster shifter was asking entirely too much. Perhaps, he was just into it for the sex, and once her spying for him was done, he was going to drop her like a bag of dirt into the sea.
The thought made her chest hurt, so Liz decided to have a bath and pop open an old bottle of wine she’d found the other day. She used a mug in place of a stemmed glass, but it would have to do. It was far less romantic on her own. Her ancient lights flickered like a horror movie as she sank into the cramped excuse for a tub,
Her body and mind were at odds as she sat there trying to calm herself in order to get to sleep. On the one hand, she understood what Ben was talking about. It was a world she merely had a peek into, romanticizing in her mind from movies and literary tropes. How on earth was he able to withstand the risk and pressure he was perpetually under?
But on the other hand, she thought his flare-up was unjust and unfair. She had done his bidding, just as he asked, all while sleeping with him and contributing to a blossoming relationship. Or what she thought was blossoming.
Liz scolded herself for being such a lovesick, typical, flimsy woman. After the water had grown tepid, she got out, angry at herself. She dried her skin aggressively before climbing into bed naked.
She ran her hands through her long hair, frustrated and utterly lost. All of those feelings came with feelings on top, like a grotesque layer cake.
She tried to sleep, though she knew she wouldn’t get any. At some point, she moved her hand between her legs, thankful for her nudity, comforted by the image of his strong hands reaching for the depths of her trembling soul.
Chapter15
Ben
The smell of the Montecristos never seemed so daunting. Ben knew he had messed up, almost blowing their cover. Walking in to face the Don was the last thing he wanted to do. More than anything, he wished he could be in bed with Elizabeth right now.
The Don sat in his usual spot, a new girl straddling him tonight. Luckily Ben had walked in before their clothes came off.
“Ahh,” the Don said menacingly, patting the girl on her ass and motioning for her to get up. “You come to apologize?”
“Yes,” Ben said, shoving his pride down. “There was a … misunderstanding.”
“Two black eyes is more than a misunderstanding,” the Don said, ashing his cigar.
“There was a ...”
“I know what happened, boy,” the Don said, interrupting Ben. “That girl,” he said, squinting his eyes and waving his cigar at Ben.
“It wasn’t her ...”
The Don laughed, again cutting him off. “Of course it was! You’ve gotten too close, Benicio.”
“That’s not the case,” Benicio said, stepping forward. “It was a matter of safety.”
“Let the boys have a little fun!” the Don said, waving his arms out to the sides.
Ben did everything he could to not roll his eyes, but the best option was to go along with it, clear this up, and get back to Liz.
“Understood, sir,” Benicio said, nodding.
