Starlet: A Dark Retelling - Cora Kenborn Page 0,69
don’t have to sit here and justify myself to a drunken shithead like you.”
With fire swirling in my chest, I stand to leave until an inked hand grabs mine, holding it against the table. When I try to pull away, his grip tightens.
“Get your hand off me before I kick you in the balls,” I order in between clenched teeth.
Dominic’s fingers tighten. “No.”
“I’m going to—”
“You aren’t going to do anything but sit your ass back down and listen.” He jerks me forward. “And you won’t kick me in the balls. Know why, rook?” My eyes drill into him as he lowers his voice to a raspy growl. “Because you want what they’re attached to.”
“I hate you.”
“So, you keep saying.” Releasing my hand, Dominic sits back, motioning with a flick of his wrist for me to do the same.
Muttering under my breath, I quietly slip back into my seat, folding my arms across my chest. As the waiter deposits another drink onto the table, he raises it into the air.
“To fucked up situations all around.” I watch as the liquid disappears down his throat. Placing the glass on the table, he shifts those piercing blue eyes back onto my face. “I need you to stay away from Luciano Ricci.”
Finally, I get the truth. “What’s going on, Dominic?”
“I have a complicated past, rook. It’s not pretty, and it’s not safe. Especially for you.” He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t even be here. I should walk away and never talk to you again.”
“But you won’t.” I know this as sure as I know my own name. Which admittedly, isn’t the best analogy.
“No, I’ve told you before, I’m not a good man. I’m selfish. Too selfish to put your safety above my needs.”
I’ve never turned a blind eye to who or what Dominic McCallum is. Yet here I sit, reaching for every shredded piece of attention he deems me worthy of.
So who’s the real selfish one?
Breathy words tumble past my lips. “Who are you, Dominic McCallum?”
He rubs his hand across his stubbled chin like he’s appraising me. “I’ll tell you just as soon as you tell me what’s in Phoenix.”
My spine stiffens, every defense I have ready to man the line. “I’m sorry?”
“At your apartment I asked you why you chose Chula Vista of all places to live. You said if everything had worked out, you would’ve gone to Phoenix.” He sits back and stares at me. “So, what’s in Phoenix?”
“Wow, you sure know how to kill a mood, don’t you?”
My blood pressure kicks up at his callous laugh. “Not going to work, rook. I let you get away with changing the subject one time. I don’t fall for the same shit twice.”
Lifting my wine, I buy as much time as I can by sipping slowly. It’s acidic and tart just like the truth sitting on my tongue. Finally, I lower the glass. “You have your secrets, and I have mine.”
He scrubs his palms down his face. “Why are you so against trusting people?”
A valid question, but not one easily answered. “You of all people should know the answer to that,” I mumble.
“You’re never going to stop punishing me for that, are you?” That cocky sneer of his ignites again, making my stomach tighten. “Is that what tonight was all about? Did you go out with that pretty boy actor to get back at me? Well ten fucking points, cupcake. You win.”
My heart skips a beat. “So, you admit it.”
“Admit what?”
A smile blankets my face. “You’re jealous.”
All traces of arrogance fall from his face, and he leans forward. “Is that what you want to hear? Fine, maybe I am jealous. Maybe seeing him touch you made me want to cut his hands off and shove them down his throat. And maybe I am an asshole, but I’m an asshole who can still afford to take his girl to expensive places just like any Oscar winner.” He gestures around the restaurant.
A sizzle shoots down my spine. “You called me your girl.”
A flash of red sweeps across his cheeks. “Yeah, so what?”
“Is that what you think?”
Dominic’s shoulders stiffen. “Don't read into anything. I don’t do labels, rook.”
A throaty chuckle rumbles in my chest as I lean across the table and brush a wayward strand of inky black hair out of his eyes. “You love me, Dominic McCallum. Why don’t you just admit it?” I’m half joking, but I find myself holding my breath for his answer.
Moments pass in silence before he stares into my eyes, pinning