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“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have
to play better than anyone else.”
-Albert Einstein-
LUCREZIA
I can’t believe I’m doing this. When Dom proposed the idea, it seemed ludicrous. A sure way to screw up our friendship and win Lucas’ rage.
Yet, no matter which way I turn the problem over the next few hours of my shift, I can’t deny its appeal. To know whether I can get a guy like Lucas, and to have my happily ever after... From any other guy, the proposition would raise my shackles.
But it’s Dom. Sweet, gentle Dom who not only helped me settle in this town, but got me a job and has been a wonderful friend since. I trust Dom, and if this has to happen with anyone, I’d rather it’s with him.
Plus, I’ve been out of the dating game for so long, I don’t want to make a fool of myself if anything were to happen with Lucas. Dom can be my dating buddy, steering me through the murky waters of this new world of Tinder and hook-ups—without demanding too much in return.
After all, why not? Or so the crazy voice inside me keeps clamoring.
So that’s how I find myself at The Cave that same evening. The rave bar is empty this early on, but I’ve seen it at its fullest before. There are only two of its kind in our small town, and you’ll find anything from alcoholics looking for their fix, cougars way too old preying on the young, and then... Lucas’ crowd.
The guys meet here for drinks every Friday night, their favorite pastime. Since it's Monday, no one we know is around—a fact I'm immensely grateful for. My eyes scan the area, falling in a darker booth where Dom's nursing a glass of amber liquid.
He took the time to change out of his regular work clothes, and he’s now wearing a pair of black jeans and long-sleeved shirt, a leather jacket thrown carelessly to the side. His broad shoulders seem to take up the entire booth, and there’s something about him that strikes me as tense.
I hesitate for a second, but as though sensing my gaze on him, Dom looks up. The intensity in his expression amps up a notch as he takes me in, then a corner of his mouth lifts in a smile and he waves me over.
Butterflies move in my stomach, and I'm halfway between a nauseous and excited mood. Now what the hell is all this about?
My feet move towards him, even as I gulp the lump in my throat. Like a perfect gentleman, he stands and lets me in the booth, then slides back in. We end up touching ever so slightly, enough to make me aware of his body heat.
“Are you running a fever?” I ask, frowning when he chuckles like I said something funny.
“No, why?”
“Well your skin, you’re just so... hot.”
He laughs out right at that, then bites back, “I thought you hadn’t noticed.”
The innuendo in his words is unmistakable and I shake my head. “I have a feeling this is a bad idea.”
Dom stills at that, then turns to face me. “No, it isn’t. First off, we know each other and you know I’ll respect your limits. Second, it’s all in good fun, right?”
Sure. Except this morning’s events run through my mind, and my reaction to his proximity, and now I’m second-guessing the reason behind my eagerness for this. I thought it was just to get Lucas’ attention, and maybe a week ago, it would have only been about that.
But now... I’m not so clear about it. My eyes roam his razor-sharp jaw, the cerulean eyes and determined expression. A lock of blonde hair falls across Dom’s forehead, and my fingers itch to touch it. Pushing away the reckless idea, I meet his eyes again and nod. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Perfect. So, what are you having?”
After I order a cheeseburger and a glass of wine, Dom taps the table to get my attention. I flush when I realize my mind wandered, yet here I have a perfectly sexy guy sitting next to me.
“Where did you go?”
I can’t well tell him I was still thinking about Eliza’s mention of Tommy, my ex-boyfriend, and whether he found me. Or, could I? I frown, trying to figure out if this is something that would fall in our... relationship.
“Earth to Luz.”
I sigh, pushing the idea away. If this is to work, I better keep things light. “Just thoughts, is all. So, how exactly do we do this?”
Dom tilts his head as if trying to read me. For a moment, I fear he might say something, call me on my bluff. We’ve known each other for long enough to realize when something’s wrong. But maybe because of that, he lets it go and sticks to the subject at hand.
“Well, first things first. How comfortable are you with touching?” At my obvious cringe, Dom’s face turns serious. I’ll have to remember he doesn’t miss much. “I won’t bite, I swear.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I mutter, looking away.
His touch is gentle when he pulls my chin back towards him. “You can trust me. Have I ever done anything to make you scared of me?”
“No,” I breathe, much too aware of his heat on my skin.
Those blue eyes peering into mine are almost my undoing, and my mouth parts to tell him everything. But old fears and shame rise just as quick, and I choke on the words, unable to get them out.
Dom’s expression softens and he lets me go. “Good, then all is not lost.”
After a sip of his whiskey, he says, “So, touching. Just to clarify, I mean holding hands, the occasional kiss—”
“Basically, PG-rated.” I almost kick myself for my disappointed tone.
Dom laughs again, then nods. “Yup. Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Before I can ask him what he means, he pushes on, “Will you be comfortable with that much?”
I glance at his lips then, trying to imagine them on mine, and my cheeks heat again. When our eyes meet, Dom’s have darkened by a few shades. He holds my gaze for a beat, letting me see it, then glances away and clears his throat.
“Yes, I will,” I admit, but doubts nag at me already. “So that’ll be it? Just pretend we’re together, and Lucas will somehow drop to his knees and declare his undying love?”
Dom snorts, and I can’t help a laugh at the idea. Lucas is nothing if not macho, so it’s hard imagining him go to any lengths like that for a woman.
“I won’t promise anything.” Something in his tone grabs my attention. “Lucas is complicated, in ways you probably don’t yet understand. But I know him well enough to say if you were to declare yourself to him, he’d shut down.”
He does seem private, all right. In the one year I worked for him, I’ve never seen him lose his cool or control of any situation. The guys respond to that energy, treating him like more than a boss, more of a pack leader.
Dom’s words drag my focus once more. “Lucas will respond to subtle threats, that much I can predict. But whether this will end up where you want it to or not... Well, all that depends on various factors.”
I nod, having figured out as much myself. “You must think I’m pretty pitiful for resorting to this, huh?”
“Never.” There’s a conviction in his voice that lifts my spirits, enough so I can meet his earnest stare. “I think it’s commendable you’re going after what you want, albeit in a more roundabout way.” His hand moves, grasping mine. “I’m glad you agreed to this, Luz. It’s about time someone starts treating you like you deserve, and it seems like poetic justice that it gets to be me. Even if it’s only for a pretend situation.”
And there he goes again. This is what I most have trouble with, where Dom is concerned. The complete contradiction between the womanizer the town thinks he is, and the amazingly sweet man he is when around me.
Thankfully, the waitress chooses that moment to return with our food and my drink. I grab the wine glass like it’s my salvation, taking a large gulp of it. It helps me swallow past the lump in my throat, and calms my nerves somewhat.
“I appreciate you saying that, Dom. But...I think we shouldn’t go past a month with this charade, as it could lead to, um, complications.”
“One month?” Dom takes another swig of his drink. I notice when he looks at me that his eyes are clear and not glazed like most guys who enjoy getting drunk. “All right, deal.”
Then he extends his hand. I glance down at it and back up at his roguish grin. He really is too handsome for his own good.
“One more thing,” I add, hand in his. “I know this will be all for pretend, but...you have a certain reputation. Please don’t go being with other girls at the same time.”
He smiles at that, then bends his head by my ear. “You have my word.” When his lips brush my cheek, I inhale sharply.
Dominic
I release Luz’s hand and go back to my whiskey, nursing it and thanking my lucky stars for the way the night is going. My new fake girlfriend is a complete contradiction, an angel and temptress all at once.
When she turns hers focus to the food, I chance another look at her profile, taking in her downcast eyes and fine features. I didn’t expect the victorious feel in my stomach, nor the sharp pang in my heart at the thought I’m grooming her for another.
Still, I’m willing to take the risk if it’s the only chance I get. It gives me a month to change her mind about Lucas or at the very least figure out a way to show her she’s not in love with the guy, but in lust.
She still may want to get that out of her system. My treacherous mind points out, and my wolf bares his teeth.
I force my gaze back on Luz. Under my scrutiny, she tucks an errant strand of hair behind her ear. The rusty color is almost flaming under the dim lights of the bar, and I wonder what it would feel like to wrap it around my hand.
Luz looks up, her green eyes widening when she sees me staring. I do my best to hide the hunger I feel inside—and not for food—then take a big bite out of my burger.
After a moment, Luz follows my lead and digs into food. It’s only once she’s halfway through her burger and wine that she meets my eyes again. I can see the questions in her eyes, but she’s holding back.
Since I’ve practically inhaled my food by this point, I lean back against the booth and focus all my attention on her. “What is it?”
She takes another nibble at the burger, then places it back on the plate with a sigh. “It’s just.... I don’t know if I feel right about doing this.”
Oh no you don’t.
“Luz, you’re not hurting anyone. What we do will harm no one, only attract Lucas’ attention. Which is what you want, right?”
Before she has a chance to answer, the door opens, blowing a gust of cold wind inside. As if on cue, Lucas steps in and Luz turns as if feeling him. I swear she stops breathing for a second.
Across the distance, Lucas is brooding, scanning the bar. Then he sees us and something flickers in his gaze. Next thing I know, he’s striding over until he’s hovering over the table.
“Late night snack, amici?” His tone is cool, but his eyes dart between us and his mouth flattens.
Nice trying to show you’re cool, Lucas. But you’re not fooling me.
As if hearing my thoughts, he directs his glare my way. I hold it for a few moments, then remember our pack rules and shift focus to my date instead.
“Not really. Just taking Luz out for a drink. It’s allowed, no?”
Lucas glances between us again, then smiles. “Sure.” He looks more like he’s baring teeth than grinning, but I let it pass.
“You could join us?” Luz offers, and I catch the pleading in her voice.
Lucas, bastard he is, shrugs. “Grazie, but I’m here only for a quick drink. I’ll be over there if you need me.”
With a nod my way, he turns tail and heads to the bar. I hate it when he starts dropping Italian words, even more so when Luz’s eyes follow his rigid form. “You think he’s mad?”
“Let him.” At her startled expression, I amend my statement—mostly, my bitter tone. “He’ll get over it, Luz. Lucas just doesn’t like surprises.”
I notice her sharp intake of breath and reluctantly turn towards my alpha. A leggy blonde by the bar made her way to him, and she’s now leaning close enough to touch and for him to see down her shirt. Lucas barely gives her a glance, but Luz's turmoil is plain.
Rather than tell her he’s not interested in girls flinging themselves at him, that he likes his chase, I amp up the conversation.
“You realize tomorrow will be exactly one year since you came to this little shit hole?”
That gets her attention, and those green eyes turn back to me. Something like a smile tugs on her lips, and I grin back. “Cheers to that little anniversary.”
She clanks her glass to mine, and we each take a sip. When it looks like her gaze is drawn back to Lucas, I keep going. “What did you think of the bunch of us when you first saw us, all together?”
Luz’s eyes twinkle. “I thought you were the most rambunctious, big children I ever set eyes on.” A gulp of wine, a blush, then, “Also, the most good-looking.”
I laugh good naturedly at that. “Damn straight!”
She shakes her head, almost as if not believing her admission. “But you guys come from different parts of the world. I never quite understood that. Quite a big coincidence to have you all converge here, in Rockland Creek.”
“Mm,” I sip from my whiskey, debating how much I can tell her. “Well, you already know I was born in Romania. Orphan by the time the wall came down between East and West, I was adopted by a nice couple and brought here.”
Lucas is all but forgotten as Luz leans across the table, resting her hand on mine. “I remember you telling me that.”
I turn my hand so our palms touch and squeeze hers, then continue. “My parents were nice, and I lived the good life, but I was always restless. They died in my last year of college, so I picked up and roamed the country until I landed here. Met Lucas. Stayed.”
She tilts her head to the side, silently encouraging me to continue. It’s a good thing her attention is no longer on Lucas, seeing as the blonde is practically in his lap. Can you get a room at least?
My annoyed thought is shot telepathically, not quite sure if Lucas will listen. Depending on the type of werewolf, communicating wordlessly while in human form is not the easiest thing. In my case, it only works with the alpha, otherwise it’s pretty much a shot in the dark.
“And Finn? He’s Irish, right?”
I nod at Luz’s question, noticing Lucas tries to shrug his companion off again. “Aye, the old bugger.” My bad imitation of an Irish lilt has Luz chuckling. “He and Tristan joined us within six months of each other, and my arrival. Lucas was already here.”
Rather than ask me about Lucas like I half-expected her to, Luz throws me for a spin with her next question. “Do you miss it, Romania?”
“I was young when I left.” I shrug, trying to shake off visions of mountains, valleys and everything in between.
Luz takes another bite of her burger, brow furrowed in concentration as she mulls my words over. “And you remember nothing?”
Nope, more like I remember too much. I sigh, looking away.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push.” Luz’s contrite tone is the final straw that brings forth my honesty.
“You didn’t. I remember snippets, but only a little. I can close my eyes and see mountains, tall enough to blind the sun. Their peaks are dusted with snow, dense with forests, full with wildlife. I ran through them countless times, in the care of a family who took orphans in.”
What I don’t tell her is the first bite of my vârcolac heritage, nor my first time morphing into a wolf. “Though I was young, and we didn’t have much past the basics, I can still taste the fresh milk, the smell of baked bread in the house...The fresh air outside and the wildlife calling.”
I trail off, assailed by other memories. My first kill was a doe, her death swift by my canines. I carried her carcass home as human, but the couple saw me for what I was. They were not fit to deal with me, nor I with them past that stage.
I must have zoned off, but Luz’s tentative touch on my shoulder brings me back to the present. Her green eyes glitter with emotion, and my wolf quiets, nuzzling closer, lulled by her presence. He chose her that day, a year ago, before I even had a chance to realize what was happening.
Me and the guys, we’re as different as werewolves come, each battling different demons from the past. Lucas is what you’d expect in one of our kind, a shifter and leader. Me, I’ve got a rebellious streak that more often than not gets me into trouble. Finn and Tristan, well, they’ve got their own stuff going on.
But what really separates us is the way we pick our mates. For a vârcolac, it’s not a choice made by the human side, but rather by the wolf. Once that part of me zoned in on Luz when I first saw her, I was lost whether I agreed or not. And if by the end of this month she doesn’t see the connection...
The moment is broken when the door slams open and three men stomp in. Dressed in leather and studs from head to toes, chests bare, heavy boots, they’re your basic trouble crowd. Except I know them—and so does Lucas.
Luz glances over, then shifts closer to me instinctively. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, but my focus is on my alpha. At the bar, Lucas pushes off the blonde hanging on him and turns his body halfway to face the intruders.
Their leader, Jared, we’re all familiar with. With a half-shaved head and ring piercings in his nose and ears, he’s the ruler of a small territory in the west. Incidentally, he’s also the werewolf alpha of a pack called the Reapers.
Yeah, you can tell how this might be a problem in such a small town. But mostly, they stay away from us. They don’t like our mix of different werewolf bloods, it makes us too volatile. Plus, past skirmishes in the past ended up with losses on their side rather than ours.
Which is why their appearance in a bar that is our known hangout is, for the least, surprising. My gaze latches onto Lucas’ and his imperceptible nod towards Luz.
Get her out of here.
What about you?
My question goes unanswered when he straightens his back and Jared spots him. “Well, well. The alpha himself is here.”
I cringe, but no one seems to notice the slip. They probably assume he’s talking about Lucas’ natural macho attitude. See, the Reapers don’t go by our rules—they don’t care if humans know of our existence or not. In fact, they’d prefer it, as it would ensure their rule as the predator.
They also hate humans. Which is why Lucas wants me to take Luz away. The only problem is, any movement at this stage will have their eyes on us faster than you can say run.
Turns out, my worries are right on spot. Because even though we don’t move, my arm around Luz’s shoulders draws Jared’s attention on his way to Lucas.
“What do we have here?” Eyes flashing, he changes directions and heads to our table. His guys stay by the door, as if to stop anyone from leaving.
Luz tenses under my hold with each step they take closer, and I brush my lips against her temple. “It’s alright. Just trust me.” My words are a whisper, intended for her ears alone, and she relaxes.
Jared is now next to our table, glaring down at me with his icy gaze, then at my closeness to Luz. He dismisses her with a sneer, and speaks only to me. “I get the appeal, brother, she’s pretty enough. But why a mutt?”
I grit my teeth at the derogatory term they use for humans, clenching my free hand under the table. It wouldn’t do to start something with them here, in front of witnesses.
As if sensing my agitation, I hear Lucas in my head. Keep your cool.
Easy to say. Much harder to actually put into practice. Still, I settle for narrowing my eyes to Jared, daring him to say more. To my surprise, before he can, Luz explodes from under my arm.
She jerks to her feet, fists clenched at her side and cheeks flaming. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
Jared does something I don’t expect: he actually looks her in the eye. Normally, the Reapers consider all humans beneath them, a weaker species created only to be dominated. But Luz’s outburst draws his attention, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
“In this day and age, you dare to dress up like motorcycle thugs and waltz in here, ruining perfect dinners and saying nasty things? So what if Dom is an outsider, you have no right being an ignorant prick!”
My jaw drops at her rant, but I don’t have time to correct her. Jared wasn’t referring to me as the mutt—but her.
Protect!
My wolf roars just in time, sparking me into movement. Jared takes a step closer, flushing and looking ready to strangle her. I jerk to my feet, simultaneously tugging Luz so she’s behind me. In the small booth, it’s a tight fit but I’m ready to go to war if need be.
Lucas, however, has other ideas. He walks over to Jared, tapping his shoulder to get his attention. “I believe your problem was with me. What is it you want this time, Jared?”
I can’t believe his bored tone, considering what nearly happened, but I push my anger down. It would not do to let my wolf out right now—especially in front of Luz.
Jared glares at Luz for a moment longer, then he smiles coldly. Something about it makes the hairs on my neck stand, and judging by Luz's shiver, she feels it too. I pull her against me, hoping my heat will help somewhat.
Lucas zeroes in on the touch, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. Too bad, buddy. He focuses back on Jared, his eyes shooting flames. “Still waiting.”
“See, I thought you had a tight leash on your pups.” I cringe again at the animal reference, but Luz is too enraptured by Lucas’ show of force to catch it. “Yet here I find them hunting on our territory.”
Lucas’ eyes narrow and meet mine in silent questioning. He must read my surprise, because he widens his stance and crosses his arms over his chest. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” Jared scoffs to his two followers, then steps closer to Lucas. They face off, bodies tight with tension. “If I catch them, they’re dead meat.”
With one last sneer our way, the Reapers take off, and the entire bar breathes freely. “I thought I would have to call the cops.”
Lucas chuckles to the bartender, but we both know human police would be way out of their league in dealing with Jared and his cronies. I watch as my alpha puts the humans around him at ease with a joke and smile here and there, then motions to a corner.
I ask Luz to wait for me, making sure she’s settled in the booth, then follow him to the quiet area.
“Do you know what he’s talking about?”
I shrug, glancing towards the door where the Reapers disappeared through. “Jared must be deluded, as always.”
“Maybe... But have a whiff around town tonight. Then meet us by the borderline at midnight.” His gaze flickers to Luz, then me. “Unless you have other plans.”
The steel in his tone is unmistakable, but it only makes me straighten and meet his glare head-on. “No plans, chief.”
His eyes narrow at the sarcasm in my tone, then he moves past me. “Good. I’ll bring Luz home.”
“No need. I will.” I’m blocking his way, so close I could shove him. Lucas’ glare burns holes in me, and I feel the imprint of the wolf wanting to submit. Still, I stand. “She’ll be safe with me.”
“Bene.” His agreement is more of a growl, but under the circumstances, I’ll take it.
I step back to Luz, drop cash on the table for the food and we collect our jackets. Then we head out into the cold, the biting wind not bothering me, rather helping to clear my head. The walk to her small condo is short, but with each step Luz moves closer.
Our hands brush, and I grab hers into mine. “Cold?”
Her red nose confirms it as much as her nod, and she burrows deeper in her jacket. “This winter’s chilly.”
Wordlessly, I pull her close by the waist and she leans into my side, soaking up my heat like a cat. When we get to her place, she pulls away, taking her time.
“Thank you for walking me home. And.... for everything. Back there.”
Luz glances down, shuffling her feet. There’s more she wants to say, and I want to hear it, but my wolf is distracted by the previous confrontation and wants to patrol around town.
Still, the night is ending on a good note, and I'm grateful for that. I lift her chin with my finger, searching her gaze. Her lips part open, in response to whatever my expression is communicating. But instead of taking what she willingly offers, I press a kiss to her forehead. “Sweet dreams, Luz.”
She blinks, then nods weakly and steps away, heading inside.
“Lock your doors tonight.”
My warning gets through, but I still wait until I see the light turn on a few floors above, before leaving her side.
Lucrezia
I listen to Dom’s advice and lock my doors, then head to the window on an impulse. He’s still below my apartment, seemingly waiting for something. Once I turn my lamp on, Dom turns and walks away.
My eyes follow him until he turns the corner, disappearing out of my sight. I lift a hand to my lips, blaming my need to kiss him on the wine I indulged in. And yet he hadn’t picked up on my silent plea... I shake my head, moving away from the window.
This whole evening was nothing I expected, and my head feels like it’s swimming in feelings and doubts as I undress and get ready for bed. By the time I slide under the sheets, it’s Dom’s eyes I see under my closed eyelids, his touch I feel when sleep takes me.
And above all, one thought spins round and round... What the hell did I just get myself into?