His brows lifted, impressed. “So you know a little Spanish.”
“A lotactually. But thank you for the compliment,” I expressed sweetly.
I felt Domino’s stare before I saw it.
I glanced past the man’s shoulder… and there he was. Domino stood by the column, close enough to hear every word, with his arms folded, jaw clenched, and tongue poking the inside of his cheek.
“A face like yours should be illegal in all fifty states,” the man continued, clearly getting a little too comfortable. “I hope your father doesn’t kill me for saying that.”
I leaned into his flirtation just a little more, smiling like I wasn’t fully aware of the storm brewing ten feet behind him.
Ajori, what are you doing, girl?
Why do you care if Domino’s watching? He’s not your man.
Exactly.
So why does it matter that his expression has gone from annoyed to dangerously quiet?
“Again, thank you. But I actually have a boyfriend.” The lie rolled off my tongue too easily.
“Oh.” He straightened, immediately respectful. “My apologies.”
“Yeah…” I exhaled, like I was letting him in on a secret, lowering my voice just enough to make it feel personal. “He’s a littleintense…a bit of a meanie if you ask me.”
My gaze slid past him again, and right back to Domino.
Still watching.
Still not moving.
Good.
“Between me and you,” I continued, stepping just a little closer, “he kills for a living… real quiet about it too… the brooding type… don’t smile much…definitelynot friendly. Oh… and he doesn’t like men talking to me,” I added, my tone laced with just enough warning to sound believable but just enough edge to make it messy.
Why am I doing this?
Why am I poking at something I don’t even understand?
Because Domino’s standing there like I belong to him.
Because he hasn’t said a word but his silence is loud enough to feel.
Or maybe, just maybe, I want to see him break it.
The man’s Adam's apple bobbled as he let out a nervous chuckle. “Yeah… I think I’m gonna go ahead and respect that.”
He cleared his throat, stepping back as if the floor had suddenly heated up.
“Well… you have a good night.” His voice faltered, no longer smooth or confident, just laced with nervousness and fear.
I offered him one last sweet smile. “You too. Maybe I’ll see you around.”
He nodded quickly, already backing away.
I turned and walked away, my heels clicking against the floor, oblivious to the silent panic I had just instigated. As I strutted off, I felt Domino’s stare carve into my back like a tattoo.
My father joined me a second later, a knowing look on his face. “I thought you said you were single.”
I took a sip of my champagne. “I am,” I confirmed. “Just a lie I tell men when I’m not interested.”
But in my head, I added the truth.
And sometimes I do it to see if the devil behind me still has a soul.
My father chuckled. “Mm-hmm.”
I felt Domino’s eyes on me that entire night. He didn’t say a word, but I heard everything loud and clear.
He’s mad, but he’s watching… which means I’m winning.
