I stepped out into the back alley of a dive bar and took a shaky breath. What the hell am I doing? No one was around, because honestly who would go into a back alley in South Central Los Angeles unless they had a death wish. Well I didn't have anyone to be afraid of. I was virtually unstoppable, and yet...
It had been 3 months, 1 week, 2 days and 18 hours since the death of my older brother and I was still no closer to finding his killer than I had been when I set out on this mission. Even when I discovered that he had been murdered I didn't cry. The past four and a half years I had to learn to be strong on my own, I couldn't afford to show any weakness. But in that moment, with no one around I felt like there was no strength left in my body and I leaned against the wall and cried.
I don't know how much time passed until the sobbing stopped and I only had a few tears rolling down my cheeks but suddenly I heard the door open. I turned my head and quickly wiped away any evidence of tears. I heard the click of a lighter and suddenly the smell of clove cigarettes overwhelmed me. Frustrated I turned around.
"Do you have to do that here?"
The man made a smoke ring and then faced me. My heart stopped. He was tall, about 6 feet if I had to make a guess. He had deep green eyes that sparkled like emeralds with amusement. He had stylishly messy hair that was dark brown. He resembled a Calvin Klein model, except with clothes on. He was painstakingly gorgeous, but that wasn't what made my blood run cold. I knew who he was, and he was the last person I wanted to see.
"Sorry, love. I thought I was the only one out here."
Bullshit. He had perfect vision, even in this dark alley. "I-it's fine."
I stuttered. What the hell? If there is one thing that everyone knows about Brooklyn Evans it is that I do not stutter. Ever. Pull yourself together woman. It is like you have never seen an attractive man before.
"You were crying." He stated quite simply. It wasn't a question and there might have been concern on his face but I wasn't buying it.
"So what if I was? That's none of your damn business."
He laughed and my stomach fluttered. "Feisty. I like that." He walked closer to where I was standing and leaned against the wall next to me. He took a drag on the cigarette. After exhaling, in my face I might add, he said. "So what brings you to a back alley at a quarter to midnight? Did your boyfriend break up with you?" He made a mock pouty face.
The fluttering stopped. I smelled alcohol on his breath, but that was no excuse. "Actually no. He tried to and I kicked his pathetic ass. Then I broke up with him. I was crying because I broke a nail."
He laughed again. "No boyfriend? Who will protect you from evil creatures of the night?" He smirked.
And those were the last words Adrian Ivashkov said before I broke his perfect nose.