Chapter one

Saturday mornings were an absolute horror. I had laundry to do and worst of all I had to go to work. My boss was a selfish bastard and psychotic. He had swords on every wall inside skulls. Not to mention that he had the weirdest customers ever. It even sucked that I was his only employee who was willingly working for him. All the other candidates got scared off when he nearly killed a man for insulting his intelligence. I mean, he was a good man and all but he seemed odd most of the times. I never even talked to the man. Ever.

I woke up that morning with the unusual desire to eat chocolate. Which I did when I went to the laundry mat and did laundry. I couldn't stand the one in the dorm. Everyone was always fighting over machines and all that. I was out of college for the summer so I didn't have a lot of clothes to wash. Thank goodness. I sat down at one of the blue plastic chairs and took bite out of the candy bar. I blew my bangs out of my face as I finished chewing. It was so hot. My tank top was literally sticking to my back. Having a bra didn't help either. I felt like it was suffocating me. Even with cheerleader shorts (I wasn't a cheerleader or anything) I still felt hot. I hated Texas in the summer.

I sighed when I felt a bead of sweat roll down between my breasts. I swear, it felt like I was taking a shower. It sounded gross, believe me I know, but it was that damn hot. I had a deodorant in my purse but I didn't think that would be enough. Damn it and it wasn't even noon yet. I grabbed the bottle of water from the floor, opened it and chugged what was left of it. Eating chocolate was good but the thirst was it's only default. I stood up as the drier finally came to an end.

I threw the plastic bottle away and grabbed one of the laundry carts. I opened the door of the drier and began to yank the clothes out. Once finished, I rolled the cart over to the table I was using. I grabbed the hamper from underneath and dumped all of my underwear and bras in there. The fan at the corner kissed my neck as I began folding. The air gave me no relief. It was like a furnace blowing at me.

I should have done the laundry yesterday, I thought. No one was using the dorm's laundry room. I'm so stupid.

I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. I really wanted to murder the person who was responsible for this place. As I finished folding my jeans, I heard a faint noise in the office. I placed all of the clothes in the hamper and went to investigate. The air around me got colder as I drew near. My skin erupted in goosebumps. Something wasn't right. The hair on the back of my neck stood when I heard another voice.

I walked closer, cautiously. My hear was in my throat for no apparent reason. My mouth had gone dry. Calm down, I told myself. It's probably roaches . . . or a cat. It better be a cat.

The door was slightly ajar. It hadn't like that when I had arrived. I pushed the door and it squeaked open. I took another step and peaked inside. There was no one there. The room wasn't dark but only contained a small desk and empty shelf that needed a good dusting. I breathed in a sigh of relief. The tension drained out of my shoulders.

"Can I help you?" I heard before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I screamed and swirled around. My back bumped against the frame of the door. It took me a moment to realize that it was an old women. She looked over hundred years old but she could stand perfectly. There was something wrong with her. She didn't look her natural. Her brown eyes were misty and unfocused.

"N-no," I stammered. I was truly afraid and was surprised that I hadn't wet myself. I edge around her, keeping my eyes on her at all times. I almost ran to my hamper and it took every once of will power not to run out of there. It was a relief to be out of the laundry mat. The sun was still scotching hot and I was glad.

I fumbled with the keys as I took them out of my pocket. My hands were shaking badly. I unlocked the doors of the green car, who belong to my room mate. At that moment, I remembered that I had left my purse in there.

"Fuck," I muttered. I really didn't want to back inside. I was afraid that the women was still going to be there.

I placed the hamper in the back seat. I shut the door a little bit hard. I forced myself to walk back inside. I was in and out of there, with my purse, in record time. In that time I hadn't seen anyone there, not even in the office. I quickly got in the car, turned it on and headed back to my dorm. I had to get ready for work.

At exactly seven thirty I walked into Devil May Cry. It wasn't a bar but it was some place that people who got drunk and smoked could hang out. There was a pool table inside and a jukebox, a desk with empty pizza boxes and scattered papers. Not a bar at all. My boss actually lived in the back of his establishment which made it easy for me to pass out beers when asked to and when they paid for the beer. I was actually amazed that amazed that I even worked here. This place didn't look like it needed anyone to work, it was empty most of the time.

As usual my boss wasn't at his desk. The OPEN sign was on but no one was in. I was relieved. Not many women came to a place like this. There was always men and I had to be careful because I took the bus to and from work and during that period customers could easily pay me back if I had insulted them. I walked over to the jukebox and inserted a quarter. Randomly, I choose a disc. This place needed some music. A low, sweet, melody soon began to fill the air. I had the sudden urge to dance. I had thought that my boss only had rock music in there. Maybe he was a softy.

"What the fuck is that?"

I swirled around ad I heard the angry voice at the doorway. My boss was standing there, black boots and jeans. He still had water on his muscular chest and white, silvery hair. The necklace around his neck also had droplets. His electric blue eyes waited for an answer.

"Music?" I answered. I had seen my share of topless guys but this man was something else. I had, for a moment, forgotten how sexy he was. I was suddenly aware how I was dressed; jean shorts and a muscle shirt, not that I had any muscles to show. Regardless, I felt under dressed.

"What's your name again?" he asked as he walked past me.

"Anya," I told him. I put my hands on my hips when he switched it to another song.

"You work here?" His back was to me.

"You hired me," I said.

"Was I drunk?'

That was an odd question. "I don't remember," I said with a frown.

He nodded to himself. "You're fired," he said turning to face me.

I hadn't expected that. I only stared at him. "W-what?" I sputtered. He couldn't fire me. I had done nothing wrong.

"You are fired," he said slowly as though I was mental.

"I know that," I snapped getting over my shock. "Why?"

He was about to answer but was interrupted by a knock on the door. He smiled. "Pizza is here," he said. He walked past me.

Fuming, I followed him. That jerk was going to explain himself to me. Even if that meant pissing him off. He opened the door and a delivery man was at the door with a large box of pizza. Dante took out a bill out of pocket and threw it at the man. He grabbed the box and slammed the door shut. He walked past me, ignoring me.

"Dante," I said. He sat on the desk and opened the box.

I narrowed my eyes. I walked toward him and yanked the box out of his hands. I was beyond caring right now. He kept starring at the box as it spun across the room. His hand shot out and took hold of my neck. I hissed as his fingers dug into the sides. Dante pulled me forward until we were almost nose to nose.

"Why would you do a stupid thing like that?" he hissed.

I was not going to be intimidated by him. Even though his fingers never loosened. I knew I was going to have bruises tomorrow. "You're going to explain to me why I'm fired," I said.

"I don't want you to work here any longer," he said.

"That's not a reason," I told him. I yelped as he slammed me into the desk. He pulled me up. I was uncomfortably aware how he was positioned between my legs and way too close for my liking. Not only that but my neck was beginning to hurt.

"It's enough reason for me," he growled.

Dante stiffen as the door opened. It was a public place but usually there was voices and laughter. There was only silence.

"Are we interrupting?" I heard a man ask.

I looked past Dante's shoulder ans saw four people. Three men and a women. Two of the men were bodyguards, dressed completely in black and huge. They were also bald and had sunglasses over their eyes. The women barely had any clothes on and her boobs were threatening to fall out of her dress. Her black hair was pulled back with a clip. The last man was small and richly dressed. He had gold rings on all of his fingers and about four necklaces on his neck. He was a chubby man and had greasy black hair. I glanced at Dante. He didn't look so happy to see them. He took his hand away from my neck but didn't turn around. I could tell he was nervous.

"Nice place you got here," the man continued stepping forward. "Skulls and swords. Classic." The bodyguards fanned out around him. I kept my eyes on the women. I couldn't help but notice that she was eying Dante's butt.

Dante leaned toward me and kissed the side of my neck and none to gently, I might add. "Don't say or do anything stupid," he whispered as he pulled back. He turned around and faced the man.

"I was hoping to get some action tonight," he said as though it was the obvious thing in the world.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I should have totally punched him for kissing my neck and ending his pathetic excuse. Then again, that man looked serious. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the women slowly walk over to the doorway, which lead to the back part of Devil May Cry. So much for an attempt to ditch this party, I thought.

The man's laugh brought my attention back to Dante and the man. "It's the same thing for all whores," he said. "They think they are superior."

"You have a point," Dante said walking toward the man. "Why don't you come back tomorrow? I have to teach her who's superior." He looked at me and winked.

My boss, I mean, my ex-boss placed a his arm on the man's shoulders and walked him toward the door. I almost believed he was going to leave. Unfortunately, the man stopped right in front of the door. Dante took his arm off the man's shoulders.

"I got a question for you," the man said. "WHERE THE FUCK IS MY MONEY!"

Dante took a step back as the two bodyguards pulled out their guns. I heard a click to my right and turned. The women had a gun and she was pointing it at me! This couldn't be happening. Not to me. I was only in college. I barely even knew Dante.

"Are you sure I owe you money?" Dante asked. "I could have sworn I paid you back."

"You never paid me back shit," the man snarled. "Where is the four grand that I lone you?"

Four grand? I thought. Is Dante insane? He can barely pay his own bills!

"I hope you don't mind cleaning up your girlfriend's blood off the floor," the man said.

I felt my eyes widen at the threat. The women came closer. Dante turned around and looked at me. His eyes were hard and expressionless.

"Leave her out of this," he growled. "She was nothing to do with this."

"Oh?" the man asked. "Is that so?" He seemed to be thinking. "Maybe we can both profit from this. Give me the girl and your debt is settle."

The man walked around Dante and toward me. I slid myself off the desk. I needed every advantage if I was going to stay alive.

"Come on, Felix," Dante said. He walked toward Felix. "Bullshit, it isn't that simple."

"Yes it is," Felix said as he slowly slid his eyes down my body. I felt like a fruit being sized up by the buyer. "All you have to do is hand her over and I'll leave."

I could almost tell that he was actually thinking about it. I stared him down. I sent him stare that said "don't you dare even think about it". He winked at me again.

"The only problem with that is that I don't like to share," Dante said. He was about five feet away.

"That's too bad," Felix said.

He grabbed my right boob and started to squeeze. As I moved to hit him, I remembered what Dante had said. If I hit Felix I would surely die. I felt myself tense. I hated being touched without permission. I glanced at Dante. A tic was working on his jaw. He looked pissed. My eyes teared up as he grabbed my other boob. I chocked back a sob. There was no way I was going to cry. Not in front of this bastard.

"Get you fucking hands off of her," Dante snarled. He made a move toward Felix.

"Not so fast," Felix said taking out his own gun. He placed the barrel on my forehead. "Make a move and she dies."

Felix grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him. "You didn't really have a choice," he said. "I was going to take her anyway." He pointed the gun at Dante and pulled the trigger.

I stayed frozen in shock as Dante didn't even try to dodge the bullet. A scream locked itself in my throat. Dante hit the floor and didn't move. A pool of blood was starting to form around him. My knees grew weak and I fell to the floor. Tears fell from my face. I couldn't believe he was dead. I was hauled to my feet, roughly and forced our of Devil May Cry by the two bodyguards.

"DANTE!" I screamed, finally, snapping out of it.

I struggled as I saw the black SUV outside. I blow hit me in the back of my head. The pain blinds me and there isn't much I could do as I'm dragged to the SUV. The women opens the door and I was thrown in. I didn't feel any pain as I hit the seat then the floor. I felt numb and cold. Dante was dead. I should have done something.

Dante . . .

I'm so sorry.

Dante . . .

Dante . . .

Dante. . .

DANTE!