Hello Lovelies! I hope you are all well :) Enjoy!
Chapter Four
"A bit extreme and a tad late for road rage, no?" I goaded.
"You're not like-" she cut herself off, shaking her head like she was trying to clear her thoughts. "You offered me a ride."
O-kay then.
What was I supposed to respond to that? I had no idea what the hell she thought she was doing and since I didn't feel like I was in any real danger I would see where this was going before I put a stop to it.
We stared at each other in quiet, me enjoying the warm shade of brown in her eyes and she…who the fuck knows?
Her eyes narrowed at my silence. "Aren't you going to say something?"
"I'm starting to regret putting you in my car. And besides, why do I need to? You're the one with the gun. It seems to me it is you who has something to say."
"I have questions." They usually do.
I quirked a brow. I was listening.
"And you think I have answers? Very well. Ask away." I humored her.
Like a shark scenting blood she didn't hesitate. "What do you really do?"
Interesting.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"Just answer, okay?"
"Fine. I am a collector- of people, money, pretty, pretty things. Think of it as a cross between human resources, payroll and security."
"Do you think this is funny? I could shoot you!" But she wouldn't.
"So? Shoot me. I'm still not going to tell you anything more than that. Plus, I'm more worried about you hurting yourself with that thing. Where did you get it? An antiques shop?" I taunted.
She seemed to consider this.
"Do you think I'm pretty?"
"I thought you needed answers? You didn't strike me as one who fished for compliments Rose."
"Would you- I need- if you could, would you keep me?"
This was all very amusing but I was tired and offended because how dare she point a gun at me? It was time to end this.
"Put the gun down Rose. Now, little girl." My voice was a little sharper than I intended and she sucked in a breath. I wasn't trying to scare her and by the dilation of her pupils of which I had a very up-close view of- she was anything but scared.
Fuck.
"Or what?" She challenged slightly breathless.
"Nothing. I'll just have to take it from you."
"Show me then."
Oh.
Fuck no.
It was impossible in my current state to be aroused, even at my age, but I had better control than most men. It shouldn't be possible, but her little skit was doing things to me and I would hurt her if she wasn't careful- if I wasn't careful.
That just meant that I couldn't lay a finger on her. All of that mothering and attitude was already too much of a temptation.
Faster that she could react, I was off the stool. I grabbed the gun out of her hand before she could blink and reclaimed my seat, checking the rounds in the old gun.
Hm. Empty.
I don't know why, but it loosened something in my chest- a tightness I hadn't even known was there. I threw my head back and laughed.
It somehow both offended and appeased me. It meant she really wasn't afraid of me but it also meant that she had some motive that was not trying to kill me.
Rose stared at me like I was a mad man and maybe I was. I was certainly going insane, wasn't I?
"You should do that more." She said softly, like I she didn't just hold a gun to my head a second ago.
"And what is that?"
"Laugh."
That wiped any amusement from my face. I cleared my throat.
"It is my turn now, yes? What is it that you do? No, wait- is there anything you do not do?"
This made her shift her feet. She was either uncomfortable by the question for some reason, or she was going to lie.
"What can I say. I'm just a regular jack of all trades." She shrugged.
"A master of none?" I goaded her.
"Oh you know the old saying." Her smile was slow and mischievous. "Better than a master of one, yes?"
"I suppose." I agreed, rubbing a finger against my bottom lip in though. "Although, "Jacks" are not really my thing. Now, a Jackie or perhaps Jacqueline of all trades? "
Her eyes widened, puffy lips parting. "Did you actually just make a joke?"
I rolled my eyes. She hadn't answered my question and I was no longer amused.
"Enough of this. Why are you not in school?" I asked, my tone brooking no room for jokes and diversions. She wasn't getting out of this.
Rose flinched like the question had somehow lashed her.
"I…I'm finished with school. I earned enough credits to graduate a year early. I'm saving up until I have enough to- to leave." She bowed her head at the admission.
There was the earnest girl I had met. How she went from steel to petals with a moment's notice was beyond me, but God help me I was already curious.
The thought of someone- a girl- like Rose making it out of this damn place was wishful. I hope she would, one day even though the possibility of losing her, never getting to know her made me angry for some stupid reason. I was obviously in worse shape than I had originally thought. I needed to get home- I felt like I had been saying that a lot lately- before I did anything more stupid.
"Listen to me, Rose." I waited until I had her unwavering attention. "Stop this. I am no fool, I know you have brought yourself to my attention for a reason but stop it. Whatever is going on in that head of yours, I am not the answer."
"You are." She insisted, shaking her head wildly. "You are, Mr. Belikov. I pulled a gun on the most dangerous man in this town and you're letting me go without as much as a slap for my audacity. I won't stop pursuing you. Not unless you hurt me."
I clenched my jaw so hard, my teeth squeaked. She wasn't listening to me.
"Rose…" I said slowly, seriously. "Stay away from me. You could get hurt and while I may not be the one to do it, there are others who won't think twice. I mean it. Leave me alone and I will do the same. Stay out of trouble and get out of this place. If I have to warn you again…" I left that threat hanging between us.
I was full of shit and someone like Rose was not going to listen so easily but I was only willing to use my words this time. She had already been hit by my car after all.
I stood, making my way to the door without a backwards glance to her. I knew her eyes were following me but I kept going. She didn't say a word as I left and I just knew.
That would not be the last I saw of Rose.
A/N: I know, I know. These crazy kids, huh? Let the insanity begin! Also, I have been meaning to ask: do we want smutty goodness (I have no idea if I can even pull this off but I will sure as hell try!) or do we prefer fade to black? Let me know in the reviews! Until next time! XD