Chapter 8
Belle POV
It had been nearly two weeks since Alec had shown up at my house unpronounced – and other than a handful of phone calls that I let go straight to voicemail, and an array of colorful text messages, we hadn't crossed paths again. But I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach as I desperately searched through my closet for something to wear tonight, that that was going to change.
It was Friday night, so of course Harlow had let it be known that we would be blowing off some steam. Naturally, I invited Dimitri, although I wasn't sure that hanging out at the bar would count as a legitimate third date or not. Going to a bar as opposed to a noisy nightclub was something I was more than open to. It was too hard to actually have a conversation with someone at the club – but then again that wasn't really what they were designed for.
I checked my reflection in the mirror. I'd settled for a more relaxed and comfortable outfit for this evening. A pair of light-wash skinny jeans and a navy green tank top – paired with black ankle boots and a black leather moto jacket. It definitely felt nice to ditch the tight dresses and high heels that I was routinely goaded into wearing when going out with Harlow. A night at the bar was just what I needed.
"You look perfectly delectable today."
I shifted my gaze in the mirror to find Dimitri standing in the doorway of my bedroom. Although we hadn't found much time to go on actual dates in the last couple of weeks, he had become a regular guest within the house. Often the amount of homework I had piling up made it nearly impossible to go out. Other times Dimitri's work would run late, or he'd have last minute meetings pop up. Because of that, he'd been stopping over a lot lately just to hang out and catch up. Sometimes we'd watch a movie. And other than a few serious make-out sessions, we hadn't taken things much further than that.
"You're not looking so bad yourself, handsome." Dimitri had ditched his usual formal work attire that I had grown used to for a more relaxed look as well. His jet black hair was as tussled as it had been the first night I'd met him, and butterflies kicked up in my stomach at the memory. He was wearing a muscle hugging black shirt and a pair of dark-wash relaxed jeans. I had to force myself to pull my eyes away before my face embarrassed me again.
"About ready to go?" he asked as he waltzed up behind me and snaked his arms around my waist. I let myself lean into him, releasing a sigh of contentment.
"I want this to be a good night." I breathed as he placed a light kiss on my neck.
"It will be, doll. I promise." He turned me around in his arms and placed another quick kiss on my lips – I smiled into it.
"I'm going to hold you to that."
Our night at the bar was actually shaping up to be one of the better nights out we'd had lately. Opal and Logan were actually keeping their mouths separated for longer than five consecutive minutes at a time, and for once it seemed like Oliver didn't quite feel like the odd man left out. We had been sitting and drinking for hours – catching up and laughing over the stupidest things. My cheeks hurt from smiling and my heart was threatening to give out from the sheer number of beats Dimitri had caused it to skip.
"I'm gonna go grab us another round!" I said, hopping up from my seat.
"I'll come with you." Dimitri made a move to stand up, but I placed my hand over his and he paused.
"Stay and mingle. Get to know them. I'm pretty sure they're already half in love with you already." I whispered in his ear and placed a fast kiss on his cheek before walking away.
Dimitri had been fitting in pretty well with our group. Logan and him were fairly close in age – my brother being only a year older than him. And Oliver was just a few years younger than Dimitri. Opal, Harlow, and I were all the same age since we'd met in school. It was a pleasant surprise that he was meshing so well.
The bar was a bit more packed than I thought it would be. I figured most of the foot traffic would have migrated to Club Beta, but I guess a good amount of people wanted a break from the booming music as well. I edged my way through the crowd, muttering apologies to everyone I bumped into on my way.
"Shit." I said under my breath as my face collided with someone's chest and I felt an icy chill run down the front of my shirt. From the smell I would guess some sort of whiskey drink. My hands reflexively moved to brush the liquid from my shirt – but of course it was in vain. I looked down at my tank top and I knew the night was over. My eyes settled on a pair of unmoving shoes on the ground before me. Ah crap, I should apologize.
I tucked a few loose strands of hair behind my ear and pulled my jacket tightly around myself. "Listen, I'm sorry that was my bad." But the person before me made no response. When I finally looked up I found myself looking into a pair of all-too-familiar forest green eyes. "I rescind my apology." I said cooly, and went to turn on my heel, when a large hand caught my wrist. I wretched my hand away as if I'd been burned. "Don't touch me!" I hissed – turning to shoot him a glare.
"Jesus Belle." Alec retorted as he crossed his arms.
"I was just leaving." My eyes scanned the room for Dimitri, but I was too far into the sea of people to even see where my group was seated. The body of people making it almost impossible to create any sort of breathable distance between Alec and I – and I was finding it hard to take a deep lung-filling breath.
"It's nice to know you're alive and that your new tool-bag beau hasn't murdered you. I guess you forgot how to use a phone these last couple weeks." I was finding it hard to read his facial expression, which somewhat irked me. I had been fluent in all things Alec for over a decade, but I guess there were still parts of him that I didn't know.
"Oh, my phone works just –" Someone's back slammed into my own and I was pushed forward. My face collided with Alec's chest again and his hands shot forward to steady me, gripping both my arms tightly.
"Are you okay?" he asked, and I could have sworn there was actually concern in his voice. But I couldn't answer. My throat felt like it had closed in on itself and not just words, but air was also hard to find. "Goddammit." Alec spat as he released one of my arms. I flinched back when I felt his fingers wiping something wet from my cheek. Had the drink splashed me in the face as well and I hadn't noticed? No. That wasn't it.
It was tears.
Was I crying?
Confusion overtook my senses, and my entire body felt so weak and exhausted all at once. I tried feebly to brush off his other hand from my arm but I couldn't manage it. "Are you having a panic attack?" his voice sounded strangely strained, and I couldn't bring myself to make eye contact with him. "Come on, I'll get you out of here." His hand drifted to my elbow and he began to slowly lead me out of the crowd.
I couldn't form a coherent thought. It was like my body was on autopilot and my feet just continued to fall in step behind his. What I now recognized as tears continued their steady descent down my cheeks making the world blur around me.
"Bella?" My breath was coming in sharp and sporadic intakes.
"I – I can't br-breath." I manage to choke out.
I feel another large hand grip onto my other arm. "I've got her." Ah, Dimitri. He was coming to my rescue.
"Back off. I've been talking her through these since she was 14," Alec said roughly – his hold on me tightening as he continued. "You can't help her. You don't even know her."
"I know that you're the cause of this." Alec's hand released my arm as if he'd been bitten by a snake. "So, with all due respect Alec Tiers, you cannot help her. And for the record, my name is Dimitri Volkov." There was something murderous in the tone of Dimitri's voice that sent a cold shiver down my spine. "Come Bella, I'll take you home."
When I felt a cool breeze hit my face I knew we'd manage to make it outside. The coolness of the air easing the strain on my lungs only mildly. Dimitri helped me into the car and fastened my seatbelt around me. He traced comforting circles on my thigh as we drove, and as the minutes passed by I found it easier and easier to breathe. Until each breath came so effortlessly I felt my eyes drifting closed.
