PROMPT: Character A jumps into Character B's car breathless, urging them to start driving and just keep going
thanks a lot to Astrangefan, my best Alphabet!
All The Right Moves
Fuck, fuck, fuck…
Luna tucked a blonde strand of hair behind her ear and looked around. Ginny told her it would be a quick mission - she needed to go to the counter, pick up the package, and leave money.
Just that.
But she didn't mention that the place was a dirty, old, and suspicious place in the outskirts of the city, far away from civilization.
The taxi driver, when she said her desired destination, looked at her sceptically and advised that it wasn't a safe place. But Luna ignored him; it wasn't easy to scare her. Or so she thought.
"You should be careful, miss," he said when she gave him 20 pounds. "It's not a good place for young ladies."
"Thank you," she replied sourly, not really believing him, and got out of the car.
But the taxi driver was right, and she immediately regretted letting him go.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Luna looked at the scrap of paper with Ginny's handwritten note, " 10 am, for Black."
It didn't make sense then or now.
The building looked tragic, the shabby paint was coming off the walls, and graffiti covered most of the surfaces. She was getting more anxious with every step she took. Finally, Luna found the entrance to the establishment and entered.
As she opened the door, conversation and smells reached her ears and nose. Mainly cigarette smoke, whisky, and men's cologne.
Ginny, what the fuck.
It was 9.58 am and she swallowed, feeling a bit of panic.
She shook her head, murmuring under breath, it will be okay Luna, it's just a favour, you are okay.
Luna opened the door and went inside. The conversations stopped and everyone looked at her with curiosity.
She wasn't sure what Ginny had in mind saying counter, as nothing matched her expectations. The place looked as bad inside as outside and was simply disgusting.
"Um," she started, but was interrupted by one of the men who approached her. He was tall, with long dark hair and a lot of tattoos. Older than her maybe by 20 years or so. "Um…" Luna repeated, because he eyed her up and down without shame.
"Who are you?" This direct question wasn't pleasant at all.
"I'm here to pick up… a package, for a friend." Her voice was trembling slightly, because she had no idea what she was doing.
"Pretty ladies like you shouldn't be in places like this." His answer was threatening. "But if you are here, what is the password?"
Luna stared at him for a long second, not quite understanding what he had in mind.
"Password?" she echoed and he nodded, taking a step closer to her. She was starting to feel trapped and it was an awful feeling.
"Yep, m'lady," he chuckled ominously and she noticed that all the other guys were also chuckling. Her terrified eyes scanned the room and she counted at least five older adults, who were looking at her hungrily.
It was surreal; she felt like she was starting in an old cheap thriller with a bad antagonist.
"I only have the information about the time and for whom," she replied finally, taking a step towards the door.
"So, you don't have any password?" She shook her head 'no,' and he cocked his head, staring at her intensely. "That's too bad, m'lady." He reached his hand toward her, and she felt her blood starting to boil.
"It only says for Black, sir." Her weak voice and her words made him stop.
"For Black… okay, but you aren't ginger. We expected someone ginger, not blonde." He raised his brow and turned his back to her.
"Peter, where is the package m'lady is asking for?"
A rat-like man nodded his head and vanished in the back of the room, while Luna was still cornered.
"Money?" the tattooed man asked and Luna opened her purse with shaking hands.
"I have everything prepared, it's in the envelope." She took the white envelope, but held it close to her body. "But I need the package first." She tried to sound confident, but her heart was beating fast as adrenaline rushed through her body.
"You, m'lady, are not setting the rules here; we are. Gimme the money." His hand was close to her and she swallowed hard. "First, the money," he repeated, and she noticed that he had a gun clipped to his belt.
A bloody gun.
Her body froze, but he didn't notice - the rat-like looking man came back with a white package in his hand. He passed it to the tattooed man, and Luna focused on trying to calm down.
Fuck, fuck, fuck…
Tattoo man smirked at her. "Now, the money."
Luna narrowed her eyes, but nodded eventually.
"On three," he snorted, but accepted the proposition.
One, two, three…
Luna snatched the package from him, tossed the money on the floor, and ran to the backdoor. She pushed the metal wing aside and ran to run. She felt the blood rush through her veins and fear paralyse her mind.
Holding the package tightly, she noticed that there was an orange car in front of the building, with someone sitting inside.
Without thinking, she ran to him and yanked on the handle, flipping it open.
Luna jumped into the stranger's car breathless, shouting and urging them to start driving and just keep going.
He was surprised, but he obeyed her and set off with a screech of tires. She saw in the car mirror that they were chasing her.
"They have a gun, those guys." She justified her action, terrified.
Once they vanished from her eyesight, she looked at the driver and bit her lip.
That was also so stupid of you, Luna, she thought, but she said aloud,
"Thank you for letting me in." sounded silly, because his reply was rasp,
"I didn't have much choice, did I?"
That was obviously true, but she looked at his face and once again her body froze, but this time the reason was different. She was looking at one of the hottest guys ever. He was in mid or late 30s, with dark hair, athletic, but slim, and…
She just realised she was in an unknown car, with a stranger, who was helping her to get out of another trouble.
Fuck, she got into more hot water, this time really, really hot.
Or even boiling.
"Well…" she started unsure and swallowed, "I should apologise." This didn't sound convincing for Luna and he chuckled, which was surprising.
"You should." He confirmed and added, "You say they had guns, huh?"
"They did." She nodded and he sighed.
"It's not exactly the safest neighbourhood," He was right. "And riding with a total stranger is not smart as well."
Luna blinked a couple of times, when she oriented they were riding the total opposite way she initially thought.
"Oh, bloody hell, are you a creep too?" She gasped at him and he snorted.
"I would say the only creep in this car is you. It's my car if you didn't notice yet, and I saved your life."
That was a strong argument in his mouth and she couldn't argue. She was silent and started looking in the car, it looked pretty clean and tidy. His wallet was lying next to her, in dark leather with a JP monogram. He had a coffee from Starbucks and a couple of pounds were laying next to it. On her right side she spotted a closed bag from the laundry room, she could smell the freshness.
"You are a curious little brat," he noticed that she scanned his car and she blushed. "I'm James and you?"
"Luna." She stuttered out without thinking about lying. She shouldn't reveal her real name - she wasn't sure if James was his actual name.
"What were you doing in this part of town?" This sounded serious and she pursed her lips, unsure how she should reply.
He was waiting and she heard her phone buzzing. Ginny sent her text with the question ' 'All good? " and Luna sighed.
" A favour." Her voice was bitter and James raised his brow.
"This is a mobster part of town led by Sirius Black, they are dealing." His answer made her shift uneasy. "You were in danger."
She already knew that, but… What was he doing then? He tilted his head,
"I see this question hanging on your lips." He smirked and she looked away. "I was observing them."'
Luna heard the answer and decided to leave it. It didn't matter now - what mattered was where they were heading to. They apparently left Croydon and…
"I'm going to Woldingham Golf Club, do you want to join me?" James' question was innocent and she bit her lip. "Or I can stop the car and you can order the taxi, whatever."
She looked at him closely and saw he was smirking. He had hazel eyes, though.
"Um," Luna started and looked at the next pop up on her phone screen from Ginny "Are U ok? " She texted her back with, " Sort of, " and blocked the screen, "I can. I assume you won't kill me, will you?" She laughed, nervously, but he didn't react. Which was strange.
"At least not today." He replied after a short while, but his face was surprisingly serious.
She saw the neon of the golf club approaching and felt a bit relieved. She was so stressed for the past hour. They pulled the car up to the front entrance and James got out immediately. Apparently the doorkeeper opened the door for Luna.
James threw him the keys and waited for Luna.
It was the first time she noticed how tall he was, more than 191 cm (6 ft 3 in), while she was barely 157 cm (5ft2in). He had casual style, all black, but it still made an impression.
"Mr Potter, how delightful it is to see you." A voice appeared behind her back, belonging to the club manager.
James smiled slightly and in a defensive, firm tone said, " We are hungry."
Manager nodded vehemently and led them to the restaurant. Luna was shocked, everything here seemed so expensive and exclusive.
They received the whole VIP part of the restaurant, which didn't even surprise James. Like… it seemed to be so normal for him.
Luna took a seat and James appeared in front of her face. He was damn sexy and she had no idea what she was doing.
'Hungry?" His eyes were on her and she felt her cheeks flush. "Be my guest." He said and looked at the menu.
What the fuck is going on, Luna thought when she was pretending to reading menu, Am I dreaming? Or is this a shitty romcom from Hallmark?
"What would you like to eat, Luna?" His voice was firm, low, masculine. She cleared her throat and without looking at him, said,
"Maybe boiled egg, bacon and toast?" He nodded and the waiter approached them. James repeated her order and added his.
The silence grew, but then James started the conversation once again,
"So, it was a favour for someone? And you decided to put yourself in danger?"
Luna held her breath, "I had no idea."
His gaze was intense, when it was disrupted by his beeping phone. He took it and answered, saying nothing, just listening. His face looked like it was made of stone, not one muscle even twitched. At the end he just said, "It's okay, let it go," and hung up.
"Business." He said when noticed she looked at him. "So, how old are you Luna and what are you doing in your life?" He seemed serious and it sounded creepy.
"I'm studying." She replied plainly, and didn't want to give him her exact age. "At The Royal Veterinary College."
James raised his brow and smiled widely, "Sounds astonishing."
"And you?" She was curious, but his reply disappointed her.
"I'm a business owner, boring stuff." His hazel eyes were glancing at her and she felt hot. Maybe because of the weather?
"It looks like a good business, though," Her honest remark made him chuckle. But it was true, obviously, looking at his expensive car, expensive wristwatch and expensive everything.
"You know, win a few, lose a few." James winked and then breakfast came.
During it, he received a couple of calls, but most of them he ignored. Luna was eating slowly, it was one of the best meals she had in months.
"So are you living in a dorm?" James asked and she shook her head.
"I'm renting a flat with my friend. The one from favour." She replied between bites and he nodded. "Sometimes her boyfriend is crashing."
"Do you have a boyfriend as well?" His not so innocent question made her blush.
"No, I don't. I think relationships are overrated."
You should bite your tongue sometimes, Luna scolded herself in thoughts.
"Oh, overrated? So only one night stands?"James teased Luna, while looking deep into her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore this hot feeling.
"Sort of." She mumbled and he smirked.
James Potter was handsome, hypnotic, powerful and focused totally on her.
She had no idea what she was doing, being a part of this game, a part of this spicy conversation with a total stranger.
"You are a student, flings are part of college times." This seemed neutral, but his eyes were saying something different. He was curious.
"Um, probably." She murmured and took another bite of beacon.
They finished the breakfast and Luna felt the urge to leave this club and him. With a total mess of thought, she wasn't able to think clearly. And was afraid of doing something really, really stupid.
"I need to get going." Luna blurted, almost standing, which made James frown. She took her phone from purse and clicked for Uber.
"It says my Uber driver would be there in 10 minutes." She wanted to confirm the drive, when James stood as well and unexpectedly took her phone from her hand and cancelled it.
"I will drive you," it sounded cool in his lips. He led their way out and mentioned to the waiter to charge his account.
Luna followed him and recalled he still had her phone. His car was waiting for them already, so he opened her door and she slid.
James' mood was much worse and she was pretty sure it was because of her. He started the engine and asked,
"Where should we drive?" Luna chewed her lip wondering how to answer his query.
"Regent's Park would be fine, I live nearby." Her reply was evasive and he knew that.
"Okay. I would need to refuel, if you don't mind." James growled and Luna felt this unpleasant shiver down her spine.
"Of course." She avoided his eyes, focusing on the way.
Why from all the right moves she was making only the worst?
James left the car, took his wallet to pay for the gasoline and she could take a deeper look. Car looked normal and this was a good sign, but something was bothering her, this vague premonition. She decided to take a peek under the seat and she saw…
Bloody gun.
She felt her blood freeze in her veins and panic was rising.
Holy fuck.
Now, in her mind, everything was falling into place.
James Potter was also a mobster. And she was in his car, alone.
She decided to leave, took her purse and started to run. It was stupid and silly and she was out of her mind, but it seems right.
In a fucking twisted way.
She took her phone and saw that Uber was 3 minutes from her, she clicked and the order had been accepted.
She looked back and noticed James had left the building and realised she was gone. He looked around and their eyes met.
Terror overflow her body, once she noticed he was coming towards her. She looked at her phone, less than 2 minutes and Uber should be here.
She felt her heart pounding in her chest, this fucking fear. He started to run and then the Uber driver was almost there.
"Luna!" He shouted, but she ignored him, shaking her head only.
She got in the car and they drove away, without Ginny's package.
Ginny was pissed, but Luna was even more. They had a really fiercy argument and they did not speak to each other the whole evening.
The next day, which was Sunday, Ginny left to work and Luna was alone. She made herself coffee and picked the book she needed to read for lectures.
Then the doorbell rang and she got up from the sofa and opened the door.
Luna didn't expect to see him in near future or never ever.
"How…" She stuttered, "how.. do you know where I live?" Her voice cracked as she immediately felt scared.
James shrugged and handed her the package, she hesitantly took it, biting her lip.
"I know a lot, Luna. And I know a lot about you." This sounded creepy and she wanted to slam the door in his face, but he warned her, "Don't do that. Let's talk. Could I come in?"
She shook her head at first, but talking in the public corridor wasn't smart. She let him in.
James started bluntly, "I'm James Potter and Harry, Ginny's boyfriend, is my son. They guy who is crashing here," he emphasised and she felt the warm feeling over her body.
"Oh." She didn't completely believe him, but he seemed convincing. " You are a gangster." She stated, and he nodded.
"Yes, I'm. No point in denying." He smirked and she sighed.
"Please, leave, James." She asked and added, "Thank you for this package, although I wish nothing would happen yesterday."
James touched her arm and whispered, "I'm happy that we met, Luna. And I hope we will meet soon."
Luna shook her head,
"I hope we won't."
"Let's see," He smiled and squeezed her arm, "I know there is a wedding planned somewhere this year…"
Luna's jaw dropped and he laughed hard.
"It's destiny, my dear. But for today, goodbye my sweet Luna."
And James left, leaving Luna in shock.
