Chapter 2

I didn't do as he said. Instead, I turned off the engine.

"Is she living in the house I bought for you?" I asked.

The first time I met Finlay, it was a misty, rainy day. I'd just finished cleaning up a mess in Crosstalk Alley, blood still fresh on my clothes, when I stumbled upon a bunch of punks roughing up some guy at the mouth of the alley.

I was about to mind my own business, but the desperate look in his eyes caught me off guard and made me pause.

Maybe it was because his eyes looked so much like the ones I kept seeing in my dreams.

I ended up saving Finlay.

He told me later that he'd gotten jumped because he couldn't pay his rent. The landlord's son had sent those guys after him.

I hooked his chin up, a teasing smile on my lips. "How about I give you a place to stay? Come live with me."

Finlay said yes.

The very first home I got him was at Oaks Apartments.

If it had been any other place, I wouldn't have cared. But of all places, it was here, and he knew what that meant.

Finlay rolled up the window, took my hand, and started planting soft, lingering kisses on my skin, working his way up until his lips finally met mine.

"Giovanna, Destinee and I are both influencers with a huge following. She's all alone in this city, and I just wanted to look out for her. Oaks Apartments is quiet, secure, and not too far from school, so I thought it'd be a good place for her to stay," he explained.

I didn't say a word, just stared at him, my expression unreadable.

He instantly looked like a wounded puppy. "If you don't like it, I'll just have her move out."

Before I could say anything, my phone started ringing.

The moment I picked up, the voice on the other end blew up at me.

The person said, "Giovanna! Are you seriously just hanging all over that guy you're keeping now?

"Do you even know what's happening? Argus Group sent people to spy on our bid, and they got into a fight with our guys in Crosstalk Alley!"

I pulled the phone away and rubbed my ear. "Hold on, I'll be there in a minute."

Finlay slipped away from me, all obedient. "Go take care of your stuff, Giovanna. I'll be waiting for you at home."

I fired up the engine and gave a soft nod. Finlay opened the door and stepped out.

He lingered at the curb, watching me drive off. Once I blended into the traffic, he turned and headed back into Oaks Apartments.

I stared at the rearview mirror for a while, emotions swirling inside me. I rolled down the window, hoping the breeze would cool off my restless heart.

After wrapping things up in Crosstalk Alley, I leaned against the wall, blood all over me, standing in a puddle of it, just waiting for the cleanup before heading out.

Amari Miller offered me a cigarette, but I waved it off.

She popped one between her lips and clicked her tongue. "What, you quit smoking for that pretty boy you're keeping?"

I shot her a look, giving her a fake smile. "I just don't like your brand."

Amari rolled her eyes. "Who are you trying to fool? You don't even smell like smoke anymore. Don't tell me you haven't quit."

She pulled out her phone, swiped a few times, then handed it to me.

"I don't care how many pretty boys you keep, just don't screw up business. And honestly, you should get yourself someone who's more obedient," she said.

I glanced at the screen for a few seconds, scrolled through it casually, then chucked the phone back at Amari.

"Yeah, I know. Let him do whatever makes him happy," I shrugged.

Amari took a long drag and blew smoke right in my face. "Has he got you totally under his spell or something? Why do you let him get away with everything?"

"I just like it," I shot back, giving the alley one last look as the cleanup wrapped up. Then I turned to leave. "I'm out."

When I got back to the villa, I walked in and saw Finlay lounging on the couch in his bathrobe, waiting up for me.

He came over, eyes full of concern and pain, his gaze lingering on the bloodstains on me. "Giovanna, are you hurt?"

I looked into his eyes, and I felt my heart soften. All that leftover tension from Crosstalk Alley faded away in an instant. "No, I'm fine."

Finlay's shoulders relaxed, his eyes lighting up with a crescent-moon smile. "If I'd known you'd be back so soon, I would've waited to shower with you."

Something caught my eye, a red mark on his neck. I reached up, fingers tracing it before squeezing hard. "Are you trying to make me smell someone else's scent on you?"

Finlay winced, his brows furrowing. "Giovanna, I showered. It's not what you think."

He took my hand and pressed it to his chest. "Giovanna, listen, it's always beating for you."

I shoved him away, my eyes filled with disgust, but seeing that hurt look on his face, my annoyance faded just as quickly.