Raven's Point of View
2 weeks had passed since that moment with Dominic. I had managed to keep my distance from him, even though every time I saw him in the office, the memory of us having sex and him ruining me over and over again would resurface, sending my heart racing. I was trying to focus on work, but it felt impossible to ignore the tension that lingered between us.
I unlocked my phone and opened the banking app, my thumb hovering over the login. My eyes went wide the second I saw it.
Two hundred and forty dollars an hour. Twelve-hour shifts. Five days a week.
Oufff. My first paycheck had finally dropped.
I tapped the numbers again. Checked the total. Nope, not dreaming. That one week alone was more than I made in an entire month before. Living in this neighborhood, barely scraping by? This was insane. My stomach flipped.
I didn't even have a fixed schedule. I hadn't said anything about what hours I preferred-I'd just stayed late every night, and he never complained. Apparently, that was fine. Clearly, that was how he wanted it.
Lila stood in the doorway, shifting her weight.
"Do you have a pad?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Already?" I frowned.
Lila nodded slowly. "Yeah. Two days ago."
Then she paused.
"Don't you usually get yours right after me?"
I froze.
"...Yeah," I said quietly.
Silence stretched.
Lila's eyes widened. "Raven... have you gotten it yet?"
I shook my head. "No."
Lila swallowed. "What if you're-"
"No," I cut in too fast. "No. I'm not."
She stared at me. "You don't know that."
"I do," I said, pacing now. "It's stress. I've been working nonstop. I barely sleep. I work for the devil."
"Either way," she said carefully, "you need to take a test."
I shook my head harder. "I'm not doing that."
"Raven."
"I said no-"
My voice cracked.
I stopped pacing. My chest felt tight.
"I can't be," I whispered.
Lila crossed her arms. "Did you even use protection?"
My face burned.
She sighed. "Based on the way you walked into this apartment that day, I'm guessing no."
"Oh my God," I groaned.
Lila shoved open the tiny closet door, digging through the shelves like a tornado. "Where the hell did I put it?" she muttered, tossing random bottles and boxes aside.
I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with a mix of confusion and suspicion.
"Wait... when the fuck did you buy that?" I asked, nodding toward the little box she finally pulled out.
She smirked knowingly, holding it up like a trophy.
"I bought it last time I hooked up with that guy," she said casually, eyes glinting. "Remember?"
My jaw dropped. "Oh my God... you did not just-"
"Shhh!" she hissed, moving to the counter. She set the test down and handed me a stick.
"Your turn, drama queen. Don't screw it up."
I walked out of our bedroom, heart hammering so hard I thought it might escape my chest. From the kitchen, I could hear Jamie singing-off key as hell-and for some reason, it made me even more nervous. I couldn't even laugh.
What if I was pregnant?
Lila followed behind me, smirking like she already knew the chaos brewing. I barely noticed her as I stepped into the bathroom.
"Go on," she said, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, wearing that damn smirk that made my stomach twist.
I gritted my teeth and did what I had to do, holding the test like it might explode. Lila didn't look away once. God-why was she so calm?
She tapped her phone. "Five-minute timer," she said. "We'll know when the results come through."
I pulled my pants up and started rambling, talking to myself more than anyone else.
"Okay... okay... breathe... it's just a stick... it's just a stupid stick... it can't tell me anything yet..."
The seconds felt louder than the apartment.
The test sat on the edge of the sink like it was judging me, the little screen blank, innocent, evil. I stood there with my arms wrapped around myself, rocking slightly, eyes fixed anywhere but that stupid stick.
Lila leaned against the counter, way too calm. Way too smug.
"This is taking forever," I muttered.
"It's been like thirty seconds."
"That's forever."
She opened her mouth to say something when suddenly-
"WHAT'S GOING ON?" Jamie's voice shouted from the hallway.
Before I could stop her, Lila yelled, "JAMIE-GET IN HERE."
"No!" I spun toward her. "Why would you call Jamie?"
Too late.
Jamie came running down the hall like the apartment was on fire, skidding to a stop in the bathroom doorway with a strip of bacon hanging out of his mouth.
"I heard yelling," he said around it. "Is someone dying?"
The bathroom was way too small for this. Jamie had to keep the door half open, one hand braced on the frame, bacon still in hand, eyes darting between me and Lila.
"Why are you here?" I hissed.
Lila pointed at him like this was obvious. "Let him be. And if you're pregnan-"
"PREGNANT?" Jamie shrieked.
The bacon nearly fell out of his hand.
"Pregnant?" he repeated, voice climbing an octave. "Like-human pregnant? With a BABY?"
"Don't listen to her!" I snapped.
Jamie slapped a hand to his chest. "Oh my God. I'm gonna pass out. Sit me down. Why is it always you?"
I smacked Lila's arm. "It's just stress. I am not pregnant."
She rubbed her arm, unbothered. "Okay but if you are, you're gonna have a killer baby."
I froze. "A what."
"Well," she said slowly, like she was explaining something very obvious, "he's a killer. So the baby would be like... a little killer."
Jamie's eyes went wide. "With bloodlines."
"Dominic's blood," Lila added.
My chest tightened. "Oh my God."
"And," she continued, twisting the knife, "he's married."
"Oh my GOD," I said, voice pitching high. "Oh my god, oh my god-"
The timer beeped.
I flinched like it was a gunshot.
"No," I said immediately, shaking my head. "I don't want to look."
Lila straightened. "Raven."
"I don't want to look."
Jamie leaned closer, whispering loudly. "I want to look."
"No one is looking," I said, squeezing my eyes shut.
Lila grabbed my wrist. "You're looking."
She dragged me forward before I could protest, forcing my gaze down.
Negative.
One line.
Clear as day.
For a second, none of us breathed.
Then-
"Oh my GOD," I exhaled, my knees nearly giving out. "Oh thank fuck."
Jamie sagged against the doorframe. "I just aged ten years."
Lila clicked her tongue. "Damn."
I slapped her arm again. "That was too close."
She grinned. "But iconic."
Jamie raised the bacon like a toast. "To not having a mob baby."
I snorted despite myself.
Way too close.
I stared at the test one last time like it might change its mind, then laughed shakily and tossed it in the trash.
"I got paid today," I said suddenly.
Both of them froze.
"What?" Jamie said.
"I got paid," I repeated, already walking out of the bathroom. They followed me like ducklings as I headed down the hall to our shared room. I grabbed my phone off the bed, my hands still a little shaky-not from fear this time, but adrenaline.
I unlocked my phone, opened my banking app, and turned the screen toward them.
Lila leaned in first.
Then Jamie.
Then both of them nearly collapsed.
"RAVEN," Jamie yelled. "WHAT THE FUCK."
Lila slapped a hand over her mouth. "Is that-no-wait-holy- that's a lot of money!"
I nodded slowly. "Yeah."
Jamie grabbed the edge of the dresser, as if it were the only thing keeping him from collapsing. "I'm gonna faint."
Lila looked at me like I'd just told her I was royalty. "Bestie... that's not money. That's escape."
Jamie's eyes lit up. "We could get a house."
I shot him a look. "Absolutely not."
"What?" he protested.
"We have rent," I said, ticking it off on my fingers. "Groceries. Clothes. Bills. Real-life adult shit."
Lila nodded. "She's right."
Jamie squinted at me. "Okay but I think you should stop fucking your boss so there'll be no hard feelings."
I choked. "JAMIE."
"I'm just saying!" he said, hands up. "Clean break. Professional. HR-approved."
Lila laughed. "It's been two weeks anyway."
"That's the thing," I said quietly. "It's been two weeks. No sex. No talking that isn't work."
Jamie snapped his fingers. "Yes. You're keeping your panties on."
"Oh my God," I groaned.
Lila clapped her hands. "Okay but now that we're not having a mafia baby and you're rich-let's go shopping."
Jamie gasped. "We need new clothes. Makeup. A lifestyle upgrade."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But I'm not doing the most."
I pulled on a sweater over my jeans and shirt-simple, comfortable. I slip in my boots. I wasn't trying to impress anyone. It was just shopping.
I left the room for them to get ready while I waited in the living room, scrolling mindlessly, still half in shock.
A few minutes later, they came back out, keys in hand.
We locked the door and stepped outside.
The air was weird-cold but warm at the same time. Snow still melting at the edges, sunlight trying to pretend it was spring.
"I want summer back," I muttered.
Jamie groaned. "Same."
We walked toward his car, boots crunching lightly against the pavement, and for the first time in days-
I felt like I could breathe.
★ ⋆｡°✩ ★
As we walked through the mall, I felt like I was on cloud nine. I'd never had so much money at once, and I wanted to treat myself-just a little. The first stop was a lingerie store. As I wandered down the aisles, I was drawn to the bras and thongs on display. They were sexy and bold, different from anything I'd ever considered buying. I picked up several, holding them in my arms. This was the start of my shopping spree.
The lingerie store was quiet, except for the soft hum of a romantic song playing overhead. My fingers traced the delicate lace of a red set I had just picked up, a deep, sinful shade that felt almost too bold. But after everything that had happened... maybe I needed a little boldness in my life.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear him approaching.
Not until I turned-and slammed right into a wall of muscle.
A familiar scent wrapped around me. Expensive cologne, leather, and something darker.
My pulse spiked before I even looked up.
Dominic.
I swallowed hard, my breath hitching as I tilted my head back, meeting those deep, predatory eyes. He wasn't in his usual tailored suit today, but somehow, that only made him look more dangerous. A tight black short-sleeve shirt clung to his massive frame, showing off every ridge of his sculpted abs and veiny, inked forearms. His jeans sat low on his hips, and I hated how easily my eyes dropped to the sharp cut of muscle disappearing beneath his waistband. He was so fucking hot.
God. Damn.
His gaze, sharp as ever, flicked down to the lingerie in my hands.
To the lace.
To the red thong dangling between my fingers.
Something shifted in his expression. His pupils darkened, his jaw tensed, and the way his tongue flicked out to wet his lips sent a dangerous heat through me.
He reached out and took the thong from my hands.
Effortlessly.
Like it belonged to him.
My throat dried.
Dominic held the fabric between his fingers, letting the lace dangle. His expression was unreadable, but I saw the tightness in his grip, the way his chest rose slightly deeper than before.
And then-his voice.
Low. Rough. Full of dark, sinful promises.
"You know..." His fingers traced the delicate lace as his gaze pinned me in place. "I remember ripping something exactly like this off of you."
My stomach dropped.
Heat flushed through my entire body, memories slamming into me like a wrecking ball.
His hands-strong, possessive-gripping my thighs. His mouth, hot and demanding, kissing every inch of me. The way he pressed me into his desk, the sharp edge digging into my skin as he groaned into my mouth, tearing my thong away like it was nothing.
I squeezed my thighs together, but it was too late.
Dominic's gaze flicked down, catching the movement.
His smirk was slow, knowing.
"I'd love to take this off of you again," he murmured. "Properly this time."
My breathing went ragged.
I wanted to say something-anything-but my voice had completely abandoned me.
That's when he reached into his pocket.
And pulled out my ripped thong.
The one I had left in his office that night.
The one he told me he'd keep.
Time stopped.
The air between us went thick and suffocating as he lifted the delicate lace to his face-and inhaled.
Right in front of me.
His dark, hooded eyes locked onto mine as he breathed me in, slow and deep.
My stomach clenched. My thighs tightened. A new, dangerous heat shot through me, and my lips parted, but I couldn't speak.
Dominic exhaled softly, his voice nothing but a sinful rasp.
"Still smells like you."
Holy. Fucking. Hell.
My knees nearly buckled.
I was too stunned to react-to do anything-except stare as he lowered the lace, letting it hang from his fingers like a dirty little secret. His gaze burned into me, watching every shaky breath I took, every little clench of my thighs.
And the worst part?
I could see it.
The dark, unmistakable hunger in his eyes.
He was turned on.
Just like I was.
A sharp gasp cut through the tension.
"OH. MY. GOD."
Jamie's voice shattered the moment.
I ripped my gaze away to find Jamie and Lila standing right there, their mouths hanging open like they had just walked into the most X-rated scene imaginable.
Dominic, who was still holding it.
Still sniffing it.
And looking like he had zero intention of stopping.
I wanted to die. Right there. On the spot.
Lila clutched her chest. "Tell me I did not just see what I think I saw."
Jamie's wide eyes bounced between Dominic and the ripped thong dangling from his fingers. He slowly turned to me, whispering in horror. "Is that the red lacy thong you left at his office?"
I clenched my eyes shut and nodded.
"Oh. My. Fucking. God." Lila smacked Jamie's arm like she was short-circuiting. "Jamie. Jamie, I-what do we even say? WHAT DO WE EVEN SAY?!"
Jamie screamed. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
My eyes flew open. "Jamie-"
"NO. NO. NO. DON'T EVEN." Jamie grabbed my shoulders, shaking me lightly. "Your married boss is out here carrying your underwear in his pocket like a damn souvenir and smelling it in broad daylight. DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF?!"
My face burned hotter.
Lila froze. "Wait." Her eyes slowly dropped to Dominic's hand. "That's the same thong he-"
I swallowed. "...Yes, Lila."
Jamie made a strangled noise. "The same one he RIPPED OFF YOU?"
I didn't answer.
I didn't have to.
His eyes widened in horror.
"That shit should be in a TRASH CAN," he whispered. "Not in his pocket."
People were already slowing down around us.
A couple walking past turned their heads openly now, curiosity written all over their faces. Someone snorted. Another woman glanced between Dominic and the scrap of red lace in his hand like she'd just witnessed something illegal.
Lila grabbed my arm. "Raven," she hissed. "It's literally torn."
I nodded weakly.
Because it was.
The delicate lace was stretched. Split. One side barely hanging together. Ruined.
Unwearable.
Destroyed.
And yet-
Dominic stood there holding it like it was priceless.
Jamie pointed at him, his hand shaking. "Sir." His voice dropped into a scandalized whisper. "Sir." He clutched his chest. "You ripped them. And now you're carrying them around like a trophy."
Dominic didn't even blink.
His fingers flexed slightly against the torn lace.
His lips curved.
"That's because they're mine."
My stomach dropped.
Jamie stopped breathing.
Lila slapped a hand over her mouth.
Jamie blinked rapidly. "I-" He lowered his voice. "...I actually find that kinda hot."
"JAMIE!"
"I MEAN-HE'S A RED FLAG, BUT DAMN." Jamie fanned himself aggressively. "That's obsession. That's not normal behavior."
Lila stared at Dominic like he was a wild animal. "He literally destroyed them... and kept them."
Dominic didn't deny it.
Didn't explain it.
Didn't care.
His eyes stayed on me.
Dark.
Possessive.
Certain.
Jamie slowly turned to me.
"Raven," he whispered, horrified and impressed all at once.
"...run."
Dominic smirked.
Like he knew I wouldn't.
Lila grabbed my other arm. "Or jump on him. I don't know."
Jamie yanked me into a corner. "Wait, wait. Tell me everything."
I groaned. "Jamie-"
"No. NO." He gripped my shoulders. "Did he keep that thong in his pocket the entire time?"
I sighed, closing my eyes. And nodded.
"FUCKING HELL!" Jamie spun in a circle. "This is so unholy. I love it."
Lila whispered in horror. "Jamie, you're supposed to be on our side."
Jamie held his hands up. "I am. I am also a little bit into it."
Lila hissed. "HE'S MARRIED."
That sobered him. He turned back to me. "Okay. That. That is a problem."
Lila smacked my arm. "Raven, you better not have feelings for him."
I hesitated.
Too long.
Jamie gasped. "OH, SHE DOES."
Lila covered her face. "We're so doomed."
Jamie grabbed my face. "Raven." His voice was deadly serious. "Are you trying to die? Because this man will ruin you."
I swallowed. "I already am."
They both stared at me.
Jamie slowly shook his head. "Yeah, you're fucked."
And behind us-leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching us like he already owned me-was Dominic.
Smirking.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
And the worst part?
He did.
Write a comment ...