Chapter 25: Biding Time

▪ D O M I N I C▪

"Hey! It's my birthday today, so that means you all have to be nice to me.

No short jokes!" James said as he drank from a big glass of Guinness.

Da'mon and Aleksandr simultaneously grumbled as we all sat at a large table in one of the fancier bars owned by the Irish mobster. The establishment spanned over two floors and was nicely decorated with rustic aesthetics.

"Why is that little piece of shit Cristiano here?" Aleksandr asked as he smoked a cigar.

The muscle in my jaw visibly ticked as I downed another shot of alcohol. I had been quiet for most of the night, though my eyes never left Jade as we looked down from the upper level.

I appreciated the way the green and white speckled skater dress fit her body. It stopped mid-thigh, showing off her strong yet sleek legs. Legs that had been wrapped around me two months before back in the kitchen. Her legs were so soft yet strong and smooth, and I could vividly remember the way her skin felt against my bare fingers.

Before my thoughts could run away with me, I shook my head and downed another shot, enjoying the burn as it went down my throat. I was grateful when James began speaking once more.

Raising his hand, the Irishman answered Aleksandr, "That would be because of me. I told Blaire that she could invite Jade and whoever else to keep her company."

"Are you really fucking that teenager?" Raeni suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, come off it! Blaire's almost twenty for fucks sake!" James huffed as he raised his drink to his lips once more, his green-blue eyes full of merriment as he took a mouthful then added, "A twelve-year age gap isn't that bad, plus she's really good company."

Shaking her head, Raeni scoffed, "You are such a waste man, I swear!" "Anyway Aleksandr, what's the problem with Cristiano being here?" James asked getting back to the previous topic.

The Russian's accent was thick as he muttered, "I do not like him!" "That's because he's got what you want," he teased before adding, "I'm surprised Jade's dating such a preppy little wanker though, I'm gonna have to re-evaluate her tastes."

Narrowing his cobalt eyes, Aleksandr said, "Birthday or not, James, if you talk shit about Jade, I will punch you in the face!"

"I will give it to the boy though, he definitely has some balls," Da'mon commented as he looked down at the group.

It was in that moment that Cristiano looked up at them. He was standing behind Jade, hugging her to him as she spoke with Blaire and a few of their friends. When his gaze met mine and the others', he grinned and kissed

Jade's neck. As she smiled and tilted her face towards him, he then focused his eyes on her and kissed her greedily on the lips.

I grit my teeth, feeling my anger rise at Cristiano's blatant display of possession.

"Akh, ty gryobannaya suka, bliat!" Aleksandr barked out a curse, calling Cristiano a fucking piece of shit in Russian while getting to his feet.

"Sit down, Tolstoy! Relax, he's just kissing his girlfriend," I managed to say, even though I was itching to take out my gun and shoot Cristiano between the eyes.

"She seems really happy though," Raeni said with a smile, "I'm glad she isn't following in Blaire's footsteps, they should be dating within their age group. And if not, at least decent guys, not pieces of shit like James..." she shot the Irishman a look before turning back to me, "How long have they been together?"

Knowing that I did not like talking about Cristiano, Vincent stepped in and answered, "I believe they'll be going on seven months soon."

"Wow, I didn't expect them to make it past three," she remarked in surprise. A deep laugh escaped Da'mon as he noted, "I didn't expect him to still be alive after the first date."

Raeni gave the Haitian a pointed stare before turning back to Vincent and myself, "What are you guys planning to do if it becomes something permanent? Will he be joining the business somehow?" she asked then sipped her wine.

I softly snarled in reply, my clasped hands tightened as I held them in front of me.

Raising her eyes brows slightly, "I guess that's a no..."

Suddenly standing, James said with a smirk, "Excuse me everyone, I'm going to go dance with the lovely Blaire, thanks for coming out. As always, order anything you want."

As the Irishman made his way down to the first level, his smile was wide as he pulled Blaire away from the group and lifted her in his arms. She squealed happily as she wrapped her legs around his waist while he hungrily kissed her.

"Cho!" Raeni expressed her disgust as the Jamaican term slipped out of her mouth. She then stood and said, "With that I take my leave, good night gentlemen!"

Two of her bodyguards followed Raeni while she made her way out of the bar, the rest of the group remained at the table, drinking and smoking cigars. We kept the conversation light, although I listened more than anything else.

My attention remained on Jade and Cristiano.

I hated to admit it, but I was a little jealous of James. He had wanted Blaire and did not care what anyone had to say about it.

It made me wonder what it would be like if I threw caution to the wind as well. Dating Jade would be interesting to say the least, and I was curious as to how she would act in public if we were an item. I could admit that I would be insanely possessive of her, but then again, Jade's jealousy was even worse than mine. She would probably stab women for just looking at me.

The thought made me chuckle softly. I was drawn to that wild side of her, that inner beast that I knew could be as ruthless and relentless as my own inner monster. We could be good together, but dangerous as well. God, the things we could accomplish as a couple.

A part of me wanted to go downstairs and grab Jade out of Cristiano's embrace. But I had promised myself that I would not get involved in their relationship. For now, I would simply bide my time and observe things from afar. If, in the future, the two decided to end their relationship for whatever reason, there would definitely be no objections from my side.

Standing up to stretch my legs, I moved to the railing of the balcony, my eyes taking in everything on the first floor. I watched as Cristiano excused himself to go outside and answer a phone call. Jade then immediately looked up at me, her smile widening as our eyes locked.

She all but ran up the stairs and was at my side within mere seconds, her body standing close to mine as she discreetly touched the side of my arm with her shoulder.

"Having fun?" I asked.

"Oh yes, although I fear Blaire will be heading home with James soon," Jade replied, her nose scrunching up a bit at the couple who was oblivious to those around them as they danced and made out.

"I see," I said simply, my gloved hands gripping the railing tighter as I noticed Cristiano returned to the spot that he previously stood.

Jade's gaze also landed on her boyfriend and she waved down at him.

"Will you be staying back with Cristiano or will you be leaving when Blaire does?" I enquired, making a slight clicking noise with my mouth.

"I'll leave when she does. I was wondering..." she looked away from Cristiano to look up at me, "Can I ride home with you? You came with the Bugatti, right?"

Shocked by her request, I turned to look at her, my head cocking towards the lower level, "What about your boyfriend?"

"What about him? It's not like you'd let him drop me home," Jade laughed softly before adding, "besides, it's been a while since you took me out for a drive."

Chuckling softly, I replied, "Fair enough, Jade. Come get me when you're ready to leave."

Nodding with a smile, she turned and walked back downstairs where Cristiano immediately enveloped her into a hug, his eyes locking with mine over the top of Jade's head. A soft snarl escaped my lips as I watched Jade lean back into her boyfriend.

"Get a grip, Dominic," I reprimanded myself as I moved away from the balcony and sat back at the table.

As Jade threw her head back and laughed at something Cristiano said, I could not deny how beautiful she was. I slowly contemplated over how many countless tragedies had started because of faces like hers.

Given Aleksandr's reaction to her being with Cristiano as well as my own, I had to admit that women like Jade made men fall in love, even though they knew that they should not. Was I in love with Jade?

Fuck, I had no idea what that word meant.

All I knew was that she made me feel and do things that I never in my life thought were possible. For even now, as I sat here in this large room full of people, my eyes could only focus on her.

Though Jade may not have been everyone's cup of tea, I knew that to me, for all her defiance, her wild, reckless nature and broken pieces, she was perfect.

If that was not love, then I did not know what was. She made me want to do so many crazy things, which in itself was scary to think about, given the type of man I was and the things I was known for. All

I knew was that I would do anything in my power to keep her safe and happy, even if it meant burning everything in this world to the ground.

"Isn't this some fucked up shit..." I murmured to myself.