Chapter 29: 19| Touch-2

"I've already bargained your life with you, I'm sure I can make another exception," I retorted. "The sooner you wrap up this case, the sooner I get to kill you. After all, isn't this the case you're so busy with?" She stared at me. "Isn't Ambrose the reason you begged me not to kill you just yet?" "You call that begging?" she mused. "I don't recall being on my knees for you." I stepped closer to her, our eyes locked as I leaned down. "There are other reasons I can give you to get on your knees for me. I'm sure you'd enjoy those much more," I said softly, my lips grazing her ear. Drawing back, I looked down and held her gaze, watching as her chest rose with a shaky breath. "Trust me, Ms. Milano, if I wanted you on your knees for me, you would know it and you would do it. Not because I told you to but because you would want it." She stared up at me, refusing to back down and look away first. "You sound very sure of yourself. Although, I can't help but think it might be easier to make you bend at my will," she replied. "Think I can prove you wrong?" "You'll fail," I told her. "I'll win," she argued, "I always win, Mr. Harper." "Not this time," I shook my head lightly as I stepped closer, my chest brushing against hers. She refused to step back. "What do I get if I win?" "I wasn't aware this was a game," I responded. "Everything with you is a game. What do I get if I win?" she repeated. I tilted my head to one side, watching her in amusement. "You'll have me at your mercy," I said, "you'll have me on my knees instead. That should be enough." Her brows twitched up as she watched me. A tiny smile graced her lips as she stepped back and took her refilled glass. "I'll hold you to your word then, Mr. Harper," she said, humor carved into her features as she took a small sip before turning her back on me and strutting away. As time passed, the glimpses I got of her reduced to nothing because, after an hour or so, I couldn't locate her in the crowd, no matter what. As I set my glass on the bar, I felt a hand clap over my shoulder, squeezing lightly. "Is this where you've been hiding tonight?" Glancing over, my gaze met Cal's. He dropped his arms on the counter and stared at me expectantly. "When did you arrive?" "An hour late," I answered. Both of us spun around, leaning into the counter as we watched the room. "Did you get bored of bothering Aurora already?" I questioned. "No. I'm simply heeding her warnings before she throws her drink in my face." He sighed lightly. "Don't you think Amara should take my side?" "Why would she? Aurora's one of her best friends and you're her ex-boyfriend." He let out a low breath and rolled his eyes. "It's never been that simple between us. Aurora chooses to believe otherwise." "Why wouldn't she?" I questioned, glancing at him. "She doesn't understand your world the way everyone else does. She's not a part of it, Cal. She's just her father's daughter here. Her world doesn't begin and end with crime and corruption. Isn't that why everyone told you to leave her alone in the first place? You chose not to listen." "She wasn't something I could let go of without a fight, Tristan." His gaze found her in the crowd again. "Are you still trying to get her back?" I asked bluntly. He shook his head once. "I can't afford that dream. So I settled for distance. I watch her in the crowd like this instead." I couldn't help but watch him with distaste and pity, not knowing if I felt more disgusted by his passion and persistence or more pitiful for his hopeless fate. Turning to the crowd, my eyes landed on Anastasia as she spoke to another guest. "Is Dante here?" I asked. "No. He was invited but refused to attend. Typical Dante." The longer I scanned the room, the more evident it became that Amara was no longer in the hall. "Where's your sister?" "Hmm?" He looked around once. "I'm not sure. Maybe she left. Uncle Elijah went home a while ago too." Cal turned to me. "Are you leaving?" I nodded once, standing upright. "I have work tomorrow." He hummed in response before I made my way out the exit. Taking my car keys out of my pocket as I entered the parking lot, I walked to my car, slowing in my steps as my gaze landed on Amara's car. If her car is still here then she must be too… She can take herself, I'm sure. It's not my problem anyway. Reaching the driver's side of my own car, I unlocked it, the headlights flashing once. But as I reached for the door, I felt a familiar grip on my arm, forcing me to turn around. A simple touch and I knew it was her. A simple touch and every inch of me was aware of her presence, of the effect she could have on me if I'd let her. A simple touch and I was aware of the threat she posed to me. As my eyes collided with hers once my back hit my car, I felt the cold blade rest against my throat and the brush of her body against mine. "Mr. Harper," she crooned in a sing-song voice. She looked just as put-together as she did earlier tonight but her cheeks had a brighter pink blush coating them and her gaze was slightly hooded and unfocused, telling me everything I needed to know. I sighed quietly, staring at her. Suddenly, I was certain I had a long night ahead of me and it was just starting. Scanning her face and looking into her eyes, I couldn't help but blink and lean forward to get a closer look. Warning me, she pressed the blade against my skin harder. A light scoff escaped me as I pocketed my hands and leaned against the door. "You're drunk," I stated. I knew it the very moment I realized she was drunk; Amara would once again, without fail, become my problem tonight. And I would once again, without fail, take care of it… of her. Not because I wanted to but simply because I couldn't afford to leave her vulnerable and clearly, she was too exhausted to guard herself tonight. So this once, I would do it for her. Just this once. . . . . . Chapter 19