Chapter 69 LEFT
ERICA'S POV
"Shit," I cursed under my breath.
"What are you doing here?" Aaron's voice was low, dangerous, as his hands slid to my waist. He pulled me closer, guiding me until my ass settled firmly against his thighs.
"Let me go," I muttered, but a dark chuckle rumbled from his chest. He turned to the waiter. "A tequila," he ordered. The man nodded and disappeared.
"Look at me," Aaron whispered against my ear, his breath hot on my skin. I folded my arms under my chest, stubborn, refusing to give in. But then... I spotted him. The guy I had followed here, emerging from the back, sitting down to eat.
Only lowly gangsters comes here!
I shifted without thinking. Aaron's jaw clenched hard. "What are you doing?" he growled.
"To check someone," I whispered. He chuckled again, but somewhat different "If you keep moving like that, you'll get more than just a check." His voice was pure gravel, sending a shiver down my spine. I turned to face him.
"What?" I snapped, but froze the second his breath brushed my lips: cool, teasing, too close. Only now did I really noticed: those sharp, sinful eyes, lips curved like temptation itself. The upper one dipped into a perfect heart shape, the lower thin and cruel. I swallowed hard. His mouth parted slightly, and I wet my lips without meaning to.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice softer now, amused.
"Nothing," I muttered, jerking my gaze away.
I pressed my lips together, shoving the heat aside, focusing on the man I'd come for. So I was right, this was just a place to eat.
"Do you like him?" Aaron's tone was mocking.
I rolled my eyes. "No. He's been following me. A lot," I whispered. Aaron's gaze flicked over, lingering, assessing.
"Hmm."
"Want to talk to him?" he asked. My eyes lit up. "Yes... but how?"
His brow arched, dark and scheming, like a devil plotting sin.
He stood suddenly. I nearly slid to the floor, but his arm locked around my waist, pulling me with him as he walked straight toward the table.
"What are you doing?" I hissed. This guy could recognize me. I lifted a hand to my forehead, shielding my eyes.
Aaron didn't answer. He just pulled out a chair right next to the man and tapped it once. Sharp. Commanding.
I hesitated, but the man's suspicious stare forced me down.
"Taste good?" Aaron asked, gesturing at the guy's plate.
"Who the hell are you?" the man shot back, his eyes narrowing.
Aaron's lips parted, like he was about to say something deadly, but he closed them, turned to me instead, and flashed a smirk that made my stomach twist.
"What are you up to?" I shot him a warning glare.
He ignored me. "This little thing wanted to find you," he said casually to the man.
I froze. Was he selling me out?
"What?" The word slipped out, sharp even through the mask.
"You did," the man said, his eyes darkening.
"Yeah," I recovered quickly, staring at my fingers like a shy girl. I'll kill Aaron later. "I just... saw how handsome you are. Thought it was love at first sight." I fluttered my lashes.
"Love?" The man repeated, his voice dripping in disbelief.
"What the hell is this?" he demanded, looking between us. He raised a hand, about to call someone over-security, probably.
Panic hit. I couldn't get thrown out.
I lunged forward, grabbing his hand. "Don't you believe in love at first sight?" I asked softly, my eyes widened.
He stared down at me like I was trash. "Let go, goddammit," he snapped, loud enough to turn heads.
Everyone paused. Stared.
Tears welled up: fake ones this time, from frustration. But I let them fall.
"I just... I've seen you around so much. I work multiple jobs, I thought... I didn't mean..." I trailed off, my voice breaking.
I licked my lips, looked down. Inside, my eyes turned feral.
I could feel Aaron watching, his lips curled in dark amusement. Enjoying the performance.
"Come on, if you don't want her, pass her to me."
"Such a fine ass should be with me. My tongue would treat her right."
"Hey, don't make a pretty girl cry."
The other gangsters chimed in, leering. Disgust coiled in my gut. To them, women were nothing but holes to fill.
My grip tightened on his hand. He could've shoved me away, offered me off to them like meat. But instead... his arm lifted, his fingers brushing my hair.
I tensed, fighting the laugh bubbling up.
I turned to him, smiled sweetly, let him wipe my tears like I was innocent. Aaron's stare burned into my skin, but I didn't look. One glance and I would falter.
"I shouldn't have said that," the man murmured, almost gentle.
For a second, I thought he had a heart.
Then his hand circled my waist, possessive. I couldn't help but hiss inwardly. Aaron's gaze dropped: dark, lethal.
"Tequila," Aaron called out sharply. The waiter rushed over, setting shots on the table.
"A drink from me," Aaron said. The man smirked, downed it fast.
I watched, waiting.
His hand moved to my face. I nearly flinched, but held it together.
"Yes?" I asked, doe-eyed.
He didn't answer. Just let his gaze drag down my body, hungry.
Men were so easy.
To trap them, just use a woman!
"Take the mask off," he ordered.
I froze. He felt me tense, suspicion flickered in his eyes.
"I don't think that's-" Aaron started.
But I pulled it off anyways. Heavy makeup, fake lashes, the wig, he wouldn't recognize me.
"What a pretty creature," he murmured, his thumb brushing my cheek.
I blushed on cue, looked down, but dug my nails into my palm to kill the rage.
Then his fingers grazed my lips. That's when I glanced at Aaron.
His eyes were bloodshot. Murderous.
The glass in his hand shattered, blood dripping between his fingers.
I froze.
The man looked over, confused. Aaron didn't even flinch. Just stared at the blood like it was nothing.
I tried to stand, "He's hurt-"
"Where to?" the man tightened his hold. "I should patch him up," I said, the words tumbling out.
"He's fine. We get cut all the time," he dismissed.
Aaron lifted his gaze. His eyes empty and cold.
"Enjoy yourselves," he said, voice flat. "I'll clean up."
He stood and walked away.
Just like that? He was leaving me here?
Not that I was scared, i could handle this creep. But Aaron's presence had made the touches, the groping... bearable. Less infuriating.
Now the warmth was gone.
I stared at the empty chair across from us and swallowed hard.
Enough about Aaron.
"Well," I turned back to the man, my voice soft, "you take a lot of pictures around the area, don't you? Why?"