Chapter 5

I crossed the threshold, and the guy took me by the elbow and led me down the corridor. The corridor was empty. The rooms were closed and there wasn’t a single person in sight. Joe walked ahead, holding my hand tightly. He was silent, making me more and more nervous. We rounded the corner and a shiver ran through my body. The door opened and Dean came out of the room, buttoning up his shirt.

"Oh, look who it is!" The guy laughed, putting his jacket on top.

"Are you leaving?" Asked my escort, stopping in front of him.

"Yes," the brown-haired man stretched out and arched an eyebrow, scrutinizing me.

I lowered my head, trying not to look him in the eye. This man is forcing my brain to bring my memory back. Bringing back what I was so desperate to escape from.

"I'll get her. Go away," Dean said sternly and Joe let go of me.

My eyes widened at what I heard. "No!" I shouted, grabbing Joe's arm. "Please don't let him walk me out."

The guy shook his head negatively and snatched his hand out of my grasp. Dean pulled me against him and shook his head to my escort. Joe turned and disappeared around the corner, leaving me alone with this monster in the guise of a young and attractive guy.

"I love the way you’re reacting to me," Dean whispered in my ear.

I swallowed the fitful lump in my throat and prayed that he wouldn’t do anything to me. That he wouldn’t finish what he started.

"I don’t have time for you right now, so you’re going to James," the guy straightened up and took my hand and dragged me towards the exit of this building.

Fresh air hit my face as soon as we stepped out of the building. The guy walked with quick steps until he stopped. From the surprise of his actions, I crashed into his back. He turned around to face me and pursed his lips. The light from the sun hit his face and his emeralds shone even brighter. He smiled, showing his dimples and rolled his eyes slightly. Was he embarrassed? Was it because I was staring at him? I thought this guy didn't have that feeling.

"Do you know how to tie a tie?" The guy whispered, lowering his eyes. He tuckled his bangs back and his green eyes returned to mine.

"So, what?" Dean asked again.

"Is it really you?"

"What?" His eyes showed confusion, and he waited for my answer.

"You’re a rude, horny bastard," I blurted out what I’d wanted to say to his face for a long time.

"I can bring back the bad boy if you want me to," his brow furrowed and the smile faded from his face.

"It’s just that I realized this place would punish you anyway."

I stopped talking, realizing I’d ruined everything.

"So, are you going to tie my tie?" The smile returned to its place, and the green emeralds shone again.

"Yes," I smiled, probably for the first time in this city. In this goddamn city.

He gently took my palm in his and led me to his car. I tensed up a little at this quick change of mood. Wait, what’s a tie doing in his car? It's not a closet.

"Wait. I'm not going anywhere with you." I pulled my arm out, refusing to go any further.

"Why not?"

"What’s a tie doing in a car?"

"Lying there," answered the guy, looking at me puzzled.

"In the car?"

"Well, I’ve got plenty of spare clothes in my trunk," Dean held his hands up, showing his protest for me to stop bombarding him with questions.

I like a playful guy like that better than a bad and disgustingly vulgar one.

"Let's go?" He whispered, taking my hand gently, as if afraid to scare me off.

I put my small hand in his big one and followed him to the parking lot. He opened the trunk and I saw a lot of different T-shirts, jeans and whatever else.

"This your closet?" I laughed and the guy looked embarrassed.

"You know, spare clothes are always needed. There are different situations,” his smile disappeared and was replaced by a smirk.

He jerked me against the car and got too close to my ear, with his lips he slowly pulled on my earlobe. My body let a shiver run through me and my heart pounded several times more often than usual.

"What are you doing?" My voice shook, showing fear.

"For example, I could rip your sweatshirt off right now and have sex with you. Then you’ll need spare clothes and I’ll easily give them to you,” his hands persistently slid under my sweatshirt.

"Please don’t," I closed my eyes and immediately felt the absence of his body.

"I was kidding," the guy laughed, and I opened my eyes in surprise.

"Jesus," I sighed and leaned against the car.

"So, are you going to tie the tie?” Dean asked again and smiled, showing me the dimples in his cheeks.

"Get it on already."

The guy went to the trunk and started turning his clothes upside down, looking for the right thing. I peered through the window, looking at the leather interior of the car. On the back of the seat hung exactly the thing the young man was looking for.

"Dean!"

"Yeah?" The guy lifted his head up, looking at me questioningly.

"I think I found your tie," I pointed my finger at the seat.

The brown-haired man opened the door and climbed into the car, pulling out his thing. Maybe he really wasn’t as bad as he seemed? Maybe Rosie was right? Definitely I was falling for this fun guy. I was falling for his good side.

"Tie it," the guy straightened up and held out his tie to me.

I slipped it over my neck and started making knots.

"Don't piss Jay off," Dean whispered, lowering his head to look at what I was doing.

"What?" I stopped and looked up.

"Thank you."

My gaze went back to the tie, realizing that I’d already tied it.

"I don’t understand." I shook my head, stepping back. "Why are you all telling me to stay away from him?"

"He’s waiting for you. Come on, I'll take you." The curly-haired man's mood had changed and now he grabbed my elbow roughly and led me into the building.

"Answer me!"

"Shut up! Just shut up, okay?" The guy started yelling, speeding up his steps.

What’s the blond guy hiding? A terrible past? A family? Feelings? Himself? We’re went into a building near the left wing. Dean led me silently through dark corridors with guards at every corner. There was tension in the air.

"Go," the guy let go of me and waved his head at the closed door, knocking on it.

He walked quickly down the stairs, leaving me alone with a sudden fear. I quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

"You seem to want to know everything about me," the voice was a little hoarse, echoing through the room.

A chill ran down my spine, and my breath hitched. James was sitting with his back to me in the swivel chair, staring out the huge panoramic window.

"I..." my voice shook and I stopped talking.

"I know what you ask everyone. I know what you talk to everyone about. I know everything," the guy turned around and his cold eyes quickly found mine. "I'll tell you what you should know. Sit down," Jay said in a commanding tone.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked over to the sofa and slowly lowered myself onto it. His eyes watched my every move, which made it too awkward.

He closed his eyes and spoke on an exhale: "I'm James Williams Foster. And this is my city with my rules."  His eyes opened, dwelling terror in me. Dark blue eyes, like the sky in thunderstorm weather, stared back at me. "And you have no idea what you’ll get yourself into if you dig into my past," he slammed his fist on the table and all the contents on it rolled to the floor.

His voice was cold and emotionless. His gaze demonstrated power. His muscles showed strength. He was the one in control. I closed my eyes when he suddenly got up from the swivel chair.

"If you think you can fool me," he paused, coming closer to me. "you’re wrong."

"I don’t..." The voice trailed off, but I was able to protest. "I don’t want to."

"It’s a lie," the guy growled, leaning over my ear.

I squirmed on the sofa, trying to put more distance between us. Between me and the monster. He straightened up and walked over to the window, looking at his power.

"You won't run away from me," his voice was cold and commanding. "and if you try, when I find you," he turned and looked into my eyes. "you’re dead."

I exhaled heavily, closing my eyes. I will not give up. I will not give up.

"You’re not scared of Dean anymore?" I swear I heard him chuckle.

I opened my eyes and stared at the opposite wall. My thoughts stayed to myself. You never know how one mispronounced word could turn out.