The Scars That Define Us (The Devil's Dust #2)(17)

“I look forward to knowing you better,” he says, chuckling. I take my eyes from the window and look at him, a little shocked.

He takes his eyes from the road and looks at me, his chocolate eyes staring deeply into mine.

“You have the greenest eyes I have ever seen, Danielle,” Parker declares sincerely as he takes in my face. I pull my gaze from his and look out the window. When Shadow witnessed my green eyes for the first time, he was shocked. Having vibrant colored eyes like my father, giving away that his president and I were related, scared the shit out of Shadow. The memory makes me smile.

We pull up outside Bobby and Shadow’s apartment, the sexy car that purrs as you accelerate coming to a low hum before he turns the engine off.

“I had a great time tonight, Danielle. I haven’t been out much since my divorce. I would love for you to join me for lunch. Give me the opportunity to get to know you better,” he says, rubbing the side of my face with his soft fingers. I turn my head and look into his dark eyes. This hurts, being here with another guy, one who is anything but Shadow. Where Shadow is rough, Parker is smooth. Shadow has a colorful vocabulary, where Parker’s is very mannered and educated. They are black and white. I look out the window and up at the apartment before looking back at Parker. It’s lunch; what could it hurt? Having lunch with Parker, I know I don’t have to worry about being dragged to some isolated location and having my mouth sewn shut for being a rat. He’s safe.

“Ya, sure.”

“How about tomorrow?” Parker asks eagerly.

“Sure,” I respond, opening the car door.

I get out and hear Parker leaving the car, as well. I turn a little, surprised; I thought the night was over.

“Would you like me to walk you to your door?” he asks, walking closely to me.

“No. I’ll be fine,” I tell him, taking a step toward the sidewalk.

Parker suddenly grabs my hand and pulls me toward him. His face inches from mine, he leans forward slowly and kisses my lips tenderly. His touch is so soft, I’m not sure if he is actually kissing me, so I open my eyes.

“Goodnight, Danielle,” he says sweetly.

“Goodnight, Parker,” I reply stunned.

I make my way up to the apartment, the entire night playing on repeat in my mind. Parker is some prince charming. He’s kind and sweet, yet I don’t find myself head over heels for him. His touch is too soft, like he’s afraid I’ll break, and his money doesn’t impress me.

I open the door and walk into the apartment, which smells of pizza and beer. I find the smell inviting rather than the smell of expensive wine and leather I just encountered. Bobby walks into the room, coming from the balcony.

“That’s not how you kiss a woman,” he says, with a smirk.

Oh, shit.

“How was the date with Pretty Boy?” Bobby asks, plopping down on the couch.

“Eh, fine,” I answer, taking my heels off.

“You don’t sound too impressed,” Bobby suggests.

“I don’t know. He’s handsome and sweet; maybe too sweet. I don’t know why I’m not crazy about him; he would be a total catch. Maybe I just need to go into it slowly. This whole thing with Shadow is going to take time to overcome,” I say, sitting down next to Bobby.

Bobby snorts. “That’s going to take you a lifetime, Firefly.”

I grab the beer from his hand and take a sip with a questioning look on my face.

“You won’t ever fall for that guy; he’s a sissy. I saw the look on your face when he kissed you. You want someone to grab you by your hair and kiss you like they mean it,” Bobby speculates, snatching the beer from my hands. I refuse to believe that, even if it may be true.

I stand up and grab the beer from Bobby’s hand forcefully, nearly spilling it on his lap. “No, I was just shocked is all.” I was shocked, but I didn’t enjoy the kiss. There was no spark, no craving of hope that Parker would take it farther.

“Whatever you have to tell yourself,” Bobby hollers as I walk down the hall.





WALKING OUT OF MY room this morning, I notice the club is littered with red cups and the smell of stale beer is overwhelmingly sickening. I partied alone, debating if I should go see Dani or not. I didn’t go; she wouldn’t want to see me. I have so much aggression built up, my beast craving the spill of blood, and my confusion with Dani doesn’t help. My emotions and thoughts have been so out of control here lately. I can literally feel my ends fraying for the control I so desperately crave. I head toward the garage to lift weights, get my blood pumping.

I lay on my back and lift, the weights so heavy I feel the burn in my biceps instantly. Having pain somewhere other than my chest is welcoming. After about four sets, I hear boots thudding my way against the thick pavement.

I look over and see Bobby sit on some cinder blocks and lift weights with his left arm.

“Heard Dani got the job. You guys go celebrate or some shit?” I question as I continue to lift, the thought I should have been there to celebrate with her overbearing the pain in my biceps. Hell, it was me who got her the f*cking job; as soon as I got back to the clubhouse after the strip club I called in a favor. I told Mila I would bail her mother out of jail and put her in rehab if she gave Dani a job. Mila and I go way back, and she herself has some drug tendencies but it’s not as severe as her mother’s addiction. I haven’t f*cked Mila, either; she’s too much of a bitch for my taste. We just went to school together. Well, for the time I did go to school anyway.