Dominic (Saint Brothers #1) (3 page)

I’d had a really hard shift at work and my feet were killing me. Pulling up outside my place, I glanced at my watch and groaned. All I wanted to do was get in the bath before curling up on the sofa and eating my weight in chocolate.

But no. I couldn’t do that tonight. There was no way I’d blow Lauren off when she needed me. She had been a good friend to me over the years and now it was my turn to be there for her.

She had finally seen the light and got rid of the controlling bastard she’d been seeing. I didn’t like him from the moment I set eyes on him and my feelings about him had been right. He had taken over her life, cutting her off from her friends, trying to make her dependent only on him.

I’d tried to talk to her about him but at the time she wouldn’t hear a bad word said against him. In the beginning, all she could see was how good he was being to her and it blinded her to his faults. By the time she was ready to listen to me, he had got his claws in deep and wouldn’t let her see me.

Not that it stopped me trying. I wouldn’t let him control me or keep me from my friend. I would ring her at the bar to try and get her to see reason, but even that had to stop. He had taken to going into work with her, keeping her at arm length from everybody who loved her and policing her calls.

It got so bad that I suggested she get some help from her boss and his brothers. They had a badass reputation and if I couldn’t get her out of the mess she was in, maybe they could. They were well known around the city, even though I hadn’t ever met them, I knew they would help her if she asked.

Evidently from her phone call earlier today, she had finally taken my advice. I didn’t yet know the details, but she was free of that scumbag and that was good enough for me. I didn’t care how it happened as long as it had. Now it was time for a girly catch up. We had a lot of time to make up for.

I was already running late. With just enough time to shower and change, I was glad I was only going to keep her company at work and didn’t have to get too dressed up. I didn’t have the time or the inclination.

The bar where Lauren worked didn’t have the greatest reputation around town. The stories of sexual depravity in that place were legendary. I was planning on keeping everything covered so I didn’t draw any unwanted attention.

Sinners. That was the name of the place. Summed it up really, didn’t it? At least I had an idea of what I was letting myself in for. I had never set foot in there before and wasn’t looking forward to it very much. We tended to go out to other bars when Lauren and I went out, seeing as she worked there, but tonight, I was headed to Sinners.

Running into my house, I pressed the button on my answering machine. There was a message on there from my mother, reminding me of some charity event I had apparently promised to go to in a few days’ time. Great. I wasn’t on shift that evening either so I couldn’t think of a way to get out of it. At least I had a few days’ to come up with a suitable excuse.

Moving into the bathroom, I put my mother and her plans out of my mind. Turning on the shower, I had to think about Lauren tonight.

We had been friends for years, ever since her little sister had been admitted to hospital after drinking nail varnish remover. I tell you, kids will try anything and everything. She was still a little tearaway now she was nearly a teenager, but at least she wasn’t drinking that kind of thing anymore. I hadn’t even done anything much to help at the time. I had simply been passing by and saw Lauren in a panic and sat with her as she waited for the ambulance to arrive. Apparently, that made me into a hero in her eyes.

She was a good friend to me, probably the best I’d ever had. I hated to see her go through losing herself to that asshole. He treated her like rubbish and it had taken her too long to see it. She deserved better than that, but as they say, love is blind.

Wrapping myself in a towel, I didn’t even have time to wash my hair so I fluffed it out a bit, letting the long dark waves curl around my shoulders. It was fortunate that it looked as good as it did. I had a killer headache from having it scraped back in a ponytail for most of the day.

Throwing on my favourite pair of jeans and a plain black top, I was nearly ready to head out. I was happy enough with the way I looked. After all, it was only a catch up with a friend. It wasn’t like I was out to impress anyone.

My jeans were a snug fit and emphasised my long legs. The top was fitted, but not too clingy. I didn’t think I looked half bad, especially after a hard day at work.

However, knowing the type of girls that went to the bar, I didn’t want to walk in there looking like I hadn’t made any effort at all. Brushing on some mascara and a slick of lip gloss, I felt a little better and made a grab for my car keys.

If I had been planning on drinking tonight, I wouldn’t have been stupid enough to drive there. We weren’t planning on a bender tonight. Lauren was working, anyway. I hoped it was going to be a quiet one.

Pulling up and cutting the engine, I glanced in the mirror one more time before getting out and pulling on my leather jacket.

The bar was already busy and I could hear the music blaring out from all the way down the street. Luckily enough, it was still quite early so I was able to walk straight in without the hassle of lining up. The doormen gave me an appreciative glance as I walked by, which made me smile. Obviously, I didn’t look too bad at all. It was always a good confidence boost.

Inside, the place was busier than I expected. I had only walked by here a few times and that was during the week when things were quieter. I’d never actually set foot in the place before. Even at this early hour, the drinks were flowing and laughter bounced off the walls. Later on, the lines would be curling around the street with people eager to get in.

The bar itself wasn’t anything much out of the ordinary. You could find the same kind of furnishing and decoration in any bar in town, all dark wood and well-appointed furnishings. But it was the patrons that made the difference. It was clear that everyone was out for a good time and many of them were already pairing off, cosying up in the corners and getting down and dirty on the dancefloor. It was only early so I dread to think what the place would be like later when the drinking had really started in earnest.

Spying Lauren standing behind the bar, I made my way over. It was quite a task to elbow my way through the scantily clad girls who were out looking for a good time. I felt decidedly overdressed.

As soon as I made it to the bar, Lauren grinned over at me. Instantly, I smiled back at her. It was the first real smile I had seen from her in months and it was really good to see.

“Glad you could make it! What can I get you?” she nodded to a stool that had come empty at the bar.

I sat down and had to shout to be heard over the pounding music. “Just a Pepsi, thanks.”

“Is that it?” She made a disgusted face.

“I’m working tomorrow.”

She nodded and got me a drink, sliding it across the bar to me and refusing to take any money for it. “It’s on him.” She grinned at the guy sitting next to me.

“Um, thanks?” I didn’t have a clue who he was.

“You’re welcome, babe.” He grinned at me before leaning in closer. “Don’t worry. It’s just a drink. You’re safe with me. I’m Lauren’s shadow for the time being, making sure that asshole doesn’t get anywhere near her again.”

I sat back and looked at him. On first glance, he was an intimidating sight, all badass muscles, tattoos and attitude, but when he smiled? He was really good looking. It was good to know she was in safe hands. I held the drink up and said, “Thank you.”

“No problem. I thought seeing as we were both here for Lauren, it would be a good way to break the ice.”

Lauren leaned over the bar. “Don’t worry, he may look like a hard-ass but he’s really a big teddy bear.”

“Hey! You’ll ruin my rep!”

I couldn’t help laughing. They were squabbling like brother and sister. It put me at ease knowing she had someone else looking out for her. I didn’t think I would be much help if Matt rolled up, but this guy could easily send him on his way.

“So, what’s your name, sweetheart?”

“Fallon. What about you?”

“Maze.”

“Maze?” That was an odd name. It had to be a nickname.

“Long story.” He waved it off. “If you don’t mind me saying, this doesn’t seem like the sort of place someone like you would usually hang out.”

I knew he probably meant that as some kind of compliment, but I felt myself bristle. He was right. This wasn’t the kind of place I had grown up in and my parents would probably have a complete shit fit if they knew I came to bars like this, despite being an adult. I was a big girl and could make my own choices. They didn’t think that, though.

I decided to try and play it cool and not let the comment ruffle my feathers unnecessarily. This guy didn’t know who my family was or where I was from. “So, what kind of place would you see me in?”

“Hmm. Somewhere nice. You’re nothing like the classless whores that come in here. They’re all looking for cock and that’s it.”

“And what do you think I’m looking for?” I smirked. At least he was direct even if he was crude. I was enjoying the flirty banter and Maze seemed like a really nice guy, despite his scary appearance.

“Something more. Something better.”

“Something better than cock?” I raised my eyebrows at him and took a sip of my drink, licking my lips seductively.

Maze cracked up laughing. “I like you!”

His laughter was infectious and I found myself giggling along with him. I don’t know why he decided he liked me, but it could have been worse. Lauren could have had someone watching her who was a complete prick with no sense of humour. At least Maze knew how to have fun and chat easily.

We spent the next hour or so talking crap about nothing in particular. He told me that he worked in computers and nearly had a heart attack when I told him I was a nurse.

“I’d love to see you in your uniform!”

I laughed, having heard that a million times before. The scrubs we wore weren’t half as sexy as the little nurse’s uniform that most men dream about, but I didn’t say anything, letting him have his little fantasy.

Even though the bar was really busy and noisy, I had a good time. Lauren didn’t have much chance to come over and chat as the lines at the bar were insane. Talking to Maze made the time go faster. It was nice. I hadn’t had the chance to sit and chat with a guy for so long and it was even easier because despite the flirty tone, he showed no signs of wanting to get into my pants. If anything, he watched Lauren with hungry eyes.

Lauren signalled that she was due to take a break and was going out the back for the cigarette. Maze and I got up instantly and followed her through the bar.

She lit up as soon as she stepped outside and inhaled. Maze stayed a few steps away to give us the illusion of privacy while still being close enough in case he was needed.

“So what happened?” I asked. She hadn’t told me much on the phone, just that she’d sorted it out and needed me.

Lauren ran a hand through her long auburn hair. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I asked Dominic and he stepped in.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

She laughed ruefully. “It was anything but easy. I didn’t even see what he was doing to me until it was too late.”

“It wasn’t too late. You got out. That’s the main thing.”

“He really screwed with my head.”

I put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “You’re away from him. You’ll be able to clear your thoughts now.”

“Thanks to Dominic.”

It kind of hurt that she wouldn’t listen to me in all that time, but Dominic the hero stepped in and solved the problem in one foul swoop. Dominic the hero. I already disliked him and I hadn’t even met him.

“So what went down?”

“I couldn’t take it anymore.” A tear escaped from her eye. “I couldn’t do it on my own. I think they threatened him.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?” I had been trying to get her out of it for so long and hated feeling so helpless. I didn’t have muscle, but I had money and that would have been a sure-fire way to get rid of him.

“He wouldn’t listen to reason. Dominic and the boys delivered the message to him in another way.”

“They kicked his ass?”

“They sure did.” She chuckled before becoming serious once again. “I don’t think he would have listened to anything or anyone else. It was the only way.”

“So, this is why you’ve got your personal bodyguard?” I cocked my head towards Maze, who grinned back at us like a Cheshire cat.

“Sure is.” She put the cigarette out with the toe of her boot and hugged me, holding on tight. “I’ve got to get back to work, but we’ll talk more later when we don’t have an extra set of ears listening.” She whispered so Maze couldn’t hear.

I nodded and followed her back into the bar. She was putting on a good front for the customers but it would take time for her to find herself again. I would be there for her every step of the way.

As the bar was still ridiculously busy, I could indulge in my favourite pastime – people watching. I couldn’t believe how some of the girls acted in there. In a way, I wished I could be more like them, free and loose without a care in the world. They danced on the poles like pros, working the guys in the bar into a frenzy.