Nova

All i wanted was a drink.

I should have known that a conversation was bound to follow. I was minding my business while waiting for Silvana after she had asked me to meet her. I was frustrated with my evening and

thought...why the fuck not. Regret settled in as I tried to pay attention to the man whose name I had forgotten.

"I'm sorry," I interrupted him, raising my hand. "What was your name again?" I asked,

genuinely confused on why he was talking to me in the first place.

I was just sitting at the bar, patiently waiting for my friend to show up when I was approached by a man I didn't recognise. It was dark but every now and then a flash of light would pass on his face and I would get a glimpse of his features. Light brown hair, and light eyes—that was all.

I didn't bother looking any more than necessary because I had absolutely no interest in

entertaining him.

His face dropped. "Victor," he said, making sure to put emphasise on the two syllables.

I nodded. "Okay," I drawled, chuckling uncomfortably as I tapped my fingers on my thigh, a little impatient.

I was two drinks in and I was yet to receive a response from the person I was supposed to be meeting. Fucking Silvana. I loved the girl, I swear I did—but the way my night was going, I started to rethink that love.

"Now that we're pass that," Victor murmured, resting his elbow on the bar top. "Do you have a boyfriend? Not that it matters, just saying." I almost choked on my drink. Who the fuck was this guy? He just showed up out of nowhere.

I knew I was prejudiced in that moment because if he was hot it might have been a different story.

"Listen, I'm waiting for someone," I said, an attempt at getting him away from me. My phone vibrated in my hand and I unlocked it as soon as the message popped up on the screen.

It was from Silvana.

You're going to hate me.

Oh for fucks sake. I pursed my lips, and overwhelming amount of annoyance sinking in. Nothing tonight seemed to be going right. Nothing at all. First, a date with a condescending asshole and then my friend ditching me. The very friend who set me up with the condescending asshole in the first place.

If I didn't know any better, I would say that Silvana had it out for me.

"And?" Victor asked, a small smile gracing his lips.

"She'll be here any second," I lied, turning to set my drink down and when I looked back at him, his head was leaned over and his eyes were on my screen. I gasped, snatching the phone away as I scowled at him.

The fucking audacity.

Victor chuckled, not bothered by the fact that I

was glaring at him as hard as I could.

"You don't have to lie to me. I'm not going to hurt you," he said, and for obvious reasons, I didn't believe him. I looked around the filled club, trying to figure a way out. I couldn't go the restrooms-who knew if he was planning on following me or not.

to

"At least let me give you a ride home. You're a little drunk, aren't you?" he said, inching closer to me with that same smirk on his face. I wasn't drunk, not even close. I had two drinks but one was a mocktail and I asked the bartender to prepare the other with less alcohol than usual.

I understood the risks of being alone, especially as a woman and being under the influence in a crowded club seemed like a nightmare.

I almost laughed at myself. Not too long ago I had a one night stand with a man after knowing him for less than an hour. He could have literally killed me and the way he fucked me, he might have wanted to do just that.

"Cab," I said, because he didn't need to know that I was parked right outside.

"You trust getting into a strangers cab more than you trust me?" Of course. What a dumb fucking question.

"Can you leave me the fuck alone?" I asked, reaching my boiling point as I dug for money in my purse.

"Alright. No need to throw a fit," Victor said, raising his hands in a defensive manner. He backed way, looking at me as if I was the crazy one. I sighed as he turned around, finally walking into the crowd before disappearing. Took him long enough.

When I was sure he was gone, I sent Silvana a

text.

You're right.

"Water, please," I asked the man on the

opposite side of the counter.

If he bothers you again. Call for me, okay?" the bartender said, throwing a small white towel over his shoulder. He reached underneath the bar, retrieved a closed water bottle and passed it to me. I took it gratefully, deciding that I would rather be safe than sorry.

I wasn't tipsy, but I wasn't going to take any chances before driving.

"Thank you. I think I'm just going to head home," I said. It was a long night filled with disappointment and all I wanted was my bed and a shower. I felt icky after having Victor so close to me.

"Be safe," he said and I smiled at him, thankful for his words. I didn't know him but he seemed genuine enough. I stood up, threw my bag over my shoulder and took out my car keys. As I shoved myself through the mass of people dancing and jumping, it took at least a minute for me to reach the exit.

"Silvana, you fucking bitch," I muttered under my breath, trying to give her a call but it ended up going to voicemail.

Where was she? I walked to my car, passing groups of people standing outside. The biting wind nipped at my skin and I realised just how cold it was. I shivered, keeping my eyes on my car parked just a few spots away. My heels clunk on the concrete ground as I hurried, while attempting to take a few sips of my water.

I made it but just as I was about to open the door, a rough hand enclosed itself around my forearm.

I spun around, coming face to face with Victor.

This time, his expression was different. He seemed annoyed, a little deranged but most of all-the lust in his eyes was not the appealing kind.

"Where are you going?" he asked me, a little out of breath and I yanked my arm out of his grip. Not wanting to play anymore fucking games, raised my knee and shoved it into his crotch. He howled in pain, dropping down to his knees as he clutched his balls with both hands. Served him right. Who just follows someone to their car?

"You really need to learn how to take a hint," I scolded, frowning down at his writhing body. Besides being in pain, Victor was quick to get back onto his feet. He was pissed, almost frothing at the mouth like an animal as he kept his eyes on me.

"Now, you're going to get it," he said through gritted teeth, but another face behind him caught my attention.

Victor turned around, curious about who I was looking at when his movements got cut short by Damian hitting him so hard in the face. A sickening crunch was heard, and Victor fell to the ground immediately. My mouth dropped, staring at the back of Victors head

Damian knocked him out with one punch.

Where the fuck did he even come from?

Damian," I breathed, happy to see a familiar face. It didn't show but Victor scared me and I was still shaking. He laid face down into the gravel, completely unmoving.

"Nova, you okay?" he asked, eyeing me with concern. I nodded, and his shoulders sunk in...relief?

Damian glared down at the still body, and that's when I noticed his suit jacket was unbuttoned and there was a gun tucked into his pants. A gun…

"Give me your keys, I'm driving you home," Damian stated, without a questioning tone in his voice. He held out an awaiting palm. If Damian had any motive of hurting me in any way, he would have surely done it by now and that's why I didn't hesitate to drop my keys into his hand. "Thank you."

I was more than capable, but I didn't question him.

"I'm taking her home, Santino. You can take

him to warehouse, I'll deal with him later," he said, and I looked around to find the person he was talking to. It was another man, with similar features to Damian but younger.

I found myself stumbling to the passenger seat, just as Santino picked Victor up by the back of his neck with one hand. Holy fuck-blood was gushing out of his crooked nose, messing all over his chin and chest. I cringed, looking away as I sat down in the seat.

"You got it, capo,"

Capo?

Damian was about to sit down in the drivers seat, and paused when he realised that he couldn't fit. He gave me a look,and I returned it as I pushed it back giving him the space that he needed.

"Long ass legs," I muttered, taking another sip of my water.

"Address?" Damian asked, making himself

comfortable. I thought about it, even though I

really didn't need to. Fuck it. I gave him the address, watching him nod before starting the car. We sat in silence, and that's when the reality finally sunk in.

We were alone. Damian and I. My heart started racing. Why was I nervous? It was only Damian, and he was driving me home in my car.

Wait…

How was he going to get home?

Was he planning on going home?

"You did good," Damian said, giving me a quick side glance.

"Huh?" I asked, a bit confused.

"Back there. Kneeing him in the balls. I liked that-" he said casually. "I thought I'd have to save you, but you can handle your own," he murmured, and his tone was light-hearted but I relished in the compliment.

You did kind of save me," I said, giving him the credit that he deserved. Victor was bigger than me, and possibly a lot stronger. I shuddered just thinking about what he was planning.

"I wouldn't need to if he had some common

fucking sense," he said, clenching his jaw. I could tell that he was still pissed and I was too— but I didn't dwell on it too much or I was sure I would drive myself insane.

My night was a shit show, and I just needed it to end.

"How did you-"

"I was just there. That's all," he said, cutting me

off.

"Yes, but-'

"Nova, I was just there. Purely coincidental," he deadpanned, turning down a street that lead to my home. He wasn't looking at a GPS, or any map-it was as if he knew the city inside and

out.

I huffed, sinking into the seat. "Fine. And just because I said fine, doesn't mean I believe you.'

"You don't need to believe me. My main priority right now is getting you home," he said, rounding a corner. Main priority. I don't know why that had my heart fluttering.

Was it because he cared? Or was it because my night was that terrible that a kind gesture suddenly seemed like the most thoughtful thing in the world?

"What's going to happen to Victor?" I asked, not that I cared but I was just curious.

"Don't worry about it," he said, dismissing the conversation. I sighed for the millionth time, deciding to let it go. We sat in silence, aside from the revving of my engine and the murmuring of my music.

The amount of self-control I had to maintain just to stop myself from glancing at his face was astonishing. I wondered if he thought about our night just as much as I did. He probably didn't.

It was so fucking ridiculous how a mere thought could have my pussy throbbing within seconds. I shook away the mental image, not waiting to make it obvious and embarrass myself. I soothed my hair, suddenly too self- conscious to be comfortable.

I looked at Damian as he stopped at red light, but his eyes were already on me. Not on my face. But on my thighs.

I followed his gaze, just to find that my dress was no longer covering my lacy underwear. I pulled it down, trying to cover up as much as skin as possible but the material was small and tight.

When I glanced at him, he wasn't looking at me anymore but I could tell that his breathing had quickened.

Maybe…

"Which one is it?" he asked, slowing down just as we arrived in my street.

That one," I said, pointing to the one-storey house. It was small, but it was home and I loved it.

"You live alone?" he questioned, pulling up the driveway and parking it just in front of the garage.

"I do," I replied, picking up my handbag.

Damian nodded, opening his door too and I realised that he was coming inside with me.

Fuck.

Being alone with him in a car was one thing, but alone with him in a house was completely different.

I didn't think I could handle it, but I collected my keys and walked up the porch. He followed behind me, looking around the neighbourhood. I lived in a quiet area, but crime was everywhere and there was a recent break-in a few houses

down from me.

It took me a while to get used to living alone, especially coming from sharing a room with my sister to having all that space to myself.

I opened the door, stepping aside to let him in as I took my shoes off. As soon as my bare feet touched the wooden floor, I groaned in pleasure. It felt good to rid myself of those heels.

"Where's your bathroom?" Damian asked, and I pointed down the hallway without looking.

I didn't expect his hand to wrap around mine.

I barely had time to comprehend the touch before he was dragging me into the direction I had just pointed to.

I stumbled behind him, struggling to keep up with the pace he was walking at. He opened the bathroom door, still holding my hand in a grip that was nearly constricting my blood flow. When he turned to me, there wasn't a hint of playfulness on his face.

“Take off your clothes “