Little Love

007: Little Love

Jordan Hayes

A low grunt rumbled through my chest as Damien Voss shoved me into the passenger seat of his sleek black car.

I curled my fingers into tight fists and glared at him. He inched closer, his neck hovering over my face. I held my breath so I wouldn’t have to inhale him. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Damien chuckled—his chest vibrated against my arm as he tugged the seat forward and fastened my seatbelt for me.

He pulled back just enough for me to see the smirk on his face. “Driving my boyfriend to work.”

“This is literally kidnapping,” I flared up, throwing my head back against the headrest with a harsh groan. “And please stop calling me your boyfriend.”

“Why? Aren’t we, like, boyfriends?” He asked, eyebrows drawn together as if genuinely surprised.

“We are **not** boyfriends, okay? Just please stop already,” I hissed, watching as he shut the passenger door and rounded the car.

He slid into the driver’s seat and turned to face me. I’d almost hoped he’d drop the conversation, but the bastard clearly wasn’t done getting under my skin.

“If we’re dating and you don’t want me calling you my boyfriend, then what should I call you?” Damien stressed the words like it was the most important question in the world, inching closer.

This damn thug wouldn’t stop rubbing my mistake in my face. Fucking great.

“Nothing. Don’t call me anything,” I gritted out. “And who says we’re dating?”

“You.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

I could have laughed at the silly gesture if I wasn’t losing my mind. What the fuck did he mean “you”?

“Silly,” I scoffed, pulling my backpack up to my chest like a shield.

“You said—and I quote—‘please be my boyfriend.’” He smirked, his face lighting up in a way that made disgust crawl through me.

I wanted to reach forward and smack that smug expression off.

I scrunched my nose, anger flaring. “I didn’t say—”

“You don’t like me calling you my boyfriend? Got it.” Damien grinned, cutting me off. “Might be because it’s less glamorous.”

“Are you even listening to me?” I cried, grabbing my seatbelt, ready to unfasten it—until the bastard started the car. I sighed and dropped my hand.

“Yes, love. I’m listening now.” He said, eyes flicking off the road for a second.

“Ahh, fuck,” I groaned, leaning back into the seat. I gave up. He could drive us into a tree and I’d be okay with it.

“Would you rather I call you baby… or sweetheart?” He asked with mock seriousness, making me wonder if he’d hit his head somewhere.

“None. Please.” I said shortly, staring out the window at the passing houses.

“Little love?” That damn cocky voice called out beside me. I almost choked on my saliva.

What part of “we are not dating” did he not understand? Why the fuck did he want to give me a stupid pet name so badly?

“Will you please just shut up?” I barked, anger igniting inside me. I didn’t even know if it was wise to get mad at him.

First, he was a dangerous thug and my safety wasn’t guaranteed. Second, his family was after my father, and the purpose of him showing up at my place still remained unknown.

So I just couldn’t afford to get mad at him to the point of yelling—but Damien wasn’t making it easy. Fuck him very much.

“So cute,” he said with a soft chuckle.

I wanted to smash my face against the window. I’d do anything to get out of this car.

Just when I almost gave up on my life in this vehicle, Berry Hour came into view. I let out a deep breath of relief.

“We’re here…” I started, already searching for the seatbelt to unfasten the moment the car stopped.

A strong grip clamped my arm. I wished I was a dog so I could bite his hand off.

“Wait, I’ll get the door for you,” he offered, pulling me to face him.

I sneered, giving him the most disgusted glare I could muster. “Like hell I’ll agree to that.”

“You’re no fun,” he sighed, finally letting go. “I’m glad you know that,” I smirked, grabbing my backpack, opening the door, and stepping out.

Damien did the same. I just wished he’d get his stupid ass back in the car before anyone saw us together. It would ruin my damn image if anyone spotted me with a guy like him.

A chief police chief’s son spotted with a gang leader? No thank you.

“Call me when you’re done with work?” Damien called after me as I hurried toward the shop.

I hastily turned around and flipped him off.

“Please just leave already.”

I didn’t wait to see if he got back in the car. The plan was to get away from him—as fast as possible.

Walking into Berry Hour, there were no customers yet. It always took about twenty minutes after opening for the rush to start.

I headed to the counter to get the day started without more hassle, but then I saw my coworkers.

“Woahhhhhhh,” Grace exclaimed, smiling beautifully as she restocked the orange bowl without even looking.

“Fucking sweet!” Hobi giggled, rubbing Grace’s back while standing on his toes, glancing outside the shop.

I rolled my eyes. They must have seen something—judging by how both Grace and Hobi were grinning like they’d just spotted their favorite movie star.

“I saw him,” Grace said, dropping the last orange into the bowl and facing me with pure expectation.

“Who’s that hottie?” Hobi whined, pressing his hands to his cheeks, making cute puppy eyes.

“No one,” I groaned, shoving past them to get settled.

As much as I loved them—and they’d been trying to ship me with every hot guy who came in since I came out as gay—I still didn’t appreciate them fanning over me to tell them about Damien. There was nothing to tell.

I might or might not have asked the “Mr. Hottie” to fake being my boyfriend at my other job last night. Well, my father and Mr. Hottie’s family…

Grace came to stand beside me, linking her arm with mine. “Come on, baby K.”

“You guys won’t let it go? Good,” I sighed, rubbing my face and trying to figure out how to explain this without sounding stupid.

“So…?” Hobi pressed, lips pursed, eyebrows wiggling.

Shit. Not that again.

That small gesture reminded me of Damien, and I didn’t want to think about the car ride at all.

“Come on, baby K.”

“That’s my uncle, happy?” I said, giving them a dangerous smirk.

“Ishhhh,” Grace groaned, clearly unsatisfied. She stepped away and walked off to set the tables.

“Speaking of uncle, one cute dude is over there—he’s looking for you,” Hobi said, then turned and smiled before disappearing into the backroom.

“I mean, he’s your exact copy,” he added before vanishing.

My exact copy? I gasped, eyes widening in shock as I hastily stepped away from the counter, scanning the room.

At the far end, someone sat with a hoodie over his head, back to me.

“JK!” I called impatiently, rushing over to his table.

Even with his back to me, I could recognize my brother anywhere in the world—even in the dark.

“Hey?” I said, taking the seat across from him.

Ethan slowly raised his head to stare at me. It was like looking into a mirror.

The only difference was the mole I had that he didn’t.

“Kook,” he smiled, looking away nervously.

My heart gave a loud thump. Whatever Ethan was here for wasn’t good.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching, I lowered my voice. “Ethan, why are you here? Are you okay? How did you know where to find me?”

“In the hospital,” he said, staring deep into my eyes. Fear etched across his face, fingers fidgeting. “Mom’s in the hospital.”

“What?!” I gasped, heart hammering against my chest.

Mom was in the hospital? Why? What happened last night? Did someone hurt her?

Was it the Voss family?