Page 16 of Sixth Sin

“I’m talking about a way out of this hellhole. Forget the wallet. Forget the cops. What if I told you I can offer you the acting job of a lifetime? One that can put five hundred thousand dollars in your pocket in less than two weeks?”

CHAPTER SEVEN

DOMINIC

She narrows her eyes, like I’ve offended her. Unbelievable.

Muttering out a curse, I dig in my newly retrieved wallet and pull out a business card. “I overheard you and that purple-haired bitch in there,” I say tipping my chin toward the bar. “I know you’re an actress, and your phone isn’t exactly ringing with offers.” Before she can spout off any more insults, I give her hand a tug and press the card into the middle of her palm. “This isn’t something I care to discuss next to a dumpster. Since you refuse to give me your number, mine is on the card. Think you can knock that chip off your shoulder long enough to call it?”

Her eyes trail down to the card in her hand. I watch as they scan the words embossed in gold, her lips mouthing the name I’ve yet to reveal. Then every inch of her stills.

“Dominic McCallum,” she says, spitting out my name as if she can’t stand the taste of it. She looks up, disgust burning bright and hot in that murky, green glare.

“Yes?” It’s all I offer. I’ve just thrown down the gauntlet. It’s up to her whether she accepts the challenge.

Holding my stare, she rips the card in two and tosses it to the ground by my feet. “Fuck you.”

“Tempting, but I want an answer first.”

“Fuck—”

“Fuck you, I know. You’ve said that already.” Stepping forward, I cage her against the wall again. “But wishes come in threes, cupcake. So, if I were you, I’d be very careful about tossing out a third. Even with your shitty attitude, I might be tempted to grant it.”

“You can go straight to hell.”

“No thanks. Been there, done that. I don’t recommend it unless you’re into getting fucked in the ass by Satan.”

She stares at me for a minute like she doesn’t know what to say. Eventually, she just shakes her head and blows out a slow breath. “What do you want from me?”

It’s a simple question which should have a simple answer, but I’m losing focus as our close proximity starts taking up all available space in my head. “Everything,” I growl.

I don’t know who leans in first. Maybe it’s me. Maybe it’s her. Maybe it’s both of us. All I know is I’m imagining those lips wrapped around something a hell of a lot more enjoyable than an insult.

“Everything okay out here?”

The voice comes out of nowhere, and we spring apart like two over-wound Jack-in-the-boxes. Angel glances over my shoulder, a nervous smile tipping the corner of her cheek, so I follow her line-of-sight straight to a shock of purple hair and black Sharpie-rimmed eyes.

Great.

“Yeah, a customer lost his wallet and thought I might have seen it, but he was mistaken. Right?” She stares at me with a dare blazing in her eyes. If cocktail waitressing doesn’t work out for this woman, she has a solid future in extortion.

“Right,” I say, dragging out the word. “Thanks for your time.” I glance down at the ripped card strewn across my shoe. “If you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

The bartender stares at me with suspicion in her eyes, so I smile just to be a dick.

“I have to get back to work.” Angel scurries past me like someone lit her ass on fire. I watch as she swings the backdoor open, pausing only to glance over her shoulder at her friend. “You coming, Violet?”

“I’ll catch up in a minute.”

Angel barely acknowledges her friend before the heavy, metal door slams behind her. I’m not a man accustomed to small talk or manners, so I don’t offer either as I turn around to leave. I have a ride to catch.

“Hey!” Shoes scuffle behind me as a hand grabs my bicep. “Dominic McCallum!”

I stop mid-stride. Shit. I’m not in the mood to deal with another wannabe-actress who thinks my dick rings the doorbell to stardom, so I spin around, my thumb digging into my temple. “Look lady, I’m not your ticket to Hollywood. In fact, most agents prefer to spend their free time jabbing pins in little Dominic McCallum voodoo dolls.”

Shooting me a hard look, she lets go of my arm. “That’s not what…” Her words trail off as she bends down to pick up my torn business card. Holding it up, she lets out a labored sigh. “What you said to Angel, is it true? I mean, can you really—?”

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