Page 35 of Dominance

Mind’s racing.

Not just about this shit.

I’ve got other things to do today, even though it’s a Sunday. Dom’s got some big shindig planned for us tonight. Monday’s a holiday and there’s another get-together at the club in the morning.

He wants to show us off.

Gives him an excuse to have meetings with people without worrying about a reason.

Pulling into my building’s garage, I’ve got thoughts of a nice hot shower on my mind. I take the stairs to bleed out the excess energy, huffing my way to the eighth floor.

Gives me a chance to check for unwanted guests in the building too. Even though we have a doorman, security.

Can’t be too careful.

Especially when I pop out into the hallway and skid to a stop before I pitch over the piles of boxes and furniture blocking the way to my door.

“What the shit is this?” I murmur, trying to step around the chaos.

It only gets worse as a big bald guy in a green jumpsuit opens my door and steps out into the hall to grab another box.

“Hey!”

“Yeah?”

“What the hell are you doing?”

“My job, what’s it to ya?”

“What’s it—tome?! I’m the fucking guy who lives here!” On occasion I hate to admit how much of a New Yorker I really am underneath. It comes out from time to time. “You know, the guy you should have had to get the key from!”

“Don’t look at me, man. Take it up with your lady.”

“My—”

And right then the elevator dings, opening across from me and revealing shimmering red locks, a cutoff shirt, and jeans on a figure that makes me instantly stand up straight. And I do not mean my posture.

“Gloria.”

“Adi!” she says warmly, but there’s a tension to her, like she didn’t expect to see me here. Like she just got caught in the act.

“Uh—”

“I didn’t think you’d be home for a while.”

“Why would I not be home for a while?”

“Because your car wasn’t in your spot, and Hernando said he hadn’t seen you come home all night.” It’s all said innocently, almost hopeful. Like maybe I won’t explode?

Frankly, I’m too sleep-deprived and addled to get truly angry.

I also still have no clue what’s going on despite the clues.

“Gloria. Whose stuff is all of this?”

“Mine!”

I take a step closer, trying to get my brain to work.

---