Page 70 of Only You
‘I’m not like him. You know I’m not,’ Jack jumped in.
‘But a lot of men can be, you know that,’ she said, voice wobbling as she finally looked at him. His face fell, and she knew they were both thinking of their fathers. ‘You went to war, too. You could be like that…’
‘Okay, okay. Hands off from now on. I got it,’ he told her. ‘I’m sorry, Sel.’
Despite the anger coursing through her – or maybe because it – Selene’s eyes welled with tears, and she pulled back so she could wipe them away. She refused to fall apart. She refused to show any weakness, as if he could apologise his way into her good graces.
‘You better prove it,’ she said. He nodded with remorseful eyes. He took her hand as gently as possible and kissed the back of it.
‘I’ll do whatever it takes. You mean everything to me,’ he vowed. Guilt practically radiated off him and she let herself relax into his touch. Jack pulled her into his arms, whispering ‘Sorry’ over and over until she believed him.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Detroit
May 1946
‘Good fight, tonight,’ a passer-by told Demir as the boxer relaxed in a booth.
The club Jack had taken him to was loud and energetic, a stark contrast to his current exhaustion. Still, he accepted the shot placed in front of him and threw it back easily. Glancing around the booth, he saw Jack talking to the owner on the other side of it, both on the literal edge of their seats. A girl leaned her head on the owner’s arm, winking at Demir when she caught his eye. He gave her a small nod before looking out over the crowd.
A singer crooned enthusiastically on a small stage as a band boomed behind her. People danced and twisted around each other while servers weaved through them. It took a minute, but he eventually spotted Selene on the side, dancing in the middle of the floor with a group of girls. He wasn’t sure if they were her friends or people she met here; she had a knack for connecting with strangers. He seemed to be the only exception.
‘And my guy, D, here.’ Jack slapped Demir’s shoulder, and he held back a hiss, cutting his eyes at Jack. ‘He’s gonna be the next Jack Johnson. Tell me one other guy that has moves like him! Just one!’
‘Calm down, Jack. He’s a good fighter, I’ll give you that,’ the owner, Mackie, admitted. ‘But a sponsorship? You’re asking me for money I don’t have.’
‘Whoa, whoa,’ Jack raised his hands. ‘Not at all. Hell, with all the attention D’s getting, people will be filling up your club just to see him. After every fight there will be an after party here. It’s a win-win.’
‘The crowd doesn’t give a damn about an amateur,’ Mackie reasoned. ‘Look, he becomes pro, I’ll consider it, but right now, it’s a no.’ He slid out of the booth. ‘Drinks on me tonight, boys. Nora, keep the fighter company, will you?’ The owner winked at the girl, and she grinned.
Jack watched Mackie leave and cursed under his breath. ‘This is bullshit,’ he declared. ‘I’m getting us a bottle. He wants to ignore us, he can enjoy paying my tab.’ Jack stomped to the bar and Demir leaned his head back, closing his eyes.
When were they going to leave?
His eyes snapped open when he felt a hand on his arm, closely followed by the scent of cigar smoke and sweet perfume.
‘Don’t mind them,’ Nora told him, much closer than before. ‘Let them have their business while we celebrate your night.’
He chuckled. ‘Didn’t take you for the type that likes bruises,’ he teased lazily.
Nora gently touched his cheek. ‘Adds to the charm,’ she flirted before leaning in and kissing his neck.
Demir hummed at the touch, enjoying how soft she felt against his skin. He turned his head, and her lips met his, resting his hand on her hip as Nora let him take control, slowly moving his hand down. He didn’t realise how short her dress was until his hand met bare skin, giving him the opportunity to grip her thigh. Not that she seemed to mind by the way she wrapped her arm around his neck.
There was a loud knock on the table, and someone obnoxiously cleared their throat. Demir pulled away abruptly.
‘What?’ he grumbled.
Selene stood at the edge of the table and gave him a cheeky wave. ‘Hate to break up the party,’ she said. ‘But Jack is outside with the car.’
‘We’re fine here, sugar,’ Nora answered for Demir.
Selene looked at her in surprise. ‘Oh, so you’ll give him a ride?’
Nora smirked. ‘One he’ll never forget.’ She winked and Selene’s eyes widened in shock. As much as she used her sex appeal, he was surprised she was taken aback by the innuendo.
‘Doubt it,’ she said steadily, returning her attention to Demir. ‘Stay or leave. I don’t care. I’m just letting you know we’ll be gone in a few minutes.’
