Page 73 of Depraved
Dante trails his hand around my back as he crosses in front of me to lower himself into the seat across from Bill.
“Sarah,” Dante calls, patting the arm of the chair. I smile and take a step closer, perching to watch the show.
Let’s see how you like it, Bill.
Bill’s knee begins to jump nervously, and I love it. He’s such a slimy bastard. Serves him right to get the shit scared out of him. The thought gives me a small pause as I look to Dante’s face…will he only go as far as scaring him?
Bill takes an anxious sip of his drink. If he’s searching for courage, he’s going to need a case of whatever he’s drinking.
Bill wipes the side of his mouth with his cocktail napkin, smiling weakly and trying to excuse himself to Dante.
“You can’t blame a guy for trying. She’s gorgeous. I didn’t realize you two were a couple.”
“We’re more than a couple. She’s mine, Bill. And do you know what I do to people who try and steal from me?” Dante leans into me, laying his arm heavily over my stacked legs. “It’s not good, Bill.”
“Total misunderstanding. She said it was just a bracelet.” Dante’s hand grips my leg, and I know he’s pissed about what Bill just said. Fuck.
Bill’s groveling continues, but I can already sense the shift in Dante. He’s livid, and Bill is about to get the brunt of his anger.
“It won’t ever happen again. I’m just going to go now.”
Bill begins to stand, but Dante shakes his head, so he sits back down.Shit. Bill’s eyes implore Dante to let it go, but I know he won’t.
Dante’s thumb rubs small circles on my leg through the fabric of my dress as he stares at Bill, deep in thought, as if he’s considering all his options.
“As of now, your membership is… something I should’ve done sooner, but I didn’t think you would be this big of a prick… revoked. Don’t try and reapply. You’re not welcome here, and don’t ask for a refund,”
When Dante looks up at me, his smile fades, the irritation he has toward me showing. I open my mouth to tell him I didn’t mean to hide the meaning, to diminish it, when we’re interrupted.
“Hold on. I don’t think so.”
Suddenly, Bill is pissed; it’s as if a different guy altogether shows up. I can’t help the huffed-out laugh that pops from my mouth as I turn to look at Bill.
His head pulls back as if he’s angry. “I just paid for next year. That’s bullshit. This is going too far,” he spits as he jabs the table. “That’s a lot of money.”
Dante sits up straighter, his voice dropping lower.
“Too far was the second time she told you to leave her alone. By my count, this is the fourth. So, take my generosity and get the fuck out of my club.”
A sneer grows on Bill’s face. “Generosity? You’re a fucking thief. My lawyers are going to have a field day with this.” He laughs smugly. “Are you sure you want that headache? At the end of the day, this is all over some cheap pussy—”
Bill doesn’t get to finish because Dante bursts over the table, grabbing Bill by the top of the head and smacking his face down with a lightning quick hard knock against the wood table. He does it again and again, as I scramble to stand, jumping back as the glasses go flying. Liquid sloshes and spills everywhere as the tumblers hit the ground, making a clinking sound before shattering into a million pieces.
I spin around to see Matteo making his way to us quickly, but the look on his face isn’t calm like someone coming to stop Dante; it’s more like he’s coming to join in. I spin in the other direction and see security ushering guests out—they’re working on his behalf as well.
Dante throws Bill back into his seat and slaps his bloody face then wipes his hand on the front of Bill’s jacket. “You’ll be fine, you fucking prick.” Dante sits back into his chair, adjusting his jacket, breath pulling from his body like a bull. “But this time, you remember who the fuck you’re speaking to.”
Bill sputters and begins to wail about his nose being broken as blood gushes over his face and down his shirt, making his words sound unclear and gurgled.
I start to turn back to the bar to get something to clean up with, but all I hear is “Sit.” Turning back slowly, I take a step forward, Dante’s eyes locked on my movements. I sit back in my place on the arm and take a deep breath.
The energy is tenuous. I can feel Dante holding on to his temper, trying to strangle it into submission. This isn’t some bar fight or an argument that ends in expletives being hurled around. Fight with Dante and you may not make it to tomorrow. I need to calm him down before this asshole pays a price too big for my crime.
Before I can reason or think, my hand darts out, bringing my fingers under Dante’s chin to turn his head away from Bill and focus on me. Dante’s eyes lock with mine, and he stares at me, all manner of anger behind his eyes.
“Punish me,” I mouth, knowing why he’s really so angry.
He told me I’d be a lifesaver…guess he wasn’t joking.
