Page 48 of A Lethal Game of Trust

Dom

Issy clearly wanted me to get laid. She rounded up groups of girls across the dark bar, chatting to them, pointing my way before bringing them over to the VIP section with a smile. “This is my brother, Dom.”

“Not interested, sorry,” I would say, downing the rest of my drink, my attention elsewhere. All night, my eyes had either been on Leo or darting around the bar to the rest of the drinkers, noting those who clearly knew who we were by their shifting eyes or moving clear out of our way.

Even being in her room while she got ready had been a struggle, trying to keep my distance. I lay on her bed infiltrating the law firm that Firdman was using. I didn’t get very far. The way she pouted to put her lipstick on, the way she leaned over her desk as she put on her mascara, letting me see right down her cleavage through the mirror. That was my only focus.

The desire was not mutual.

I was getting through a lot of whiskey.

For years and years, I had put up the thickest of walls, protecting her from me. From the knowledge of what I had done to her.

But I couldn’t help it. That first touch, that kiss, the freedom and euphoria of her moans…

They had brought down the floodgates and the dam was uncontrollable.

Men swarmed Leonie. Even the bouncer made a flirtatious comment about the bandage that I had wrapped around her hand. She’d been at the bar getting us drinks but, since chatting to some uni student, had now sat there and drank two herself.

“I’m bored,” Issy groaned, looking around the bar for more victims. “And too drunk to keep going for much longer. You’re no fun when you’re not angry or when I can’t set you up with someone.”

Did Leonie forget that she was training to be a lecturer? To be his superior? Maybe she needed reminding.

“No, no,” Issy said, pulling me back to the stool. “Don’t go and interrupt her when she’s doing her thing. This is the closest she’s got involved with a guy since Jared.”

But they’d been going out every night of every weekend.

“Why?” I asked as Leo put her hand on the man’s bicep. It wasn’t as muscular as mine. I could tell even in the darkness of the bar.

Issy shrugged sheepishly and continued scanning the room.

“Issy, why?” I asked, stepping into her vision.

She breathed in deeply just to sigh and, somewhat tipsy, waved her gin in my face. “Because… because she wasn’t ready. It’s always taken a lot for her to get into a relationship.And look what kind of relationship that turned out to be. Leonie wantsthe one, like her mum and dad. She’s waiting for something better. She’ll die waiting, that girl.”

I’ve wanted it to be you for so long. For years, Dom.

Coincidence. Pure coincidence. And if it wasn’t, I couldn’t lead her on.

I’d been clear about what I wanted.

“Now she’s going to fuck a teenager,” I said, chugging back the melted ice in my glass.

“Who…?” But Issy looked over and laughed. “He’s not a teenager. He looks the same age as you.” Her eyes narrowed on my glass. “If I didn’t know you, I’d say you were jealous.”

“I need another drink.”

I slid off the stool, but she stood before me. “Are you? Are you jealous?”

I lifted a hand for her to stop. “Don’t be ridiculous, Is.”

But she didn’t move. “Am I being ridiculous? The two of you were weird when you came back today. You bandaged her hand.”

“And that means I’m in love with her?” I laughed. “Listen to yourself.”

She placed a hand on my chest. “Well, by your standards, yeah, it does. I thought it was just teenage crushes, but…”

I shook my head. “Is. Listen. To. Yourself. Maybe it’s you that needs to get laid. Obsessed with other people’s relationships, when was the last time you had your own?”