Stranger

CALLIE

I parked my car in an open parking lot, the knife still clutched tightly in my hand as I glared at the stranger sitting in my passenger seat.

"Talk. Now," I demanded, my voice low and threatening. “Who are you, and why the hell are you in my car?”

He raised his hands slowly again. “I'm sorry,” he began, his voice steady despite the tension hanging thick in the air.

“I’m truly sorry for breaking into your car. I had no choice.”

I narrowed my eyes. “No choice?” I scoffed. “You expect me to believe that?”

He sighed, lowering his hands slightly but keeping his gaze locked on mine. “I was passing in front of that building,” he explained.

“I saw a man kill one of the guards. I was about to run, but then someone came out, saw me, and assumed I was the one who did it. They started chasing me.”

I frowned, my grip on the knife loosening slightly. “And you hid in my car?”

He nodded. “I had to. I was running for my life. I didn’t know where else to go. I thought I’d wait it out until things calmed down, but then… you showed up.”

I studied him, trying to gauge whether he was telling the truth.

His face was flushed, and there were beads of sweat on his forehead.

He looked scared but that didn’t mean I was going to let my guard down.

“You expect me to believe that?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

“I swear, it’s the truth,” he said earnestly. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just need to get out of here before they find me.”

I let out a slow breath, my eyes still fixed on him. He didn’t seem like a threat, but I wasn’t about to trust a complete stranger just because he looked terrified.

He must’ve seen the hesitation on my face because he spoke again, his voice softer this time. “I’m really sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

Finally, I lowered the knife slightly, though I didn’t put it away.

“Fine,” I muttered.

He exhaled deeply, his body relaxing as he reached for the door handle. “Thank you,” he repeated, before stepping out of the car.

I watched him as he stood, running a hand through his dark brown hair.

He turned back to me, his expression softening as he spoke, "By the way, I’m Jace. You know, the guy who hijacked your car and scared the hell out of you."

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. His humor caught me off guard, but it felt like the tension eased for a moment.

I shook my head, still holding the knife loosely in my hand. "Callie," I replied. "You know, the woman who almost stabbed you for doing that."

Jace chuckled, a lopsided grin spreading across his face. "Well, I guess we’re even now. No hard feelings, right?”

I raised an eyebrow but still smiled. “Depends. You planning on breaking into any more cars tonight?”

“Nah, you’re the last one,” he said, winking and then turned to leave.

I watched him start to walk away, and my mind raced. For some reason, I didn’t want him to go.

Maybe it was the chaos of the night or the fact that I was just desperate for a distraction, but something in me wanted him to stay.

“Jace!” I called out before I could stop myself.

He paused, turning back to face me, with a curious expression.

I hesitated, biting my lip before speaking again. "Look... I’m going through a lot right now, and honestly, I could use a drink. Wanna come with me to a bar? I mean... unless you’ve got somewhere better to be."

He seemed surprised, his eyes widening slightly before that grin of his reappeared.

“Well, considering I just ran for my life and hid in your car, I think I could use a drink too,” he said, walking back toward me.

“Let’s do it, Callie. Lead the way.”

Jace and I settled into a booth near the back, and I ordered us both drinks.

I took a sip of mine, the alcohol already starting to loosen me up, while Jace nursed his, glancing around the bar as if trying to figure out how we got here.

“So,” I began, turning to him, “do you stay around here?”

He leaned back, shrugging casually. “Kind of. I moved here a couple of weeks ago, actually. Still trying to get used to the area.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Two weeks? That's fresh. Where were you staying before?”

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes shifting to his drink. “Somewhere far away,” he answered vaguely, clearly dodging the question.

I bit my lip, realizing I might have pushed a little too hard. “Sorry,” I said quickly, waving a hand. “I didn’t mean to pry. I can be a little too curious sometimes.”

He smiled, “No worries. It’s just... complicated.”

There was a brief, awkward silence between us as I downed the rest of my drink. The alcohol was hitting me harder than I expected, and I suddenly felt a bold rush of energy.

“Well, enough of that,” I said, standing up a little too quickly and grabbing his hand. “Let’s dance!”

Jace looked at me, amused, but stayed seated. “Callie, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, come on,” I urged, pulling him up with me. “We’re here, the music’s good, and I need a break.”

As we started dancing, I found myself moving closer to him.

His hands rested lightly on my hips, keeping a respectful distance, but I could feel the heat radiating from him.

It stirred something deep inside me, and without thinking, I pressed myself closer, letting my hands trail up his chest.

Jace stiffened for a moment, but I didn’t stop. I was lost in the rhythm, in the way his touch was sending little shocks through me.

My body moved against his, and I could feel my pulse quicken with every second.

"Callie..." Jace called out but I ignored it, leaning into him even more, my lips brushing the side of his neck.

I felt his breath hitch, but just as quickly, he pulled back slightly.

“Callie,” he said again, more composed this time, “I think it’s time we leave.”

I blinked up at him, confused and tipsy. “No, no, we’re just getting started,” I slurred, trying to step closer again.

“We can stay a little longer.”

Jace smiled softly, taking my keys from me. “What’s your address?”

*********

The morning light seeping through the curtains felt like daggers piercing my skull.

My head throbbed, and my mouth was as dry as sandpaper.

I groaned, throwing an arm over my eyes to block out the light as flashes of the previous night came rushing back.

Jace.

The bar.

The dancing.

I groaned again, this time out of embarrassment. I had made a complete fool of myself in front of a total stranger.

What was I thinking?

I forced myself to sit up, as I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the pounding headache I felt.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Then I froze. My blood ran cold as I noticed the figure sitting at the side of my bed, surrounded by four men.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest.

Tony.

The Mafia Boss

“Good morning, Callie,” he said as a smile spread across his face.