Glass Hearts [BL]
Chapter 35: Don’t Let Anyone Touch That Pretty Face

Chapter 35: Don’t Let Anyone Touch That Pretty Face

He glanced my way again, one hand loose on the wheel, the other resting on the gear. His forearm flexed a little as he shifted lanes, the city lights flashing across the tattoos peeking out from under his sleeve.

Hot.

My brain stuttered.

No. Nice. I meant nice. He was being nice.

Except he was also hot.

I buried my face in my hands for half a second, then peeked at him through my fingers.

Dominic flicked a switch on his side, and the passenger window rolled down.

"Figured you could use some fresh air," he said, shooting me a sideways glance. "You’re looking a little... starstruck."

I snorted. "Starstruck? Dom, I’ve never even seen a Rolls Royce in real life, let alone sat inside one."

I bit my lip, trying to keep my voice casual.

He chuckled. "Well. Consider it a test drive."

"God." I muttered, sinking lower into the seat.

I turned my face toward the window, trying to hide the grin pulling at my mouth.

Every so often, Dominic’s phone would call out Google Maps instructions in that polite robot voice, guiding us closer and closer to the address Mr. Sun had sent.

But all I could think about was how weirdly perfect this felt.

Dominic glanced over. "You’re chewing your lip again."

I blinked, not realizing I’d been gnawing the skin raw.

"Sorry," I mumbled. "I... I keep thinking about that night."

Dominic tightened his fingers around the wheel. "What bout it."

I hesitated. Then took a breath.

"It’s crazy, you know? I still remember Liam arguing with that guy who tried to blackmail him, Dom."

Dominic’s face went pale.

"He said he’d tell me Liam’s secret if Liam didn’t shut up."

His jaw tightened.

"Liam was terrified," I said. "He told me to leave. Told me not to get involved. He said... not to call you. He practically begged me. He looked so scared, Dom. Like he’d rather face a knife than let anyone know what was happening."

Dominic tightened his knuckles on the wheel.

" I tried to help. But... everything happened so fast. Liam lunged for the guy’s phone. They fought. The guy pulled a knife. He... he stabbed Liam. Right in front of me."

My voice broke.

"I tried to hold him up. But, I couldn’t grab him in time. And he fell. Over the edge."

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I keep replaying it. Over and over. The way his heel slipped. The way he fell. The screams. The blood..."

"And I think... it’s my fault, Dom. I was right there. I should’ve pulled him back. Or screamed louder. Or done something. I was useless. I..."

"Heyy. Look at me."

I turned.

"You tried to help," Dominic said. "None of that is your fault. Not one second of it. You didn’t stab him. You didn’t push him. You didn’t leave him bleeding. That bastard did. And Liam... he made choices that night. You were trying to save him."

Tears burned my eyes again.

Dominic reached over, curling his fingers around mine where they were clenched on my lap. "I know. And I wish to God I’d been there. But don’t you dare blame yourself. You’re not the villain in this story, Ash."

I bit my lip again, trembling. "But Dom... what was the secret? Why was Liam so scared of? Why wouldn’t he let me call you?"

Dominic shook his head. "I’ve been asking myself the same thing every night. And it’s driving me insane."

He exhaled.

"Liam and I... we’re close. He’s my oldest friend in the group. We’ve shared everything. Secrets, parties, fights... But lately, I’d been seeing changes in him. He was jumpy. Nervous. And..." Dominic hesitated. "He asked me to lend him a huge amount of money."

I jerked my head toward him. "He did?"

"Yeah," Dominic said. "A couple weeks before the rooftop. He didn’t say why. Just said he was in a mess. I gave it to him. I thought maybe it was gambling debts, or something else... Hell, I don’t know. But he wouldn’t tell me the truth."

My chest twisted painfully. "Dom... whatever that secret was... it has to be connected."

Dominic nodded grimly. "Exactly. And I’m gonna find out what it is. I don’t care who I have to piss off."

He paused, then squeezed the wheel again. "Thank you, Rivera. For helping me figure this out. Liam would be grateful as hell if he knew."

My throat tightened.

"He’ll wake up, Dom," I said softly. "And when he does... he’ll know we were trying."

Dominic blinked, like he was trying to keep something from showing in his eyes. Then he forced a small grin. "You’re a good guy, Ash."

Dominic flicked the turn signal and glanced at me. "We’re there," he said.

He pulled into the driveway.

For a few seconds, neither of us moved.

He finally turned toward me. "You okay to go in alone?"

I nodded, fingers still curled around the door handle. "Yeah. Thanks for... y’know. Everything tonight. And for also believing in me."

Dominic gave me a faint, crooked grin. "Anything for you Rivera."

I snorted, pushing the door open. Cool night air rushed in, brushing over my skin and clearing my head a little.

"Goodnight, Dom."

He called after me as I stepped out, "Hey, Rivera!"

I paused, turned toward him.

"Call me if you get into any shit, okay? And don’t let anyone touch that pretty face of yours."

My cheeks flushed. "Jesus, you’re a flirt."

Dominic smirked, tapping the steering wheel. "Yeah. And you love it."

I flipped him off, but couldn’t stop grinning.

Then I shut the door, stepping back as the car purred away into the street.

I stood there for a second, under the flickering streetlight, feeling both lighter and heavier all at once.

I pulled out my phone and dialed June.

She picked up on the second ring. "Hey. Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I said. "Listen... I, uh... I’ve got an overnight shift at the diner. Mr. Sun texted me. I’m gonna go work for a few hours."

A rustling sound came over the line, like she was shifting the phone from one ear to the other. "Ash, it’s like midnight."

"I know. I need the cash."

A sigh. "You’re gonna burn yourself out."

"Not tonight. I’m okay. Just... wanted you to know."

She was quiet for a second. "Marcus is staying at the hospital. Alia’s asleep. He’s about to crash too."

"Okay. Good. Tell him thanks."

"I will."

"And... thanks, June. For everything."

She hesitated. "Ash... are you sure there’s nothing else you’re keeping from me?"