Returning Shadows

(11) Uninvited Guest

CHAPTER 11

Uninvited Guest

**(Alexis's P.O.V)**

"There you go, boy," I said to the dog, giving him a pat on the head as he hobbled over to the food bowl.

I rinsed the tin out and put the empty can into the recycling bin.

Rambo continued to wolf down the food as I stood and watched him. I'd always wanted a dog to keep me company, but my parents wouldn't let me.

Within minutes, the bowl was empty again.

"Come on then, boy!" I patted my thighs and coaxed the dog nearer, where he rolled onto his back for me to tickle his belly. "Good boy," I cooed. "Did you enjoy your food? Was it nice? It smelled nice."

Suddenly, Rambo rolled onto his feet, cocking his head to one side.

"What is it?" I whispered.

He ignored me, instead he bore his sharp teeth and growled.

"Rambo!" I scolded. "Stop it!"

A loud bang echoed through the room, followed by two more, and Rambo shot into the living room and started barking loudly in front of the door.

Crap! Someone's here!

I guided the dog into the kitchen by his collar and closed the door behind me to stop him getting out, despite his attempts to push past me.

I dithered around for a few seconds, wondering what I should do. It wasn't my home, so I had no business inviting anybody inside. On the other hand, it could just be a delivery or something.

There was another knock. "Come on, I know you're in there, Beckham! Aren't you going to let your old buddy inside for a catch up?"

I paused. He was one of Danny's friends?

I swallowed hard to clear my throat. "Y-you know Danny?" I asked, loudly enough so that the guy outside would hear me.

There was a long silence. "Yeah," the guy outside answered. "We're old friends. We go way back."

Hesitantly, I walked towards the door and unbolted it, opening it slowly until the guy came into view.

"Hi," he said, flashing a handsome white smile.

Wow. Danny had some pretty hot friends. He was gorgeous! His dark, shiny hair was combed back neatly, giving him a slightly old-fashioned gentlemanly look. Classic. Dark stubble lined his strong jawline, and low set eyebrows shaded his gorgeously dark brown eyes, making him appear even more mysterious.

But there was something about him. He looked familiar.

"H-have we met before?" I asked, curious.

He captured my small hand, almost swallowing it in one of his large ones. Our skin tones were stark in comparison. His was a rich, exotic olive tone, making mine look disgustingly anaemic in contrast. "I'm sure if we'd met, I wouldn't forget," he said smoothly, a slight foreign lilt to his voice. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it, before slowly lowering it back to my side, where I immediately clasped it behind my back and furiously rubbed at the tingling skin with my other hand.

Blood rushed to my cheeks, tinting my pale skin a ghastly red. "Ahaha," I choked out uncomfortably. "That rhymes."

A crooked smile lifted the corners of his lips. "You're blushing."

No shit, Sherlock!

I cleared my throat. "S-so how do you know Danny?"

He stepped a little nearer and turned his head. I hadn't noticed it before, since that side of his face had been hidden by the shadows in the hall outside the door, but a white scar ran along his left cheek, slashing straight across his eye, and stopping just beyond his eyebrow. Luckily, it appeared to miss his actual eye, and so he hadn't lost his sight.