Dangerous Attention

Chapter 5: Into the Dark

The cold night air hit Offroad’s face as they emerged from the back exit, but the sharp chill did nothing to calm his racing heart. The sound of chaos from inside the bar still echoed in his ears—shouts, crashes, the unmistakable thud of fists against flesh. His body buzzed with adrenaline, his mind struggling to keep up with what had just happened.

Daou’s grip on his arm was firm, almost possessive, as he guided them down a narrow alleyway. Offroad stumbled slightly, his thoughts swirling in confusion and disbelief. How had his life gone from normal—boring even—to this? How had he become entangled in a world of violence, danger, and Daou?

They turned another corner, slipping deeper into the maze of alleys that crisscrossed the city. It was darker here, the dim streetlights barely illuminating the shadows that clung to the buildings. Daou finally slowed his pace, releasing Offroad’s arm as they reached a small, unmarked door nestled between two buildings.

Offroad leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. His chest ached from the tension, his head pounding with questions. He looked at Daou, who seemed completely unfazed by what had just transpired.

“You’re insane,” Offroad finally managed, his voice rough. “What the hell was that back there?”

Daou glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “It was a message,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.

“A message?” Offroad repeated, incredulous. “You call that a message? You nearly got us killed!”

Daou stepped closer, his dark eyes locking onto Offroad’s with an intensity that made his breath catch. “They won’t stop,” he said quietly. “They know who you are now. They’ll come after you.”

Offroad’s stomach twisted with dread. “What are you talking about?”

Daou’s gaze didn’t waver. “You were with me. That makes you a target.”

Offroad’s blood ran cold. The full weight of what Daou was saying hit him like a punch to the gut. This wasn’t just some misunderstanding, some isolated incident. This was real. He was in the middle of something dangerous, something he had no control over.

“And you think I’m just going to let that happen?” Offroad snapped, his voice rising with anger and fear. “You dragged me into this, Daou. You brought me into your world, and now you’re telling me I’m stuck?”

Daou’s expression hardened. “I didn’t drag you anywhere. You’re here because you chose to be.”

Offroad blinked, stunned by the coldness in his voice. “Chose? You think I chose this?”

Daou stepped even closer, his presence overwhelming. “You could have walked away. That first night, when you found out who I was. But you didn’t. And now you’re mine.”

Offroad’s breath caught in his throat. The words were possessive, dangerous, and yet there was something magnetic about them, something that made his pulse race even faster. But he couldn’t let himself get swept up in it—not again.

“I’m not yours,” Offroad ground out, forcing himself to meet Daou’s gaze. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

Daou’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile, one that sent a shiver down Offroad’s spine. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

Before Offroad could respond, Daou reached out, his hand cupping the back of Offroad’s neck. The touch was firm, almost gentle, but there was no mistaking the control behind it. Daou’s fingers pressed against his skin, sending a jolt of electricity through his body.

“Let me make something clear,” Daou murmured, his voice low and velvety. “In my world, nothing is free. You’re involved now, whether you like it or not. And the only way to survive is to stay close to me.”

Offroad’s heart pounded in his chest, his body betraying him as he leaned into the touch. He hated how easily Daou could unravel him, how his words and presence seemed to strip away all of Offroad’s defenses.

But he couldn’t let this happen. He couldn’t let Daou control him.

“Don’t do this,” Offroad whispered, his voice shaky.

Daou’s eyes darkened, his grip tightening just enough to make Offroad’s pulse quicken. “Do what?”

“Pull me in,” Offroad said, his voice barely audible. “You don’t get to make decisions for me.”

Daou’s thumb brushed lightly against the side of Offroad’s neck, the touch sending a wave of heat through him. “I don’t make decisions for you, Offroad. I offer protection. Safety.”

Offroad let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded more like a shaky breath. “Safety? That’s rich, coming from you.”

Daou’s gaze softened slightly, just enough to make Offroad wonder if there was something deeper beneath that cold, dangerous exterior. “I didn’t want this for you,” he said quietly, his voice almost too soft for Offroad to believe it came from the same man who had just fought his way out of a bar brawl. “But now that you’re in it, I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

Offroad’s throat tightened, the weight of Daou’s words settling heavily in his chest. He wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that there was more to Daou than the violence and danger that surrounded him. But he couldn’t shake the fear that trusting Daou meant losing himself completely.

“Why me?” Offroad asked, his voice small. “Why are you doing this?”

Daou’s eyes searched his face, and for a moment, it seemed like he might actually answer. But instead, he leaned in, his lips brushing against Offroad’s ear as he whispered, “Because I want you.”

Offroad’s breath hitched, his heart hammering in his chest as Daou’s words sank in. There was no escaping it, no denying the pull between them, the dangerous attraction that seemed to grow stronger with every moment they spent together.

But before Offroad could respond, the door behind them creaked open. Daou straightened, his expression immediately hardening as one of his men appeared in the doorway.

“Boss,” the man said, his voice tense. “We’ve got a problem. They’re still looking for you. We need to move.”

Daou’s jaw clenched, and he nodded once. “Get the car ready.”

The man disappeared as quickly as he’d come, and Daou turned back to Offroad, his gaze sharp and focused. “We’re not done here,” he said quietly, his voice full of promise—and warning.

Offroad swallowed hard, his pulse still racing as he watched Daou disappear into the shadows, leaving him alone in the dark alley. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, confusion—but above all, he felt a strange sense of inevitability, like he was being pulled deeper into Daou’s world, whether he liked it or not.

He took a shaky breath, his hand brushing the spot where Daou’s fingers had just been, and forced himself to stand up straight. If he was going to survive this, he needed to be smart. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions get the best of him, no matter how much Daou got under his skin.

But as Offroad stepped out of the alley and into the street, one thing was clear: he was no longer just an innocent bystander in Daou’s world. He was in it, and there was no turning back.