Bad Blood

Chapter 2

:: picture of ali ::

I woke up in an empty marble bathtub.

No, seriously, I did.

I let out a groan as a complaint of my throbbing headache, shifting uncomfortably at the phone digging into my thigh. Realizing that something was on top of me, I looked down only to see a fluffy towel draped over me.

What the hell is going on?

I lifted a hand up to rub my eyes, only to see a splatter of red on my wrist. I froze, taking in the deep ruby redness, heaving a sigh of relief that it wasn’t blood. When suddenly, this morning’s events flooded into my mind.

A rush of warmth instantly shot up to my cheeks as I registered my utter humiliation. Looking around carefully at the lavished place, with all it’s marble and expensive amenities, I realized, in awkwardness, that I was probably at Dante’s place.

As if on cue, the devil himself marched in, a pile of what looked like towels and clothes in his hands. Oblivious to my conscious state, he proceeded to run his hands through his dark hair,everything next to the sink. I let out a small cough to catch his attention.

Dante whirled around instantly, “You’re finally awake,” he commented, almost emotionless.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked in a hushed tone, a sharp edge in my tone.

“Didn’t think you looked like the hemophobic type,” Dante carried on, either not hearing me or ignoring me.

“Why am I here?” I repeated, clenching my fists.

“You were disgusting and unconscious,” He responded simply.

I crossed my arms, shooting him an austere look, which proved to be ineffective since my legs were still sprawled out across the bathtub.

Dante heaved a sigh, “I was trying to do a good deed.”

“Sure,” I drawled out, sarcasm laced heavily in my tone.

A thin sheet of ice froze over his eyes, “Would you rather that I’d left you there?”

Growling, I placed both hands on the edges of the bathtub and stood up slowly, “Don’t act like a good guy when you’re not. It doesn’t suit you.”

I watched, to my satisfaction, as Dante’s lips thinned, “You don’t know me Manning, so stop acting like it,” He whispered menacingly, his eyes flashing dangerously.

Before I could retort, Dante turned away, “Fresh towels are near the sink along with some clean clothes. Go take a shower before you contaminate my bathroom any longer. And once you’re done, get the hell out of here and don’t come back.”

With that, Dante left the toilet, but not before slamming the door shut.

***

Maybe I have been a bit harsh.

Dante had been aloof, sure, but had done nothing in any way to hurt me. Besides, he seemed to have good intentions. He didn’t seem like the monster I made him out to be.

My eyes fluttered shut as I relished the warm water cascading down my back. My thoughts flew back to Ali and Luke, my back tensing instantly.

No, I couldn’t afford to be misguided right now, not when my life is on the line.

I scrubbed off the remaining red splotches on my leg before getting out of the shower. I made my way over to the sink and dried myself with a towel. When I was done, I reached for the clothes Dante gave me and slipped them on.