He Claimed Me in the Rain
A chance encounter in a parking lot during a downpour draws a struggling young woman into the world of a powerful, obsessive man. As she discovers his identity as a mafia heir, she must decide if the danger he represents is worth the safety he promises.
Rain fell like judgment. My car was gone. Repossessed while I worked.
24 years old. Waitress. I chose rent over insurance. I chose wrong.
The consequences came while I was midshift, serving expensive drinks to strangers.
Keys, keys, keys. Digging frantically through my soaked purse in the downpour.
Lightning cracked overhead, illuminating a sleek black car at the lot's far edge.
An Aston Martin. Pristine. Powerful. And miraculously, unlocked.
I slid into the passenger seat, shaking, desperate, wrapping warmth around me.
Expensive leather. Sandalwood and amber. Something dark I couldn't name.
Just five minutes until the rain stops. That's all I need. That's all I'm taking.
The driver's door opened. Someone entered with the night.
He filled the car with his presence before I saw his face clearly.
This is not an Uber.
His eyes were the color of whiskey held to firelight. Burning amber.
When I reached for the door, his hand shot out and caught my wrist.
Electric. Warm steel wrapped in velvet. Impossible to break.
I'm sorry. My car was repossessed. I just needed shelter from the rain.
What is your name?
Elise Parker.
The waitress who brought me a Macallen 25 neat. Two hours ago at the restaurant.
He had been there. Watching me. The entire time.
I dine at Bissimo every Friday at 8. Table 15.
The weight of his invitation hung between us. Obvious. Inevitable. A claim.
His jacket remained in my apartment for seven days. I wrapped myself in it every night.
I told myself I wouldn't go back on Friday. I was lying to myself.
When Friday came, I requested the dinner shift anyway.
He arrived at 8 o'clock. Two men in dark suits flanked him like shadows.
The restaurant hushed. Heads turned subtly, then looked quickly away.
You came back.
I work here. Your table is ready.
We both knew that wasn't the real reason I was there.