I downed my whiskey, licking my lips and savoring the uplifting burn. Jess and I were watching the stupidest movies we could find while we got to know each other.
"I was surprised you didn't gun us down to be honest," She said.
"I think we're safe here," I reassured her. I popped a piece of candy into my mouth, the chocolate immediately melting on my tongue before I warned, "But if anyone hurts my sister that's a different story."
"Violence against women doesn't go down well here."
"Oh."
Jess leaned back. She crossed her legs. She wore a studded leather jacket and leather pants. Her lip, eyebrows, and ears were pierced, the lobes had plugs however. She had a diamond shaped face with a pointed chin and hollow cheeks. She had thick eyebrows. Half of her head was shaved while the other half fell to her midsection. She was covered in tattoos.
Her apartment looked a lot like ours in terms of layout but it was much more cluttered. It was kept clean enough for the black cat to move about comfortably.
"Moose, the biggest guy, he has a cousin. I might introduce her to Angela one day. They were never close until a year ago when he found out her husband was a monster. In under an hour he, Alex, and I were taking out the trash. Bianca came home with Alex. He's the softest of us when it comes to the people we protect. He helped her into Moose's bed and ordered food for her. Moose took his couch until she told him she felt safer with him, so he slept on the floor."
"Did I meet Moose?"
She gave me a look and I bit my lip in understanding. Her smirk was annoying.
"We weren't just criminals. We also acted as bodyguards and bounty hunters. One of the guys was a private investigator before everything went to Hell and he'd look for missing people for free. When he needed firepower he'd call us."
"And Bianca's been with you since?"
"Yeah. She's skittish. She mostly stays in his room but I think it'd be good for her to meet someone."
"Do you think she'd like Angela?"
A warm smile graced Jess' lips and her gaze grew distant, "She'd love her."
"Angela is adjusting well. Having a friend may help that."
"She's stronger than she thinks."
I ate another handful of candy, "Why did Alex ask you to watch over her?"
"He didn't," She said, and seeing my questioning look she explained, "I wanted to help her feel at home so I kept close to her. If you're okay with it I can teach her to fight, too."
"That'd be good."
"Thank you," She finished off her whiskey and leaned back, "Speaking of Alex... He really cares about you."
I took another sip. I was obviously attracted to him but to consider letting myself to have feelings for someone, even before the outbreak, I needed trust. I'd known my ex for a long time before we started dating and look how that turned out. The state of the world didn't allow for a leap of faith.
After a beat I said, "So do I."
"Don't tell him I told you this but a lot of women think he's more distant than he is with his sarcasm and the whole man-whore thing. Push past that, okay?"
"I just got out of a relationship. I'm not looking for another one. Even if I was I'd need to trust someone with my life to get that close."
"I'm thirty. The only people I've ever trusted live in this building. I know you have feelings and I know you'll trust him sooner or later."
"Why are you telling me that?"
"I can read people. I think you're good for him. I didn't like you at first but I can see you complimenting each other and I don't want him to fuck it up before it can begin. The women he's dated either thought he didn't want any kind of deep connection or liked the idea of a hot bad boy and eventually got bored. He's more than what he lets on. I think you're good for him and I think you two can have something good if you don't put up with his shit."
"I don't intend to."
She laughed once. I poured more for the both of us and we clinked out glasses before downing them. Half of the bottle was gone and my head was swimming. The sun was setting, casting stark shadows over the apartment and painting the sky a blood red and bright pink. I laid back, setting my feet on the coffee table. The cat hopped up to sit on my lap. I pet her head and scratched behind her ears, her eyes closing in bliss and her head pushing into my palm.
"Where'd you get her?"
"I found her as a kitten. She got caught in a trap."
"She's beautiful."
"She already met the dog just so you know. They're good."
I didn't know if I was okay with Angela being alone with any of these people but she was soon to turn nineteen.
"I'm gonna see about stumbling home."
"Need any help?"
"Nah," I said as I made my way to the door.
I walked down the hall and took the elevator to the top floor. Once I was inside the penthouse I fell onto the couch. I closed my eyes and within seconds I heard the sound of something being set on the coffee table. I sat up and picked up the orange juice. Alex took a seat on the other end of the couch and put my feet on his lap. I downed my drink as he began to rub my feet. Closing my eyes I leaned back. I allowed myself a light hum of comfort.
"Alex?" I asked, my voice miles away and my head spinning. When he hummed his answer I continued, "I want to sleep in your bed."
He placed down my feet and stood. I thought he may have taken issue with my request but he lifted me into his arms as slowly and carefully as he could to not make me nauseous. We glided down the hall and soon I was atop the covers. He eased off my socks, pants, and bra. He then pulled the blankets over my buzzing body. I felt his weight push down the mattress before he laid a slow, tender kiss onto my forehead. When he settled onto his side I moved closer to him. I knew it was the alcohol making me bold enough to ask for affection. I knew I'd regret it even more than the viscous sex we'd been having. Far more. Still I laid my head on his chest and my hand over his heart. He pushed my hair away from my face to caress my cheek. His musky scent was spiced with cinnamon. It was like a warm, loving hug.
In my drunken haze my baggage was tossed away and I could see him for what he'd shown me. I could forgive what he's done. Sober I didn't have to deny my attraction to his body but I did deny any other form of pull to him I felt.
The words I spoke were light, innocuous, and yet words I wouldn't even think without the excuse of whiskey, "I like you."
"You're drunk."
"They're not mutually exclusive."
"Go to sleep."
"Okay."
"Finally she does as she's told."
"Shhh," I hissed, raising my hand to place a finger over his lips.
I slipped into a cozy dream of him and in the morning I awoke to a slow, deliberate drum within my skull. I opened my eyes to see light held back by the thick black blinds. I sat up and as I did the door opened. Alex came inside with a platter of bacon and eggs with coffee and orange juice. He sat the tray on my lap.
"I don't have meds," He spoke softly, "Get in the bath after. There's a stack of books in the closet."
"You can read?"
"I'm learning," He lightly kissed my cheek and left after saying, "I have a meeting with my people. Be safe."
"You, too."
I inhaled the meal. I then lit some linen scented candles and slipped into a hot bath. I laid back my head and looked through a book of his. Pink bubbles reached my chest and the salts softened my skin. I enjoyed the book and the bath despite my hangover. I could feel the threat of comfort peering over my shoulder.