Fratelli: The Awakening (The Vampire Cartel #1)

3. Dolly’s First Sight

Chapter 3

Dolly’s First Sight

S cotlandville - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

April 12, 2018

(10 days before Death)

“Man, shut the fuck up. We’ll handle business like we always do!”

Dolly cast a glance over her shoulder towards the commotion. Two men her age had entered—one headed for the bathroom on the other side of the store, shouting taunts. They wore enough diamonds on their necks and wrists to pay the rent for Dolly’s townhouse for several years. She rolled her eyes and hurried to collect her essentials—milk, bacon, and eggs for her brother’s breakfast after her grueling night shift as a paramedic. This was the only gas station store in her neighborhood that had produce and sold Po-boys from the back. With no time for distractions, especially amidst the influx of celebrities and questionable figures for the local university’s rap concert, she focused on the freezers. Unnoticed by her, another man entered the store behind the two.

Dolly pushed her glasses up on her nose. She frowned as she scanned the refrigerated drinks and found that the store had run out of her favorites. There was no bacon, either. Cereal would have to be enough for her brother. She grabbed the milk jug, then turned away a little too abrupt. For whatever reason, one of the men was right behind her. So close that she immediately collided with him. Startled, she either tripped or he pushed her backward. She dropped the milk and fell into the glass door before she landed on her hip when she hit the floor. Milk pooled around her. Her glasses fell off her face because of the collision. One lens popped out when the pair hit the ground.

A man laughed. Embarrassed, Dolly scrambled to get away from the leaky gallon and located her glasses. Legally blind, without them, she could barely see. The man stepped on the frames, and she heard a loud crunch just as she reached for them. The pair had snapped in the middle.

“Ah, shit, baby, I’m sorry. Let me help you.” The man reached for her instead, his fingers grazed the side of her face. She smacked his hand away.

“Don’t touch me!” she warned.

“What the fuck? You bumped into me, bitch!” He said.

After she picked up what remained of her glasses, she stood her ground. The cashier came out from behind the bulletproof glass booth and headed to the back of the store. He saw the milk and heard the insults. Of course, he blamed Dolly.

“You pay for that!” he said to her. “You pay, or I call police!”

“I didn’t —” she protested.

“You pay!” The cashier threw his hands up and went back to his booth. She defended herself, but when she saw the man who had made her fall, sneer with amusement, she didn’t bother. Instead, she met his gaze and didn’t blink.

The man wore a black and gold silk designer shirt paired with dark jeans, exuding wealth. A diamond-encrusted Cuban link chain adorned his neck, complemented by large diamond studs in his ears. He was handsome. The profile of the type of guys she used to date. But today he was just a reminder of all the tears she had shed and the broken promises she had endured with Tyrone. When his sneer morphed into a smile, she noticed his teeth glittered with diamonds, too. She started away in disgust.

“Stand down,” another voice warned, but Dolly barely registered the other man. She was tired, her feet hurt, and she needed to check on her brother. Besides, she didn’t need any help. She had her pepper spray with her and had taken it off her belt, ready for defense. She dug in her uniform pocket for her debit card and headed to the front of the store to pay for the spilled milk.

“I hate this place,” she mumbled.

A man’s firm hand gripped her elbow before she reached the counter. This time, she lost control and turned to deliver a hard shove at her assailant. Though she was sure she hit him hard, he barely moved. To her surprise, it wasn’t the diamond tooth imitation of Tyrone from before. It was someone else. Dolly had to step closer to focus her vision. Without her glasses, she saw everything as a blurred shadow from a distance.

“ Stai bonu ?” he asked. “You, okay?”

“Do I look okay?” she replied. “He pushed me down, and don’t touch me again,” she said.

“Let me pay for the damages. Your glasses. The milk?” The man offered. His accent was so thick she knew he was not a local. Dolly paused. She looked him over.

“No thanks! Just leave me alone,” Dolly showed him her debit card. “I can take care of myself.”

Through her impaired vision, she could see him because of his nearness. He was so close to her that she should have stepped back, but she didn’t want to. He wore a dark suit, like that of a businessman. His aura radiated masculinity and strength. Unlike the others, adorned in casual, trendy attire, he gave an essence of sophistication. The only visible luxury exploited was a diamond-studded watch.

When he extended his hand, her gaze lowered. He offered a hundred-dollar bill. Immediately she glimpsed the ring on his pinky finger, marking a contrast that linked him to the flamboyance of the other men around him.

“Pardon my friends’ rudeness. Accept my apologies,” he said, his accent thinned, and his words became clearer. Strange to see him switch up on her, smooth.

“You don’t have to apologize. He’s the idiot that caused it.” She pointed at the man behind him.

“Man, this bitch is about to piss me off, bro.” The other man huffed.

The one before her turned and glared at the other man. He didn’t say a word to him, but the look had its effect. The man silenced. He then returned his gaze to her. “Trust me, he’ll be taught manners. It’s one thing I’m good at,” he said.

Dolly accepted the money. “Fine. Thank you.”

The stranger, with an appreciative nod, stepped back. The connection between them was severed. His gaze took a slow sweep over her. She cringed inside. It would be her bad luck to meet someone charming in a dirty filling station wearing her EMS uniform. Her hair was a hot mess. Her shoes, black sneakers with thick soles, looked horrible, and she felt exposed in front of him, uncovered. Not even lip gloss covered her lips.

Was he mocking her? Would they all just have a big laugh at her when she left? He couldn’t be flirting. Nah, why would he?

The other two men who had arrived first were now standing behind Prince Charming, watchful. No more of the cursing and hurling of insults. They were obedient. Dolly assumed the trio was probably with the entertainment elite that had swarmed in on their city. Some slick-talking agent to a bunch of athletes or bratty rappers. She would call Charmaine and tell her. Charmaine knew everything and everyone.

“Lamont. Get the lady her milk.” The stranger ordered one man. The guy went to the freezer and retrieved the jug she wanted. He passed it to the stranger who offered it back to her.

“Thanks,” she said and accepted it.

“Your name?” he asked, as she walked away.

“Dolly,” she replied.

The stranger’s brows lifted with a look of surprise. She wasn’t about to tell him that her adoptive mother was a big Dolly Parton fan. That she and her adoptive father fought over the name, but eventually her mother won out. Dolly, as a name, growing up had been tough.

“Pardon me, but you don’t look like a Dolly, sweetheart,” said the stranger.

“Well, I am. So, there’s that.” She went to the cashier and used the hundred-dollar bill to pay for the milk spilled and the new gallon he offered. She pocketed the change. When she turned to leave, she saw the stranger standing where she left him, watching her. She smiled. He gave her another hint of a smile and nodded his goodbye.