Chapter Two

KACE

You'd think I'd be nervous, but instead, a rush of excitement flows through me as I traipse the halls of the hospital in my fake scrubs dressed convincingly as a doctor.

I look the part.

I always look the part.

My counterfeit ID badge sits proudly where I want it, allowing me to slip in where I need to be. Flashing my badge to the security guards stationed at the door, I walk straight in closing it behind me, just as I knew I would.

I have to do this.

You'd think considering a terrorist attack occurred not so long ago, they'd be better prepared than this. As long as I look the part and have the appropriate badge, they're convinced I am that person.

But I'm not. I'm here for one reason and one reason only, and he's lying in this hospital room hooked up to the endlessly beeping machines, pumping oxygen and God knows what else in an inane attempt to keep him alive.

This man is the sole survivor of the attack. I wasn't able to bring him down then, so my task is to bring him down now.

Sliding the curtain around his bed as I step up to him, the metal rings clink along the railing while my heart races in my chest. Killing is something that comes naturally to me. I've done it for so long now, it's ingrained in my persona.

I can't count the number of men I've taken out—all in the name of the Seven.

Taking a deep breath, I pull the syringe out of my pocket and take a quick glance behind me making sure no one is entering. Turning back toward the scum before me, I grit my teeth and pick up his IV line, inserting the syringe quickly into it. The pure toxic mix flows straight through the clear plastic line and into his bloodstream, giving me a euphoric sense of relief that I've succeeded in my task.

"For the Seven," I murmur as I watch the clear liquid drain into his system. With a brief smile—I know I don't have long—I pull the syringe from the IV and take a deep breath while looking at him, taking in his features once more.

His heart rate begins to register a decline on the machine, and I know that's my cue to leave. Turning, I pull open the curtain a fraction and walk out of the room, nodding to security as I go. My feet hit the floor hard and fast as I walk briskly but not too fast as to draw attention. The distant sound of a heart monitor flatlining and the ‘real' doctors rushing around echo down the halls. I throw off my scrub top and place it in a nearby bin along with the syringe before I hasten my pace out of the hospital with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.

LILY

Molly's over for dinner, and we're eating our usual takeout Chinese from House of Chow as she talks about her latest conquest. This is our typical date night. We call it a date night because Molly only fucks guys, and I've had too many bad experiences with men to date, so Molly and I date each other. But not in a weird way, just in a best-friends-eating-takeout-and-vegging kind of way. It is not bizarre, it's just us. We're a strange dynamic, but we fit so well together. I can't imagine a better best friend than Molly McDonald with her long brown hair, chocolate eyes, and a curvy body that men drool over.

At the age of twenty-six, Molly really has her head screwed on. She's a dancer. She lives and breathes dancing, and when she isn't trying out for music's hottest video clips, she's teaching children how to dance. One small thing, though—Molly hates kids. I mean really hates kids. So that's an endless source of entertainment. The thing Molly loves, though, is men, and right now she has a thing for my neighbor, Mr. Mysterious.

"So… I can fuck him, right? You said I could."

Rolling my eyes, I giggle. "I've never actually seen him bring a girl home."

"Eh, I'll fuck him wherever. I don't need a bed. Oh, wait… you don't think he's gay, do you? Damn, the sexy ones always play for the other team." She throws her hands in the air in an exacerbated sigh.

Chuckling to myself, I shake my head. "I don't know if he's gay, I'm just saying I've never seen him with a girl."

She furrows her brows. "Well, have you seen him with a guy?"

Looking up at the ceiling as I wrack my brain thinking, I shake my head. "No, actually he's always alone."

She smiles and puffs out her chest as if he can see her and would be impressed by her sizable rack. "Well then, he's just holding out for me, isn't he?"

Laughing, I nod. "Yeah, that's exactly what Mr. Mysterious is doing. Anyway, enough about my neighbor, what's happening with your music video?"

She shrugs, rolls her eyes, and picks up the container of Singapore noodles, shoving the chopsticks entirely into her mouth. "Every time I try out for a video, they always want me to twerk ‘cause of my amazing bootaaay. But c'mon, there's nothing classy about twerking," she says through mouthfuls of noodles making me giggle.

"Well, your bootaaay is only going to get bigger if you keep shoveling those noodles like that."

"Hey!" she calls out, and picks up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks and hurtles it at me. Holding back my laugh, I pick it up and eat it.

"Well, if you can have a booty, I can, too. Right?"

"Amen, sister!" she replies and brings her chopsticks up to clink with mine in a cheers motion.

We both chuckle and continue to devour our takeout. After finishing off the entire order and drinking a bottle of wine between us, Molly decides she's heading home for the night.

"You sure you're okay to drive? You know the car is perfectly safe locked in the apartment's underground parking lot. Not that I'm judging your driving skills, but maybe it would be safer for the other drivers if you just left it there?"

She scowls at me. "Bitch, please . Remember that time we drank all those mojitos, and then I drove back home to DC from Baltimore?"

A burst of laughter comes from deep inside me, and Molly scrunches her face in confusion. "Umm, you didn't drive, your sister had to pick us up, and then the usual hour trip took us nearly three ‘cause she had to keep pulling over for you to pee."

"Really?" She shrugs. "So I pee when I'm drunk, that's not a crime. Sheesh… judgmental much there, Lily," she teases.

"Oh, shut up and get out of my apartment!" We both chuckle as I walk her to the door. Opening it, she steps through, and I step forward to hug her when my neighbor walks down the hallway toward us with two women, one under each arm. I look to Molly, and she smirks at me raising her eyebrows.

"There goes the gay theory," she whispers then looks back at him. "Don't be a fool and wrap your tool," she calls out to him. My heart jumps up into my throat in embarrassment as she smirks and scurries off past him down the hall. My cheeks flush red hot as he ushers the women inside his apartment, and I stand like a fool watching him, stunned to the spot. Whether I'm astounded by Molly's words or just the sheer fact that he looks so goddamn gorgeous tonight, I'm not sure, but something about this situation is taking my breath away.

"Friend of yours?" he asks.

His voice is like deep rich velvet, and it makes my knees wobble as he looks at me with a slight smirk. My mouth opens, and I gasp slightly trying to catch my breath before I'm able to speak. "She's actually really nice… once you get to know her."

He looks back into his room, and my chest pounds ferociously as my breath is knocked from me again. What the hell?

"Yeah, all is not as it seems," he says, and my brows crease together at his odd choice of words.

What isn't as it seems?

Molly?

Or the fact that he just took two, who look like hookers, into his room?

"Have a nice night, Lily."

I nod, and then it suddenly hits me—how the fuck does he know my name?

Chewing on my bottom lip, I flare my nostrils. "What's your name?"

He smiles. "I'm Kace Colt." He shuts the door behind him, and I take a deep breath shaking my head wondering who is Kace Colt?

***

Apart from my parents' farm, the zoo that's conveniently located just two blocks from my apartment is the only other place that I feel at complete peace. I love my work, but Steven's bad attitude and the constant need to degrade his staff, makes it feel like I'm always walking on eggshells.

I hate it.

I volunteer at the zoo one day a week, helping out the vets who work here, assisting with the daily care of the animals or assisting with large operations where more hands are needed. It breathes life into my body.

Not only am I able to go behind the scenes, but I'm continuously learning, thanks to the head zoo veterinarian, Marshall. He fuels my thirst for knowledge and my passion.

Today we are working in an area that both scares and excites me—the lions.

One of the females gave birth a few days ago, and it's time to give the three new baby cubs a check-up. Today's actually my day off from work, but when Marshall called, I couldn't give up the opportunity to snuggle with these new little ones.

I bounce on the balls of my feet as Marshall explains to the team of people around him how fast we're going to get the job done. The last thing we want is to stress the momma out. Marshall and I have been working with this proud girl, Misty, for over a year, and we seem to have created a strong bond. I'm not under the false impression that she won't attack me if she catches me trying to snatch away one of her babies, though.

"Ready, Lily?" Marshall asks with an excited smile.

I clap my hands. "So ready."

The separation of Misty from her three little ones goes to plan, and I take my time enjoying the softness of their fur while Marshall and one of the other vets speed through their health checks— weighing, finding out the sex of each, taking temperatures, and having a quick cuddle before returning them to a pacing Mom.

Misty's eyes watch me through the cage as I handle each of her children with gentle hands. We may have become friends over the past year, but I have her life in my hands, and if she thinks for a second I'm hurting them, she'll go straight for my jugular.

These beautiful animals are so stunning and graceful. The power in their bodies is enormous, but yet, for the most part, they seem so peaceful. Almost like a larger version of your house cat that enjoys just eating and sleeping in awkward places.

It's almost like a defense or disguise.

How can something so beautiful be so damn deadly?

Once finished, I'm walking out the back doors of the enclosure with Marshall, my body buzzing with excitement when something stops me in my tracks.

He's dressed differently today. Casual jeans and a button-down blue shirt hanging open to reveal a tight white wife-beater that's almost molded to his body. His strong arms stretch at the fabric of his sleeves. They almost seem tense like they're ready to strike at any moment.

"Lily?" Marshall's voice draws me away from the sight in front of me so I turn to him.

Forcing a smile. "Sorry, what?"

He laughs, shaking his head. "I'm gonna take these results for the cubs back to the vet clinic. Do you want to meet me on the other side in say…" he checks his watch, "… around thirty minutes? We're thinking about letting Dad see his new babies through the cage, and try to gauge how long we might have to wait to introduce them properly."

My head bobs enthusiastically. "Yeah, for sure. I wouldn't miss that for the world."

He grins, gripping the papers in his hands. "I'll meet you over there soon."

I give him a quick wave, turning my attention back to where I'd seen Kace standing moments before. A frown forms on my face when I realize he's no longer there. I walk forward, my steps light and dainty as I scan through the small number of people who are at the zoo this early.

We only opened an hour ago, so it's reasonably quiet, for now.

A flash of blue out the corner of my eye draws my attention, and there he is once again. His back is to me, and there's another man positioned close beside him now as they stand at the fence of one of the exhibits. Even with my mind telling me over and over not to intrude and to mind my own business, my feet carry me toward them, my running shoes barely making a sound on the concrete path.

The man standing beside Kace is dressed in a suit, a strange outfit for a day out at the zoo. It piques my interest further—the need to know more about this man who lives next door to me driving me forward. His broad shoulders, chest, and trim waist are sexy and inviting. My body shivers as I imagine the power and strength he holds within them.

I'm only a few feet from them now, their voices are whisper-soft, but they carry toward me on the breeze along with the smell of aftershave that delights my senses.

"Friday night," Kace says simply. "Make it happen."

"I've been trying to make it happen for weeks now. You don't just get an in, you have to earn that shit," the Italian-looking man in the suit snaps, his body fidgeting like he doesn't enjoy being out in the open.

Kace is still and confident like I'd expect anything else from him.

"Make it happen, or I'll find my own way," Kace counters with a deadly spark to his voice that sends a chill through my veins. "And trust me, you won't like it."

The suited man growls in frustration. "I'll be in touch."

With that, he turns, and I jump, snapping my head in the opposite direction like I'm enjoying the view of the makeshift savanna that the zoo has created. I tuck my hands in my pockets, trying to act innocent as he passes by me without a second look. I lick my lips, considering whether I should make a run for it before Kace turns and sees me.

"Anyone ever tell you it's rude to eavesdrop, Lily," his voice says loudly, causing my body to freeze in stunned silence.

I risk a glance at him, he hasn't even turned around.

How the hell did he know I was here?

My mouth moves, but the words are lost on my tongue as I race to try and come up with some kind of excuse. "I-I work here."

A quiet snort comes from him as he turns, his eyes hitting me with a steely yet amused gaze. "I know."

I raise an eyebrow. "You know?" I confirm warily.

He nods to my chest, causing me to blush for a moment before I realize he's pointing out the vet's pass that hangs around my neck. "Oh, right."

He takes a purposeful step forward, and I force myself not to move away from his imposing form. He is scary, that much I can admit. But not in the kind of way that I think he'll hurt me, I don't feel that at all from him. I'm scared more because he's unknown—a beast of a man who makes me feel so small in comparison.

He met a strange man here.

That rings alarm bells in my mind.

Who the hell is this guy?

What exactly does he do?

His body's free of tattoos, and his face never shows anything other than what he wants me to see. He has control—of his body, his senses, his emotions.

Something inside tells me I should stop and run. But unlike him, I can't control the emotions that I feel, and curiosity is winning over all my other emotions. They say curiosity killed the cat, but damn if Kace doesn't make me purr.

"So what are you working on today?" He asks the question seemingly so innocently, almost as though I hadn't just seen him standing with a man making threats.

I study him for a minute, his face is blank as usual and giving me no indication of whether he's actually interested or simply trying to draw my mind away from what I witnessed.

"Umm… one of the lionesses had cubs a few days ago, so I came in to help with their health checks," I explain.

He raises an eyebrow. "You get called in like that often?"

I shake my head but can't fight the smile that rises across my face. "No. Misty is special to me. I've been working with her for a while now. So the lead vet knew I'd want to be in on it."

He nods, his eyes drawing away from me and moving out across the plains that encase some of our deadliest animals. "You love working with them?" he questions.

"With animals?"

"With the lions," he confirms, turning back to face me.

I nod. "I love all animals. But yeah… I'm quite fond of the work I do here."

He's silent for a while, his eyes still on me are beginning to make me feel a little uncomfortable.

"Do you… umm… want to come back and have a look?" The words stun even me, and for a moment, I wish I could take them back.

His head tilts ever so slightly to the side as though confused by the invitation. But just when I get the feeling he's going to decline, he nods. "You allowed to do that?"

I shrug. "Yeah. Sometimes my best friend, Molly, comes to visit with me."

"Okay." He puts his hand out, gesturing for me to lead the way.

I swallow tightly, forcing one foot in front of the other, a strange stirring beginning in my stomach as he walks beside me toward the door that will lead us to the back of the savanna exhibit.

I flash my card over the reader, a buzzer sounds, and the light goes green, unlocking the door allowing us to pass through.

Kace's eyes wander as we walk down a long hall. "Not very good security back here."

I snort, quickly covering my mouth in shock. "Yeah, well, you don't get many people willing to break in and hang with a pack of lions very often. They can be quite… intimidating."

"Yet you do it."

I push through another door that leads us into the confined enclosure where we're keeping Misty and her cubs. I can see through a window a few of the zoo hands working with Grayson, the cubs' father, trying to coax him inside, but he's doing a pretty good job of ignoring them.

I smile. "The opportunity came up, and how could I turn it down?" I touch the glass with my finger, tracing the outline of Grayson's mane. "They're beautiful creatures. The way they move, the way they act, they're stunning."

I feel his body come up beside me, warmth seeming to radiate off his entire form. Or maybe the word ‘warmth' is too soft to use. He's more like a fire, smoldering away until the right moment when he'll burst into flames.

"You just said they were intimidating."

I look up at him, his eyes still watching me with curiosity and interest. "They are. And incredibly deadly under the wrong circumstances. But animals are what I live for. It doesn't matter their size or what kind of label they have. Just being around them builds me up, and helping them makes me happy."

I know there's a huge grin on my face, I can't help it if I try.

That's the honest truth. Animals can't talk, so sometimes they need people to be their voices, stand up for them, rescue them, help them when they're in pain. I want to be that voice. I want to show them love and compassion.

"Seems a little na?ve to think you can just fuck around with a lion and expect it to play nice."

I roll my eyes. "Oh… trust me, I know just how dangerous they are. But it's not about expecting the worst from them, it's about respecting their power and understanding that… yeah, okay, Grayson out there could rip my arm off if he wanted. I'm not stupid, I get that. I give him the space and respect he deserves just like I do every other animal I work with, but it doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty in a creature so deadly."

I notice Kace's eyes have not left me since we entered the enclosure. They stay glued to me like he's breathing in every word and every movement I make. His body's so still like he's being wound tighter and tighter the more I speak. I swallow past the large lump forming in my throat, thinking I must be rattling on, and he's becoming annoyed.

"What about the lions do you enjoy the most?" he asks, my eyes going wide with surprise.

"Umm… I-I…" I stutter, trying to put my thoughts into words. Luckily, at that moment, one of the zoo-keepers throws Grayson's favorite toy. A smile forms on my face as he crouches and starts to slink across the ground as though he's sneaking up on it.

"They're predators. The way they move is so swift and silent. How their muscles bunch just before they strike. It's intense but so utterly mesmerizing." My body jumps in surprise as Grayson finally springs, sailing through the air and landing incredibly gracefully on top of the soft toy rabbit.

"An effortless killer," Kace comments, sending a chill through my body.

I smile and look up at him, his brows furrow as he watches the lion play with its so-called prey. "It's the circle of life."

His eyes flash to me with an intensity that makes my body jolt. "You believe that?"

I raise my eyebrows. "I believe that they have to survive. And to do that, they have to kill. It's that, or they die."

I watch Kace's Adam's apple bob harshly in his throat, and his fists become clenched. I know he's holding back. Something about this has forced his emotions to show.

My hand reaches out to him. "Are you okay?"

He pulls away suddenly before our skin can touch, almost as though I've shocked him.

It's only a few seconds, but I feel like, within those seconds, I've caught a glimpse of Kace. Not the mask. He seems lost, confused maybe, as his eyes watch me cautiously.

"I'm sorry if I—" I say nervously, but he quickly cuts me off, the strong, confident mask sliding back into place, and a smirk touches at his lips.

"No, don't worry. I'm just not as self-assured around animals as you are, I guess."

An excuse if I've ever heard one.

"Thanks for the tour," he says, his voice a deep baritone that vibrates through me and lights up my senses. "I better get going." He dips his head before turning for the exit, not hurried, but taking purposeful steps.

"Okay!" I call after him. "Bye…"

Marshall passes him as he exits the door, moving out of the way for Kace's giant stature. "Who was that?" he asks as he joins me beside the window where the zoo-keepers have finally managed to wrangle in Grayson without too much persuasion.

I shake my head and whisper to myself, "I'm still not really sure."