Chapter Eight

KACE

Why did I do that? Kissing Lily was everything and nothing like I thought it would be. Her lips so supple and soft, just like I'd imagined, but the spark, the energy, the raw emotion I felt when our lips touched—that, I didn't expect. Sure, I know something is stirring inside me, but that sort of thing can't happen. It's too dangerous—for me and especially for her. So I walked away before anything further could happen because I'm not sure what it felt like for Lily, but for me, that kiss was intense, and I wanted more. I wanted to taste every inch of her, kiss every section of her silky skin, but I can't do that. It would be a bad move, even though my head is spinning.

As I pace the floor of my apartment trying to force myself not to walk back to her, I take deep breaths. My muscles ache from the scuffle at Club Menace with Roberto and his men.

Ringing pulls me from my racing thoughts as I pull my phone from my pocket to see Luca's name lighting up my screen. "Shit!" Taking in a long breath, I grit my teeth and answer the phone. "Luca, I tried to—"

"Where the fuck were you? What the hell is going on with you and this chick? You've never let pussy distract you before?" he interrupts me with one question after the other, his words sending a furious rage through me.

"Hey! She's not fucking pussy!" To me, she's more like a beacon of light helping me escape my darkness. She's my lighthouse when I'm lost at sea, guiding me with her brilliance along the right path through the dark. She's the hope that will push me through. I'm so deep in the dark it scares me. I'm a killer—one that darkens your soul. It doesn't matter the reasons behind the kill, death still brings darkness. And I've been in the dark for so long now, seeing her radiance only makes me more determined to follow her into the light.

"Jesus, man, do you hear yourself? If you weren't distracted by her, Roberto would still be alive. Boss isn't going to be happy. You know that, right?"

My mind wanders back to just an hour ago.

I raced off back toward to club as I heard the cab drive off with Lily and Molly inside, but I was too late. The Milanese Mafia were there, guns drawn and making their way into the fucking club.

I'd let my guard down, I'd left my post, and now Roberto was going to suffer because of my failures.

I ran as fast as I could to get to him, but as I entered the VIP area, gunshots were already being discharged. The crowd was disbursing, and my instincts kicked in. I raced to the first guy I saw, his arm outstretched with a pistol in hand. I slammed my palm into his arm, forcing his gun to drop to the floor as he turned to face me. My fist came up punching him right in the jaw, my knuckles crunched and ached as his head flew back, blood pooling from his mouth as I watched a tooth fly from his lips.

Screams echoed through the club as the patrons furiously tried to escape, spilling out into the street, while other members of the Seven came in and started to disarm the Milanese men. It was a hand-to-hand battle as I dodged out of the way of the guy's knee coming up between my legs. Shifting to the side, I grabbed his head in a headlock and turned to the side, forcing off his airway. His hands flailed about through the air as one of his men stormed toward me, aiming his fist ready to punch my face. But as he threw his fist out, I ducked out of the way, taking his friend with me then leaned up kicking him right in the ribs. He dropped forward, and I dived down onto one knee breaking the guy in the headlock's neck. He fell to the floor while I pulled out my gun from its hiding place at my ankle, brought it up and shot the other man directly in the chest. Blood bubbled out as he gurgled and tumbled forward onto me, then to the floor.

Standing up, I spun around to see Tanner being held and about to be punched in the stomach, so I raced over and whacked the guy in the face with my fist. He turned to me, his fists clenched at his sides and fitted with brass knuckles. He swung at me, as another guy to my left grabbed my attention while he raced toward me. The brass knuckles hit my lip, splitting it before I had time to react, forcing me to stumble slightly.

I shook my head and turned just in time to watch the running man leaping for me. As I ducked down, he jumped, springing over me onto knuckle guy, forcing them both to the floor. My fist came up punching the guy holding Tanner in the cheek, which caused him to release his stranglehold. Then Tanner pulled out a pistol and shot all of them without a second glance.

I nodded as we separated and continued on to find Roberto.

He can't be dead.

I needed information from him—vital information, and if he were wiped out, it could ruin our future plans.

Looking over, I spotted the head of the Milanese Mafia. He had Roberto pinned against the bar. Gritting my teeth, I rushed forward, but without warning, two sets of arms grabbed me in a vise lock around my chest and began pulling me toward the exit. I fought and struggled, but the men were bigger than me, and even though I was battling with them as much as I could, Roberto faded into the distance while I was being dragged outside of the club.

One of them socked me in the eyebrow, and I was stunned to the spot for a second as I shook my head. The other guy released his hold, and I rested my hands on my knees trying to gather my bearings.

Looking up, I noticed a crowd of people streaming out of the club. People were everywhere as more gunfire echoed through the busy city streets. The flashes of light filtered through the windows and lit up the darkened night sky.

My feet felt heavy as I rushed back through the swarm of people trying to push my way back to Roberto.

Suddenly, a loud explosion resonated through the club. A shockwave knocked me off my feet as the sky lit up in a haze of yellows and reds, flickering through the fog of thick black smoke. Screams filtered through the streets as people ran in a mad dash to get away from the blast.

I was slightly disorientated from the epic boom. Looking up, I saw that Club Menace was now completely engulfed in fire, and it was obvious that some sort of explosive device had gone off. My heart raced, and my breaths came in short, sharp bursts hoping that the members of the Seven were out in time.

Rushing forward, I attempted to see if there was any way I could enter the club to check for survivors, but there was no way anyone could have survived that blast, not even Roberto.

He was dead.

And I had failed.

LILY

After Kace's kiss last night, it's safe to say I didn't sleep much, and when I did, it was filled with dreams of him kissing me all over again. I just don't understand why he's gotten so under my skin. I know nothing about him. Other than these facts— he's ridiculously fit and gorgeous, works for the Mafia, and is completely mysterious—I know nothing. But he has some sort of profound hold on me, some strange magnetism that keeps me wanting to be near him. A hold that keeps drawing me to him, even though every part of me—especially after seeing him banged up, again —is telling me to steer clear.

He is dangerous that much I know.

I shovel another spoonful of Fruit Loops into my mouth as I flick over the channels on the television. The cartoons are annoying me, so I turn to the news.

"Kingpin Mafia leader, Roberto Cavaleri, was killed last night in a yet-to-be explained explosion at Club Menace in downtown Washington DC. Police and forensics are on the scene investigating and are so far unable to determine the cause of the blast. It is said that along with the Mafia kingpin, an additional fourteen people died along with another twenty-four taken to the hospital with various injuries. We will report further as more information becomes available."

Swallowing hard, I almost choke on the Fruit Loops in my mouth. Shaking my head and inhaling a deep breath, I place my bowl on the coffee table.

"Holy shit."

No wonder Kace looked so banged up last night. He must have been caught in the explosion? Or maybe he was the cause of it?

I don't like where my thoughts are taking me. I'm so confused about Kace and who he is. Is he the good guy or the bad? I have no idea because he won't talk to me. I have no clue what I've gotten myself into with him. I feel the need to speak with him, but now seeing this, I'm scared about what he's actually involved in. Whatever it is, it's obviously deep, and I'm not sure if I want to follow him into the abyss. I'm not sure I have the strength.

This is doing my head in.

Picking up the remote, I flick off the television and stand up, running my hands through my long blonde hair. Forcing a long breath out of my mouth, I nod my head.

I need to let off some steam, and there's only one way I know how to do that.

I need to run.

After changing into my activewear and sneakers, I stretch my arms across my body and jog on the spot for a moment to warm up before heading to my door. My heart races a little faster as I click the door closed behind me and stride out into the hall, wondering if Kace might be already out here or step out while I'm here as he's done before. Walking past his door, I can't help but look at it wondering if he's inside and what he might be doing. But I can't think about that right now, I need to let off steam because of him, so stopping now would be pointless. I turn my head forward and start the jog down the hall toward the exit.

Making my way out onto the street, the cool air brushes my heated face, and I smile for the first time today, finally feeling like I'm free of the drama that is Kace Colt. The orange hues of the leaves in the trees let the sparkles of daylight through their branches as my feet pound the dusty pavement. The hum of morning traffic and the people walking and talking as I pass them makes me feel more like myself as I take in my surroundings.

However, even though I feel more at ease being one with Mother Nature, something is off, even though I'm used to the fact that Washington DC looks different since the attack last month. Now the streets are filled with a consistent haze, everything is gray except for the trees, and the dust seems endless. There's a chill up my spine, the hairs on my neck are standing up on end, making me more aware of the fact that something feels not quite right.

Glancing over my shoulder, I look behind me to see if someone or something is following me as I continue running down the sidewalk. Suddenly, my body slams into a hard and firm object. And as I fall back in shock, I turn my hands, and he reaches out to catch my fall. Gasping from the contact, I notice a tall guy, very muscular in appearance, with short, dusty blond hair, blue eyes, a dashingly cheeky smile with dimples on each cheek, and he is Drop. Dead. Gorgeous! I choke slightly and start coughing as he grins at me, holding me upright and helping me stand even though my knees are shaking slightly.

He is really, really, good looking.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going, and then I ran into you by accident. I'm such a klutz, and honestly, I didn't mean to bump into you. I really am so sorry to ruin your day. And… oh golly, look at me babbling on. I need to stop. So I'm just going to… stop." My cheeks flush red hot as I look away, and he chuckles slightly.

His hands finally drop away from my arms, and even though he is drop-dead stunning, I can't help but notice when he touches me, there's no spark or chemistry like there is when Kace touches me. In a way, I wish there were because that would make life so much easier.

"Don't worry, it was my fault. I noticed you weren't looking and should have stepped out of the way sooner. You haven't ruined my day… not at all. In fact, it's looking all the brighter for you being in it," he says. I glance up to see him smiling at me, his left dimple more prominent than his right.

I chew on my bottom lip and nod. "Well, thank you. I'm still sorry, though. I better let you get on with your day." I attempt to walk off, but he steps in my way. It's not in an intimidating way, more of a he-doesn't-want-me-to-leave-yet kind of way.

"Are you from around here?" he asks.

I raise my eyebrow, tilting my head and smirk. "Umm… yeah. I live in the apartments over on McArthur Street."

He nods and steps closer to me. "So, you were born around here, then?"

"Well kinda. I grew up in Stafford County but moved to DC to become a vet."

He smiles wide and relaxes his stance. "You're a vet? That's so cool. I adore animals. I'd love to get a dog or maybe a horse."

I giggle and shake my head. "There's kind of a big difference between a dog and a horse."

He chuckles. "Well, if you get a big enough dog, you can ride it, too, right?"

I grin widely not knowing if he's joking or being serious.

He laughs and bumps his shoulder into mine. "Kidding… kinda. Those Irish Wolfhounds are pretty big, though, right?" he asks, and I smile and nod.

"They sure are, but not sure they'd hold your weight."

With a giant smirk, he purses his lips and rubs his stomach, which I'm sure contains washboard abs. "You saying I'm fat?" he quips.

Chuckling, I furrow my brows and nod my head faking a serious look. "I think you could lose a few pounds."

He brings his hand up to his chest and feigns shock as he gasps. "Why, I've never been so insulted."

"Lucky you have a pretty face to hide all that flab around your tummy, then," I say and then gasp at my own words.

He chuckles and nods. "I like you, you're cute. What's your name?"

I smile sticking out my hand for him to shake. "I'm Lily, nice to meet you."

"I'm Bradt, like Brad but with a ‘t' at the end. Nice to meet you, too." He shakes my hand, and I tilt my head.

"Odd name, but it suits you."

He smirks again, and there's something in that smirk that unsettles me. "It really does suit me. Well, I best be off, Lily. It was great to meet you. Have a good run."

"Thanks, Bradt. See you around."

He nods and steps off without looking back. I furrow my brows, chewing on my bottom lip wondering what that was all about, but I take a deep breath and look forward, planting one foot in front of the other as thoughts of Kace flood back into my brain at full force.

***

My run was good—it cleared my head. And even though I had that strange encounter with Bradt, it's helped ease the tension from my body. Walking down the hallway toward my apartment, I step past Kace's door and stare at it. My chest tightens and my breath quickens as memories flood my mind of the incredible kiss we shared.

I can't do it.

I just can't.

I don't need his kind of drama in my life.

I need more than he can give. The bullet, the mystery, it's too much drama for little old me. So I continue to walk toward my door as I hear Daisy begin to growl inside Kace's apartment. Stopping in my stride, I look back at his door wondering why she'd be growling and think whether or not I should knock on his door to make sure everything's all right.

Her growling intensifies, and my heart rate quickens. My feet move before I think whether this is a good idea or not. I knock on his door three times quickly and softly lean against the door to listen, but all I can hear is Daisy as she switches from growling to barking.

My mind flashes to all types of possibilities and endless questions as no one answers the door. The main one being—is Kace hurt inside and can't answer the door?

I race back to my apartment and fling open the door. The door frame shudders as I slam the door shut behind me. I run out to my balcony and look over to Kace's balcony to see a man climbing over the edge, then stand up and reach for Kace's door.

I'm stunned. I recognize the clothing and then the face of the man straight away. My chest heaves as my breathing diminishes. After the initial shock wears off, I pick up a flowerpot and throw it at him full-force hitting him on his shoulder. Soil and the orchid fall to the tiled floor as the ceramic pot shatters all over the balcony. He grunts as he turns to face me, while I pick up any random object I can find and start hurling it at him.

"You…" I scream out.

"Lily… stop!" he calls out while I hurl another pot plant at him. But he dodges and weaves away with skill and accuracy like I've never seen before.

"You followed me," I scream out incredulously. "Who are you, Bradt?"