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MARKED

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Sophie sat cross-legged on the carpet, focused on grading this week's assignments as the news murmured in the background. Every so often, she'd write a comment, suggesting changes to an answer or marking one incorrect.

"New developments tonight in Redford, as a young couple thought to be missing has been dead found. Beverly Hope is live at the scene with the latest. Beverly."

Sophie's pen paused mid-sentence. She raised her head, not liking the direction this report was taking.

"Bob," Beverly Hope's voice came through the TV, "the residents of this bedroom community are in a state of shock tonight after the grisly discovery of two bodies in this house behind me. The owners of the home had not responded to calls for over a week. Police were finally summoned to the home, and what they found has left law enforcement baffled and frankly frightened."

The camera panned behind the reporter, showing a black body bag being wheeled out of a house.

"Two bodies in the early stages of decomposition were discovered in the home, sealed in burial caskets. Also found in the home, this disturbing symbol."

The screen cut to a close-up of a painted smiley face on the wall, the color almost resembling blood. Sophie straightened, a prickle of dread rising beneath her skin.

The camera cut back to the reporter, who now stood beside Detective Jack Samuels—the same detective Sophie had spoken with not long ago. Her stomach twisted. This can't be a coincidence.

"We do know they were both alive when they went in," Detective Samuels explained.

Beverly turned to him. "The symbol painted above the crime scene... Is it true that the same smiley face was found in the home of Councilman Chang?"

Samuels's expression turned steely. "I can't comment on that."

The camera returned to Beverly. "Were the deaths of Councilman Chang and his wife truly a murder-suicide, or do we have a serial killer in our midst? From a community now gripped in fear, this is Beverly Hope, reporting."

The news faded back to the studio, but Sophie remained frozen, her red pen slipping from her fingers as she stared, trying to process. She didn't need Samuels to confirm it—she already knew. Her one-night stand, the Chang's, and now this... all connected, somehow circling back to her.

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Sophie knocked on Nick's condo door, Micah at her side, eagerly clutching his overnight bag. When the door swung open, Nick's eyebrows shot up as he took in his sister's appearance—her red dress hugged her curves and ended just below her fingertips, her hair fell in loose curls, and her makeup was flawless.

Nick let out a low whistle. "Someone's trying to get knocked up with baby number two, looking like that."

Sophie rolled her eyes, stepping inside with Micah following behind. "Don't even joke about that," she scolded, jabbing a finger in his direction.

"Seriously, though," he softened, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "You look beautiful, Soph."

"Thanks, Nicky," Sophie replied, tilting her head with a playful smile. "And thanks for watching Micah tonight."

"No problem." Nick grinned, crouching down to Micah's height. "Ready for the best night ever, buddy?"

"Yup!" Micah nodded excitedly, bouncing on his feet.

"Alright, why don't you go put your stuff in the guest room," Nick suggested, nodding toward the room down the hall. Micah nodded and hurried off, leaving Sophie and Nick alone.

"So," Nick leaned in, raising an eyebrow, "where's daddy taking you?"

"Ugh, can you not call him that?" Sophie shook her head, shifting slightly as her feet ached in her heels. "I'm meeting him at The Butchery."

Nick's eyebrows rose in approval. "Ooh, fancy."

Micah trotted back out, joining them with a bright smile.

Sophie glanced at the clock. "Alright, I better get going." She knelt down, planting a gentle kiss on her son's forehead. "Keep an eye on your uncle for me, okay?"

Micah giggled. "Okay,"

She gave Nick a quick hug, then turned toward the door.

"No babies!" Nick called out.

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Sophie pulled into the parking lot and took a moment to gather herself. She flipped down the visor, checked her reflection, and took a deep breath to steady her nerves. After grabbing her keys and purse, she stepped out of the car, glancing up at the sky as distant thunder rumbled. Dark storm clouds were rolling in.

Walking into the restaurant entrance, Sophie stopped at the check-in booth. She noticed how empty the place was—there hadn't been many cars outside either, she realized.

"Good evening! How many?" a server asked, approaching the podium.

"Oh, I'm meeting someone," Sophie replied, adjusting the strap of her purse on her shoulder.

"Name?"

"Anderson."

"Right this way." The server smiled and guided her through the dining area to a corner table where Kai sat. He was scrolling through his phone, his blue hair falling over his face, and dressed in a black button-up shirt with matching slacks, sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" the server asked as they reached the table, causing Kai to look up. His eyes met Sophie's, and he quickly stood.

"Vodka tonic, please," Sophie replied, hoping the drink would calm her nerves.

As the server left, Sophie gave Kai a small, awkward wave. "Hey."

Kai's eyes lingered on her for a moment, as though taking her in completely, before he stepped around the table and pulled out her chair. Sophie smiled at the gesture, sliding into the seat as he took his own across from her.

"I'm surprised this place is so empty," Sophie stated, glancing around the nearly deserted restaurant.

"Well, someone was murdered here the other night," Kai replied, sliding his chair a bit closer to the table.

"Jesus," Sophie muttered, her eyes widening. "Another one? I can barely keep up."

Kai shrugged. "Makes it easier to get a table."

Sophie gave him a look, half-exasperated and half-amused. "You're an asshole."

Just then, Ivy approached their table, notepad in hand and a hint of surprise in her expression.

"Ms. Campbell?" she asked, glancing between Sophie and Kai. "Didn't expect to see you here."

Sophie smiled warmly. "Yeah, I don't usually venture out. You work here?"

Ivy nodded. "I actually own the place."

Sophie's jaw dropped. "Wait, how did I not know that?"

"Guess it never came up. Sorry about Oz missing school lately—things have been pretty chaotic."

"Don't worry about it," Sophie reassured her, waving a hand dismissively. "Shit happens."

Ivy forced a polite smile, slipping smoothly into her role. "So, what can I get you two tonight?"

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After dinner, Sophie and Kai stepped outside. Ivy had generously covered their meal and the wine left Sophie feeling light and flushed.

Kai turned to her, hands casually tucked in his pockets. "You got somewhere to be, or... do you want to walk around for a bit?"

"Nick's got Micah for the night, so..." she shrugged, looking up at him through her lashes, "I guess I'm all yours."

"All mine, huh?"

Sophie rolled her eyes playfully and began to walk, her heels clicking softly against the damp pavement. They fell into step beside each other, the quiet between them comfortable as they made their way along the dim street.

She glanced up, watching the clouds churn. It felt like they were in their own little world, one heartbeat away from a downpour.

"This is nice," Sophie murmured, glancing over at Kai. "Honestly, I've been so afraid to even leave my house."

Kai tilted his head, his eyes flicking over to her. "Why's that?"

"I don't know," she said, her voice dropping. "It just doesn't feel safe anymore." She shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself to shield herself from the cold. "It feels like... every time I leave, I'm being watched, or like something's about to happen."

Kai hummed and his gaze remained downcast, studying the pavement ahead as they walked. "That scares you?"

Sophie glanced over at him, the question catching her off guard. Her brows furrowed slightly. "Of course it does," she replied, her tone edged with disbelief. "You talk about fear like you've never felt it."

Kai shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I have," he admitted, his voice lowering. "But I don't let it stay. I choose to use it—to control it—instead of letting it control me."

Sophie sighed, her breath visible in the cool night air. "Must be nice,"

Kai suddenly stopped, reaching out to gently grasp her hand. His grip was firm but not forceful, as he turned her to face him fully, their eyes locking. "What did you mean when you said you were afraid of me?"

Sophie exhaled slowly, her eyes dropping to their joined hands. His thumb moved in a soft, soothing arc over her knuckles, but it only heightened the tension coiling in her chest. "That you'll leave again," she admitted. "But..."

Her words caught in her throat as she raised her eyes to meet his. His gaze was inescapable—like black holes threatening to pull her in and obliterate her defenses completely. She swallowed hard, her voice steadier now but no less hesitant. "I look at you now, and I see you, Kai. But... it feels different. You feel different. Like I'm looking at a complete stranger."

Kai's thumb stilled against her knuckles, and his expression softened just enough to reveal something—regret? Pain? It flickered too quickly for Sophie to grasp, but it was there, buried beneath the surface. "Maybe I am different," he said finally, his voice quiet yet unshakable. "Maybe that's not such a bad thing."

Sophie frowned, her brow knitting together as she studied him. "What does that mean?"

Kai glanced away for a moment, his gaze drifting to the horizon where the storm clouds loomed closer. "It means I'm not the same guy who walked away from you."

Kai's eyes snapped back to hers, a sharpness in them that sent a chill cascading over her skin. "I know what I really want now. And what I want... is this." He squeezed her hand gently for emphasis. "You. Micah. A chance to actually be the man you thought I was."

Sophie's chest tightened, torn between the sincerity in his words and the fear she couldn't ignore. "Kai..." she began, her voice faltering.

He stepped closer, the space between them disappearing as the rain began to drizzle, soft drops peppering their skin.

Sophie instinctively licked her bottom lip, the faint taste of rain dancing on her tongue. She tilted her face up toward him, their chests almost brushing.

Gently, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her damp hair, tucking it behind her ear. His touch lingered, his palm cradling the side of her face. "You don't have to be afraid anymore," he spoke softly. "I'm here."

His hand slid from the side of her head, slipping beneath her hair to rest gently at the nape of her neck. Sophie felt rooted in place, her thoughts jumbled as she struggled to find the right words. Instead, her gaze betrayed her, flickering down to his lips before darting back to meet his eyes.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he slowly drew her closer, their breaths mingling as his lips brushed against hers.

They lingered like that for a moment until surrendering to an unspoken pull. Sophie rose onto her toes and her lips pressed fully against his, tentative at first but quickly melting into a kiss that drowned out everything else.

The rain fell harder now, soaking through their clothes, but the cold barely registered against the warmth of his touch.

Sophie's hands found their way to his shoulders, her fingers curling slightly as if to anchor herself. Their lips moved in perfect sync, the occasional shift in direction only drawing them deeper. The rain slipped between their mouths, blending with the taste of each other.

A sudden spark of mischief lit up her eyes, and Sophie pulled away abruptly, leaving Kai staring after her. His head tilted slightly, curiosity and intrigue flickering across his expression. "Where are you going?"

She continued to back away, a playful smile curving her lips, her heart pounding with the kind of excitement she hadn't felt in years. For a moment, she felt like a carefree nineteen-year-old again, swept up in a whirlwind of passion too fast to process.

Without answering, she turned and disappeared around the corner. Her heels clicked softly against the wet pavement, and she moved quickly, the sound of his distant footsteps and the occasional call of her name letting her know he wasn't too far behind. Her eyes landed on a nearby construction site for an apartment complex. It was deserted, quiet save for the rain that drummed against the scaffolding and unfinished walls.

Carefully, Sophie stepped onto the muddy ground, balancing on the balls of her feet to keep her heels from sinking into the damp earth.

"Sophie."

His voice was closer now, a warning in his tone. She quickened her pace, climbing the stairs of one of the skeletal structures. The rain eased as she found shelter beneath the makeshift roof, her breaths coming quicker now, not just from exertion but from the thrill of the chase.

She pressed her back against the rough, unfinished wall of an entryway, the wood scratchy against her damp skin. She could hear his footsteps echoing now as though he knew exactly where she was.

Kai's shadow stretched up the stairs and not even a second later his eyes locked onto hers. There was something primal in his gaze—frustration and intrigue—as he closed the distance between them, his movements slow and predatory.

Her lips curved into a slight, teasing smirk as she leaned against the unfinished wall, her head tilting ever so slightly. The look in her eyes was challenging, daring him to come closer. He didn't seem pleased with her sudden disappearance, and his expression carried a quiet storm as he approached.

Without breaking eye contact, Sophie bit down gently on her lower lip, her teeth grazing the soft skin as her hands moved with a sensual slowness. She slid her jacket off her shoulders, the fabric slipping down her arms. It hit the floor with a quiet thud, pooling at her feet.

With every step he took, Sophie's gaze followed, drifting upward until he was towering over her, his presence consuming the small space between them. His eyes roamed over her, devouring her.

Kai leaned down, his breath warm against her damp skin, before placing a slow, hot kiss on her neck. She felt herself melt into him, her body responding instinctively.

His hands moved with purpose, gripping the fabric of her dress, now clinging to her slick thighs from the rain. He bunched it in his fingers, the material sliding upward as he pulled it higher, exposing more of her.

Kai pulled away to gaze at her, his fingers hooking into the waistband of her underwear. Slowly, he sank to his knees, the fabric sliding down. As it reached her ankles, she lifted her feet, stepping out of the garment.

The cool breeze fanned against her, silently knowing that it wasn't just the rain that made her wet to the touch. He leaned forward, his gaze lifting to watch her every reaction to his touch. His hand traced the curve of her leg, slowly guiding it until it rested over his shoulder.

Sophie's breath hitched as he delved into her, tasting her. His tongue traced the contours of her slit, teasing her entrance and dragging it up to apply pressure to her aching clit. Her fingers tangled in his blue strands, urging him closer. She tilted her head back, surrendering to the pleasure he was giving her.

As his tongue padded away, she instinctively spread her legs wider, craving more. Her entire body tightened with the sensation, her hips rocking in sync with the rhythm of his mouth. The growing intensity sent waves of pleasure through her, so powerful that she barely noticed the chill biting at her skin.

Her moans blended with the pouring rain as Kai's hand slid up to grip her hip, anchoring her in his relentless hold. Each flick of his tongue sent her breath erratically quickening, guiding her closer and faster toward the peak of release.

"Kai," Sophie whispered, her body trembling as she could no longer hold on. He responded instinctively, moving closer, applying more pressure, and quickening his pace until her legs tightened around him. Her eyes fluttered back, a string of pleasurable cries escaping her as the wave of release finally overtook her.

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Sophie decided to invite Kai back to her place. The freezing cold from the rain settled in their bones as the car's heat blasted away the chill. She pulled into her driveway, a sigh escaping as she glanced over at Kai sitting in the passenger seat. But when her gaze shifted toward the garage, she froze.

At first, she blinked, hoping her eyes were playing tricks on her. But no—it was unmistakable. Her pulse quickened as a rush of anger began to rise. Kai noticed her shift in demeanor, turning to follow her line of sight.

Sophie's grip tightened on the steering wheel, her hand trembling slightly as her anger bloomed. "You've got to be fucking kidding me." Without hesitating, she swung the car door open and stormed into the driveway.

There was no denying it—on her garage door, in bold red paint, was a smiley face staring back at her.

She had been marked.

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