Makayla POV

The bell of the elevator doors chimed as I stepped onto the 1st floor of my apartment complex.

I was wearing light blue scrubs, my straightened hair tied back in a low ponytail, and you could hear the heals of my feet colliding with my black crocks with each step I took.

As soon as I turned the corner, I saw my ex waiting for me through the glass entrance of the building.

Like Ho-seok advised, I agreed to meet Donnell to "clear my name" as one of the suspects of the vandalism incident Antonio was still digging into. However, I would also use this unwanted encounter as my alibi for tonight's mission as well.

"Makayla." Donnell beamed, as I stepped outside. "Wow, you're finally talking to me."

"You said it was urgent." I responded, the expression on my face as cold as ever. "You've never used that word when asking to see me before, so what's up?"

"We're getting straight to business I see." I nodded and despite the brief disappointment that surfaced on his face, his smile remained. "Even if that's the case, I'm grateful. I needed to talk to you, so thanks for agreeing to this."

I fell silent, waiting for him to get to the point as I observed his outfit. As expected, he was on his way to club with The Elite wearing a black lace gold long sleeve shirt that exposed his pecks, with black skinny jeans and leather Chelsea boots.

"You heard about what happened to The Elite's cars last weekend, right?" He asked.

"Yeah, I did." I responded. "I'm surprised something like that is just happening with how many people you all have hurt."

He sighed, nibbling on his bottom lip. "Can I ask where you were last Friday?"

"Excuse me?" I sassed.

"You're on Antonio's list, Makayla." He proceeded. "He thinks you could have been involved, and I am trying to clear your name before he approaches you about it."

I scoffed. "Let him approach me then. I'm not scared of him."

"Please don't be stubborn. You know first hand he's not someone you want to upset."

"Wow, are you finally admitting your best friend is a murder?"

He again sighed, looking away from me as he rubbed the back of his neck and contemplated what he should say next.

"I'm trying to protect you, Kayla." He said, our gazes locking. "I miss you, but you're right to avoid The Elite, especially Antonio. I don't want him anywhere near you either, so please just tell me where you were last Friday so I can make sure he doesn't approach you."

"I'm a general surgeon working in the busiest emergency room in Massachusetts, Donnell. Where the hell do you think I was? Where do you think I'm heading now?"

"I just needed you to say it." He replied, his shoulders falling as he embraced the relief of my fake alibi. "I know you will always have a lot of hatred towards The Elite, but I can't stress this enough - don't do anything stupid to antagonize them. All the anger you have, if you ever feel the need to act on it take it out on me. I'll gladly take any jab you throw at me, okay?"

"Be careful what you ask for." I sneered.

"Hey, if it means I'll get to see you I can handle any punishment you decide on Kayla."

He showed me that ever so charming smile of his, those pearly whites contrasting so well with his smooth chocolate complexion.

"I have to go." I evaded. "Looks like you have somewhere to be as well."

"Yeah, I do. Good luck at your shift."

"Thanks." I responded, and just as I turned around to enter my building I felt him grab my wrist.

"Can I see you again?" Donnell asked. "It's my last year at Harvard, and I got into the law firm I wanted. I can distance myself from The Elite once I graduate if that's what it'll take for you to give me another chance."

"You still don't get it. You gave up on us the moment you covered up Antonio's whereabouts that night. I'm not sure I can ever trust you enough to date you again."

Donnell fell silent, but the look in his eyes told me he still wasn't ready to move on.

"Please stop showing up at my apartment and the hospital without my permission, Donnell. It's becoming uncomfortable and I am trying to move on with my life as well."

"I only do that because you won't answer my texts."

"That's doesn't make it okay. Just because we dated, doesn't mean you're forever entitled to me. I have the right to reject you, and you should just be respectful and accept my decision."

"I understand and I'm sorry." He apologized. "This isn't me feeling entitled to you. This was me trying to show you that I still love you, and I can do whatever it takes to win you back. I'm still the man you fell for back then and I'll be more patient as I continue to prove that to you."

I glanced at Donnell's hand before he removed its hold on my wrist, and as our eyes locked I briefly wavered witnessing sincerity in his gaze.

"I won't show up unannounced from now on. You have my word." He promised. "So go ahead. Get to work comfortably, and rest even more comfortably. Okay?"

He smiled to me as he backed away, and he waved before I watched him walk towards his car.

Seeing Donnell caused guilt to briefly from in the pit of my stomach while I made my way to my apartment. Though I knew how good of a man he could be, I could not ignore his involvement in London's murder and he needed to be punished as much as the rest of The Elite.

When I stepped back into my apartment, I ditched the scrubs and changed into an all black outfit for tonight's mission - a long sleeve shirt, faux leather leggings that I tucked into combat boots, and I completed the look with a leather motorcycle jacket that was zipped to my neck.

I then sat on my couch, toying with my curved knives between my fingers while I looked through images of Luca Russo and important members of his gang.

Tonight was the night we would bait Antonio to see if the team's findings were accurate.

According to Krystal, Luca Russo was a renown criminal in Boston who had the ability to get away with murder. He also pushed drugs, and was not kind to anyone that set foot on his turf.

Krystal had many informants, and for the right price, people that were willing to plant news that Antonio's alleged organization crossed into Luca's territory.

Luca should have received word about who was intercepting his business by now and based on his behavioral patterns, he would send his boys in to give Antonio a warning tonight.

However if Antonio was indeed the leader of this mob organization like Krystal said, Luca would probably show up to witness Antonio's business and the warning himself.

"Finally." I breathed, seeing the phone vibrate on the coffee table.

(Krystal): Lux Nightclub

I grabbed my keys and motorcycle gloves, left my apartment, and walked through the medium sized complex before I was stepping in front of my bike parked in the building's underground garage.

I had already updated the plates with the ones AJ provided as additional means to protect my identity and by time I was speeding down the sleek road, an incoming call came through the speakers of my helmet.

"I'm on my way." I answered.

"Perfect." Krystal said. "We're going to get our answers tonight. Lux is definitely how Antonio is laundering money, and where his organization is choosing victims for trafficking. My informant told me, he's pushing his products there too. There is an entire system in place."

"Any sign of Luca's men yet?" I asked.

"They'll blend in if they're smart." She replied. "AJ's heading inside right now to monitor things but you know how it is. The Elite will be in the private room for a while."

"Okay. I'll look for Luca outside of the club then. I doubt he'll enter that building if that's truly Antonio's business. It's too risky."

"Good call." Krystal said. "I'll monitor the CCTV at the hideout, and help you and AJ from a far. You know I would be out there if I could, but Luca knows me too well. I've arrested him and his men several times when I was a police officer but nothing ever stuck."

"No worries. AJ and I got this. Just be our eyes. I'll let you know if I see Luca."

"Good luck. Call me if things get out of control."

"Will do."

Krystal ended the call, and I continued to ride my motorcycle along the streets of Boston until I was finally on the packed U-Street.

Despite how wet it was from the afternoon's rain showers, young adults were determined to enjoy the Boston nightlife and Lux was the hotspot like always.

I pulled into a dark alley across from Lux, and once I turned off the engine of my matte black motorcycle I knew it was impossible to see me.

I hid in the shadows, and played with the high-tech helmet AJ gave me as I kept my eyes out for Luca. The helmet's features were insane. Aside from the amazing speakers and bluetooth features, I could even snap pictures and record videos through the face shield.

I pressed a small button on the side of the helmet to zoom in and get a better look at the line wrapped around Lux. I saw no sign of Luca or even any shady men, but as I started zooming out my eyes widened seeing an unexpected face.

"Ho-seok?" I breathed, the tall Korean closing the door as he stepped out of his Uber. "What is he doing here? He's supposed to be with Sam."

I scattered to pull my personal phone out of my jacket, and as soon as I opened Ho-seok's contact information I called him.

I looked to see him stop in his tracks as he reached for his phone in his blazer, and a smirk appeared on his face while he walked away from the club's entrance to answer my call.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to call me on her precious break?" He teased.

I chuckled, despite how uneasy I was feeling. "I'm bored and had nothing better to do. We're friends right? I can do this?"

"Of course." He beamed. "It's just your timing is a bit off. I just pulled up to the club so I can't talk long, unfortunately."

"The club? I thought you had a date with Sam tonight. I wasn't even expecting you to answer the call, but figured I'd try."

"Yeah, about that-..." He sighed, and I could see his entire mood shift from afar. "She bailed. Her fiancé is in town all of a sudden."

"You should have texted me." I groaned.

"Wow, are you actually worried about me right now?" I remained silent, and while I was worried it was moreso because of the danger I knew he was walking into. "Your concern is touching, and I plan on taking advantage of it. Are you off this weekend? I could use your company."

"I'm not off again until Wednesday, but maybe I can step away for a few hours tonight?"

"I told Antonio I'd meet up with him and the boys now that I'm free. He said there's something important he wants to read me in on."

"Really?" I questioned, my eyebrow arched. "What do you think it's about?"

"No clue, but you'll be the first to know about it. Let's aim to see each other on Wednesday. I'll tell you everything I learn. Sound good?"

"Yeah." I replied, and as he nearly ended the discussion I called for him.

"You okay?" He asked, likely hearing my shaky breath.

"Just be careful." I cautioned. "Nothing but trouble comes with that group."

"I don't know if I'll ever get used to this. This soft side of yours - It's really cute." He chuckled. "Thanks for worrying about me. I promise, I'll stay out of trouble. You take care of yourself in the ER too. I know how rowdy it gets on the weekends. Don't be a hero again, deal?"

"Deal." I replied.

I watched Ho-seok end the call, smiling to the screen before he skipped the line and entered the popular nightclub.

My heart started to race, my stomach now turning as nervousness continued to consume me.

Over the past few days, I had learned that despite his size and playboy charm Ho-seok was a gentle giant. He couldn't kill a fly if he had to, and if Luca's men did show up it was guaranteed he was going to be severely injured by the end of the evening.

"Damnit." I sighed, only to then see a black SUV slowly pass the club.

I used my helmet to get a closer view inside the truck given the tint in it's windows and sure enough, Luca was sitting in the backseat. I snipped a few pictures of the man, then watched as two other SUVs moved past his, and they were strategically dispersing around the club.

Our plan was in motion, and progressing quicker than we could have imagined.

"Fuck, what do I do?" I panicked.

I could barely breath, but I couldn't remove my helmet if I wanted to guarantee the protection of my identity.

"Kayla, can you hear me?" AJ's voice said, and I could also hear the loud music of the club.

"I can hear you." I answered, forgetting about this feature of the helmet. "How is it going in there? Any movement?"

"Big time." She answered. "Luca's boys are in here and I have a feeling more are coming based on what I am seeing. They're blending in well, but the men I have my eyes on are watching the private room The Elite are in like a hawk. As soon as those boys step out, they'll make a move. I guarantee it. We set the stage perfectly."

My head fell, and I was contemplating going off script.

"You there? I thought you would be a lot more excited."

"Of course, I am. This is great news. Luca is here as well so things are moving as planned." I replied. "Keep me updated. I'll stay outside, and continue to monitor things from here."

"Roger that."

My heel was furiously tapping on the cement beneath it, and I was thinking of any excuse I could to get Ho-seok out of there but the only thing that would do it was telling him the truth.

Though he had been so kind to me recently, I still couldn't tell him everything that I knew. Especially now that it wasn't just me in on this revenge anymore.

All of my actions impacted two other people, and it's not like we were going up against just anyone. Antonio was a whole mob boss and we just pulled other gangsters into the mix.

"Makayla." AJ called for me through the built in transceiver, and over a half an hour had past since we last spoke. "They're moving out of the room right now, and Luca's boys are already closing in on them. Get ready."

I braced myself, anticipating the guaranteed chaos we had stirred up.

However, only minutes later I heard something way worse along with the screams of clubbers that were already scrambling out of the building. I heard gunshots as the doors opened.

"AJ!" I called for her, starting up my motorcycle. "Get out of there!"

"I'm walking out now!" She answered, and I could hear the fear of all the innocent people on the other side of our interaction.

"Was anyone hit?" I asked.

"I don't know." She admitted. "Luca's boys approached The Elite as soon as they stepped on the dance floor. It escalated too quickly for me to see who was shot."

A knot formed in the back of my throat, and I kicked the bike stand up as I roared my engine.

"Get to the hideout. I'll meet you there."

"Why does it sound like you're not heading there right away?" She panicked, and I chose to ignore her before I started speeding along the road again. "Makayla!"

I turned off the audio in my helmet, and drove towards the side exit of the club. Several people we running out of it, but I didn't see Ho-seok anywhere.

I then drove towards the back exit, and as soon as I got my eyes on the door, I saw all five members run outside.

"Split up, now!" Antonio ordered.

The group did as he said, aside form a very confused Ho-seok.

"Paul!" Donnell exclaimed, grabbing his attention and he even ran back and grabbed his arm. "Keep running, and don't get caught!"

Though frazzled, Ho-seok did as he was told and ran with Donnell before Luca's men poured out of the same door The Elite used to get away.

"Go that way!" Donnell yelled, and he pushed Ho-seok down another alley before he went the other direction.

"Split up, and grab at least one of them!" One of Luca's men yelled. "Let's go!"

I sped off in the same direction Ho-seok was running.

After many months of studying, I knew the roads and alleys of this city like the back of my hand.

I looked down each alley I past, and fortunately Ho-seok was fast. Luca's men were having a hard time keeping up with him, but I knew Ho-seok was going to approach a dead end soon.

I identified a blind spot where I could park my motorcycle, and it was a block away from the dead end I was worried about.

Despite how hot my face was, I kept my helmet on and sprinted towards the altercation I knew had already started, and by time I peeped around the brick wall, Ho-seok was indeed getting his ass beat.

My lips parted witnessing three gigantic men stomp him on the ground, and when they gave him a minute to breath he sat on his knees and begged for reason through his bloody lips.

"I don't know what this is about, but let's just talk." Ho-seok pleaded.

"Blame your boss." A man said, gesturing for two of his colleagues to grab Ho-seok.

The two men grabbed each of Ho-seok's arms, the one in command pulling out a pocket knife.

"Please don't do this." Ho-seok continued to beg, his lips quivering as I built up all the courage I had to march out on exactly why I had trained for months.

I stepped around the corner, and rushed at the man who had raised his blade towards Ho-seok. Just as he was about to stab him, I jump kicked the man to deliver a hard blow to his shoulder before he stumbled to the ground.

"What the hell?" He snapped, glaring at me.

I remained silent, and got in my fighting stance despite how scared I was.

Each of these men had to have weighed well over 180 lbs, and all of them had been in this business long enough to have scars on their faces.

"You're not one of the five." The tall and muscular brunette said as he stood on his two feet. "I'm giving you a chance to walk away if you know what's best for you."

I crooked my finger, gesturing for him and his boys to bring it on.

"Have it your way." He smirked, and he came at me first.

I dodged each jab he swung at me with his blade, and found plenty of opportunities to punch critical points on his body. By time I hit his throat and cut off his airway, his friends joined the fight.

I continued to dance around each loose swing, and though they were big they were slow. I saw every move that was coming my way, and handled the gangsters quickly.

First delivering a quick punching combo to a tall blonde man, and my last uppercut was so strong he fell to the ground and ate the pavement before he went to sleep.

The second guy was the biggest, and he actually got a hold of me from behind. I used all of my strength to throw him over my shoulder and as he fell to the ground, I rolled over and grabbed my own blade from my ankle holder at the same time.

I spotted the man in charge rushing towards me, and threw my blade at his thigh, earning a shocked whimper from the brunette as he fell to his knees.

I used this as an opening and ran towards him, just to drive my knee into his face and knock him out next.

Confident, I turned around to find the man I tossed over my shoulder slowly starting to rise up. However, before he could stand on his two feet I delivered the perfect roundhouse kick to the side of his face and knocked him out last.

My guard still up, I naturally went back in my fighting stance to make sure all of the men were still down and when I saw Ho-seok and I were safe, I finally brought my attention to him.

"Who are you?" He uttered, his eyes hanging low.

I said nothing and rushed by his side as he fainted, catching the side of his face in the process.

He wasn't in the best shape, but he was safe and far from danger from a health perspective.

I searched for his phone in his blazer, and there were already multiple calls from The Elite when I saw its screen.

I decided it was best they find and take care of him. I shared his location with the only one we both deemed somewhat decent, and as I waited for them I observed Ho-seok's injuries.

His full lips were already bruised, as was the skin beneath his right eye.

I caressed the side of his face, my stomach turned seeing him in such a state.

Why did you have to befriend The Elite, I thought to myself.

"Paul!" Donnell's familiar voice yelled for him.

I pulled myself together, realizing his friends were close. I rushed to the gangster my blade was rested in and swiftly pulled it out before I ran into the shadows again.

"He's over here!" Spencer this time yelled, and soon the entire group was rushing by his side.

"Shit!" Chase exclaimed, looking around at the mess surrounding Ho-seok. "Guns, knives, actual gangsters! What the hell did you start this time, Antonio?"

"Paul!" Antonio said, kneeling beside Ho-seok as he ignored Chase. "Can you hear me?"

Ho-seok didn't respond, Donnell now shaking him.

"Paul, come on man. Wake up!" Donnell pleaded.

"What is going on Antonio?" Spencer asked. "What is all this about? This has never happened before! Chase is right, we can't help if you don't tell us what's going on!"

"We'll talk later!" Antonio yelled. "We need to get him out of here before they wake up! Stop your bitching, and help!"

I watched the boys listen to the true leader of The Elite, and they all did their part in helping Ho-seok out of the alley and to safety.

I myself leaned against the cold brick wall, and took multiple deep breathes as I contemplated whether my team and I did the right thing tonight. How many casualties were involved?

Knowing Krystal and AJ were waiting for me, I cautiously made my way to my motorcycle and then to the hideout I had only learned of five days ago.

It was an old and abandoned warehouse about 15 miles away, and it was surrounded by trees in the middle of nowhere in comparison to the rest of Boston.

"Makayla!" AJ exclaimed when I walked through the doors, my helmet finally removed. "What the hell! Where have you been and why did you turn off the transceiver?"

"I needed to make sure someone was okay." I admitted.

"Paul?" Krystal questioned, and her expression told me all I needed to know. "What exactly is your relationship with that guy?"

"He's a close friend of my cousin, and so far he's not shown me he's like the rest of The Elite."

"Are you shitting me, right now?" Our leader proceeded, folding her arms beneath her breasts. "Is he or is he not a part of The Elite?"

"He is-..."

"Then that's all that matters." She roared, stepping closer to me. "AJ and I did not join you for you to waiver over a good-looking man! I don't care how new he is to the group, nor does it matter that he's told you he is on your side! He's still chosen to have a relationship with a group of criminals! That's all that matters Makayla!"

I fell silent to the painful scolding.

"In one night, you may have implicated everything! It's clear you got involved to help this friend of yours, and the moment you get found out we are all screwed! Do you understand that?"

"I'm sorry." I murmured. "I just couldn't let them hurt him, especially knowing other innocents may have gotten hurt. They had guns Krystal."

"This is America, of course they did!"

"Doesn't that scare you?" I rebutted. "We have no idea what innocent people have fallen to the gun violence we antagonized! People may be dead because of this plot! Why aren't we talking about that? I think we made a mistake!"

"There is a bigger issue to solve right now, Makayla!"

"Are you saying people are expendable to get what we want?" I questioned, silencing her. "I am not perfect, but we made a huge mistake tonight and we need to talk about it to ensure it doesn't happen again. I don't want any additional blood on my hands!"

"As long as you stick to our plans, that won't happen."

"Again, I did up until the gunshots happened. We're all guilty if someone dies over this."

Krystal sighed, looking away from me before she stormed past me and walked towards her office. She then slammed the door shut and my shoulders fell as I embraced the chaos of tonight.

"You're both right." AJ said. "It's just we're a team. You shouldn't move alone."

"It wasn't your problem to deal with."

"It wasn't yours either." AJ said. "I'm not happy about innocent people getting hurt, but Paul is not innocent. He's decided to befriend a group of criminals for his business. It's only a matter of time before his greed gets the better of him, and you need to remember that."

AJ this time walked past me, and towards her work station that had ten flat screens hanging on a caged wall.

I on the other hand took a seat on the old brown leather couch in the heart of our hideout, my head falling against the back of it as my conflicted thoughts consumed me.

Though it appeared I got away with it this time, a part of me understood the risk I took going back to help Ho-seok.

Krystal was right. I could have compromised us early in our revenge and even worse, I could have gotten hurt.

However, the idea of Ho-seok getting hurt because of me bothered me and though my team did not trust him...

I was realizing that I did.

____

Author's Note: Hey! How did you enjoy the chapter?

Makayla is really starting to feel the conflict between her desire for revenge and this new relationship she has with Ho-seok! 

Will she have to choose between her new team and her friendship with Ho-seok? How do you think Ho-seok will react to what it really means to be a part of The Elite after a night like this?

Please remember to vote and comment!

- Zelene