A N G E L

I felt uneasy.

It was the first time, in a long time, that I felt like this.

Maybe it was guilt. But why would I feel guilty? I make my own rules and I play by them. I do what I want, when I want.

So where did this guilt come from? Was I doing something wrong?

I wasn't. I couldn't be. It was nothing. I was fine.

The more I keep saying it, the more guilty I would feel.

The office door creaked open, and she stepped inside. She was short, with long black hair, hazel eyes, and dressed in sharp professional attire.

They looked so alike.

Her face was unreadable as she took a seat opposite of me. Her eyes were screaming on the inside, as if she was holding onto so many emotions.

She cleared her throat. "Thank you for meeting me."

"You're welcome," I replied. I was really feeling uneasy.

Her eyes flickered around for a second, before landing back on me.

"How is she?" She asked softly.

"She's fine," I answered.

Silence stretched over us, it was more than uncomfortable. I wish I had a double shot of whiskey right now.

"Angel, I know-

"-Why did you leave in the first place?" I cut her off.

She sighed. "I had to. I had to find better for myself. Her father's lifestyle wasn't for me. I couldn't take it."

I ran a hand through my hair. "So, what do you need from me?"

She went straight to the drawer, pulled out a file, and set it down like it weighed more than it should have.

She opened it slowly, before pushing it towards me. I took it and flipped through the pages.

Inside was a photo of four men, all dressed in black, faces cold and unreadable. I scanned the info beneath it.

The Yale brothers.

I frowned. "Who are these men?"

She swallowed. "They have a blood tie to me."

My movements stilled and my stomach turned. I knew what a blood tie was. In this world, if you don't, you're already too late.

"Why do they have a blood tie to you?" I asked. I wanted to know everything.

She swallowed. "I know things… and I've seen a lot. One of the brothers is a politician. If what I know ever got out, he'd lose everything, his position, his reputation… maybe even his freedom."

"So why don't you get some sort of protection?" I asked quietly.

"I'm done running. I'm tired. They're coming for me." Her hands were shaking, but she kept her voice steady.

I closed the file, placing it down calmly on the desk. I didn't know what to say. I was blank.

"They will come after her too. I need you to protect her," she added.

I ran a hand across my face. "Have you tried contacting her?"

She shook her head slowly, eyes glassy. "She hates me. Thinks I abandoned her." Her voice cracked. "And maybe… maybe she's right."

She paused, breathing slowly. "I'll carry that hate if I have to. I deserve it. But I can't let her die. She's all I have. My only child."

She wiped her eyes, keeping them fixed on the floor. I sighed, arms crossed, the weight of it all pressing down. I was conflicted, torn between anger and something dangerously close to sympathy.

I didn't even know this woman. Yet here I was, feeling a bit of pity for her.

"Angel, will you do this for me? Please. I know we don't know each other, but I need this from you," she asked, eyes full of hope.

"She can take care of herself you know. She's skilled with a gun, and she can fight really well," I said, giving her a small smile.

She chuckled. "Of course she can. She was raised by her father. He taught her his lifestyle. At least, she doesn't let anyone walk over her."

I nodded, but stayed silent.

"When they come for her, she'll have to be ready. She has her entire life ahead of her, I don't want her to lose it," she said after some time.

A small sigh escaped my lips. "I'll try my best."

She smiled, one that would lit up an entire room. "Thank you so much Angel. I'll repay you in the afterlife."

I half smirked. "I'll take you up on that."

This was a different me. I would've walked away and not give a damn. Shut the door. Pretended it didn't matter, because that was a cold-hearted response. And I was cold.

But I couldn't. Not from this.

And certainly not from her.

***

Rain streaked the window, distorting the city lights below. I stood in my penthouse, staring down at the view.

The thoughts started to swarm my mind.
Loud. Uninvited. Relentless. Like they wanted my head to explode.

Someone was depending on me. Putting their trust in me, and it felt strange, almost foreign. Yet, here I was, having agreed to it. And I didn't regret it.

I took a sip of my whiskey, the burn matching the heat curling in my chest. The rain setting a vibe, one that had me fully erect.

I was in a pair of boxers, with no shirt on, and a fucking hard on. I haven't had sex in weeks. Of course I could, but I didn't. I get offered almost every time I go to the club, and I find myself refusing even the hottest women.

I felt like a changed man. But why? Why all of a sudden I do and say things I never had before? Was I going soft?

Hell no! That was not possible. Going soft as a Mafia boss was not an option.

I finished off the whiskey and set the glass down on the table. I thought about turning on the TV, but my mind wouldn't settle long enough to focus.

When I get back to the city, I'm going straight for Orion. It's not just about the shipment anymore, it's personal. Maybe it's because of Skai.

Skai.

She was one of a kind. A rare type of person, the kind you don't forget. And won't forget.

After I take him out, it's Morton next. I won't go for him, I'll let him come to me. I'll make a plan. One that will be too good to backfire.

I hopped in bed, pulling the covers up to my bare chest. I should be having sex right now. The rain is the perfect time for it. Too bad I was here, all alone.

My mind wandered back to Skai. No matter how hard I tried not to think about her, she always found a way in.

There was nothing going on between us. We were just friends who had each other's backs.

Right?

Or maybe we were just two people who happened to save each other's lives every now and then.

Whatever it was, there was a bond. Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

No, there had to be something.

I had teased her, sure, but there was nothing behind it.

She brought out a side of me I didn't even know existed. Playful. Light. Human.

The scariest part? It was when I hovered over her, just staring into those hazel eyes, like they were daring me to feel something.

I still remembered how she was blushing, it wasn't hard to miss. The way her body trembled benea-

-I should stop. I was going too far.

Maybe it was because I'm sex deprived.
Whatever it was, I couldn't keep thinking about it.

About her.

I forced the thoughts away and shut my eyes. The darkness welcomed me, and I didn't fight it.

|||||