S K A I

I set the last of the dishes to drain and glanced at Mira. She hadn't looked up, her eyes were still locked on her notebook.

I smiled, but stayed silent. She was making me feel proud, like a mother or sister might. We were family, after all. Not by blood, but by circumstance.

We had dinner earlier. Shrimp Alfredo with garlic bread and pineapple juice. We made it together, laughing and letting our cooking skills run free. I wasn't bad at it, but I wasn't perfect either. We almost burned the sauce, and the bread too. But we finished up and had dinner like the little family we were.

"How has school been? Have you reconnected with your friends?" I asked, wiping the excess water from the counters.

She nodded. "Yeah, I have. And school is the same. Classes, lunch then classes again."

I smiled. "That's good."

She pushed her chair back and stood up. "I'm going to the room to finish up."

"Go ahead, I'll be there soon," I said, drying off my hands.

The dishes were done, the kitchen was clean, and the smell of dinner still lingered in the air.

It was a peaceful night.

Mark and I had successfully busted Mother Hazel's operation. He'd tailed their car for nearly half an hour before finally catching up to them. We brought everyone in for questioning, including Mother Hazel. The best part? Zuri was safe and sound.

With Mother Hazel out of the picture, the police officials would step in to run the orphanage until a proper caretaker was appointed. Mark, being a detective, was already coordinating with them to ensure everything went smoothly.

I left the kitchen, but then a sudden knock came from the door.

I stilled.

Who could it be at this time of the night?

I rushed to the room, bursting through the door in a hurry.

Mira shrieked, jumping up from the bed.

"What is it?" she asked, her eyes wide, as my hand moved instinctively towards my gun.

"Someone's at the door. Don't leave the room," I said, my voice firm.

She nodded, panic written all over her face.

I left the room, gun in hand and ready. I went to the door, and slowly turned the handle.

I froze.

The last person I expected to see was standing there, his expression cold as ice.

"Hey. Can I come in?"

I hesitated, standing there for a moment longer before finally opening the door.

He stepped in, eyes focused, not once looking at me.

I closed the door, locking it in the process.
Then I followed him, both of us heading to the kitchen.

He perched himself on a chair, arms crossed and eyes distant. I didn't sit. I stood up, back leaning against the fridge. I tucked the gun in my shorts, before adjusting the waist.

Silence settled between us, not the peaceful kind, but the kind that makes you wonder what the other person is thinking. The kind where, if you dropped a pin, you'd hear it hit the floor.

I took a moment to study him. His hair was combed back, though a few strands had slipped loose and hung over his forehead. He wore a white button-up shirt, the top few buttons undone, revealing the ink that curled across his chest. His black jeans clung to him just right, casual, but deliberate.

I broke the silence. "So, how was your mission?"

His eyes were fixed on me, not once taking them off.

"It was good."

I nodded. I didn't say anything else. I just let him stare at me, taking in whatever he wanted.

"Skai!" I heard Mira called out.

"It's okay, it's just Angel," I called back, trying to keep my voice light.

I averted my eyes back to him. I was confused and he wasn't saying anything.

I spoke again. "When did you get back?"

"This morning."

I sighed. His responses were dry and cold.

I turned and opened the fridge, I needed something to cool down. Grabbing a box of pineapple juice, I popped the cap and took a long sip.

"Skai"

I groaned and turned around. "So now you want to talk?"

I bit my lip. My voice came out a little harsher than I'd anticipated. I didn't care. His cold and dry demeanor was making me upset.

He smirked. "Are you upset?"

Was he okay? I looked at him as if he'd grown two heads.

"Am I upset? Why would I be upset Angel?" I asked, my voice getting louder by the second.

His smirk never faltered. "Because you're going red."

I threw my hands up in frustration. He was taking this as a joke. I don't even know why I was getting this upset.

He stood up, taking a few threatening steps forward. I instinctively stepped back. I wasn't going to do this.

"You seem frustrated. Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

I crossed my arms. "I'm fine Angel."

"You're a terrible liar," was his response.

I rolled my eyes, but stayed silent. Why was I acting like this? It wasn't me. I felt this anger towards him. Maybe it was because he went on a simple mission without me.

It wasn't a big deal, so why was I making it that? My brain was about to explode with thoughts.

"Come here, Skai."

My eyes flickered to his. I couldn't read them. I didn't know what he was thinking. I've never wanted to read minds until now.

I stayed glued in my spot. I didn't know what game he was playing, but I don't want to be a part of it.

"Are you coming… or do I have to come get you?"

I bit my lip. What was happening? I still didn't move. I couldn't. I glanced over his shoulder. Maybe I could make run for it.

I didn't get a chance to think any longer because he was already moving towards me.

Before I could react, his hands were on me, pulling me in, closing the space between us.

"Angel let me go!" I exclaimed, my chin pressing against his muscular chest.

I started to pant. My anxiety level rising, my knees getting weaker by the second. I wasn't use to this. I didn't want this. I couldn't handle this.

"I told you to come willingly," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear.

I bit my lip, trying not to meet his eyes. He shouldn't be doing this. I shouldn't be doing this.

We shouldn't be doing this!

His hands were firm around mine, leaving no room to pull away.

"W-What do you want Angel?" I stuttered out, almost breathlessly.

He didn't answer. His eyes were burning holes in the side of my face. Still, I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

"What do you think I want, Skai?"

His voice was deep, the kind that sent butterflies through my stomach and heat rushing to my core. A feeling that was foreign to me.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "You tell me."

A small chuckle left his lips. "Why are you avoiding my eyes?"

This time, I looked at him, really looked. I wanted to prove he wasn't affecting me. That our current position, his hands on mine, meant nothing.

It backfired. Hard.

Heat rose in my cheeks. His eyes were dark, heavy with lust, with something dangerously close to desire. But it couldn't be. Not for me.

I wasn't his type. I didn't have big boobs or soft curves. I wasn't graceful, or experienced, or anything close to the kind of woman guys like him wanted.

Vaira had said it. And it was true.

I didn't know how I found the courage, but I did and pulled myself away from him. He didn't want to let me go, but I made sure he did.

I took a few steps back, ensuring a good amount of space between us.

"Why are you here Angel?" I asked softly. My legs felt like they wanted to give out, but I stood firm. I couldn't crumble. Especially not in front of him.

He ran a hand through his hair. "We're going for your boss tomorrow. We roll out at midnight."

I clenched my jaw. "He is not my boss."

He shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

Angel was really something else tonight. Was he on drugs? Maybe the whiskey has finally gotten to him. Damn alcohol and their long term effects.

"I'm not sure I want to be a part of this mission," I told him. He seemed taken aback by my response.

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "You don't need me. You have your gang."

I was biting off alot more than I could chew. The words left a bitter taste in my mouth.

His eyes hardened. "Skai, what are you talking about? I told you, we were going after him together."

"You went on a mission without me!" I snapped. "You don't need me!"

Regret sank in like a bitch. His face held confusion, until realization hit. I bit my lip very hard. I shouldn't have said that.

He took a step forward. "Is that what this is about? Because I went without you?" He shook his head. "Skai… you can't be serious."

I was feeling a bundle of emotions. Anger. Hurt. Sadness. More anger. I was angry at everything including myself. How did I let myself get like this? Nothing bothers me. I'm a killer. I'm heartless. Cold. Emotionless.

But now, I feel soft.

"You're making a big deal out of nothing," he said next, eyes fixed on me.

I sighed. "Yeah, you're right. It's not like we're friends or anything. We're just two people who save each other's lives occasionally. It's no big deal right? Okay."

I turned away, my hands reaching into the sink. I turned on the tap, letting the cool water run over my shaking hands.

He said, low and harsh, "I'm leaving."

The words hit harder than any slap, but still, I didn't turn around.

His footsteps faded, then the door slamming shut behind him.

He could burn in hell for all I cared.

Yet, the ache in my chest said something else entirely.

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