I hit the punching bag again and again.

I didn't stop, not even to catch my breath.

I was at a boxing gym in the city, letting all my anger out. I needed this. This is the only way to feel good. Oh how I wish it was someone's face.

That someone.

I didn't even want to think about him. I'm going to erase him from my mind, no matter what it takes.

It was easier said than done. But I was going to try.

A voice in the back of my head kept asking if that was what I really wanted. Of course it was. Right? I couldn't trust him. He was a liar, one who knew my mother. That alone was enough to put him on the wrong side of everything. But if he knew her... did that mean he knew my real name too?

I had so many questions, that only he had the answers for. But I wasn't going to ask him. Because I won't be seeing him again.

I did a few more blows before stopping. I was thirsty and a bit tired. I took a bottle of water, gulping it down in one drink.

My eyes scanned the gym and landed on a guy lifting weights. He was dark-skinned, with muscles like no tomorrow. The kind of build that said he didn't miss a single gym session. I watched as he powered through his final rep, then sat up, sweat gleaming across his shoulders.

His eyes met mine and he gave me a wink. I winked back, earning a grin from him.

I shouldn't be doing this. This was the worst place to find a date, well, aside from the club. He stood up, showing off his muscles that looked as if they wanted to rip through his shirt.

He was handsome. But not as handsome as Angel.

Fuck! Why was I still thinking of him?

I groaned and chucked the bottle into the bin.

He started walking towards me. I should turn and walk away, but I didn't. Maybe this is what I needed.

He stopped right in front of me. "Hi"

His voice was deep. Too deep for comfort. Up close, he was more than scary. I take back what I said about needing this.

"Hi," I replied blandly.

A smirk appeared on his lips. "Names Dre, nice to meet you."

He held his hand out, and I shook it. I didn't tell him my name. I wasn't planning on seeing him again.

He released my hand, before throwing them into his shorts pocket. "I couldn't help but notice you, you're gorgeous."

I faked a smile. "Thank you."

I looked at my watch, as if I had somewhere to be. "Oh, I have to go. I have an appointment."

He nodded. "No worries. You think I can get your contact?"

Ah fuck!

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested, " I replied, as gently as I could.

Surprisingly, he smiled. "That's fine. Enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thanks, and you as well."

With that, I turned and walked away. I grabbed my gym bag and dug through it, pulling out my jacket. I slipped it on, zipped the bag shut, slung it over my shoulder, and walked out.

About an hour later, I was back home. Mira wouldn't be back from school for another three hours, so it was just me. I headed to my room and dropped the bag onto the table. I was sticky, sweaty, and exhausted. A shower was definitely calling my name.

I went to the bathroom, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the shower. The water felt so good against my skin. I closed my eyes, just letting the thoughts consume me.

How could Angel do this? How could he betray me like this? To some, it may not be a big deal. But to me, it was everything. He knew Orion, he knows my mother, what else does he know about me and my life!?

What about the times we had? The little bursts of laughter. The smiles. Our stupid little questionnaire. The teasing. The way he used to look at me, like I was something he wanted. The way his hands felt on my skin.

All of it. Fake.

He never looked at me with the intention of wanting more. Maybe just to sleep with me... no. I wasn't even his type. I was nothing to him. And that was never going to change.

How did I let myself fall for him? Catch feelings. Develop a crush. I knew it was a dangerous game from the start and still, I played it. And now, here I was, stuck with the worst hand dealt.

I wasn't going to cry. I shouldn't. He wasn't worth my tears. Never have...never will.

Ten minutes later, I exit the shower. I wrapped a towel around my waist and walked out.

I froze.

My heart didn't just leap, it crashed, tore through my ribs, and kept running

My room wasn't empty. He was here.

Angel.

He was seated on a chair, arms crossed and face stern. His eyes bore into mine, before flickering down to my bare legs. I was in a towel, but it was pretty short. I ignored him and made my way to the closet.

He didn't say anything. Neither did I.

My hands moved fast, but my chest was tight, like I was breathing through a straw. I dug through my clothes and pulled out a pair of black shorts and a red hoodie. Then a bra and panty set.

I shut the door with more force than I meant to.

I walked into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I got dressed quickly, pulling everything on with shaky hands I forced to stay steady. Then I stood there for a moment, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I ran a hand through my hair, brushing it back. Fixing what little I could. Trying to look like I wasn't breaking apart inside.

Once I was satisfied, I opened the door and stepped out.

He hadn't moved. Same spot. Same posture. Watching me like a hawk.

I walked over to the bed and sat down, crossing my legs slowly. Our eyes met, burning holes through each other. Neither of us said a word.

An eternity passed before he stood up and pulled the chair closer to me. He took a seat, going back to his posture.

I broke the silence. "How did you get in my house?"

"I picked the lock."

I clenched my jaw. "The fuck?"

I swallowed hard when he gave me a cold look. I crossed my arms and averted my eyes.

"I wanted to see you."

My head snapped towards him. "See me for what Angel? I strictly told you that if you ever set foot in my home again, I'll shoot you."

He smirked. The audacity. It just made me angrier.

"Then shoot me."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't tempt me. Because I will."

Silence settled over us again. I took in his attire. A black button-up shirt and a pair of jeans. As always, a few buttons undone showing off his inked chest.

"Skai, I'm sorry."

I bit my lip. He said sorry. Why was he saying sorry? I thought it didn't matter to him. That I didn't matter.

"I know you feel like you can't trust me." He paused. "But you can."

I sighed. "You already prove that I can't trust you. There's no going back from that."

He sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. "I know, and I'm really sorry. I should've told you... everything."

I looked at his face. It wasn't cold. Emotionless. Only sincere. Like he was truly sorry.

"I want to know everything, " I said, my voice firm.

He nodded. "Orion and I struck a deal years ago. When I took over from my father I needed a job done. Someone knew too much, and Orion took care of him for me. He wanted something in return, not money, something I could not give. I shrugged him off, he got angry, and I did not hear from him again. Not until those nights when he took the shipment. He knew I would come for him."

I listened, not once taking my eyes off him. He stayed silent, letting me sink everything in.

I sighed and leaned back against the headboard. That was understandable, about Orion taking his shipment. It was just a vendetta between them. It was personal, but not related to me.

"What about... my mother?" I asked softly.

He sat up a little straighter. "I got a call. One I wasn't expecting. It was her."

My chest tightened. I didn't move. "When?"

"The time I told you I was leaving the city." He looked at me. "That's where I went. To meet her."

I frowned. "Why? Why did she want to meet you?"

He hesitated for a second, then said quietly, "Because she knows I know you. And she had a favor to ask."

"What?" I asked, eagerness lacing my voice.

"There are some men, the Yale brothers, they have a blood tie to her."

The color drained from my face. Does that mean...?

He continued. "She wants me to protect you. To keep you safe. These men will come for you, just like they're going for her. I told her that I'd try my best."

I was now a target. I didn't know how to feel about my mom. She had abandoned me. She didn't even try to reach out to me over the past years.

Angel stood and walked toward me, his footsteps slow but sure. He sat beside me on the bed, close enough that I could feel the heat of him. His eyes never left mine.

"I want you to move to the mansion," he said quietly. "It'll be safer for you there."

I closed my eyes. It was too much, all of it. My mother, the danger, him. I wanted to cry, but nothing came. No tears, no sound. Just this hollow ache sitting where my heart used to be.

I felt a hand on my cheek, caressing it slowly. I didn't want to open my eyes. He was doing this to me again. Igniting this flame inside me.

"Open your eyes Skai."

I did.

His face was just a few inches from mine. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't focus.

His eyes flickered to my lips.

I swallowed harshly.

He started leaning in, not once taking his eyes off me.

I shifted slightly, pushing my head forward.

Just an inch away.

His lips brushed against mine. As if he was testing them.

He didn't hesitate anymore. He crashed his lips onto mine.

They were warm. Firm. Too soft for someone like him. He kissed me slow, and carefully.

I tried to keep up, but I wasn't good at this.
I wasn't even a kisser. I let him take the lead, taking me to places I've never been.

This was my first kiss.

And I was kissing Angel.

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