A N G E L

I took a small sip of my blended fruit punch. Yes, for once, I'm not drinking whiskey.

I was in the guest room, staring down at Skai's sleeping figure. It was almost mid-day, and she still hasn't woken up.

It was weird, considering that she went to bed the same time as me last night.

I took another small sip before resting the glass on the side table. The fruit punch was healthy, but I didn't really like it. Tim was the one who blended it, and since he was such an introvert, I took a glass when he offered.

I regretted it. I'd rather have a glass of whiskey.

I pulled the blanket down slightly, and my eyebrows drew together. Skai was wearing her jacket. And she only wears it when she goes out.

I stood up and crossed my arms. Did she leave last night? But why and to where? I groaned as thoughts and questions started to consume me.

She shifted, turning over so she was facing me. I wasn't going anywhere until she woke up, and she'd better have answers.

I moved to the other side of the bed and climbed in, the mattress dipping beneath me.

Twenty minutes passed in silence before she finally started to stir, stretching lazily like she'd just woken from a good dream.

She turned mid-yawn and froze when she saw me.

Then she jumped off the bed, a hand pressed to her chest.

"Angel! You scared the crap out of me!"

I didn't react. I couldn't.

My eyes were fixed on the gun tucked in the waistband of her shorts.

She shut her eyes, breathing slow and shaky. When she finally exhaled, her hands fell to her sides.

Her fingers twitched, and then she looked down. The moment her eyes found what I'd already seen, guilt washed over her.

She shrugged off her jacket, slow and reluctant, like peeling away a secret she'd tried to hide.

"You went out last night," I stated. It wasn't a question.

She sighed, dropping the jacket on the bed.

"I can explain."

I hummed softly. "You went out last night, knowing that you're a target."

She pulled the gun from her shorts, before stuffing it into the bedside drawer.

"I went out for a reason. It wasn't danger-

"-It's always dangerous Skai," I cut her off.

She started chewing on her lip. An action she does when she's nervous.

I rose to my feet and started towards her. She shrieked and bolted, scrambling across the bed to the other side.

"Skai, come here," I demanded, my eyes fixed on her.

She shook her head. "Angel, just listen please-

"-If I call you again, and you don't come, it won't be pretty," I cut her off. Let's see how long she can play for.

She started playing with her fingers. Skai was a totally different person around me. She would blush and get flustered.

I still remember the time we showered at the cabin. Her body was perfect. Slim and petite. She was trying so hard to not show it, but I saw the lust and desire in her eyes.

I even remember how she looked at my dick. I had to pull her gaze away, before she went blind.

I watched as she sighed, before making her way towards me. I smirked in defeat. She couldn't win. The moment she got close enough, I grabbed her arms and pulled her hard against me.

"That wasn't so hard now was it?" I teased.

She averted her eyes, a small blush on her cheeks.

"Skai, where did you go last night?"

Her eyes flickered to mine. "That's what I was trying to tell you before you got upset."

I sighed. "Fine. You can speak."

She pulled her hands free and sank to her knees. My eyes widened in surprise.

I watched as she reached under the bed and dragged out a few folders.

I let out a shaky breath I didn't even know I was holding.

She stood, then sat on the edge of the bed. Opening a black folder, she spread it across her lap. I sat beside her, silent.

"Mark called last night. He caught a new case. One of the Yale brothers was found dead at his penthouse. A bullet to the neck and head."

I frowned. "Who's Mark?"

She groaned. "That's all you heard?"

I shrugged but remained silent.

"He's Mira's uncle. He's a friend of mine," she replied softly.

I hummed. "Okay. You said he found one of the Yale brothers?"

She nodded. "His name is Nate Yale, and he's the youngest of the four brothers. We went to his penthouse last night, that's how I got these folders."

I took it from her hands. The first page had a picture of the four brothers, all dressed in black suits. It was the same one her mom showed me.

I flipped the page again.

She leaned closer and pointed at a section. "These are addresses. Different cities, different countries. The brothers are wealthy, they move around a lot."

My lips pressed into a thin line. This was probably the lead we needed to find them.

"Want to know the best part?" she asked.

I looked at her.

She turned the page. "They're in the city. All of them. Different penthouses."

Each property listed had a name and a location. The first was Nashton Yale, followed by Teddy and Timothy Yale. Every penthouse was residential, and heavily secured.

"There's something else," she said next, her eyes piercing into mine.

I waited.

"Someone's after the brothers. I have no idea who it is, but from what I've seen, this person's skilled. A penthouse like that has to have cameras and security systems."

I closed the folder. "You're right. But isn't this a good thing? Whoever this is, they could take out the only threat that's after you."

She shook her head. "No. I have to get to one of the brothers before they do. It's the only way I'll find out who made the blood tie on me."

I understood. She was more than right.

"So, when do we leave?" I asked calmly.

She smirked. "Tonight. We have to get in somehow. Do you know anyone who can hack the security systems and take the cameras offline?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I know a guy. Goes by Lex. He's very good with systems. I'll call him later."

"Okay," she replied softly.

Silence settled between us. I looked at her. She was deep in thought, chewing in her bottom lip.

After some time, she stood up and stretched her arms. "I'm going to shower."

I smirked before rising to my feet. "Can I join you?"

She crossed her arms, a small smile on her face. "Why do you love showering with me?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I like seeing the water dripping down your body."

I watched as blood rushed to her cheeks. I knew exactly what my words did to her and I loved teasing her. Skai wasn't usually like this, which only made it more intriguing.

She didn't say a word. Instead, she turned to the closet, grabbed some clothes, and hurried into the bathroom.

She didn't lock the door. I took that as an invite.

I followed her inside, shutting the door behind me. She was brushing her teeth. I started stripping. I showered this morning, but who said I couldn't do it again?

Once she was finished, all my clothes were off except my boxers.

I watched in silence as she started stripping. Her eyes never met mine, but that didn't bother me. I was still enjoying the view.

She tilted her head. "Turn around."

I gave her a 'are you kidding me?' look. "I've seen you already Skai."

"I know but... turn around."

I groaned but complied. Is she going to do this every time we shower together?

I heard the water running and I turned around. I pulled off my boxers and hopped in the shower. She had her back turned, letting the water run all down her body.

The view was hypnotizing.

I couldn't look away, and I didn't want to. Skai didn't have curves, but her body was perfect. Her butt was plump and round and I wish I could grab and fondle it. But I won't. Not without her consent.

She turned the water off.

"Are you going to stare forever?" She asked.

I smirked and stepped forward. I grabbed her waist and buried my face in the crook of her neck.

She reached for the shampoo, but my hand got there first.

"I'll do it," I said, my voice low as I popped the bottle open and poured some into my palm.

My fingers moved through her hair, slow and deliberate. She leaned into my touch, a quiet sigh escaping her lips.

I was fighting hard against my own dirty thoughts. My dick was hard as a rock and my vision was clouded by lust.

I was sex deprived. More than I'd like to admit. It's been months and I was going insane.

But I'll hold on. For skai.

About fifteen minutes later, we got out of the shower, neither of us saying a word. She started drying off, but her face looked hesitant, like she wanted to say something.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.

She swallowed, hard. "I-I've been thinking..."

I stepped forward, cupping her cheeks. "Thinking what baby?"

She lowered her eyes, then looked back at me, as if gathering courage.

She took a deep breath. "I'vebeenthinkingthatwhenallofthisisoverwecouldhavesex."

She blurted everything out in one breath. I blinked. "What?" I hadn't heard a single word.

She sighed deeply. "I want us to have sex, once all of this is over."

My dick twitched.

She tried to look down, but I stopped her. I crashed my lips onto hers. The kiss was firm and demanding.

I couldn't wait to make her mine, completely.

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