"You just got yourself into a world of trouble, and there's nothing you can do about it," Bird said to me with a chuckle. I rolled my eyes at him, not saying anything in response because, deep down, I feared he might be right. Getting out of this mess seemed impossible. These wealthy people would gladly throw me in prison for something I barely had a hand in. I had merely orchestrated the scheme, and never laid a finger on anyone.

Bird and I had just left the local supermarket, empty-handed because neither of us had brought money. We depended on each other to cover the expenses, which kind of worked well for us, given that it was just a short trip back home and back here.

"Oh shit, is that Monster?" My eyes immediately snapped in the direction Bird was pointing, and I froze in my tracks. A chill ran down my spine as I recognized him - the drug lord I owed a substantial sum of money to. Monster, they called him. He was walking with an air of authority, flanked by his two imposing bodyguards. Just the sight of him sent shivers through me. Monster was a notorious player in the drug industry, a kingpin in every sense. At one point in my misguided youth, I had worked under him, and somehow, I had accumulated a staggering fifteen thousand dollars in debt.

I had lied when I claimed I hadn't done anything illegal. The truth was, I had dabbled in a few drug runs here and there. But, I convinced myself it wasn't that bad, especially considering I had only worked for him when I was fresh out of school. Back then, it felt like I had no other option but to turn to drugs. Desperation had driven me into a world I never thought I'd be a part of.

As I walked alongside Bird, memories of those days tugged at the corners of my mind. I recalled the tension in the air, the constant paranoia, and the fear that at any moment, everything could come crashing down. But it had been easy to convince myself that I was just a small player, doing what I had to in order to survive.

My heart began to race, and my palms grew sweaty. I quickened my pace, trying to put as much distance between myself and Monster as possible. The memories of the debt I owed him came rushing back, and I couldn't help but wonder if he still remembered me, the small-time runner who had crossed paths with him years ago.

Bird must have noticed the change in my demeanor because he glanced at me with concern in his eyes. I shot him a quick, uneasy smile, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in deep trouble. Monster's presence was a stark reminder that the past could catch up to me at any moment, and there might be no escaping it this time.

Bird didn't have any outstanding debts. He'd managed to clean up his act and garnered some respect among the people in the business. It was strange, though. You'd think that since we were best friends, some of that respect would extend to me as well, but it never quite worked out that way. It seemed like everyone found fault with me, often accusing me of talking too much. Of course, I didn't agree; I was just a fun-loving and witty guy who couldn't help but engage in conversation.

That constant chatter and banter were part of my charm, or so I believed. But in the drug trade, where silence and discretion were often prized, my penchant for conversation had earned me a reputation as the guy who couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was frustrating and demoralizing, and it was one of the reasons I decided to leave the world of drug-carrying behind. I had grown tired of being the odd one out, the one who got little respect from anyone.

I'll admit it without hesitation – I was absolutely terrified of that guy. Well, not him per se, but what he was capable of. He had the kind of power that could make a person disappear without a trace. The mere thought of what he could do sent chills down my spine. He was the type who could turn murder into an art form, making it look like a suicide or an accident, and he could do it without ever raising suspicion.

I could only imagine the horrors he'd unleash on someone like me who owed him fifteen thousand dollars. The thought of what he might do sent shivers through my entire being. It felt like he was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to pounce and exact his revenge. I was certain he'd butcher me, and the anticipation of that gruesome fate gnawed at my every thought.

I did my best to avoid him and suppress the looming fear that threatened to consume me. On some days, I successfully pushed the debt and its consequences to the back of my mind, pretending it didn't exist. But then, there were those other days when something as simple as a passing sight or a fleeting memory would send my heart racing, making it impossible to escape the dread that washed over me. The fear always lurked beneath the surface, ready to pounce when I least expected it.

We walked back to the supermarket and hung around there for a while. Bird met up with a friend of his and I remained at the back of the building smoking. Just as I was about to light up another one, my phone rang. I fished it out quickly and slid my finger across the screen to answer it.

"Who's this?" I asked.

"I need a carton of milk. We're all out," came Lukas's voice. Of course, it was Lukas.

"Hey, I agreed to attend to your needs, not your entire family," I retorted, rolling my eyes.

"Can you just get me a carton of milk?"

"I have no money," I replied.

"Well then, come here and get money," he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He was clearly trying to get under my skin.

"Where's your good-looking brother? Can't he just—"

"And I need some painkillers. I'm in pain and I have none."

"How could you have none? You got back from the hospital about a week ago! Are you trying to—" Once again, he cut me off.

"Just get here before I die," he said. "And it would be your fault." He hung up. "God, I wish you'd just fricking die," I muttered, shoving the phone back into my pocket, annoyed.

I left Bird with his friends and began walking around the building to the front. I didn't even know how to get to Lukas's place from here, and I sighed softly, realizing that I had truly messed up. Before I had gone too far, I called Lukas back.

"Where is Kol?" I asked.

"Does it matter?" he groaned.

"I'm not doing this. I'm going home," I stated firmly.

"Do that and I send the cops to your place to arrest you for attempted murder." Why is he so vicious?

"Can you at least get someone down here to give me a ride? I don't have a car, and I can't afford a cab. So unless you want to die in pain..." I trailed off, raising an eyebrow. It made more sense for him to ask one of his brothers.

"Whatever," he grumbled, hanging up on me. I groaned loudly, tempted to throw my phone to the ground, but I held back, knowing I couldn't afford to replace it. I squatted down on the curb, staring at the empty street. The supermarket was the largest in town, but this street always seemed deserted. My gaze wandered to the flower shop. Why did I keep looking in that direction?

Despite my efforts to focus elsewhere, I found myself staring at the building for nearly fifteen minutes. It wasn't even particularly attractive or spacious. It seemed old and small, capable of holding no more than five people at a time. A car pulled up in front of me, and Kolton stuck his head out of the window.

I was shocked. He had actually sent his brother to pick me up. I smiled as I got up and walked over to the passenger side of the car. Kolton, however, shot me a glare even though I was all smiles. "What's up, babe?"

"I'm not your babe," he snapped, starting the car. I shrugged it off and turned to look out the window as Kolton drove. He passed me a roll of cash when we parked in the supermarket's lot.

"If you take too long, I'm leaving," he warned.

"What if there are lines?" I teased.

"Get out," he retorted. I laughed softly and complied.

Luckily, the supermarket had a pharmacy, so I didn't have to go to multiple places. It was a one-stop shop. I checked the money in my hand and scoffed at the small amount. How could rich people be so stingy? How was I supposed to buy a carton of milk and a bottle of pills with this?

After a brief internal debate about which brand of milk to purchase, I settled for the cheapest option. I then walked into the pharmacy and bought a bottle of aspirin, not really caring whether Lukas wanted them or not. After checking out, I left the supermarket with a small bag swinging in my hand. When I returned to the car, I tossed the items at Kolton but kept the change. He flung it back at me and started driving again.

"You know, you could be just a tad bit nicer," I remarked while placing the small bag on the back seat. Kolton glanced at me but said nothing.

"To you? No," he replied, shaking his head with a sarcastic laugh.

"Why not?" I knew the answer to this rhetorical question but decided to ask anyway.

"Because you tried to get me," he retorted.

I laughed. "And I'm the cold one. You don't even care that your brother could be dying; you're only angry at me because I intended to get you."

Kolton glanced at me again, and I raised an eyebrow. There was no denying it now. He had already made it clear what he cared about. What a hypocrite. He chastised me for my actions, but he barely seemed to care about Lukas, his own twin brother.

It was no wonder Lukas wanted me there; he had no one else. Kolton probably only tolerated him now because he was injured, and his sister was too absorbed in his work. I could understand the concept of the "punishment", but I still hated it.

I sighed softly and shifted my gaze, looking out of the window. Kolton remained silent as he drove, and I didn't have much more to say either. I stole a few glances at him, but every time he noticed, he told me not to, so I eventually stopped.

We parked in their driveway, and I got out with the small bag in my hand. Kolton left me the moment we entered the driveway, and I had to find my own way around. The only room I knew well was Lukas's, so I made my way there. I wasn't interested in anyone else in this house, although I secretly wished for Kolton's attention.

"You know you could say please sometimes," I quipped as I entered the bedroom, which still looked immaculate, much like I had left it.

I tossed the bag at Lukas, only realizing my mistake after the fact. I had thrown a bag containing a carton of milk onto his injured chest, and he winced in pain. At least he had the aspirins, I thought, hoping they would ease his discomfort. He had a game controller beside him on the bed, and I noticed the television playing an animated game.

Lukas didn't respond to my comment, instead grabbing the bottle of aspirin and tossing a couple into his hand. He downed them with a large gulp of chilled milk. "So many?" I asked, concerned.

"Yes," he replied tersely. I nodded in understanding. He must have been in a lot of pain. Those two guys did something to him, though I didn't understand why. Why had they been so angry and violent? I had only wanted to teach Kolton a lesson, not cause him harm. Those other two dudes had taken it too far.

"Why not just send your brother to get your pills?" I inquired, my annoyance growing.

"Because I have you," Lukas replied, his gaze locked onto me. He had a way of making me feel obligated.

"How long do you intend for this to go on? I have a life to live, and it doesn't involve fetching cartons of milk for you when you run out," I argued. He took one sip and put it on the small table beside him. Lukas stared at me as though I was just blabbering a bunch of nonsense. What's even the point of talking to this guy? He doesn't talk back, and when he does it's to insult me.

 "Can I go? I don't find this very productive--me staring at you and you staring back at me. I could be staring at someone who's actually good-looking, your brother." 

"He looks exactly like me."

"No, he's obviously the better-looking twin. Besides he has a shaved head which is so much more attractive than that fuckboy hairstyle you slop on your head." Kolton possessed a magnetic presence that couldn't be ignored. His brown eyes had a penetrating intensity that hinted at a well of emotions beneath the surface. His jawline was a sculpted masterpiece, giving his face an air of authority and determination. His hair, meticulously cropped into a buzzcut, showcased the symmetry of his features. Kolton's appearance exuded a rugged handsomeness, a no-nonsense charm that was impossible to ignore. While Lukas shared the same mesmerizing brown eyes and a similarly well-defined jawline, there was a subtle vulnerability in his gaze that set him apart.

Yes, Lukas had his own unique appeal, but it was Kolton's rugged handsomeness and intense gaze that really did it for me, and I couldn't help that.

"Get the fuck out," Lukas ordered, and I chuckled, blowing him a playful kiss before exiting the room.