“Can you stop drowning yourself in sugar because you are missing your man.” Verena snapped, taking the cake from Kaida.

“Give it back, Verena,"Kaida scowled.

She wondered if she had made the right decision to live with Verena for a while. Verena was the old connection that had helped her find Ace’s cottage. She was skillful and cunning, the best one when it came to tracking down people and erasing others without a trace. New IDs, passports, you name it. That girl was the best but right now, not so much.

“No, get a grip girl! You are a motherfucking assassin, not some depressed housewife,"Verena scoffed, glaring at her in a motherly way.

Kaida flipped her off. “I'm perfectly fine, just give me back my cake”

“Fine my ass, it's been weeks since you have been doing nothing but eating cakes, ice creams, crying, destroying my gym room and punching bags. And we go on repeat” Verena said, placing the cake on the kitchen counter.

“Get up, dress yourself up and go back to your man” Verena said sternly.

Kaida looked up into her stern black eyes and sighed “Told you, he asked me to leave. He clearly doesn't want me anymore”

It was true that Ace had clearly asked her to leave that night and she had but she wondered if he was still thinking about her, if he had moved on to someone else. The thought of Ace with another woman filling her with a burning jealousy.

“Nah, cut the crap. We both know he probably said that in his own foolish reckless anger. “Verena said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Love always comes with a chance of rejection. But if you don't take that risk, you'll never know the joy and happiness that comes with love returned. You can't let fear rule your heart, Kaida. You deserve to be happy” Verena insisted, always the wise friend even if they were the same age.

With her short black hair just below her neck and her muscular frame along with her tattoos, she looked bossy as fuck but Kaida was stubborn. “It doesn't matter.” She said even though deep down she hoped Ace still loved her.

“God have mercy, I swear, I'll drug you and take you to his penthouse if needed” Verena deadpanned, making Kaida stand up with a scoff.

“You wouldn't dare,” Kaida said, though she wasn't so sure. Verena was well respected for a reason. She never gave empty threats.

“I'm dead serious baby girl. Tomorrow, Alex Oakley aka Ace’s uncle, is having a party at Ace’s casino. You are going to go there wearing a sexy dress and get back your man” Verena said leaving no room for discussion.

Kaida paused, her heart racing at the thought of seeing Ace after so long. “You really think it's a good idea?”

“Fuck yes, I'm fed up of watching my badass friend so fucked up and depressed” Verena said pointedly yet her eyes held a hint of affection and teasing.

Kaida rolled her eyes. “Just say you are eager to get rid of me”

“Yeah right, you are a bitch when you want to” Verena shook her head.

Kaida grinned. “Same goes to you, almighty Queen” She said sassily.

Verena rolled her eyes. “Oh, Fuck you”

“Not my type sorry” Kaida said running upstairs just as Verena threw a pillow at her swearing in Italian.

As she entered her room, her thoughts drifted back to Ace. Verena was right. Even if Kaida was scared he might not want her anymore. She had to at least see him and truly try to get him back. If he didn't want her still, then she would finally do what was needed. Let him go.

She was Kaida. The Red Dragon. The Ruthless Assassin. And she wasn't one to give up when she wanted something.