“Boys.” The one that was fighting with Kalilah now has her in his arms.
She swears and keeps on trying to fight him off.
I like her.
Strong will, that one.
“Let him go,” he says, gripping her to him.
“I just finished a job, dropped her into the lake, then my brothers go home. And I end up here, with you fools trying to what? Rape and murder her?” I ask them.
“Fuck off and leave. We just want the girl,” the one in my arms says. The other one, who was on the floor, manages to stand. He locks eyes with me, and I tsk at him.
“Move any closer, and I’ll cut his throat, then I will cut your balls off for good measure for not listening,” I tell him.
“They will kill you…and her.”
“I don’t think I introduced myself to you all,” I state, looking around the room. The guy holding Kalilah pauses but doesn’t let her go as she kicks at him and looks to me.
“We couldn’t care less who you are,” the one I’m holding says.
“You should,” I say, leaning into his ear. “I’m Kyson.” I smile, and he sees me from the corner of his eye. “Kyson Hunter.”
I see when it registers with him. His mouth drops and his hands go straight into the air. Before he can speak another word, I kiss the top of his head, then smile before I slice his throat and step back so as not to get myself dirty.
“We’re sorry.” The one who was kicked in the balls wastes no time running, but I catch him before he can even get to the door. I slide the knife straight into his abdomen, and he drops to the floor. He goes to scream, but I pull the knife out and stab him right in his mouth.
I hear what appears to be vomiting, and when I turn around, I see Kalilah spewing all over the guy holding her with her eyes wide. He doesn’t seem to care that his buddies are dead. He is more concerned with me walking toward him.
“Please, please,” he begs. Pushing Kalilah toward me, I catch her and set her to the side. Just as he goes to pass me, I hold out my hand, and the knife pierces his cock. He screams and drops to the floor.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I tell her as I feel Kalilah start to move, and she pauses. “I can find you anywhere in the world, and you wouldn’t like it if I had to hunt you down. Now close it,” I say, referring to the door she’s holding onto right now.
The guy on the floor is crying, and I reach for his neck and twist it. It pops loudly, and he drops to the floor.
I wipe my hands on my pants and turn back to her. “Now, where were we?”
Six
Kalilah
Crazy, insane. That’s what he is.
It’s like he goes through moments of madness. Watching him kill someone was truly horrifying and a work of art at the same time.
I’ve seen death before.
But to this extent? Never.
I shut the door because I believe his words. He would hunt me, and no matter how good I am at hiding, I have a feeling he will be able to find me.
Kyson pulls his cell from his pocket and presses a few buttons before he slides it back in. He steps over the dead body, coming toward me. “You still stink. Go shower. We can talk after.” He glances down at the dress I dropped on the floor, and I reach down and pick it up.
Clutching it for dear life, I scurry off. “Leave the bathroom door open. Don’t want you getting any ideas now, do we?” His voice is laced with annoyance.
I do as he says because I now know he has the ability to kill three men in just a few minutes. He could easily kill me without even breaking a sweat.
Stepping under the water, I pull the old, moldy curtain shut and turn the hot water on. It’s a dismal trickle at best, but at least it works. Grabbing the only soap I have, which is a small bottle of shampoo, I wash myself and run it through my hair. I have no conditioner, which sucks, but it leaves my hair better than what it was—smelly and full of grime. Running my hands over my face makes it sting, but that’s okay. I’m alive, and I’m not sure if I could say that if Kyson hadn’t been here.
Reaching for the towel, I wrap it around myself as I get out. I then grab the dress I brought in and pull it over my head, carefully dropping the towel to the floor. My body is sore and in need of a worriless sleep. But I doubt I will get one of those for a long time.
My life is too crazy right now.
And here I thought running from my issues was a smart idea.
Maybe I was wrong.
“Come out, little bird,” he calls from the room. When I do step out, I see two other men in the room, and not once do they look my way as they walk around. I notice then that two of the bodies are gone, and only one remains. “Clean-up crew,” he answers my unasked question. “Now, pack your shit. You’re coming with me.” He nods to the door.
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I argue, crossing my arms over my chest.
Kyson steps closer to me, then even closer.
It’s menacing.
It’s madness.
“I’m not sure where I gave you an option there.”
“You don’t get that luxury,” I tell him. “You don’t own me.”
“Ha! You either come with me or I put you down and let my men carry you out in one of those bags. Your choice.” He smirks, knowing full well he has the advantage right now. And to be honest, do I really want to stay here?
I’m not sure.
Glancing at one of the men who’s basically dressed in a hazard suit, I watch as he slides the body into a bag.
“Where will we go? You just paid for this room,” I remind him. He brushes it off like it’s nothing.
“You have two choices. Choose carefully because my patience is running thin right now.” He cracks his neck from side to side before he continues. “One, you wait here, and my men take you.” I look to the men who haven’t even paid us a lick of attention. “Two, you come with me and stay at my place until I decide what to do with you. But under no circumstances are you to run. I want you to fully understand something…” He steps up closer and lifts a finger in front of my face. “No matter where you run, I will find you. I’ll hunt you. No one can hide you from me.” His words rock through me and I know he’s telling the truth. Not only is he scary, I just saw what he can do.
He is dangerous. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind about that whatsoever.
“I’m a shit house guest,” I inform him.
He grabs my bag, which has seen better days and starts toward the door.
“It’s best you follow. If you don’t, my men will take you.”
I look around to see the men watching me.
Better the devil you know. For some reason, that’s what pops into my head when it comes to him.
I follow him out to his car. It’s nice. Black and fancy. He doesn’t open my door, just gets straight into the driver’s seat and throws my bag in the back like it’s nothing. I glance around—it’s dark and quiet. People are passed out on the streets, either from drugs or alcohol. It’s an awful area, but it’s all I could afford.
“Get in,” he growls.
I do as he says and climb in. He takes off before I can even buckle myself in. This man has no care in the world for anyone. Not once does he say anything or look my way. It’s as if I don’t exist, yet I’m being forced to go to his house. He slows down as he reaches a set of closed gates. Pressing a button, they open to let him in.