Kai
I’m leaning against the brick wall with my arms crossed, across from the bathroom. My jaw is clenched so tight it might crack.
I told myself I’d give Mikey five minutes. It’s just enough time to calm her down and avoid me barging in and making things worse.
That was three minutes ago…
I don’t hear any words at first, but I do hear a broken sob. My spine goes stiff… Something’s wrong.
I push off the wall and move closer to the door. The music from the bar fades behind me as I hear Mikey’s low, soothing voice.
“... Princess, look at me.”
My stomach twists because he only uses that voice when he’s in deep.
“You’re safe… With me, you’re always safe.” His voice is protective and final.
Then I hear Julia’s voice. It’s barely there, but I can pick it out.
“You can’t say that. You don't know where I come from.”
I freeze. Not “I have a shitty ex” or “I’m scared of commitment.”
No. This shit is deeper than that.
His voice continues, “That’s the thing, Princess. I don’t care. I don’t care if your dad is the pope or a cartel leader, you’re not going to scare me away.”
Cartel. The fucking Cartel?
My hands curl into fists at my side.
I fucking knew it. I knew something about her didn’t add up. What the fuck are we going to do? Get involved with a girl from the Cartel? That’s a suicide mission at its fucking finest.
Julia’s voice cracks again, and I turn my attention back to the conversation in the bathroom. “Everyone I get close to gets hurt.”
I take a slow breath through my nose. My rage fills my bones. This isn’t just some girl my brother hooked up with… she’s trouble and fucking dangerous.
She’s trauma wrapped up in soft skin and golden brown eyes. Causing a fucking vortex of whatever the fuck this connection is.
And Mikey… he’s already drowning.
Then I hear the sound that seals my fate in this fucking mess.
“I don’t want to lose you either.” Her voice is small and broken.
Well fuck…
My vision starts to tunnel. I can hear the truth in her words. Hear the way she clings to him, and can hear the way she feels safe with him… something she probably hasn't had in a long damn time.
And what could be worse?
I hear myself wanting it too…
The jealousy hits me like a puck to the ribs. I hear fabric shift, and her breath hitch, and my chest fucking burns.
I shouldn’t be listening, shouldn’t want what he has, and sure as hell shouldn't feel the pull towards a girl who might get us both killed.
But yet here I stand… like gravity pulling me towards the door, and the bathroom goes quiet. The only sound I can hear is their breathing, and I finally take a step back. I need to walk away before I do something stupid, like rip the door off its fucking hinges.
