chapter six

Kimmy walked out of of the building with heavy steps, her heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might burst through her chest. The coldness in his voice still echoed in her ears.

Stay here and live… or leave and deal with the consequences yourself.

That was what he had told her. He showed no sympathy or even try to persuade her,just cold options which she had refused.

Now as she walked out of the cold and empty building,she began to reconsider her choices. Had she made the wrong decision?.

Her hands trembled slightly as she hugged herself. Everything had happened too fast. Just two days ago, she was worrying about hospital bills and her mother’s treatment. Now she was somehow tangled in the dangerous world of Gabriel West,the most feared mafia boss in the city.It all felt so unreal.

She stepped outside the building and inhaled deeply, the air hitting her face. Everywhere was quiet now,there was no one around as Gabriel left with his men.Kimmy looked around helplessly,she had no idea where she was or how she was supposed to get back home.And worst of all… she had no idea what would happen next.

She rubbed her forehead, trying to stop the rising panic in her chest then she heard a voice that startled her.

“Leaving already?”

Kimmy turned quickly, only to freeze when she saw him. There was someone resting on a car outside the building. She was surprised because she thought they had all left.

“You…who are you?” she asked.

Roy leaned casually against one of the black cars, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, looking far too relaxed for someone who belonged in a place like this.

" I'm Roy, Roy West. Gabriel's younger brother...I guess you haven't heard of me or know who I am." He said casually.

Kimmy was surprised when she heard him,no one knew the mafia boss had a younger brother.Unlike Gabriel, Roy looked warm and human. He looked younger too barely eighteen, with softer features, calm eyes, and an easygoing expression that made him far less intimidating than his older brother.

" I never knew he had a brother...I..I was". Kimmy stuttered a little.

He gave her a small smile and said " calm down, I'm not like my brother...you can feel free with me. Somehow that made Kimmy ease up a bit.

“I thought all of you left with Gabriel.” Kimmy said to him.

“He did leave,” Roy said, pushing himself off the car. “ I just decided to stay behind.”

Kimmy frowned. “Why?”

Roy shrugged lightly. “because I knew you’d walk out looking like someone whose entire life just got flipped upside down." Despite herself, Kimmy gave a small, tired laugh.That wasn’t entirely wrong.

Roy stepped closer, his expression softening. “Look, Kimmy… I know my brother isn’t exactly the best person when it comes to talking to people.”

Kimmy crossed her arms. “That’s a very polite way of putting it.”

Roy chuckled and said, “Trust me, I was being generous.”That earned him another small smile from her. For a moment, the tension eased. Kimmy was now comfortable speaking with him.

Then Roy sighed and looked at her seriously and said,“But he wasn’t lying.”

Kimmy’s smile faded instantly. Roy continued, his voice calm and steady.

“You helped Gabriel. Whether you meant to or not, you got involved. And people out there know that now. They won’t care if you’re innocent. They won’t care if you only helped an injured man. In their eyes, you chose a side.”

Kimmy looked away, swallowing hard. She hated how true that sounded.

“I have my mother,” she said quietly. “She’s sick and She needs me. I can’t just disappear and stay in some mafia hideout while she’s alone in the hospital.”

Roy nodded and said, “I understand that. I really do.That’s why I’m trying to explain this to you calmly. My brother sounds harsh because that’s who he is, but underneath all that ice, he was trying to protect you.”

Kimmy almost laughed at that. “Protect me? He practically threatened me.”

Roy smiled faintly,“ that's the same thing .”

“You’re joking.” Kimmy said as she stared at him

“I wish I was.”

Kimmy shook her head. “Your brother is insane.”

Roy grinned as he said, “On that, we absolutely agree.”

Kimmy sighed and leaned against the car feeling exhausted. Everything felt so overwhelming for her. Her mother,the hospital bills, and now Gabriel who brought danger and fear to her life,it was too much for her.

Roy watched her quietly before speaking again. “You don’t have to trust Gabriel right now. Honestly, most people don’t. But trust me when I say this,you are not safe out there alone.”

Kimmy was silent because deep down, she knew he was right. She had already been attacked once, What if it happened again and no one comes to rescue her?, What if they targeted her mother? The thought made her stomach twist painfully.

Roy reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card that had his number on it and handed it to her.

Kimmy stared at it and asked, “What’s this?”

“My number,” he said simply. “In case of an emergency. Or if you decide my brother is impossible and need a sane person to talk to.”

She looked at him for a long moment,he didn’t seem threatening or dangerous,he felt kind,which was a complete opposite of his brother.Slowly, she took the card and said,

“Thank you.”

Roy gave her a warm smile. “Don’t thank me yet. I still have to survive living with Gabriel.” He opened the passenger door of the car and looked at her,. “Come on. I’ll drop you back in the city.”

Kimmy hesitated cause she didn't want to owe this people anything but she also had no idea where she was, and walking back was impossible.Reluctantly, she nodded and moved to get in. As she got into the car, she glanced once more at the dark building behind her.

Something told her this wasn’t the end, It was only the beginning.

And somehow, whether she liked it or not…

Gabriel West was about to change her life forever.