Chapter Three

Kyle.

I watched from the top of the tallest building, feeling like a creep. I wouldn’t leave until I was sure the person I was watching was safe. For a moment, I considered revealing myself but quickly dismissed the idea.

I continued to gaze at the woman who had completely captivated my senses, consuming every single thought I had. No matter how many times I lectured myself, I couldn't stay away. It was as if the words I told myself entered one ear and slipped out the other the moment I laid eyes on her.

When she looked up at the building, it felt like she was staring right through me. I held my breath, waiting for her to say something or even wave, though I was 100 percent certain she wouldn’t be able to see me. But a man can wish. I exhaled when she turned around, her shoulders slumped, and then she went inside the building.

That was so close.

I pocketed my monocular and waited. I had been there long enough to know how her night would unfold: she would go straight to her room, take a bath, and then collapse onto her bed to sleep it off. On nights when she wasn’t too tired, she would binge-watch movies or read before finally going to bed. I had memorized her routine so well that I wasn’t surprised by how well I knew it.

I let out a breath as I stared at the cloudless sky. I should leave. The best thing to do right now was to act like I had never been there; yes, that seemed like a good idea.

I had to leave.

**

I stood on the balcony, staring into space but feeling very alert. The only thought in my mind was: what the hell am I doing here? I had told myself repeatedly to stay away and not get too close, but I found it impossible to control myself.

It felt like I was being pulled in the same direction again and again, like a magnet, and there was nothing I could do about it. I exhaled, glanced at the sky for a few seconds, then looked behind me. The room light was dim, but I could see the woman sleeping on the bed. My body tingled with the urge to go inside and lay beside her, but that would be inappropriate—especially after what had happened the last time we met.

I let out a loud sigh and reached for a box of cigarettes but stopped myself at the last moment. That was another reason I hated this situation. I took another deep breath and looked away from the room. The sun was almost rising, which meant I needed to leave before anyone woke up and noticed me.

I glanced at the room one last time before deciding to go. I had two choices: either leave or enter that room and announce my presence. I chose the former, knowing it was the right decision at that moment. I stepped away from the balcony and left the building without looking back or drawing attention to myself.

The ride home was quick and smooth. I tossed my motorcycle key onto the table and walked to my room.

I passed by the one room I hadn’t been able to step into since moving back here and paused, glancing at it for a second before continuing to my room. My eyes hurt, and I knew what I needed right now was a bath followed by a good sleep. I quickly stripped off my clothes and walked into the bathroom, turning on the shower. I let out a curse when the cold water touched my skin.

“Shit!” I muttered, quickly turning it off. After checking the temperature, I stood under the shower and let the warm water pour down on me. My muscles relaxed immediately as the water hit my skin, and I knew I needed more than just that.

My bath was quick, and I stepped out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my waist. The hair on my arms stood up as I noticed that there was someone else in the house. I quietly walked over to the bedside table, grabbed my gun, and moved toward the walk-in closet.

I had no intention of hesitating to shoot the intruder who thought it was a good idea to come into my house at this hour.

I crept quietly to the door and positioned myself next to it, my gun aimed toward the entrance, waiting for the intruder to emerge so I could take action. It didn’t take long before the door opened, and I tensed, ready to strike, but then I saw who it was.

“What the hell!” I exclaimed, staring in shock.

“What are you doing here, Hannah?” I asked as I slowly lowered the gun, but she was quick to notice it.

“Were you really going to shoot me?” she asked, scowling at me.

“I was,” I replied, adding, “I thought you were an intruder. You’re lucky I hesitated for a second.” If I hadn't, her brains would have been splattered on the ground right now. I didn’t want to think about that.

“You're so quick to kill, Kyle,” she said with a snort.

“One needs to be, especially when you have enemies creeping in.” I walked over to the bed and dropped the gun. “What are you doing here?” I asked again.

She was silent for a moment, forcing me to look at her. Her eyes were on my body, not my face, and only then did I realize I hadn’t put on any clothes.

“Hannah,” I called sharply, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Hmmm?”

“What are you doing here?” I repeated.

She blinked and looked away, but I noticed a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. “I came to see you,” she replied with a shrug and then dropped something into my hands.

I looked down and realized it was my pants. Without saying anything, I put them on.

“Why?” I asked.

“What do you mean by ‘why’? I came to see you, that’s all,” she said nonchalantly.

“My question is completely valid,” I insisted. “You don’t visit me quietly. I’ve told you countless times that it’s dangerous; you only come when you have something important to tell me—something you can’t say or send over the phone.”

Hannah Briggs had been someone I met years ago when I first arrived in this city. She was a well-off woman who had money but lacked direction. I helped her get back at anyone who had hurt or bullied her, and in exchange, she provided me with any information I needed.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. Her life was straightforward and easygoing, while mine was fraught with danger. She shouldn’t come here without prior notice, and she knew that.

“And what if I told you I have information you need?” she said, causing me to pause.

That would make sense.

“Where is it?” I asked eagerly.

It had been too long since I had received good news, and I didn’t realize how badly I needed to hear something positive until she mentioned it. The only time I ever had some good news or did something good was when I helped the Rossis take care of their problems.

“I don’t have it with me right now,” she replied, causing my heart to sink.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked and she smiled.

“The thing is that, what I found out isn’t something that can be given out so easily.” She paused but I already knew what was coming next.

“What do you want?” I asked and her smile widened.

“I knew I liked you.”