I was so fucking stupid. I was running from him, and by the sound of silence surrounding me, I knew he wasn’t following me. Maybe he didn’t care, maybe none of it mattered, but I knew if I couldn’t save him from his own mind, no one could. I had dealt with so much in the last week. I had learned my mom had an affair, and James, Jared’s father was my own, and who I thought was my father had secretly been working with the FBI. He had been using me as a pawn in his own personal game.

“Why the fuck do I even care?” I growled to myself, falling to my knees in the park. I had run for what seemed like forever, but really hadn’t been more than ten minutes.

As I sunk further into the ground, I wonder why I was even trying. Why, right this second, I didn’t call Jared and tell him to take me as far away as he could and hide me. He had asked, one time late at night. He had said he would do anything he could to contain the sliver of happiness he had.

“You know someone like you, out in a park like this—not really all that safe.” A deep voice rumbled behind me. I turned around, staring into a pair of deep green, vibrant eyes. I knew those eyes, the voice, and it did nothing to stop the sickness in my stomach from bubbling over.

“Who cares what is safe anymore.” I was stupid—so fucking stupid. I knew it, and Devon knew it, too. Maybe that’s why he was here. Maybe Zerro had called him to fetch me.

“Obviously, not you. There’s a basket case fucking man searching the hills for you and you’re running in the park alone.” His hair was a little too long for my liking, and his eyes—those eyes peered deep into my soul. It was as if you couldn’t lie to him to save your very own life.

“After all I went through, I almost want to fucking give up and turn myself in. Have you ever just been tired of running?” I asked not really sure why I was asking. I didn’t even know why he was still standing here talking to me. He wasn’t my keeper.

Squatting down on his heels, he looked me straight in the eyes. “I live a double life, Bree. I’m pretty sure I have thought about running more than you ever have in your entire life.”

“Then why don’t you?” I asked naïve to the understanding. People always had a choice, right?

He smiled, and it wasn’t a genuine kind, but more of a comforting one. “There is no point in running. If I ran, I would be running forever, and what fun would that be? I wouldn’t get much sleep at night having to look over my shoulder at every corner.”

The wind picked up, pushing my hair into my face. I had no reason not to believe what he was saying. It made sense. Running was the same as sitting and waiting. Both caused a knot of anxiety to form in your belly. I guess all I really wanted was freedom.

“Did he send you to fetch me?” I growled, changing the subject. I would be fifty shades of fucking angry if he did. I wasn’t a dog.

“No. He doesn’t even know I’m with you right now.” His voice was calm, but something about the fact Zerro didn’t know sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t tell if Devon was the good guy or the bad?

“Why not?”

“He didn’t need to know. After all, he is the one who let you go,” Devon said stating the obvious. Had he been watching us?

“Who are you, and what is your plan in all of this?” My voice turned high pitched, terror was filling my mind. Running wasn’t a good idea, after all.

“My plan hasn’t changed. I’m not here to kill you or hurt you so calm down. I can practically hear your heartbeat through your jacket.” A sliver of amusement showed on his face calming my nerves slowly.

Coming to a stand, I dusted off the leaves and headed for a nearby bench. I wasn’t ready to go back to Zerro yet—if he was even waiting for me.

“Zerro told me you had a plan. You guys were devising some shit behind everyone’s backs.” The way I said it made it seems as if he was deceiving all of us.

“Wow, the asshole really can keep a secret…” Devon laughed loud and proud. The creases on his face told me he didn’t often smile, which was a shame.

“Hardly, we got it out of him anyway,” I remarked. A moment of silence passed between us as the wind rustled the leaves in the trees.

“Figures….”

“Why are you here then?”

Shrugging his shoulders, he pulled a knife out of his pocket. I gasped, and my first reaction was to run.

“Shhh,” he said, placing his hand on my knee in a reassuring gesture. “I just watched Mack kill someone. He killed someone for no fucking reason, simply because he could. Do you know how disgusting that is to me?” His words sneered together. His hold on the blade became intense.

“I can imagine it would be extremely unpleasant and completely disgusting.” My tone was all matter of fact, as my heart rattled in my chest. This man was going to give me a fucking heart attack.

“You know, I never wanted to hurt you. I never would’ve. They made us put you in the hole. John made us fucking do it to you. A man I personally worked with, Bree. I worked with John for a couple years, Bree. He was after answers, and all he had to do was discover my secret…”

“What secret?” I asked curiously. I wanted to know what had happened.

“I worked for Alzerro the whole time. I was one of his men before I became part of the FBI. I promised him I would let him know shit from the inside and eventually, we parted ways. I did my own thing and he did his.”

“He mentioned something about you working for him. That explains why you let me go. Didn’t want your ass kicked, huh?” I joked.

“No, I really just wanted to let you go. I hoped you would run instead of seeking answers. It kind of sucks to find out shit you wish you hadn’t.”

“You talk as if you have experience with this kind of thing.” As we talked more, I felt myself melting into the bench. It had been months since I talked to someone on the outside.

“You have no clue. I needed money so I volunteered to do a job for Mack. Little did I know it was way more than a fucking job…” His body shifted as he stared up at the sky. For an FBI agent, he seemed like he was at his wits ends.

“Welcome to my world. I’ve been in hiding for months now. Pushed and shoved around. Secrets have been thrown my way, and somehow, I’m still breathing…” The air shuffled past us, and I took in a big gulp.

“You know I should be really fucking mad at you.” I laughed nudging him in the side. His eyes came down to meet my own, and my breath caught for a mere second. Was I attracted to him, or was it the fact I was still extremely pissed at Alzerro.

“Hey, now, I had to do what I had to do. Blowing my cover would’ve meant a bullet in both of our heads.” He was right—blowing his cover would’ve been the end of all of this. I probably wouldn’t have ever found out the truth.

“Point made. But if you ever throw a bucket of water on me again, I’m stabbing you in the chest.” I wasn’t joking.

“Are you waiting for him to come and get you, or do you want to come with me?” Devon asked as he changed the subject. He slipped a smile somehow into his words. I wasn’t sure if I should leave the park with him. What if he took me to Mack before it was time? Then again, going back to Jared’s and sitting in the same room was no fun either. I didn’t want to listen to Zerro tell me all the things he couldn’t do.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I looked at him in a defensive manner. “I’m not waiting for him to come get me. I will go with you, but I want to make sure you aren’t taking me to Mack yet.”

Zerro would call me stupid, insane, illogical. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but he needed to be worried. He needed to freak out, to realize anything could happen.

Smirking at me, he laughed. His whole body shook, and my eyes wandered all over the place.

“I promise not to feed you to the devil just yet. I’ll take you out for some drinking and have you back at home before midnight. Since I know you’ll turn into a pumpkin and all.” He had to be playing, right?

“Okay, let’s go,” I urged before Zerro came and actually found me. The last thing I wanted to do was deal with him right now.

Sometimes, people had to make their own path, and after everything had happened between us, I was going to do just that.

“Here,” Devon said tugging on my jacket as we entered the club he wanted to go. It was two towns over and though I was nervous, I was excited, too. I hadn’t been able to do anything my age. The beat of the music rumbled under our feet and vibrated through our bodies making it hard to breathe.

“What?” I all but yelled—not intentionally, of course. Something cold and metal was placed in my hand, and when I looked down, I caught the glint of a knife in the strobe lights. What the hell?

“I can’t tak—”

“You can, and you will. You need it in case something happens to you. I can’t believe Zerro didn’t give you something already.”

Holding the knife in my hands, I gently slipped it into my boot without another glance. The last thing I needed was someone thinking I actually had a weapon.

“You’re right… I don’t understand why he hasn’t given me a weapon yet…” The more it sat on my mind, the more it started to bother me. Did I still love Zerro? Yes. Did I think he would be able to adjust the changes? I didn’t know. I didn’t know what the future held for either of us.

“He’s Alzerro. He doesn’t really answer to anyone,” Devon kind of joked. I say kind of because it actually seemed more like something was bothering him, deep down.

“I’m thirsty… and I want to dance,” I said into his ear as I watched the couples out on the floor gyrating against one another. My eyes were mesmerized by their very movements, some I had never seen before.

“Drink first, and then maybe, if you’re lucky, dancing.” He winked dragging me through the deep crowd. People surrounded us on every angle. My eyes roamed over every single object.

“I need a beer, and…” He trailed off looking at me for an answer. Like I had one. I had said many times before I hardly ever drank. Any time I did, I regretted it. To be here doing this caused a ting of guilt to form in my chest. Was it okay to be moving on from things days after your supposed father’s death?

“And a Malibu and Pineapple.” He finished his sentence as he slammed back the beer the bartender had sat in front of him. I didn’t stare at him as he did, simply because it felt wrong.

“What’s that?” I hadn’t heard of the drink before.

“It’s a girly drink and will be perfect for someone who looks like an ounce of liquor will knock her over.”

Narrowing my eyes, I whispered, “Are you making fun of me?”

“Quite possibly,” he said back in a much flirtier tone. What was his antic? What was he attempting to do by all of this? Hanging around Zerro made me think everything over so much more than I should.

A drink was pushed in front of me so I took it. It looked like pineapple juice, and as I put the straw to my lips and sucked, I waited for the awful burn to come. When it didn’t, and my taste buds were met with a tangy pineapple flavor, I all but sighed. It was delicious, tangy reminding me of the beach.

“Good?” he questioned his own eyes roaming over the dance floor. The club wasn’t overly huge, simply a two story building with a long ass line outside.

“Very,” I mumbled taking the straw between my teeth for another sip, which turned into a gulp. The pounding of the music drowned out all other thoughts, and for a moment, I slipped into another form. Someone I didn’t even know. My body swayed to the fast beat of music, and all I could think of doing was getting up and grabbing someone to dance with.

“What were your real reasons for coming with me?” Devon yelled though I could barely hear him. I loved this environment. The darkness, the smell of sweat, and the smoke in the air. It was exhilarating making me forget about my past until Devon brought it up.

“First, I wanted to get away from Zerro. He’s up my ass all the time and, believe it or not, it surprised me he let me run.” Pausing for a moment, I took another drink completely dismissing the straw.

“Secondly, I needed out. I needed air, and I needed to see things differently.” My head was getting a little fuzzy, but I still wanted to keep going. One drink wouldn’t be enough for all I had been dealing with.

“You know he loves you, right?” Devon asked, but it was more all matter of fact like, the amusement leaving his voice as he took the empty glass from my hands. I wanted to say something like get me another, but I knew it would be rude.

“I know he loves me. Not like I don’t. I just think if he expected me to let things of the past go, then he should, too. His mother was murdered by my father, and he killed him in cold blood. It’s okay for me to have to move on, but it’s not okay for him. He’s been holding the grudge since like forever.”

Another drink was placed in my hands, and I turned to Devon rewarding him with a smile. He was earning huge brownie points from me. Even if he had the chance of not walking tomorrow. Zerro would kill him if he knew where he brought me. I sipped my second drink a little slower and moved to the beat of the new song some more.

“I feel so close to you right now, it’s a force field…” I sang the words totally off key and had it not been for the volume of the music, everyone would’ve been covering their ears.

The alcohol was settling into my veins, and slowly but surely, I found myself wandering out onto the dance floor. People surrounded me in masses as our bodies moved against one another’s. Nothing mattered at this moment more than spreading my wings and being free.

For the first time in months, I wasn’t afraid, I wasn’t ashamed—I was just me. My hair stuck to my skin as my body became encased in a shell of sweat. Then I felt him. I didn’t have to see him to know he was there. My heart tugged to him. My body yearned for him. I continued to move to the beat, wondering how he had found me.

“Piccolo…” His sweet voice sounded like a deep ocean and had me melting like chocolate. Why was I mad at him again?

“Alzerro King…” I slurred my words but only slightly. His hands encompassed my hips as he pushed his own to meet my movements. His whole body was against mine as I moved. Our hearts beat as one as his thrusts became so much more. His length pressed firmly into my ass told me I had some kind of hold on him still.

“Ahhh….” I moaned unable to contain the pleasure claiming me.

“Believe me, I know…” he whispered against my skin as his hands roamed my body moving me to the rhythm he wanted. I was hyperaware of my clenching pussy and my need for him was almost starving.

“I’m sorry, Bree. I’m so fucking sorry I allowed you to run without following. I’m sorry you think me loving you might not be enough.” I could hear the suffering in his voice. Pushing back against him, he gripped me hard. If he were sorry, he would have to prove it.

Rubbing my ass into his groin did me no good when it came to me feeding my own needs.

“Slow down, beautiful,” he growled, taking my earlobe in-between his teeth. Slow down? If anything, I needed to speed up.

Whirling around so I could face him, I rubbed my hand between his legs. He was more than ready for me. He was straining against his pants, and by the look in his eyes, I could tell I was playing with fire.

“If you’re truthfully sorry…. prove it.” I leaned into his face whispering the words in his ear. A fire was ignited within me. As much as I wanted to be mad at Devon for giving away our location, I knew I couldn’t be. He had given me this small sliver of happiness in this world of chaos… With a gift like that, I couldn’t be mad.

“Oh, I will, Piccolo… I fucking will…” His lips found my neck, and in a flash, I was melting into a puddle of mush. My resistance to him was nothing. The bites, kisses, and sucks of my own flesh were all that could be heard. His hands skimmed over my body until they landed on my ass. With one quick movement, he had me wrapping my legs around his waist.

I didn’t care we were in a club or there could be people looking at us. No. All I cared about was Zerro proving to me how sorry he was. In a matter of seconds, we were pushing through what I could assume was a back door. My back slammed against a brick wall as his mouth assaulted mine in a manner saying everything he couldn’t.

Pulling away just slightly, he bit my lip causing me to groan. “If you run from me again, I will spank you until your ass cheeks glow red. Then I’ll fuck you like I hate you… Got it?” He commanded my attention, and my pussy purred in appreciation. Instead of saying yes, I nodded my head, my eyes glowing with a deep need.

“Good, now release from me. I’m fucking you the way I want to.” I smirked a little. I released my legs slowly, sliding down the wall. Once I found my footing, he grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the alleyway.

“Fucking me the way you want to?” I teased him, hoping just for a smidge of the darkness in his eyes.

“The. Way. I. Fucking. Want. To.” He turned growling at me, making sure I heard every single word he had said. My insides tingled with desires far darker than I had ever wanted. In this new world, life could be pulled from you in a second.

A walked next to him casually as if I wasn’t walking to my impending death by fucking. Our footsteps echoed on the pavement, and around the back of the lot, we came to a stop in front of a sleek car. It said ‘I have money,’ and it looked like sex on wheels.

“Where did you get this?” I asked curiously as I ran my hand across the hood. My pussy clenched at the very thought of being taken against the hood of the car.

“Where I got it from doesn’t matter nearly as much as what I’m going to do with you in it,” he exclaimed, a dark one-sided smile crossing his face. I took one step covering the distance between us.

“Fuck me… Please…” I begged, my eyes urging him for more. The idea of doing such a taboo thing in public was exhilarating, and even though I knew we could be caught and found by Mack at any second, I still wanted him. The idea of being found just added more to it.

“Oh, I will,” he growled cupping me between my jeans. My body bowed at his very touch, and as I reached up on my tiptoes, he came down to me with an intensity rivaled by nothing.

Spinning me around, I caught myself on the hood of the car. The black paint sparkled in the light. One second I was wearing pants, and the next, they were wrapped around my ankles as he pushed my panties to the side.

“Fuckkk….” I said quietly. Two fingers entered me with so much intensity, I found myself leaning against the car more and more as I slid up and down with every stroke.

“I hope you know how much I love you, Piccolo…” He growled in my ear as he continued to pump in and out of me. Leaning on my forearms, I pushed against him, wanting my own release now.

“Why?” I huffed out, questioning why we were even talking at this point. All I could think about was his cock inside of me.

“Because, I’m about to fuck you like I hate you. Hold on, baby…” His words were the only warning I was given as he withdrew from me and pulled at his belt. In less than five seconds, I felt his cock probing at my entrance. My mouth watered as he slid into me all the way to the hilt.

“Oh, god…” I cried out, my head falling toward the hood of the car. I could hear the traffic on the other side of the building, and if anyone drove down the alleyway, they would see us. Except none of those things bothered me.

Slamming into me over and over again, I found myself on the very verge of coming. Skin slapping against skin echoed around me, only pushing me further and further.

“Come for me…” he growled gripping my hair tightly as he pulled my head back to meet his lips. As if on command, my pussy clenched around him as he continued to pump in and out of me.

One of his hands gripped my hip hard while the other kept my lips on his. At that moment, all I could feel or see was Alzerro King and not another fucking thing mattered when we were like this.

“Give it to me, give me all of you,” he whispered his words, covering my body in a blanket of need. We were both covered in sweat, and with one shove, he was deeper than he ever had been.

“Come for me, Bree, come all over my cock….” he said tensing. His own releases were mere strokes away, and if twice wasn’t good enough, I came again, my insides falling over and over again.

Releasing my hair, he flipped me over, and pulled out, only to stare deeply into my eyes as he stroked himself. There was a deep look in his eyes, almost fear, and as he came, I watched his vision swarm with every emotion known to mankind. My own body shuddered with aftershocks as his hot cum landed on my sweat clad body.

The tension eased out of both of us, a huge smile showing on my face. The drinks I had earlier were a forgotten effect as the endorphins of my own release circulated through me.

“I love you, Bree… This will forever be a learning process for me. All I ask you to do is to try. If not for me, for us.” The way he talked and looked at me had my walls of existing anger crumbling. If you really loved someone, could you stay mad at them? Sometimes you had to pick your battles…

“I will… Now take me home,” I said softly, sitting up, and pulling my pants on. The wetness of his come against my skin caused me to bite my lip. I was his in every way, shape, and form.