The Devil's Aces [h.s . au]

08

HARLEY

I sat on the hardwood floor of my kitchen, it was the only place I could think these days. It wasn't even that late, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to sleep. I began unlacing my heavy platform boots, they were always a pain to put on, but even more so to take off. If I didn't take them off now I would end up sleeping in them. I tugged and pulled at the black leather until they were loose on my feet and I stretched out my toes till my feet cramped up.

Once the boots tossed to the side of the entryway, I moved so I was leaning against my stainless steel fridge. I was even more confused than before. Hell, I was getting overwhelmed. The daydreams would be getting worse soon. I didn't know what to think of the situation. Harry Styles had been my 'knight in greasy leather' twice now. I hated to make it such a bad habit. Then again, I was somehow a magnet for 'bad boys' that got me into extremely questionable situations.

However, Harry was quite a specimen, especially when he called me by my last name. Sometimes it bothered me, I wanted to hear him call me Harley again. I hadn't heard him say my first name in a while, and I entertained the thought for a moment. But I had to stop with these thoughts. He was a bad person. If he wasn't part of a gang, his attitude and lack of general manners were enough red flags to stop any contact with him. My gut told me I had yet to see the last of him and his perfect hair, beefy biceps, and leather jackets.

He was a murderer.

I had to continue reminding myself. I wasn't even sure if that was true, but it was obviously something to be concerned about. Men were absolute animals nowadays, and so one could never be too cautious. I didn't need a repeat of this summer.

I got up off the floor and headed towards my bathroom before I could continue my thoughts. I clearly needed a long, steamy shower. I looked in the mirror before undressing. I was now aware that I still had Harry's leather jacket keeping me warm. I spun around, admiring the look of the oversized jacket on my body in the mirror. Sam was right, I looked really good in leather. There was a large word embroidered onto the back that caught my attention. I looked over my shoulder, trying to read the font. 'VENGEANCE' was stamped across the back, under the insignia of the Devil's Aces. Why would he have that engraved into his jacket? Was it some sort of nickname?

I shoved my hands in the large pockets, I was surprised to find that they weren't empty. I pulled out a mystery item, it was a Bic lighter. My mind immediately went to the night I met Harry.

He brought the lighter too close to his face. He held his thumb down, releasing the gas. Before I could blink he flicked the wheel that generated a spark. The small flame began to burn, lighting up his sensual face. The heat of the flame turned his cheeks slightly rosy as he spoke. "Harry Styles and I'm an open book."

I stared in awe as the deep orange flame reflected in his eyes. I knew this man was dangerous, it was more than obvious when he continued to stare at the small flame with such admiration. That didn't stop me from mimicking his stares of admiration, only I wasn't admiring the fire. "So what else do you wanna know about me, sweetheart?"

In the light of my bathroom, I was able to get a better look at the lighter. I palmed it in my soft hands as I scanned over it. It was red, shockingly. The members of the Devil's Ace's had some sort of fascination with the color red. Not a personal favorite of mine. Red was too angry, too fierce and hot. It reminded me of blood and hatred. I preferred blue, the color of the sky and the ocean, and all things cool and calm. When I flipped the lighter over there was a sloppy black heart painted onto it. It looked like it had been done with nail polish, Harry's nails were painted black. Perhaps this was his way of identifying the lighter as his. A heart seemed too warm for Harry though, I could have pictured him painting a black letter X or something edgier.