↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ━ 𝐒𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐋

𝐈𝐕 ー 𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘

▣

Easily slipping between civilians wandering the street, Sierra keeps her head inclined. Her eyes soon rolling at the sound of heavy boots scraping across the sidewalk. A simple glance through the corner of her vision confirms her suspicion.

"I thought I told you to back the hell off."

"I'm not one for following rules." Grayson matches her pace with just a few long strides.

"Maybe I should actually pull the trigger to teach you a lesson."

"I really don't scare you anymore."

"Nope. Besides, I know you're not gonna kill me in a public place with witnesses and cameras."

"You're right." He suddenly tugs her into the alleyway and shoves her against the wall. The impact winds her.

"Does Kaden know you're here?" She questions breathlessly.

"Don't flatter yourself sweetheart, he doesn't care about you that much."

"I don't know, he seemed pretty mad when you waved a gun in my face the other day."

"And I'm mad for not putting a bullet between your pretty eyes."

"Do you wanna kill me or flirt with me?" Her question causes him to squint. She uses the opportunity to drive her knee into his groin and slip out from under him. He groans deeply, eyes briefly closing.

Three long strides and he reaches her before she can make it out of the alley. Large hands clamping around her hips. She squirms as he drags her deeper into the shadows. A growl escapes him when she stubbornly bites the hand covering her mouth.

Just when she reaches for the knife tucked beneath her jacket, the back of his hand greets her cheek and she stumbles. Her head thumping against concrete on her descent. Face pinched with pain as her surroundings tilt.

Before he can lower to one knee to finish the job, cracking his knuckles in preparation, a bullet scrapes his bicep drawing a hiss from his lips. He searches for the shooter. Another bullet misses his head by mere centimetres. He hits the wall out of frustration, storming in the opposite direction.

Sierra's head rolls to one side, vision blurred as footsteps approach.

□ ■ □

Reawakening to view the golden hues filtering into the unfamiliar room, she slowly lifts her shoulders up from the mattress. A soft breeze raises the thin, mocha curtains draped over the windows.

Holding the back of her head with a wrinkle of her nose, Sierra grabs onto the wall for balance on her way to the door.

Cheerful giggles lure her curious feet into the living room where a woman raises the beaming girl into the air. Eyes crinkling as she's sat on her mother's hip and gently rocked under the setting sun, black curls being brushed from her face.

"Hey, you're awake." A familiarly comforting voice brings a smile to her face. The man grins brightly and opens his arms. "Hello cupcake."

"Diego," she breathes and hugs him tightly. "Oh my godー I'm so glad to see you. Look at you!"

"I have you to thank."