Little Dark One

36 - liability

Keira

Tommy and I sat in each other's arms under the stars for hours, we listened to every RY X song that existed and finished our bottle of wine. 

It was the most fun I've had with Tommy yet. He surprised me with his consistent good mood and frequent smiles. I've never seen him so carefree and happy, it was a good look on him and I knew I would strive to make him feel this way for the rest of our uncertain time together. 

My growing feelings for this man were officially terrifying, the idea of losing him began to cause constrictions in my chest as the realities of his life threatening profession came crashing back. I flinched as unwelcome images of Tommy dying flooded me. 

"What's wrong?" He turned his head to face me with concern, nothing got past him. 

We were sprawled on ground side by side staring up at the constellations, I was wrapped in Tommy's leather jacket and he was holding my hand tightly in his.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about what would happen if I lost you..." I admitted, this damn wine was loosening my tongue a little too much. 

"You can't lose me, I'm indestructible baby." He grinned cheekily.

"Don't jinx it!" I exclaimed, rolling over so I was half laying on his chest, looking down at him. 

"There would be celebrations if I ceased to exist sweetheart." He chuckled. "Losing me would be the best thing for you." 

 An uninvited tear accidentally slipped out of my eye. I was a little tipsy from the wine and I always got extra emotional when I drank. I wiped it away quickly but it was too late.

Tommy immediately sat up, pulling me with him so I was kneeling between his legs, eye level with his intense orbs. 

"Why are you crying?" He demanded gently, forcing me to look at him. 

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"It was an accident, I don't want to think about you dying Tommy. I'm starting to think it would be my worst nightmare." God damn wine and it's affect on me. Having feelings for Tommy was one thing, admitting how deep they already were was another thing entirely.

He held my cheeks in his artistic hands and brought my damp eyes back to his. "You are not going to lose me." He stood, pulling me up with him and ending the dark conversation on that note. 

I let him lead me back inside and over to the bed. 

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" He asked gently. I met his eyes from where I was sitting on the end of the bed and simply nodded. "Okay, I'll be right back." 

He slipped out of my room and I heard the door of his bedroom open across the hall. I reached into the pocket of his jacket to retrieve my new phone and set it on the nightstand, but my fingers brushed against something metallic. 

I pulled the phone out and reached back in for the mystery item. My palm spread to reveal a gold knife earring. I would recognize that charm anywhere. It was Sal's earring. 

I stared down at the piece of jewelry in confusion. Why does Tommy have Sal's earring? I glanced up and met Tommy's eyes as he slipped back into my room in sweatpants and a simple black t shirt. 

"What is this?" I wasted no time confronting him, holding my open palm out for him to examine. He glanced back at me with an unreadable expression. "Why do you have Sal's earring?" 

"Because I spent the evening torturing him." He replied, nonchalantly shrugging. My jaw dropped.  

"What?" My voice rose at least three octaves. 

"He's a traitor. He fucked up and now he's paying for it." 

"So it was Sal's blood all over you?" I deducted, shooting up from the bed so I could get closer to eye lever

His carefree mood from just minutes ago vanished and the same wild eyes I encountered earlier returned. "Why do you care whose blood it was?" He challenged, his voice laced with some kind of accusation. "It's just business." 

"I know he's a shitty guy, but he helped me when I really needed it."

"He didn't help you. He sent you to your death!" He shouted, getting riled up over the subject. 

"Do I look dead to you?" I challenged with my hands on my hips. I would not let him intimidate me anymore, I was confident he wouldn't hurt me now. 

"You brought the FBI to his corrupt doorstep, Keira. Sending you to me was the easiest way to get rid of you without getting his hands dirty." 

"Are you saying he wanted me dead?" I asked, incredulous. 

"That's exactly what I'm saying." He sneered. "I have been using Nocturne for my own business for years, you jeopardized my whole operation as well as his. You still are." 

"If I'm such a liability why didn't you just do it then!" I shot back, shoving his chest. His sudden shift in attitude was really starting to piss me off.

His eyes darkened a few shades in fury. "I should have!" His harsh words felt like a burning slap in the face and I immediately stepped back in shock. His eyes widened the second the words left his lips but it was too late. 

"Get out." I said through clenched teeth. I fought to hold back my tears, I couldn't show weakness now. 

"Keira–" He took a step towards me, reaching his hand out but I jumped back. 

I refused to forgive him that easy. He had to learn he couldn't speak to me like that and get away with it. I would not let him hurt me like this and get away with it. 

"I said get out!" I shouted, pushing him towards the door roughly. 

He turned his back on me and stalked to the door. I stood in the middle of my room with my arms wrapped around my middle and hung my head, trying to fight the droplets crowding my eyes. I lost the battle and watched as a few tears splashed onto the floor.

I could feel his eyes burning into me from the doorway but I refused to meet his gaze. His words repeated in my buzzed mind over and over, tearing me apart more than I wanted him to know. 

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw his fist fly up and collide with the doorframe with a furious grunt. Seconds later the door slammed behind him and then another slam followed soon after that.  

I let me tears fall freely as my dress slid down my body and pooled at my feet, I replaced it with an oversized t shirt and padded over to bed. Just half an hour ago we were kissing and laughing as we let our feelings for each other take over, now it all shattered around us with just a few poisonous words. Did he really regret letting me live?

I was so stupid to believe I could tame a man like Tommy. He was nothing more than a dangerous murderer and he was notorious for it. The king of the fearsome Revenants.

I crawled in and broke down as I reminded myself that I was no better than Tommy Knox. Murder was murder, and I was part of the club. 

I let the sobs shake me into a deep sleep as the cool breeze swirled through the room from the slightly ajar balcony doors.