A Soft spot for an Angel

Chapter 5 Dax

I did my best not to get attached to anyone. Especially after the last time I let someone in. Fuck them and dump them that was my motto. My MO. Most of the girls I hooked up with understood that. Kiara she was different. She often forgot the rules we made, but was able to put that aside to enjoy herself. But often I could tell she wanted more from me. She wanted something from me I wasn't ready or willing to give and that was my heart. I had almost given in too the other night when she almost asked me to stay, but instead claimed she was tired. And once I learned she had been hurt, my usual hardened persona had softened and became worried, wanting to keep her safe from the threats she received. I needed her to tell me on her own who had caused her such pain, though I knew she wouldn't tell me. Was this need to know out of curiosity or had she cracked my hard shell? All I knew was my world was too cruel for someone so sweet and caring like her. That's why she wouldn't fit in my world.

I sat alone on our ratty old couch with a beer in hand, slicing my hazelnut hair out of my eyes in aggravation. Kiara was hurt and Drew and Emaly were still with her at the hospital,but to top it off, my father Richard had shown up unexpectedly which didn't put my mind at ease. He had handed his crew over to me a few months ago, but he still had the tendency to take the lead. Mason, Jackson and Drew needed a leader since without one, they were like dogs without a bone. Speaking of Drew, he still hadn't shown up, which meant he was with Kiara keeping her safe.

As usual, Jackson and Mason were in awe of Richard. They followed his every move, hoping to be the son Richard never got. To him, I was still a constant disappointment. I didn't think much of it, even after taking over for him, he still wished he had other options. "Pathetic," I mumbled under my breath before taking a 3rd swig of beer.

Richard sauntered in my direction with a small knife in hand. He snarled, then held the knife against my right cheek, causing a small trail of blood that flowed down my neck. "Say something, Dax? Mind repeating yourself for the rest of us?"

I scoffed, wiping the trail of blood with my index finger I wiped on the edge of my white t-shirt. 'Wasn't meant for present company. Get out of my face, I need another beer"

Richard lowered the knife next to his left leg  "Talk to me like that again and you won't live to see another day"

"I dare you to do your worst. Wouldn't be the first time and it would brat looking at your ugly mug"

"Such a disappointment, Dax. Getting drunk off your ass instead of planning the next deal "

Pushing Richard aside, the beer bottle i grabbed from the small fridge broke into a million pieces. My feet stepped into the glass, as I smirked at Richard. "Who says I don't have a plan for the next deal? Mason, Jackson tell Richard the plan while I make a call"

The pain from the broken glass made it difficult to walk, so I leaned against the far wall hitting speed dial. "Boss, what's up?" Drew asked.

"Is the plan still in motion for tonight?" I wondered hoping to keep the conversation casual.

"That can't be what you really wanted to ask, was it boss?"

"You always see right through me." I felt an awkward silence between us. "Is she feeling alright? Has she been able to go home?"

"Kiara's feeling better, but hasn't been able to sleep. And as for going home, she might be able to tomorrow as long as her stitches are healed'

"Why...why hasn't she been able to sleep?"

'She has a nightmare under the anesthesia when she got her stitches. Emaly told me this isn't the first time she hasn't slept. She had a nightmare  the other night and woke Emaly up screaming"