Love is a dangerous game (mlm)

Guess who's back

*Lucas' POV*

The last time I went outside was to go shopping for food. I was accompanied by a bodyguard in case the Emerald Empire found me. I thought I was screwed when I saw Alexandro. I expected him to call his dad, but he didn't. He looked like he was in a hurry. Anyways, it has been ten days in isolation. Before my shopping trip, I got called by my boss. I knew the call was coming. She said the Emerald Empire had put me on their hit list. 

I was shocked, but not surprised. I leaked quite a lot of private information to the Ruby gang. The Emerald Empire was ruthless and I knew the price for being caught would be high. My boss told me the only way to protect myself was to wait until they weren't interested in my anymore. Until they had something better to do. I got a personal bodyguard, which is pretty cool. I had to lock myself up. If I ever went outside, someone could easily pull out a gun. The first day I didn't think much of it. I held a movie marathon with my roommate. The third day he became suspicious.

"Why aren't you going outside, bruv?" He asked me. "Just not feeling it, you know?" I knew I had to come up with a better excuse. So I told him that I lost my job, that there wasn't enough demand for computer engineers. Ben seemed disappointed in me, but didn't press the issue. The fact that he knew nothing was killing me. I couldn't tell him that I was hiding from the Emerald Empire. It sucked pretending I was depressed because I lost my job. He probably thinks I'm weird. Fast forward a couple of days I got another call from my boss. I could finally go outside again. I still can't be alone at night for a couple of months, but I don't mind. 

I told Ben I finally got a job again, which is true. I am going to deal illegal weapons with a girl named Spriha. She is specialized in weapons, so I heard she is a good fighter. I go to my computer to do a quick search through our database from the Ruby gang system to see if I could get a feel for this Spriha. She has an impressive resume. I click on her profile. She looks like the human embodiment of the word "dangerous". She is tall and muscular. It hurts me to say it, but she is more ripped than I am. If someone tried to attack us, it would be over for them.

I look out of my window. The sky is already turning red. If I want to go outside today, I have to do it now. I walk to the door, but stop when I see my pocket knife on the table. I tuck it into the pocket of my denim jacket. I could use some extra protection. I take a deep breath and open the door, stepping out of my apartment for the first time in ten days. The air is crisp and cool, a light breeze rustles the trees. I decide to go to a nearby park.

It is a beautiful evening, but I still feel nervous. With every person I pass, I wonder if they are apart of the Emerald Empire. I need to relax. If my boss says I am safe, then I should trust him. There is nothing to worry about, I tell myself. Suddenly, I hear someone humming. The sound is way too familiar. I only know one guy with such a low voice, Alexandro. He walks up to me, his face an icy mask. His eyes are hard as a rock. I keep my gaze steady, meeting his challenging glare without even a flicker of fear. "What are you doing here?" He rumbles, looking around to see if anyone else is around.

I shrug, as if it's no big deal. "Just enjoying the fresh air. Is that a crime?" I smirk, enjoying the look of surprise that flashes across Alexandro's normally unreadable face. He quickly regains his composure. "We both know you're scared, so why not just drop the act?" He scoffs as he crosses his arms. "Scared of you? Please, your pathetic business couldn't kill me the past few days. I bet you can't knock me down either." I slightly lift my chin, trying to cover up the fact that I actually am scared. I don't know what it is about him, maybe it's the way he looks at me. He seems strangely amused by this exchange.

"I didn't say I was going to do anything to you. Yet." He responds. His lips curl slightly into a small, tight smile. One that seems more like a taunt than a friendly gesture. "What is this really about, Alexandro? What exactly are you hoping to gain by glaring at me?" His eyes are glinting dangerously as he takes a step closer. I swallow hard, trying to ignore my heart pounding in my chest. "I just think it's funny how you used to be my friend. I thought you were fearless, yet I can't help but notice how tensed up you are. If you really aren't scared, then why is your heart beating so fast?" His voice is low and threatening.

I struggle to find the right comeback. "Because you're cute." I blurt out without thinking. Alexandro just stares at me. I grin, because I didn't know flirting caught him so off guard. I swear I can see his cheeks turn red for a moment. Is he really this easy to fluster? "You think you're funny, right? Is this some kind of sick game to you?" He snaps. I am not saying this is a game, but if it was it is definitely 1 - 0 for me. He is known for being calm, yet here he stands, basically screaming at me. I want to say something to push him even further, but he cuts me off. "I am done wasting my time here. Goodnight." Before I can answer, he walks away. This was not how I expected our conversation to go.

I'm not sure why I said what I said. Maybe it was the sudden rush of adrenaline or maybe I actually meant it. Either way, I am no longer bothered by him. I want to continue my stroll around the park, but it is already dark outside. I should go inside. I take the quickest route to my house. As I walk into a dark alleyway, I get a feeling of unease. Something doesn't feel right. The moon shines brightly, illuminating a part of the alley in a silver light. My senses are on full alert, while I search for any source of danger. I see the silhouette of a guy standing a few feet in front of me. He calls my name with frustration in his voice.

"Lucas, do you remember me?" He asks. I take a step back. "Uh, no?" "At Alexandro's party." Another member of the Emerald Empire? I squint, trying to get a better look at the dark figure. "Still nope." I shrug. He steps out of the shadow, revealing the big frown on his face. "YOU THREW YOUR DRINK ON MY NEW SUIT." The memory comes back to me in a rush. I am trying to contain my laughter, but it isn't really working. "Oooooh, that's you? That was funny as hell, not gonna lie." He puts his fists in the air and it becomes clear that he's not nearly as amused as I am by the situation. 

"I'm going to wipe that smug look right off your face." He mumbles, before he lunges at me. I dodge out of the way just in time, causing him to stumble forward. He gets up quickly and tries to punch me again. He must be an experienced fighter, because he hits me right on the nose. I feel some blood dripping down my face. Suddenly, I remember the knife in my pocket. I quickly reach my hand into my pocket and pull out the small knife. I have no choice but to fight back if I want to get out of this alive. 

I slash the knife at his arm when he passes. He lets out a roar of pain. There's a moment of standoff between us, both sizing up the other. With a swift movement, he grabs the knife out of my hand to stab me. I let out a yell of pain as the blade sinks into my leg. Blood drips down my leg and I fall to the ground. I stare up at the man in shock, the pain setting in as the adrenaline wears off. The man stares back at me with a sickening grin on his face.

Above the sound of our heavy breathing, I hear something else. It's a faint sound, a high-pitched howl growing louder by the second. The man takes a step back, his eyes narrowing in confusion. It is a police siren. He turns and runs down the alley, the sound of his feet quickly fading away into the darkness. "Pussy!" I scream at him. I close my eyes to listen to the sound of the sirens, but they aren't heading towards me. They are going straight past me. I laugh, because that means that bastard ran away for nothing. I would be in so much trouble, if he didn't flee. Now all I have to do is get this bleeding under control...