Valor

Chapter 7

It's been a few days since seeing the Valor brothers. I'm trying not to think about them, but meeting someone that has their death warrent signed has weighed on me more than I thought it would. I don't normally interact with the hits I get. Sometimes I have to get close and personal to get a kill, but they never learn anything about me. Somehow sharing even a small part of my life with them has made me crave a closeness I've never had.

I shake the thought from my head. There is no way I can be close to them. I make sure to never involve myself with people in the life, other than a select few who have helped me in rough times. Lilah is safe, and as long as Lilah is safe, Casey is too. That's the most important thing for me, and getting close to the Valor men will take that safety away. That's not something I will risk, even if it means getting a closeness I crave.

I look at the close and realize its close to ten in the morning. I was doing recon last night and crashed as soon as I got home–its not surprising I slept in later than usual.

I stretch my arms over my head and roll out of bed, promptly being greeted by a happy Manson who licks my face as I bend down to give him scratches. Casey should be in school by now, which gives me sometime to make connect with a few contacts I have regarding some upcoming gala that my target. Some rich guy who's been skimming money off of his non profit to satisfy his cravings for young girls. His wife was the one who called in the hit and I wanted to laugh when I took it. That guy deserves everything that's coming to him.

Lilah: coffee? I'm a zombie right now–worked late and need caffeine!

Samuel: YES! Rocks in 5?

Lilah loved a message

Sam and I have known each other since I moved into this apartment with Casey. He lives on the floor above me and works the night shift at a hospital around the corner. He's a nice guy and from the way he looks at me, he's inching for a closer relationship, but he has yet to ask me out. I want to say yes if he does, but my life doesn't let me. It will only put him in more danger, and I don't think the doctor will support my career. I wouldn't want to hide that from someone I was serious about in the long run.

People in my life aren't meant to get close. Plus, everything from my past has left a gaping hole in my mind–one that I don't think can be fixed. Love and sex and relationships? I don't think I'm capable of that anymore. I've cut myself off from love.

After a few minutes, there's a knock on my door and I'm quick to throw on a t shirt and short, grabbing my phone and wallet before opening the door to a grinning Samuel.

"Haven't seen you in awhile Lilah." He says as I exit my apartment and lock the door.

"I've been super busy." I groan, my head falling back as we make our way down the stairs and out of the apartment.

The hair on the back of my neck stands up and I'm quick to spin around taking in my surroundings.

"You ok?" Samuel asks.

"Yeah, I guess the lack of sleep is catching up to me. Let's go."

We make our way down the street to Rocks, the coffee shop we love. Samuel and I have been coming here for months and although I would love grabbing coffe with a friend I have ulterior motiivs today. We grab our coffee and take a seat, chatting about work and friends, laughing at a few stories along the way. After about an hour, Samuel gets a call.

His eyebrows knit together as whoever is on the phone talks.

"Shit Lilah, I'm sorry, I have to go. Something happened at the hospital and they need me there stat." Samuel is quick to get up.