For Love | DAVE EAST

The Warning

The afternoon sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement as Dave made his way through the narrow alley. His mind was a blur of conflicting thoughts, torn between the life he was desperately trying to leave behind and the new one he wanted to build with Kacey. But he knew that to make a clean break, he had to tie up the loose ends, and that meant confronting his past head-on.

He had agreed to meet Victor in this secluded spot—a place far from prying eyes. Victor was one of the few people Dave still trusted, an old friend from the early days before the power, the money, and the violence had consumed their lives. They had come up together, but while Dave had risen to the top, Victor had chosen to keep a lower profile, handling the logistics, staying out of the direct line of fire.

As Dave approached the meeting point, he spotted Victor leaning against a brick wall, smoking a cigarette. His sharp eyes, once full of ambition, now seemed tired, worn down by years of living on the edge. When he saw Dave, he flicked the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under his boot.

"Dave," Victor greeted him with a curt nod, his voice low. "You're late."

"Had a few things to take care of," Dave replied, his tone guarded.

Victor didn't respond right away, instead studying Dave with a knowing look. "You're serious about this, aren't you? About getting out?"

Dave sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've made up my mind, Vic. I can't do this anymore. There's someone... someone I care about. I want something different, something real."

Victor's expression softened slightly, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You know it's not that simple, Dave. You don't just walk away. There are people who won't like it—people who've invested in you, in your power."

"I don't care," Dave said, his voice firm. "I'm done. I'll handle anyone who tries to stop me."

Victor let out a bitter laugh. "You always were stubborn. But this isn't just about you, Dave. They'll come after her, too—Kacey, right? I've heard whispers."

Dave's blood ran cold at the mention of Kacey's name. "What do you mean, 'whispers'?"

Victor took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Word's out that you've been spending time with someone new, someone outside the life. It's made a few people nervous. They think she's your weakness, and they're not wrong. If you leave, they'll use her to drag you back—or worse."

Dave's fists clenched at his sides, the familiar rage bubbling up inside him. "If they touch her—"

"They won't," Victor interrupted, his tone serious. "Not if you play this smart. But you've got to be careful, Dave. You need to make sure Kacey is protected, that she's kept out of this. Otherwise, you're signing her death warrant."

Dave's mind raced, the gravity of the situation sinking in. He had known there would be risks, but hearing it from Victor made it all too real. The thought of Kacey being caught in the crossfire was more than he could bear.

"What do I do?" Dave asked, his voice almost pleading.

Victor's gaze softened, and for a moment, Dave saw the friend he had once known, the one who had always looked out for him. "There's a way, but it won't be easy. You'll need to make a clean break—disappear for a while, until the heat dies down. And you'll need to make sure Kacey's far away from here, someplace they can't find her."

Dave nodded, his mind already working through the details. "I can do that. But I need your help, Vic. You're the only one I trust."

Victor hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I'll do what I can. But you've got to be ready for anything, Dave. Once you're out, you can't come back. You understand that, right?"

"I understand," Dave said, his voice steely. "I'm ready."

Victor studied him for a long moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "Here," he said, handing it to Dave. "This is a contact I have out of state. They can help you disappear, set you up with new identities, everything. But you need to move fast, before anyone else catches wind of what you're planning."

Dave took the paper, folding it carefully and tucking it into his pocket. "Thanks, Vic. I owe you."

Victor shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, Dave. Just make sure you and Kacey get out safe. And... take care of yourself, alright?"

Dave nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. He knew this might be the last time he saw Victor, the last time he connected with anyone from his old life. But the thought of Kacey, of the future they could have together, gave him the strength to keep going.

Without another word, Dave turned and walked away, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders. He knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, that there would be challenges and dangers at every turn. But for the first time in his life, he had something worth fighting for—something worth risking everything for.

As he stepped out of the alley and back into the bustling city streets, Dave's mind was already focused on the next steps. He would protect Kacey, no matter the cost. And he would find a way to leave the shadows of his past behind, once and for all.