Perception

Chapter IX: Shifting Sands

It's as if time stood still as the door swung open and Kaylie stood there. The three con artists stood in silence until ...

"You two gonna let me in?" Kaylie asked them. Anthony looks at Danny, who then nods at his best friend.

"Anybody follow you?" Anthony asked and Kaylie shakes her head no.

"No, just me." She answers "I followed you here last night after you two got away. The sleek McLaren gave it away and knowing you, that was your idea Anthony."

Danny snickers as Anthony looks shocked and defeated.

"Fine, come in. But I gotta check you first." Anthony says "Don't know if you're wired."

Kaylie then spreads her arms and Anthony swiftly pats her down for a wire. As he cautiously moves his hands across her body, he keeps a watchful eye on the woman, searching for nervousness in her gaze and to his surprise, there was none.

"Alright, you're clean." He says as he stops. "You two talk, I'll be in my office." He says to his partner and best friend. As he goes upstairs, it's just Danny and Kaylie facing each other in the living room.

Kaylie took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "I don't even know where to start." She admitted.

Danny then, sits down on the couch behind him, his expression unreadable. "You don't have to say anything."

"Yes I do." Kaylie insisted. "What happened between you and I in the past? Happened. I care about you Danny, and I don't wanna pretend like what happened between us didn't matter .. and yes, I'm talking about the time that you two left me alone after the game."

Danny looked away for a moment, his jaw clenched at the memory of he and Anthony leaving Kaylie in New York after training her for months. When he finally spoke, he chooses his words wisely.

"I care about you too Kaylie, that's why I'm here. Fuck the game for a second, cause this isn't about that. Look, when Ant & I got in this life? We told ourselves not to get feelings involved. Especially love. That shit'll get you killed and it almost gotten us both taken out by Vega. We're in deep and we have to figure out what's next. I just don't want to make promises that I can't keep."

Kaylie's heart sank like an anchor in water. She had expected him to say something like that, but hearing it still hurt. She knew Danny wasn't the type to make commitments easily, especially not in the middle of all this chaos. But part of her hoped that maybe, just maybe, things will be different.

"So why are you going through all this trouble to get me back?" She asks and the question hits him like a train. He sits there, silent for a moment.

"Because I love you." He says softly "I truly do."

Kaylie rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath at his admitting.

"How can I believe that?" She asks, crossing her arms together. Then, Danny stands up and softly kisses her lips. The two embrace each other and Kaylie breaks the kiss as silence grows.

"You don't have to, but please allow me to try to fix things." Danny says to her.

"I have to get going, Vega's probably looking for me." She says as she heads for the door. "Oh, and D?" She stops before leaving.

"Yeah?" Danny says

"You have my number." She smiles and leaves. Anthony then comes out of his office and places his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Fuck the code." He says as the door closes, causing Danny to snicker. "She's your girl." He shrugs.

As Anthony goes to the kitchen, Danny then relaxes on the couch. Things were going in his favor. Then, unexpectedly, Anthony hits him over the head and knocks him out cold.

"But this is all apart of the game." He finishes as he takes out his phone "Vega? I got em ... and the girl was here too." He says.

"Good, bring them to me." Vega responded "They're going to learn not to fuck with my business."