A Lacey Christmas

2. Kayden

[ K A Y D E N ' S P O V ]

This is a fucking nightmare.

Both the dark-haired man and I blatantly stare at the guy who had just cut in front of us, our mouths gaping wide open. I can't believe this is happening right now. I can't believe the saleslady just screwed up big time.

A wave of anger washes over me. Oh hell no. I'm not letting either of these guys get away with that lingerie. I spent the entire day looking for the perfect Christmas gift for Sienna-god forbid I'll give her anything remotely less than that-and now that I've found it, I'm not willing to let it go. This piece of lingerie is mine. If I have to wrestle these two guys for it, then so be it.

I assess the situation at hand. I guess I could take the both of them if I wanted to. It's been months since I quit fighting, but since I've been training a lot with Sienna in Breaking Point lately, I have no doubt I still have it in me to do much harm to them.

Averting my eyes to the dark-haired man beside me, I nod my head. I could take him down easily. He may be huge and muscular, but his hands are almost delicate, with not a hint of a scratch on them. This guy's fists have probably never met with a man's face once before. He's got no skill, no experience, and despite his weight, it's likely that I can tackle him to the ground with ease.

The other guy-Tyler-I think I may have a problem with. The man is old, much older than me. I've only had a glimpse of him once but during the briefest time in which our eyes met, I can see the pain and wreckage that he had undergone in his past. His bears his suffering through invisible scars that are etched right unto his skin.

Throughout my years of fighting, I've learnt to read people well, especially when their backstory is similar to mine. This guy is the embodiment of strength and I don't need to look at the rest of him to know that he will be a tough guy to put down.

A small frown tugs at my lips. What am I even thinking? My fighting days are over. Sienna will be really upset with me if she finds me covered in bruises or caked with blood again.

I cringe inwardly. She's terrifying when she's mad at me. Eyes narrowing, jaws tightening, nostrils flaring, a string of curse words escaping her lips. Motherfucking asshole. Donkey shit. Son of a motherless goat. That last one is her favorite insult and I detest it every time she calls me that.

I can't deal with her being angry with me. I need to calm down and get my shit together, fast.

You can do this, Kayden. Just breathe in. Breathe out. You can do this.

"You can't do this." The dark-haired guy beside me scowls at the other guy, Tyler. "You can't have it."

Tyler turns around and his eyes strike daggers at him. "What do you mean I can't have it?"

"I mean, it's mine," the dark-haired guy says. He seems determined as hell to get that piece of lingerie. I guess we have that in common. "I'm taking it. Find another set."

Tyler doesn't seem to happy with that response. He clenches his jaw tight, his eyes growing hard. "And who the fuck are you to tell me that?"

The dark-haired guy straightens his posture, chest puffing out. His action makes me snort. "I'm Storm," he says his name with confidence. "Also, the guy who's going to be taking this lingerie." He strides over to the saleslady and plucks the box containing the lingerie off her hands, beaming at her. "I'll take this now, thank you."