Play Your Cards Right

Chapter 17: Be Safe

***************

Rylee's POV:

"They found the poison." I said angrily punching the wall next to me. My hand throbbed at the sudden contact with the bricks. I shook off the pain remaining more frustrated than before.

"Another failure. I am getting doubtful of your level of experience. You are lucky that there will be other chances." My boss said through the telephone pressed against my ear. Why can't I get this right? My head swelled with the thoughts of Kristi and Niall in a tight embrace.

I don't know why the girl isn't crazy scared from my attempt. She seemed unfazed by it. Angry even. I slumped against the wall of her house. The window above me has failed me once again. The curtains were closed sortly after my big surprise gift.

"Can't I just go in there and kill her now. It will be easy. I will not fail." I smiled into the speaker. Just the thought of Niall having no one but me left changed my mood to a positive one. Killing her would be really easy too. I mean I can practically picture myself walking in when Niall was away, pulling the trigger, and leaving without a word. Happiness flooded over me as the image of her on the floor dead arose in my mind.

"You are growing impatient. You will get him in time." Their voice chuckled. I hated that evil laugh. It always scared me into thinking if this is the right way to go about this, but I know I am in too deep to stop.

"I'm sorry, I will do better." I apologized. It's better to stay on their good side. I know what they can do.

"You better. I don't want to have to hire someone else.."

"No no no! I promise I will do better!" I begged for forgiveness raising my voice a little bit. I quickly hushed myself not wanting to be found and making the situation even worse.

"Hmm. Remember, I can easily kill the boy too. He is an unnecessary asset in the plan for her death. He's actually a problem now that I think about it." They said sending my nerves into a frenzy. They can't kill him. They wouldn't! I opened my mouth in order to start pleading again, but no words came out. I sat there in utter shock.

"Good. I see you understand. Report back immediately." They added before hanging up the call. I was frozen against the wall. A statue with a confused, yet fearful expression. What if they decided to kill Niall too? Everything I've done will be in vain.

I had to kill Kristi. I just had to.

**************************

Kristi's POV:

I wrapped my arms around Niall thanking him for saving me from the poison filled food. He really did save my life.

Although, I was saved, I felt in danger. If this was just the first attempt.... What will be the next? Will Rylee continue to try to take me away from Niall or will she play with Harry instead? One part of me, the selfish part, desperately hoped she was going to go the heart-broken Harry route, but another hoped she would continue to pursue me.

"I won't let her hurt you okay princess?" he whispered into my neck. I slowly nodded stopping the tears from coming out. I'm not going to be that cry baby girlfriend even if my life was on the line. I sniffled sucking in the waterworks and pressed my face harder into Niall's shoulder.

"Thankyou." I muttered. I pulled away from his grasp and turned to finish wiping the counter.

"I will get you some more food okay? We can go to the grocery store tomorrow." Niall smiled trying to cheer me up.

"Okay." I said and threw away the hand towel I was using in the sink. The strange feeling of being watched was still inside me. No matter what I did, I couldn't shake it. I closed all the curtains a while ago, yet I still feel seen. I knew Niall felt it to. He was moving around all too much and looked very nervous. I could tell he had a million things running rampant in his head.

A buzzing sound came from Niall's pocket as we proceeded to clean the kitchen. He slipped his hand in towards his phone and pulled it out. The screen lit up his face and revealed his frustratrion. I didn't like that look on him. It made him less lively, less funny, less cheery. Less Niall.

He clicked the tip of his iphone making the light shining on his face disappear. He mutter something then walked to where I was cleaning the sink and its contents.

"I have to go." He whispered with regret clear in his throat. I didn't want to be left all alone after what just happened. I continued scrubbing the dirty containers where the poisoned food once was and mindlessly went onto some older dishes that haven't been cleaned.

The mess was the least of my worries right now. What will happen when he leaves? Will Rylee come back? What then?

I desperately wanted him to stay with me. To keep me safe and warm in his arms as we watched a movie or something. I wanted to tell him to stay, but I knew what it would make me look like. I didn't want to be the clingy girlfriend who is frightened by everything and everyone. I know it sounds ridiculous to think about that right now, but no matter the instance I have to watch what I do around Niall. I didn't want him to find out his bestfriend is actually this frail girl on the inside.

"Okay." I whimpered. I took a big breath holding in all emotions. He shifted his weight in his stance. I could tell he was deciding whether to leave me or not. He stopped and placed his head on my shoulder watching me clean the dishes.

"Be safe. Don't leave here okay? And text me when your parents get home." He breathed against my neck. I shuffled a little bit erasing his grip around my waist. I needed to let go so it won't be as bad when he leaves.

"Okay." I repeated again. I could feel my mood level begin to drop and turn cold as he unraveled away from me. I sniffled a little bit as I heard the door open and footsteps leave the room. I turned around out of habit to see him leave. I caught a glimpse of Niall's loose tanktop flowing and his swim trunks exiting the house.