Missing The Mark ✔

10

Boris and Har clearly had their own agenda that night. It wasn't about me; I was just a pawn in their game. They had their sights set on Kol from the beginning. I inadvertently got tangled up in something I never signed up for. Now, they wanted Kol, probably to harm him or worse, and they believed he was my boyfriend. I had to hand him over to them or face dire consequences. It was a twisted situation. Why was I dragged into this mess? I wasn't supposed to be part of their plans. I had no desire to be their delivery boy, especially without any compensation.

Did I really like Kol enough to risk my life for him? The answer was a resounding no. I didn't like him. We had sex once, and they were building this absurd narrative around him leaving my place that one morning. We barely knew each other. I was entirely irrelevant in this equation. So why was I forced to play this role? Why did I have to be the one to deliver him? I don't like Kol but I don't hate him enough to take him straight to the guys who want his head.

I needed answers. Why did Kol owe Boris and Har money? How much did he owe them? Did he get involved in something similar to my dealings with Monster? Or was it an entirely different mess?

My thoughts were interrupted by Lukas, bringing me back to the present. I needed to see Kolton. But before I left, I needed to gather some information. I turned to Lukas, asking, "What do you know about your brother and his... friends?"

Lukas shrugged, "Kolton doesn't talk about his social life. I don't even know if he has friends. Why do you want to know?"

"Because... I-" Before I could finish my sentence, Lukas interrupted.

"You were with him last night?" he asked, catching me off guard. My cheeks flushed as I stammered, "What?"

"He came in this morning, smelling completely like... well, you," Lukas said, his eyes fixed on me. My heart raced at his words. How could he possibly know how I smelled? I didn't even wear cologne. My scent was nothing special, a mix of cigarettes, weed, and perhaps a hint of beer. Why had Lukas memorized it?

"How do I smell? Not bad, right?" I inquired, trying to hide my embarrassment. Lukas smiled and shook his head. "You smell like soap and deodorant and smoke. It's not a perfect combination, but it works for you." A warm, unexpected feeling washed over me. Lukas' comment had an oddly endearing effect, and I couldn't help but smile.

"That's weird," I chuckled, and my mood suddenly lifted. "I kind of like it. Remember more things about me. It makes me feel nice." Lukas furrowed his brow, his cheeks tinged with red, but he didn't comment further.

"Anyway, uh, Kol went out today. He won't be back until later," Lukas informed me. I sighed, disappointed that I wouldn't see him anytime soon. I had so many questions and concerns.

"Hey, Luke," the bedroom door swung open, and in walked Donald, as impudent as ever. I shot him a friendly smile, but he responded with a rude gesture. Before I even opened my mouth to say something he flipped me off. "Rude."

"What's up, Carl?" Lukas inquired, completely unphased by his younger brother's attitude. Carl strolled past me, not quite reaching my height. He seemed to have gained a little weight since I last saw him during Lukas's hospital stay.

"Give me five bucks," Carl demanded without a hint of politeness.

"Seriously?" I couldn't help but speak up, my incredulity evident. "Dude, your brother could've been fucking dying in here, and all you care about is five bucks? Ask him how the fuck he feels." I narrowed my eyes at him, but he seemed entirely unfazed. He turned back to Lukas, who nonchalantly retrieved the money from his jeans pocket and handed it over to his ungrateful sibling. Carl clutched the money without so much as a 'thank you' and exited the room.