My Deadly Escort

11

I walk through the supermarket as I grab the few groceries I need for dinner, I balance my coffee on my trolley as I reach up and grab a new honey and vanilla soap. I throw it in before grabbing my coffee again and having a sip. I'd barely slept a wink lat night, wound up from the intruder and my encounter with Kayden. By the time nine came this morning I had to get out of the apartment, not even work can keep me there currently. 
   Margie's door still had crime scene tape covering it in a large X. With my mind going a million miles an hour on barely any sleep I've decided to break into her apartment, to see if I could find any clue to who could be behind it. 
   Margie didn't have any family or any regular friends, only the few women that live on the first level and myself. I obviously hadn't killed her or broke into her apartment, but with the intruder last night I'm paranoid that maybe I had been the target the first time. 
   If Kayden hadn't followed me back and burst in, I could be on a slab at the morgue right now. I didn't recognise the mans voice or the beard but I wrote down his description in my note pad in case I have another run in with him or need to eventually give it to the police. 
   After my groceries I've decided to buy a lock picking kit from one of the cheap shops and head back to Margie's. No police have been back, and as far as I'm concerned no one is looking into it. A sweet, little old lady dies and no one seems to care apart from me. Had she been hiding something? Saw something and been a loose end to tie up?
   I had to know, her death can't be for nothing. 
My trolley smacks into the persons in front of me, I'd been to busy in my head to realise. 
   "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you." I gush, pulling my trolley back. My eyes widen when Maddi looks up at me, she smiles as her eyes skate over my outfit. I'd thrown my hair up into a wild bun, had thrown on my black ripped jeans and boots with my oversized red hoodie and called it a day. 
   "Rough night?" she asks, readjusting her trolley. She looks like an angel, even shopping for food. Her white dress clings to her figure, her white heels matching. Her deathly straight blonde hair shines under the cheap light.
   "Yeah you could say that," I grimace and rub the back of my neck, my cheeks burn with embarrassment as I stand here. 
   "Yeah you don't look the best."
   "Do we need paper towel...oh," Kayden pauses as he sees me, paper towel in hand and extended towards his trolley. Her trolley. Their trolley. I cram down the jealousy as I plaster on a smile. 
   "Yeah we do babe, I was just telling Shay she looked a bit...ick." Maddi smiles at him, tapping a manicured nail along the trolley handle. Kayden had dressed down today with plain black jeans with a grey knit. His hear had been brushed back, but no product keeps in in line.
   "Yeah I'm not feeling too well," I admit, which is true. I feel like shit right now.
   "Oh! Well Kayden is going to come on Monday for the photo shoot, you have to be there for it the photos are going to be amazing." Maddi grins at me but her eyes narrow slightly. Don't panic, she's probably weary of every girl that ever comes into contact with Kayden.
   I mean...for good right too. But still.
   "Ah yes, I'm sure I'll be there." I nod and give her a tight lipped smile, my eyes drift back to where Kayden stands beside the trolley. His jaw tightens briefly as a muscle strains. Maddi pats his arm.
   "Well babe we have to go, I have a pedicure appointment in thirty minutes. You'll have to drop me off on the way home, oh and pick me up? I refuse to take a cab." She begins to ramble as she starts to walk away.
   I deflate into my large hoodie, wanting the world to swallow me up. Kayden looks over me.
   "Are you okay?" he asks, voice soft.
   "Yeah, I'm fine." I force myself to smile, he must see through it because he takes a step forward and his hand starts to reach for me. My eyes widen and I take a step back. "Kayden stop." I hiss, Maddi had left the isle.
   "I'm worried, you look tired."
   "I didn't sleep much last night, my brain wouldn't shut up." I tap my temple, he frowns briefly before holding his shoulders back and masks any emotion from his face. 
   "Neither would mine. I'll see you Monday, friend." he shoves both hands into his pockets as he begins to walk backwards, a smirk plastered on his lips.
   "Yes, friend." I roll my eyes but grin at him, especially when he runs into a man. He apologies profusely as I burst into laughter, he glares at me through his smile as his cheeks tinge pink. He rushes out of the isle as I shake my head, coughing to clear my throat. 
   A warm feeling encases me, making it impossible to wipe the stupid smile from my face. The smile he had put there. I grab the last few things I need, making it to the checkouts without running into either of them again. I carry the two bags of groceries out of the supermarket and onto the main street, people bump into me and jostle me back and forth as I head towards the closest cheap shop.
   Chatter is a buzz in my ear, car horns blare and brakes squeal. How had I thought moving here would be so much better than Canada? Honestly, I must have been drunk when I decided to pack up shop and move here.
   LA is still on my list, and something I need to start working towards. I had nearly five grand in my savings, which would be ideal starting fresh there. I'd need to finish my portfolio and start sending out my resumes, I'd love to work for another magazine company. A new boss would be the cherry on top.
   I make quick work of buying the lock pick, rambling about how I'd locked myself out of my apartment because I'd left my keys inside. The checkout girl nods, not listening to me. Perfect. I flag a cab down and head back to my apartment. I go over my plan, drop groceries off, change into all black clothes and gloves, suss out Margie's apartment. 
   I pay the driver and head into the building, the sun beating down and making me break into a sweat. I put the groceries away and pull on a pair of black tights and a long sleeved black tee shirt. I find a pair of leather gloves from a dress up party I'd gone to a few months ago. 
   "I'll be back soon Luna," I call out as I step out of my apartment, lock picking kit in hand. My nerves are alight, my heart races at the thought of getting caught. No one would though, I'm the only one that comes to this level.
   I head straight to Margie's apartment, I crouch down and open the kit. I grab the kit and spend a few times trying it out, after ten minutes of patiently working the locks it clicks. I sigh in relief.
   "Yeah that's right, I don't need no man." I grumble to myself, proud of my handiwork. I close up my kit and sit it off to the side. I stand, preparing myself to enter the dark and gloomy apartment.
   A male clears his voice from behind me, "Ah Shay, what the hell are you doing?" 
I squeal as I turn, raising both hands in front of my face. Kayden stands there, hands crossed over his chest as he leans against the wall. 
   "Oh bloody hell don't scare me like that!" I hiss, scowling at him. My heart had stopped and started again. "How long have you been there?"
   "Fifteen minutes? Quiet impressive time," He nods towards the ajar door, I look over my shoulder and back to him. I have to wrap my head around him being here for a moment. 
   "Okay, but what are you even doing here?" I ask again, unfolding my arms. He pushes off the wall and walks towards me, I take a step back as he stops in front of me and looks down.
   "Well Maddi is getting her nails done or whatever it is she must have, so I thought we could hang out." he looks over my head and reaches out as he pushes the door inwards, his cologne wraps around me a his arm brushes the side of my face.
   Too close.
   "Okay well...are you going to report me for opening this door?" I ask, poking his chest. He grins as he swats my hand away.
   "No I'm not, your secret is safe with me."
   "Not your only secret." I grumble as I turn around.
   "You definitely didn't get much sleep last night with that smart mouth of yours," he says softly,  his hot breath hits the back of my neck. I shiver, wanting to lean back into his touch. He's so close I can practically lean back and be engulfed by him.
   No. I can't do that again, I'd talked to myself last night and had decided if anything was ever going to happen between us again he'd be single and so would I. No one else can get hurt because of me and my annoyingly horny alter ego.
   "Well come on, before somewhere sees us." I say over my shoulder as I carefully climb through the tape. I reach out to the wall and flick the light on, Kayden pushes me to the side as he steps in and shuts the door behind us.
   "Shit, it's a disaster in here." He whistles low as we take in the absolute mess before us.
Margie's apartment is the same as mine, the large room as the living room with the kitchen off to the side. I walk down the small hallway and stand at the start of her living room. Boxes are thrown, clothes are scattered. Anything that could be smashed had been, there's not one object that hadn't been touched. 
   "What were they looking for?" I mutter, carefully stepping through the mess and heading to the kitchen. I pale as I spot the dark brown stain on the tiles. She'd been killed in the kitchen, I should have been home. I should have left on time and maybe she'd still be here.
   The fridge door hangs open, the food all rotten. At least the police had the decency to turn off the electrical appliances in here. I look over my shoulder to see Kayden open the bedroom door.
   "Have you found anything?" I ask, quickly following after him. The air in here is cold and stale, the scent of death hangs heavily. It makes me uncomfortable and I'm thankful Kayden had shown when he did.
   "Weird...they didn't touch anything in here." He says, moving to the side so I can see into the bedroom. The white sheets are tucked in nicely, the pink pillows propped on top. A book sits open on the bedside table with a worn out bookmark flagging her spot. I walk over and peer down at the book.
   "This is weird, why wouldn't they check in here?" I ask as I pick up the book, something slips from the back and flutters to the ground. I frown as I reach down and grab it. I put the book down as Kayden comes over, he watches as I unfold it to find a faded receipt.
   "I don't think this is for anything." I pass it to him and begin to check under the bed, in the draws and through the cupboard for anything that might catch my attention. 
   "Mmm maybe not, it's for a place called Blood Shack. Does that ring any bells?" He asks. I almost choke on air when I turn to him, a folded dress in my hand mid-inspection through a draw.
   "What the good fuck was Margie doing at a place like that?" I ask, he frowns as he looks back over the paper.
   "What is it? I can't say I've ever heard of it before."
   "It's...not a place I'd ever find you in." I smirk, looking at his clean attire. His eyes narrow on me, I grin and shrug my shoulders, "It's not a place for rich hot shots, it's for the low lives of the city." 
   "How do you know about it? You're not a low life."
With my decisions lately I most definitely am.
   "Blake was a frequent at that club, I would tag along with him every Friday and Saturday night. I know some of the folks there, all rough around the edges...nothing like Margie."
   "Blake was your ex?" He asks, folding the paper back up and placing it in his pocket. I nod a few times. 
   "Yes he's my ex, Blood Shack is the biggest club in the Bronx. A lot of crime down there," I nod absently, thinking back to when we'd been there one night and one of the waitresses had been stabbed for not flashing her tits to the man who ordered a drink. She'd lived, a nice nasty scar on her right breast though.
   "What does he look like?" 
I look away and place the dress back in the draw and shut it, "Why? Jealous?" 
   "Just curious," he growls, I huff when I feel him standing behind me. I look over my shoulder and up at him. 
   "Shorter than you, brown hair, tattoos." I say bluntly, pushing past him. 
   "You don't like talking about him." he states, following me out of the room.
   "No shit genius, he almost ruined my life." I head towards the front door, I'd have to go to Blood Shack next Friday night and find out any information I could. Margie had better have a damn good reason for being  in that type of club. 
   "What happened?" Kayden asks, encasing me against the front door; he pushes both hands against the door, forcing me to turn and look up at him. 
   "He was just manipulative and emotionally abusive, cheated on me more than I can count and made me feel like I wasn't worth the dirt beneath his feet. He'd broken up with me multiple times, had been sleeping with my boss and I at the same time. I'd managed to cut all ties after that." I cross my arms over my chest, biting down on my bottom lip. Could he now see why I felt so bad for the few times I'd caved for him? Could he see the guilt in my eyes? 
   His eyes soften, he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, "He sounds like an asshole and I'm happy you managed to get out of that situation...but don't think you're anything like him. You're not." 
   "But...I'm the other girl now. I'm the one who will be hated if this all comes out, not you." I whisper, my eyes sting. I didn't want to cry, not now. Not in front of him. He holds my chin and look down at me, his blue eyes swimming with concern.
   "You're not just the other girl to me, no harm will ever come to you or your name where I'm involved. You're not the one in an unstable and unhappy relationship, you're not the one with the commitment. I am. Everything we've done is on me." his thumb rubs along my lips gently. 
   "Why does it feel so right when we're together? Even though it's wrong." I whisper against his thumb, his pupils dilate as he draws in a deep breath. I press my hands to his chest and try to avoid the pulsing that has started in my pants. 
   "I don't know but I've had the same thought, I don't want to ask you to wait for me...but I'm going to sort my shit out and if you're still around and happy to annoy me I'd be more than welcoming." he leans down and rests his forehead on my own, I lean up towards his face, our lips only a breath apart. 
   "Annoy you? Here I was thinking we could be friends." I laugh softly, my lips tilting. We stand like that for a moment, anchored to one another. A buzzing sounds breaks the silence, he groans as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. 
   His eyes never leave mine as he presses it to his ear, "Hello?" he asks, his voice deep. A female voice squeaks through the speaker, he grimaces as she talks. I suck at my cheek, it's Maddi.
   "Alright I'll be there in ten-" she cuts him off, he scowls, "yes well sorry I can't cater to every single need of yours. Be a big girl and wait." he snaps before he hangs up.
   "I'm sorry." he shakes his head and steps back, taking the warmth with him. He shoves his phone in his pocket and begins to run a hand through his hair, his jaw is set hard as he avoids looking at me.
   I close the distance and wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face into his chest. He's as stiff as a board, his arms wrap around my shoulders as he squeezes me to him. I fit perfectly in his arms. His body trembles against mine.
   "It's okay you don't need to apologise. How about next Friday night you accompany me to Blood Shack and we can work as under cover detectives?" I ask, resting my chin on his chest and looking up to him. He looks down at me.
   "Will this plan be dangerous?" 
I smirk, "Of course it will be, dress as bad as you can. Like bad boy," he sighs before gently pressing a kiss to my forehead.
   "Only for you," 
We break apart as he opens the door, helping me out through the tape. He shuts the door and it locks automatically, I grab my lock picking kit and hold it in both hands. He walks me to my door, I huff when he comes into my apartment and does a quick check.
   "There won't be anyone in here." I groan as he looks in the bathroom.
   "I can't be too careful." 
He finishes his look and seems satisfied, I lean against the kitchen counter and drum my nails against the marble. It'd been more than ten minutes, and I knew he'd get his ear chewed off for taking longer than he said.
   "Go, you're going to get in trouble. I'll see you Monday." He comes over to me and wraps me in another hug. I resist for a moment before leaning into him, I stroke his back gently as he pulls my hair from its bun.
   "You'll be there?" He mumbles into my hair.
   "I sort of work there," I retort, biting my lip as I smile. He chuckles as he pulls back, rolling his eyes at me. 
   "Be safe between now and then Shay." he leans down, as if to kiss me. I groan, fighting the urge. He licks his lips, making me squirm against him. He's too much this close, too hard to resist. Too hard to keep my head when he's all I can breath in.
   "I can't," I whine, fisting his shirt.
   "I don't expect you to." he gently brushes his lips against my own before standing back and straightening his knit. I press my hand to my tingling lips as I watch him. 
   "Monday." I say.
He nods, an array of conflicted emotions run across his face before that cold blank wall is back up, "Monday."
   He leaves without another word, the door locks behind him as I slump to the counter. There's only so much my heart can take, he stirs up emotions inside of me I thought had died when Blake had left me. I throw my hands in the air in frustration as I flop down on the couch, Luna jumps up beside me and begins to purr, insisting I pat her. 
   I relent and turn on a crime show, ignoring all thoughts of emotion.
When he leaves and decides his girlfriend isn't that bad...it's going to break me in half.