I watch the crimson red color stain the carpet.

Blood.

Believe it or not I always detasted it.

My face contrasts watching the man hit the floor. Not because I sympathize with him, neither cause, I feel guilty. It's just an instinctive reaction of disgust to the sight in front of me.

Nothing good comes up from this kind of punishment. Never.

I know it quite well.

Getting off my seat I walk towards the door. ''Where are you going?'' Mark asks.

I shoot him a warning glare, enough to shut him up.

After all this time and they still don't know their place. Pathetic.

Shaking my head, I leave the room following the dim lights to the entrance.

Patience Jackson.

Outside the building, I put a cigarette between my lips checking my pockets for a lighter.

What the... I always carry one with me.

After a couple of seconds of literal confusion, it hits me.

I had one in the leather jacket I gave to her.

Daphne.

Even the sound of her name is enough to bring a burst in my brain. Like an ecstasy shot, making my body jolt, my blood pumping through my veins.

Pretty fucked up right?

And the crazy part is I don't even know when I started being so obsessive over her.

At the beginning it was just curiosity.

I was intrigued by the shy girl with the beautiful brown eyes, looking at me like a little deer.

I've never been affectionate with anyone before. Not my friends or previous girls. But it was something in the way she looked at me inside that movie theatre, that made me feel as we were connected. Like she could see through me in a way no one else did.

After that I searched for her. It was easy. We have connections everywhere and in the next 24 hours I had everything I wanted in my hands.

A file with pictures, dates and information. Things like her first day at school, the ballet classes she took as a kid, to the depression she went through the last year and the frequent visits to her psychologist.

I realized, she was so fragile which made me rethink my choice and leave her alone. She wasn't the right girl for me. Or to be more specific, I'm not the right guy for her.

I know that.

But even if I wanted to let go, our paths always crossed together.

The night Ethan called me to tell me she was in that garage dealing, I lost it. He said Eric had her with him, making my blood boil. What could my girl be doing with that freak?

I went there defying the protocol, only one thought in my mind. Get my baby out of here.

When I saw her scared and defeated my heart clenched. How could anyone hurt an angel like her?

Keeping my composure, I did what I do best. Destroy them for even think of hurting her.

And when her panic attack came up, I was there for her. The moment she looked me in the eyes and called me Joker I knew.

She was mine.

End of story.

''We are done.'' Brody's voice wakes me up from my thoughts.

I throw the cigarette away, moving towards my bike.

They look at me patiently, waiting for my next words, but I don't do them any favor.

Turning the engineer on, I drive away, leaving them behind without a second glance.

They are irrelevant after all.

My house is rather silent when I step in. Today is the day Ms. Abernathy usually comes to help, by doing some chores for me.

I walk inside the living room finding everything clean and tidy. A pleasant smell comes from the kitchen and I drift over there taking my jacket off.

Mmmm...meat stew.

She knows I love this type of food. I don't even remember the last time I ate a motherly dish before her. It must be too long.

I sit down enjoying my meal in silence.

I used to hate it, but now...it's the only thing I crave when I'm home.

Putting the plate in the dishwasher, I walk inside my bedroom preparing myself for a shower.

I take off my shirt, following by my pants and briefs.

Ding!

A notification lights up my phone. Him.

I call him back, walking naked towards the bathroom.

''What's up?'' I ask as soon as he picks it up.

''Why didn't you come back?'' His cold voice answers with a hint of amusement.

''There was no need to. I'm sure Brody told you everything.''

''He did.''

''Good.''

''Is there something you want to tell me?'' He says, obviously referring to the fact I left during the ''work''.

''No.''

''Ok. Are you coming to the gathering tonight?''

''If you mean the party where everyone is stoned and fucking each other, no. I'll pass.''

''If someone could hear you, they would think you are some type of spoilsport, unlovable person.'' He says, joking.

''Do you have anything else you want to say? Because my dick became hard from standing out in the cold for so long.''

He laughs at my response, before he hangs up the phone.

I throw mine away stepping inside the steamy shower.

After about ten minutes I walk out, a towel around my hips. I use another one to wipe away the water from my head, while standing in front of the mirror.

My eyes drift unintentionally to the marks across my chest and abdomen. Deep cuts and burning spots ''decorate'' my skin. I move my hand towards the rough spots on my body, but quickly retrieve it.

I can't even stand the feeling of my own touch.

Disgusting.

Her voice lingers in my ears. ''You are a disgusting human being.''

Am I?

I shake my head over and over again. I wish for the voices to stop.

But they never do.

A loud bang brings me back to reality.

I walk slowly to the living room, my eyes fixed on the mirror opposite the wall.

I look closely until I see a slim figure looking outside the window.

''How many times do I have to tell you, always ring the bell before you come up.''

I say, exhaling deeply.

She smiles turning around, her fire red hair coming to my view.

''You live on a penthouse. What bell?''

''You know what I mean Olivia.'' I respond annoyed.

''Oh, come on! I just came back from my trip and that's how you're welcoming me?''

She whines, offering me one of her beautiful smiles.

''Welcome back.'' I say calmly. ''I'll go change for a minute. Help yourself.''

''Or...you can stay the way you are. I kind of forgot how breathtaking you look.'' She says, biting on her lip.

''Mmm. I'm sure. Wait here.'' I mumble one last time, before I walk back to my bedroom.

Putting on a pear of jeans and a plain back t-shirt, I take my phone in my hands checking the messages.

Bang!

Jesus. She is going to destroy my whole house.

I go back into the kitchen finding her cleaning some glasses from the floor.

''Oops!'' She says after seeing me there.

''I swear I didn't do it on purpose.''

''I know.'' I answer tugging her arm. ''Come here. I'll clean it myself. You may cut yourself.''

She lets me take her to the living room and sits down, a wine glass on her hand.

''Bring another one for you!'' She yells while I go back to clean her mess.

''How was New York?''

''You know, same old, same old.''

''I thought you were excited to go back there.''

''I was. At the beginning. Until I saw my sister and all the judgmental clan, calling themselves ''my family.''

''I see.''

''Sometimes I wish I was an orphan.'' She says, taking a sip from her wine.

''You don't want that.'' I respond blankly.

''Sorry.'' She mumbles. ''That was insensitive.''

''It's ok.''

''You? How were your days without me here?'' She asks, her hand massaging my shoulder.

''Same.'' I coldly respond finishing my glass.

''Umm you seem stressed. Do you want me to help you relax?''

''I'm not in the mood.''

''Are you sure? You know my hands are working magic.'' She whispers scooting closer to me, while letting her hands rest on my shoulders.

''I told you I'm not in the mood Olivia.'' I raise my voice, separating her hands from my body.

She looks at me hurt. ''I was just talking for a massage Jack. Calm down.''

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. Honestly, I don't really care about talking to her coldly. She knows I'm like this. That's why I don't put an effort to apologize.

''Can I stay here for the night?'' She asks hesitant.

I turn to look at her. ''Why?''

''I-I didn't pay my rent for the last month and I don't want to go back there.''

''Ok'' I simply reply.

''Thank you!'' She says eyes brimming with excitement.

That's how Olivia is. The one moment she cries and the other she becomes a happy sunshine.

I know her for far too long and judging by her posture, she probably owes more than a month's rent.

I would give her the money if she asked me, but I know she won't. Besides, what everyone thinks about her, she is a good kid. And a descent one.

''I'll go take a shower.'' She says kissing my cheek, before she stomps towards my room. ''Can you bring me my bag please?'' she yells from inside.

A descent one? Scratch that. She can be a pain in the ass, exactly like now, when she is wandering around my house like she owns it.

But I can't find myself to be mad at her. She is one of the few people I have in my life and surprisingly, I'm used to her.

Standing up, I take her luggage and walk to my room, only to find her stripping down.

''Thanks hon.'' She says, getting rid of her panties and bra. ''You wanna join me?''

I look at her smiling all seductively. Her beautiful body on display. In any other case I may have taken the chance, but not now.

''Just go.'' I reply unaffected by her boldness.

''Your lost.'' She shrugs stepping to the bathroom, swaying her hips to bring my attention.

I smile watching her. That's how our ''relationship'' works. She teases me and whines, but in the end, I'm always in control.

The truth is, we know each other quite well to be that comfortable. I understand and fulfill her needs, she accepts my attitude and boundaries.

No strings attached, no hard feelings.

It's that easy.

Ding!

Opening the phone, I check the new message. It's from Ethan.

You need to come.

Why?

He wants to see all of us before the place becomes a shithole.

What does he want?

I don't know. Just come, so we can get it over with. I don't want to be there more than you do.

Ok

Locking on the screen, I open my closet to get a jacket. Olivia comes off the shower, a towel around her body.

''Where are you going?''

''Out.''

''For?''

''Work.''

''I thought we could hang out today. I missed you.'' She says, clinging on me.

''Cut it off Liv. I told you. I have work.''

She huffs annoyed, walking away.

''There is food in the fridge, don't destroy my house while I'm gone.'' I tell her, before I take my keys and go.

I step inside the gate of Brody's house. Usually our meetings take place in his office building, but I guess everybody will be here for tonight's party, so it makes sense.

The place still looks descent, although there are people around creating the ''atmosphere'' for the night.

I walk past the workers caring boxes with alcohol and climb on the stairs. There are at least six bedrooms in this house, bathrooms, living rooms and playrooms, a lot of them occupied from members of the gang who stay here. We use this place as a private ''hotel'' for gatherings before missions, or even as a safehouse when things become hard. And what better safehouse than one exposed to the sight of everyone?

It's the simplest, most affective strategic.

I search for the familiar wooden door and when I find it, I go inside without nocking.

Most of the A-class members are here. I look at Brody smoking a cigarette by the window, Mark close to him checking on his phone, Pablo and Rio chatting with each other, while Ethan stands alone in the corner.

I walk towards him casually, not giving a damn about the rest of the men inside the room.

''Hey.'' He says.

I just nod checking on my phone. ''Is he here already?''

''Yes. He is talking on the phone, in there.'' Ethan mumbles referring to the small door separating the two rooms.

''You know what he wants?''

He shakes his head. ''No, you are his beta. Why asking me?''

''Stop calling me like that.'' I say irritated.

He just laughs it off. ''I heard you left them today.''

''I didn't. I was outside. It was a stupid thing anyway. Dumb and dumber could handle it.'' I say in a low tone.

He chuckles at my comment. ''Don't let them hear you. You are their idol anyway.''

I huff annoyed. ''You and I know well nobody likes me here. They just tolerate me because they can't do anything else.''

''More like afraid of you, but anyway. Pablo said he saw you in the movies yesterday night.'' Ethan says looking at me intensely. ''With a girl.'' He adds.

My eyes flicker on Pablo.

That Hispanic prick. I knew he would bring me problems. He talks too much for his own good.

I have to put him in place.

''Just be careful.'' Ethan says.

Right on time the door open and he makes his appearance. Wearing a signature amusement grin on his face, he brushes his jet black hair back, sitting behind the desk.

With rolled sleeves, he takes as sip from his drink nonchalantly, as if he is alone in the room.

We all wait for him to speak and I need to suppress the urge of yelling at him for taking so long. It starts to get really annoying this habit of him.

''For starters I want everyone to start evaluating your pushers. And by that, I mean write down and check all their sales, in what products and the income they have.''

''We already do this.''

''If you do it then how come you were short by five grand last month, when your dealer sold all the product Rio?"

I see him gulping hard before he takes the paper, he threw on his face.

''You need all of you to get your shit together. This is not a playground. I won't tolerate it.''

They all shut up while me and Ethan stand casually against the wall watching them.

A nock on the door interrupts our fun. My face drops immediately when I see Isaac walking inside.

''Welcome.''

I look at him doubtfully. What the hell is he doing here?

''Pick a seat.''

He looks around for a moment, his eyes stopping on me, before he moves towards the back.

''As I was saying I'm not going to have you all play around in MY business. You spent too much time enjoying the benefits of the work, you forgot it's not about you. Isaac pushed more product than any of your dealers and he is one man. While I'm paying the double for you and your pushers.''

I don't like where this is going.

''That's why I decided he will get an A-class pass from now on. If I don't see any change on the way you are handling your business, I'm going to send someone away and give all his jobs and clients to him. You got it?''

Everybody looked at him petrified. The money is sweet, but the power coming from them is sweeter. And no one wants to lose it.

While all of them were too occupied fucking everything with two legs and a hole, Isaac probably made a plan to level up his game and take a seat in the table with the big dogs.

Smart prick.

''Enjoy the rest of your evening.'' He adds sarcastically dismissing them.

I stay back waiting for them to leave the room.

''I want you to give him more jobs. And double his payment.''

''First of all, I am not the damn accountant. And secondly why would you give him a raise when he pulled up this shit just a week ago?''

He stares at me amused. ''I know you hate him Jack and I can say it's pretty mutual. I still don't know why. You were getting along so well when he first came here.''

I avert my eyes annoyed.

''I'm not a kid Chuck. Save the lecture for someone who cares.''

He chuckles at my response. ''Mmm I missed our little arguments baby brother.''

''Chuck.'' I warn him.

''Is it because of that girl he had with him last time?''

My body freezes at the mention of her but I try not to show it.

''What girl?''

''You know what girl. That sexy muffin he tried so hard to save. Or did you think I haven't noticed how you were checking her out.''

''I wasn't.''

''Jack, no need to lie. I am not judging you. She definitely looked tempting. I wouldn't mind take a bite too.''

I clenched my jaw trying to suppress the urge of getting there and shove the glass down his throat.

That motherfucker. He is daydreaming if he thinks I will ever let him or any other man, get their filthy hands on my angel.

''Anything else? '' I ask impatient to leave from here.

''Did you?'' He says raising an eyebrow. ''Take a bite?''

I huff annoyed. ''No. Why are you so obsessed over this?''

''Why are you?''

''What are we playing, 20 questions?''

He chuckles again standing up. ''Ok my friend. I let this go...for now.''

''Great.'' I snicker opening the door to leave.

''You can't run from the family Jack!'' He shouts behind me, but I'm already gone.

By the time I climb down the stairs people have already filled the house. Music echoes loud through the walls and I hurriedly move towards the exit. I hate these kind of parties.

Ethan sees me and signals me to go closer.

''What?''

''Stay for a drink man.''

''I'm not in the mood.'' I respond blankly.

''Are you waiting for someone in your place?'' He asks raising an eyebrow.

''I mean Olivia is there, but I'm not interested on going back to her.''

''She came back?''

''Yeah.'' I mumble taking a drink from his hand.

''Will you tell her?''

''Tell her what?'' I say looking around me, bored already.

''That you've got someone now.''

I stare at him for a moment silent.

He knows.

He is my best friend after all.

''No.''

''You should. She is a good girl.''

I just nod, my eyes drifting on Isaac chatting with some girls.

Ethan follows my eyes.

''You know Chuck made a right decision. Even if you won't admit it.''

''I have to endure it. Not accept it.'' I say throwing away my cup.

''Where are you going?''

''To see my girl. ''