"What now?"

"What? Why are you asking me, Heath? You know I'm useless in these situations."

"Don't get smart with me, sweetheart."

"You shut up, you ugly bread crumb."

"You're intolerable!" Heath muttered. His eyes flashed angrily from me to the Sears Tower again. When he noticed it at first, he nearly threw a fit. And now, Heath's knuckles were bleeding because he thought it was perfectly okay to punch the brick building we were standing against.

I was just as much in shock as Heath was. Out of all places, I never thought I'd be back in Chicago. As far as I was concerned back at the restaurant, we were supposedly still in Ivey. But Chicago, dammit. Right back to where it all started.

Questions flittered through my head, none of which had answers. How did Romeo's men manage to drag us to Chicago? And why here? What was in Chicago that could benefit Romeo in any way? He lived in a palace in Italy, as far as I knew.

And Cage was still in Ivey. We had no way of contacting them halfway across the country. They had no idea where Heath and I were. It was frustrating, honestly. I had just gotten back home and everything was starting to be okay, but then this had to happen and now we were stranded in a huge city where Romeo's friends were going to start searching for us soon. These kidnappings were really getting to be annoying.

"Shit. Fuck. Damn. Shit-" Heath paced up and down on the sidewalk, cursing his mouth off. "Fuck this, man. I'm so fucking done. What the fuck. Dammit. Stupid motherfuckers! I'm so done. I'm over this. Fuck him. Fuck it. Damn this goddamn city-"

"Stop!" I whispered nervously as his actions caught the attention of several bystanders. Heath was covered in blood and it didn't make an innocent sight for anyone. Where we stood didn't completely hide us from view. We were easy targets if Romeo's men decided to come by. I grabbed Heath by the arm and dragged him to the back of the building. It provided just a bit more privacy from the open streets.

"I hate this city. I'm going to kill every last one of 'em." Heath snapped, ignoring me. He was in his own little world, building up an anger that would soon explode. "Oh, he's fucking dead. As soon as I get my hands on that bastard, he's so fucking dead. We can't spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders for that fucker. I'm gonna snap his fucking neck-"

"Stop!" I repeated, much for firmly this time. Reaching out, I grabbed Heath's arm and dragged him over to me. With his stature against mine, I could barely move him at all. "Calm down. Let's think this through in a rational way."

"Get your hand off my arm or I'll kill you."

Frowning, I pushed Heath away. He went back to pacing and muttering death threats under his breath. I had half a mind to ask if he was talking about Cage or Romeo, but I was still intimidated enough by his anger that I didn't. Stepping away, I glanced around at our surroundings.

We were in the back parking lot of some fast food chain store. Buildings and skyscrapers decorated the skyline as it quickly turned darker and stars began peeking through the clouds. The familiar guttural feeling of being back in Chicago made my stomach twist with fear. Without Cage, I felt even more vulnerable.

"Heath!" I called with a bit of annoyance. Other than beating the crap out of guys twice his size, he really was quite useless in these situations. And I thought I was the useless one. He turned towards me, glaring. "You need to calm down. You're not helping. What we need to do is find somewhere that has a phone and call Cage."

Heath was about to make a snarky reply but suddenly stopped, actually contemplating the idea. "I didn't think of that." He mumbled.

I smiled nicely. "And that's why you have me."

"Don't get too cocky, sweetheart. You would be dead without me."

''And you still would have been in that basement without me." I smirked, feeling pleased with myself. Now that we were out of immediate danger, I felt a bit proud of myself. Maybe I was a bit more badass than I gave myself credit for. Being around Cage was not such a bad thing, after all. I was picking up on some pretty nice survival skills.

"We could go back to your underground lair." I offered.

Heath was quick to refuse. "I have a better place. Besides, we can't navigate the tripwires and trigger points by ourselves. Cage was the one who set that up. He's the only one who can walk through that place without worrying constantly about getting killed. Anyways, we're on the other side of the city where that was. We're not getting far without a car."

"So hijack one." I bit my tongue after I said that, stunned. Heath looked amused. Oh my God, I was turning into a criminal. A week ago, I would have cried at the thought of stealing someone's car. And now I actually proposed a plan to do it.

"Okay." Heath said, walking away.

I caught up to him and tried to pace myself to match his long strides. "Wait, I didn't mean we should actually do it-"

Heath ignored my protests and walked up to a silver Honda. It was parked by itself near the restaurant, but right in view of other passersby in the street. We sidled up to the side of the car. Heath smirked. "Shh, I'll be subtle."

And then he proceeded to smash his fist through the driver's window, glass shattering down to the street with a great cracking noise loud enough to make several pigeons fly out from the roof of an apartment building.

I was mortified. Subtle, my ass. Oh yeah, we totally didn't just commit a felony. Geez. I stood by, awkwardly trying to maintain my composure as Heath reached in through the hole in the window and unlocked the door. He bent down and brushed all the glass of the seat, and then slipped inside. Before anyone could ask what the hell we just did, I darted to the other side of the car and went inside.

"Oh my God." I breathed, trying hard not to cry.

It didn't come to me as a surprise to learn that Heath knew how to hotwire a car. He did some weird fiddling on the steering column, removed a screw or two, and twisted two wires that were blue and red together. A moment later, the deep purr of the car engine starting began.

Ah, yes. The sweet sound of a jail cell door slamming shut.

"When you're in prison, remember me." I leaned back and rested my boots against the dashboard.

''Baby, you'll be right there beside me." He threw the engine in reverse and backed out, slipping onto the street. Thankfully, I don't think anyone was there to witness the very illegal thing Heath and I did. The streets were empty. The sky grew darker until it stopped at a dark to black blue. The moon followed the car. As we drove, I looked out the window and watched it.

Bright lights began to decorate the skyscrapers and buildings. There was a certain beauty in Chicago that couldn't be found anywhere else. When Heath eased the car onto a highway, I got a better view of the prettiness that lay below. Driving fast enough to break a few speed limits felt...freeing. Without Cage, I felt kind of lost but also a lot more...not vulnerable. But that feeling was outweighed by the desire to touch his skin and feel him touch mine. I wanted him more, a lot more, than I wanted to lose him. In the end, it all came down to what would work out long term.

And Cage and I were not long term. We weren't even short term, we were just...a mistake. An accident. An accidental meeting, accidental kisses, and accidental affection. No, misplaced affection fit a lot better. Why would Cage Vickers ever settle for me when he had the whole world? Endless money, endless power, and endless girls to sleep with. I couldn't compare to that.

"November, maybe I got you wrong." Heath said quietly, bringing me back from my daze. I watched him carefully, how tired his eyes were, how rough his hands must be. The Crows went through a lot. They were human and everything came with a price. They lived and lived well, but...that kind of lifestyle came with a curse.

"What do you mean?" I was too tired to say anything more.

We drove off the highway and onto a busy street, heading deeper into the city. "Do you remember when I said that I regretted saving you and your sister's lives?"

"How could I forget?"

"Well, I realize now that...I don't know, maybe I don't." His voice was quiet...honest. "You're a lot more than what I expected you to be. No wonder Cage's obsessed."

I frowned at that. "He's not obsessed with me-"

Heath suddenly chuckled, but it was dry. "Oh, trust me. He is. We've never gone to such lengths for anyone, especially a teenage girl. With Cage's status, he shouldn't have even given you the time of day. But he has, and a lot more. Those fleeting looks, that sexual tension between you guys-"

I choked on my spit when Heath said that.

He continued. "-Cage has never done that with anyone. He doesn't care about anyone, that's the thing. Nothing matters to a man like that. He fucks girls and leaves them in the middle of the night. He kills without caring, he tortures and blackmails others to get what he wants. Cage is not a good person, November."

"I know."

"But he's been good to you. He lets you run your mouth, backtalk without a consequence. If it was anyone else who did even one half of the things you have, they'd be dead. Cage is the kind of man who would kill anyone that gave him a dirty look. You have shown no respect to him, sweetheart. Not even the tiniest amount. And yet you're still alive. Isn't that strange?"

"No. It only shows that he's human." I said defensively.

"He's lost."

"Then he better ask for directions."

"November, listen to me." Heath urged. "Listen to what I'm saying because it's important. Cage is at a loss of what to make of you. I think we all are. You have an advantage that could cause a lot of harm to a lot of people. Think about that. All actions have an equalizer. Make sure yours doesn't kill Cage in the end."

"His clemency towards me does not excuse what he's done." I stiffened at Heath's implication.

"You don't love him."

"I can't."

"Why not, November?"

"Because he's Cage and I am November." I replied softly, watching the buildings blur past.

"You can't fall in love with someone within a week." Heath said, just as soft. "I know that. I believe that. But there is something that you did to Cage over the course of one week that changed him. He's not who he was before we met you. I've known Cage for ten years. And for ten years, it was always the same thing. Fuck women, kill people, and ruin shit...until we accidentally kidnapped one teenage girl named November Jones."

I smiled at that. "Not my problem."

"Not mine, either."

"Really? Because from what you've said, it seems as though your big bad boss is being destroyed by a seventeen year old girl."

A smirk caught his lips. "Is that your intention? To destroy Cage Vickers? Bring his empire down? Break his psychology until he's the one who's begging for mercy for once? I'd like to see you try."

I grinned back. "Is it working?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

I could manage a chuckle at that one. If only it were true. Cage Vickers was untouchable, I could do no harm to such power even if I wanted. And I didn't want to hurt Cage. I certainly entertained the idea, but I didn't have the guts to follow through with it. All of the teasing meant nothing, it was simply a way to pass the time. For Cage, I was pretty sure the same thing applied to him. However, it was amusing to watch him tick. There was a special high I got from playing with things I shouldn't.

"Okay, here's the plan." Heath said.

"Oh my God."

"It's a good plan, I promise."

"Heath, your last plan almost got us both killed."

"But we're not dead, are we?" He snapped. "Anyways, here's the plan. We're not going back to Luna Lofts. It's one of the first places Romeo would think to look. There's a hotel that Cage has half ownership of-"

"Why doesn't he just buy the whole damn city?" I interrupted, annoyed.

Heath sighed but didn't add on to my mutter. "-that he has half ownership of. The manager is a good friend of ours. We can call your landline and see if anyone picks up. Cage has certain methods of fast travelling but if he can't get here by tonight, we'll spend the night there. We'll take you back to Ivey."

"And you? What about you?"

"We can't stay in Chicago until Romeo's dead, and Cage isn't going to give up until he is. Romeo lives in Italy. Put two and two together, November."

I stared at Heath, unsure. "So...Cage is going to...Italy?"

He rolled his eyes at my uncertainty. "Yes."

"But what happens after that?" I inquired.

"Why do you want to know so badly?"

"Because I do, Heath."

"I don't fucking know." Heath muttered. "Cage is gonna go back to his life and we'll go with him. And you'll go back home to Ivey. Isn't that what you wanted?"

I couldn't bring myself to answer that question.

Heath fell silent. We turned onto a residential road surrounded by lush trees and he parked the car, stepping out. I followed after Heath, numb. The hotel was a great big looming thing that towered over twenty stories tall with private balconies and enormous floor to ceiling windows. Pillars turned golden with the incorporated lighting. A sign that said King Royal Hotel sat surrounded by rose bushes that were still growing despite the cold weather.

As we walked towards the entrance, I looked closer at the sign. Underneath the title was a couple of phrases. In thick black letters, the sign read 'Property of CJV and Stephanie King- Owned & Operated by King Institution in collaboration with Crow Airlines. Live as if you'll die tomorrow.'

Wow. That fit nicely.

I followed Heath into the lobby, once again stunned by the sheer perfection that was inside. The floor was made of what appeared to have the illusion of glass. Underneath that was pretty cream coloured carpet. A large sculpture stood in the middle of the room, highlighted by a bright light from above. Giant chandeliers hung from the lighted ceiling. Minimalist decorations gave the entire lobby a modern feel and boy, was I out of my element in a place like this.

The lobby was empty, including the front call desk. Heath checked the place briefly for anyone and when he found nothing, walked to the desk. "Come here."

I walked over to Heath as he reached across the pitted desk and grabbed the phone sitting beside the check in system, handing it to me.

"Try the landline first. Use the area code 773." He said.

"Wait." I stuck my hand out and caught the sleeve of his coat. "Can't you call?"

"November, I don't know your phone number." He pulled my hand off him.

"I'll dial but I would prefer if you talked." I said nervously.

"Why?"

"I'm scared."

"Of what? He can't bite you through the phone." Heath replied with disbelief.

"Will you just do it?" I sighed, pushing the phone towards him.

He didn't take it. "No, just do it! I have to get myself cleaned up. You're ridiculous."

"Heath!" I whined after him. He ignored me and began walking towards one of the doors leading further into the hotel. With a sigh, I slowly punched in the numbers. My palms felt clammy. Just the thought of possibly hearing Cage's voice made my heart pound. We hadn't exactly left on the best of terms, and the conversation with Heath in the car only fueled my panic.

The other line rang.

And it rang again.

And then once more.

And then it clicked as someone picked up the phone.

"H-Hello?" I whispered, my voice barely audible to my own ears. I could feel my heart resonating a drum in my chest. Gripping the twisted cord around my fingers, I waited with held breath to see who would answer.

"November?"

It was Fern.

I let out my breath, relieved. Anyone but Cage. He was all too complicated for me to even think about. "Fern, it's me! I'm okay, how are you? Is Cage there? Is Diana okay? Did you find Micheal? Are you guys okay? Because I am. So is Heath. We're fine-"

"I can't hear you, hold on." Fern said as Diana's wails began to pierce through the phone. I cringed and held it away from me to avoid ruining my ear drums. The sounds from the other line were strange. Fern was seemingly struggling with Diana. Someone else was shouting, it sounded like Nick.

"Just give me a second." Fern's voice came back on the line, sounding breathless.

After a moment, I said, "Fern?"

"Yes, I'm here!" She came back. Diana's crying could be heard from the background. I assumed she handed her over to Nick or whoever else was in our home. "November, are you okay- Nick, give her the binky! The binky. It's blue. Wait, hold on, sorry- the binky, you idiot! It's right there on the kitchen table. Thank you!" The crying promptly stopped. Fern turned her attention back to me. "Sorry. What the hell happened, November? Why is there a dead body on our front porch? Where are you? And that guy, Heath? Is he with you?"

"We're, um, we're-" I winced. "We're in Chicago."

Silence.

And then, "Chicago?" She repeated with disbelief. "What are you doing in Chicago, November?"

"I'm not doing anything! I was kidnapped. Heath was too, he's with me." I struggled to get the words out before Fern could start shouting. "But we're safe, at the moment. We got away. Look, I will explain everything when I get home. Is Cage with you? Can I talk to him?"

Fern sighed with frustration. "Ugh. You better have a good excuse ready when you get back home. And no, Cage isn't here."

I chewed on my bottom lip fretfully, stopping when I accidentally bit down on the bruise from the soda can. "Where is he then?"

"He went after you, November."

At soon as the words left Fern's mouth, I heard the roar of an engine outside. So I had about a minute before Cage murdered me.

"Oh."

"And you thought the tracking chips were useless." Fern gave a dry chuckle. "Okay, so listen. I don't exactly trust these guys, especially Cage, but I don't think we really have a lot of available options here. As much as I hate to say it, our best bet at getting you home safely is with him. Don't do anything stupid, November. I mean it."

"Me, stupid? Never." In the silence, I could hear one of the front doors slam shut. About 20 seconds now. "I have to go. Talk to you later, Fern. I promise I will try not to do anything stupid. Bye, love you." I whispered, my voice cracking. Before Fern could protest, I placed the phone gently on the counter. His presence never went unknown. The mere fact that Cage went to such great lengths to come after Heath and I all the way from Ivey to Chicago in a matter of hours was unbelieveable.