"Little squirt?"

I jump at the deep voice, whipping my head to the left, my breathing coming out rapid.

I'm in the lockers room, waiting for Jack. Like hell am I leaving him behind with him.

My eyes connect with the scary man I met before, Ronchi I think that's his name.

Ronchi crosses his arms, frowning. "What's wrong? Where's Jack?" He questions.

"Uh.." my voices comes out groggy and I clear my throat.

"He's using the restroom."

"Right.." he nods, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Yeah.." I push the hair off my face, staring at him.

Hmm. He might know a thing or two about Killian.

"Uh, can I ask you something?" I ask, casually and he nods slowly.

"Uh.. I've been here a few time and I've been hearing this name... Like a lot.." I furrow my brows. "I'm just wondering..do you know a guy named by Killian? Killian Scarce, I think that's it.." I purse my lips, looking up at him.

His whole posture tenses, his gaze flies to the door and he looks around, before placing his gaze back on me. He nods his head across the room, signalling to follow him and I nod.

We stop at a corner and he turns to me, getting straight to the topic.

"Killian Scarce..son of Kygo Scarce." His eyes become distant. "Kygo and his wife, Grace, died in an awful fire when Killian was just a child, Kygo had a business. An underground business, he was the leader, it was possibly the biggest gang in this country. A few years after his death, Killian took over. He has a brother-" he squints his eyes, shaking his head. "I don't know his name." He says gruffly, furrowing his brows. "But some say he was the cause of the fire.."

I frown, narrowing my eyes. Jack?

"Anyway, Kygo. I used to work for him, he wasn't a bad man, never hurt anyone, unless they deserved it. And when he did, oh my.." he takes a deep breath. "He would be brutal. I was his best man. Sargent R, I did some of his dirty work. Yes. The gang included a lot of dodgy stuff.. as you expect, you know.. killing, torturing, drugs and stuff." He looks down at me. "I don't work for Killian, I retired after his father's passing, so things could've changed-"

The door creaks open, and he cuts himself off.

"See you later little squirt." He murmurs, making his way to the door.

I pinch my brows together, thinking about all the words he said.

"Oh hey, Jack."

I snap my head to the door and catch Jack staring right back at me.

"Jack.." I give him a smile. Ronchi walks out, and I slowly make my way to Jack.

He bites his lip, his body rigid. I frown, wrapping my around him and he tenses.

I look up at him, worry seeping through me. "Are you okay?" I ask, quietly.

He continues to stare down at me, battling with himself, but then his lips twitch up into a small smile. He leans down and kisses my cheek and I smile. "I'm fine, Let's get you home, it's getting late." He wraps an arm around me.

I nod slowly. "What did Killian say?" I ask, studying him. His smile falters, his eyes hinting sadness.

He caresses my cheek. "Let's not speak of him."

I frown. He tucks a strand of hair under my ear and trails his hand down my arm, rubbing it comfortingly. "I'd do anything to keep you safe."

My frown deepens, as I continue to stare at him. "...Will you be safe?" I ask after a moment, a lump forming in my throat.

"I'll be fine." He says, but his eyes show different.

I nod slowly, pulling away. I make my way to the door and my lips begin to tremble.

He won't be fine.

"Babe, I'll be fine." He calls after me. I open the door and begin to speed walk out of the exit, not wanting him to see me like this, again. I quickly try to wipe the spilt tears, but then I'm pulled backwards and into Jack's chest.

At that moment, I break down. Burying my face in his chest, sobbing quietly.

I hear Jack sigh, and his hand begins to rub my back, soothingly.

"You won't be fine." I croak out after a while.

His lack of response causes more tears to spill, and I begin to sob again, while he continues to rub my back.

After a while, I pull away, sniffling and I push my hair back. I look up at Jack, tears still spilling. He stares back, chewing his bottom lip, looking equally broken.

A few minutes of silence, I take a deep breath, pinching my brows together, my face sinking. "We can't see eachother anymore." I speak, in a cracky voice.

His blue eyes gleam with thick tears, silence greeting us once again.

"You want to break up?" He finally croaks out, in a strained voice.

I shake my head, pulling out of his embrace. "You know I don't, Jack. He's coming back for me isn't he? And by the looks of it, if he sees us together he'll hurt you." I wipe the tears away sniffling. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Jacks not good at hiding, or maybe it's just me whose good at figuring stuff out.

"Layla..." His hoarse voice trails off, as a tear slips. I shake my head. "Think about your safety, Jack. Okay? You really want to risk your life by staying with me?"

He nods his head, reaching forward for me, but I take another step back. His eyes fill with hurt and I shake my head, tears spilling.

"I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you." I croak out, breaking eye-contact.

"He wouldn't kill me, he-"

"I don't think he would joke about something like that, Jack." I cut him off, biting my lip.

He rakes a hand through his hair, looking around. The sky is pitch black now, and not many people are around. "We could figure something out.." he says slowly, I shake my head and his face falls.

"I'm not risking it. Killian's been able to find me in several occasions, so I guarantee you, he'll find us again." I blow out a breath, looking up at the sky.

I hate life.

Moments later I hear Jack's steps, as he walks closer to me.

I feel his warm hand touch my cheek and I look up at him. "I-I just.." his voice cracks and a tear rolls down his cheek. "I don't want to lose you either." His thumb brushes against my cheekbone, trailing down to my jaw.

The weight in my chest gets heavier as I take in his pained features. "You know it's for the best, Jack." I say lowly.

He pinches his brows together, creases forming on his forehead. He moves his hand down, running his thumb along my bottom lip. "You sound like you'll let him take you." He frowns.

I purse my lips, tears brimming my eyes once again.

I hate to say this but..

I give up. I just give up and it's because Killian won't. It's only a matter of time before he takes me again and...."There's nothing we can do anymore.."

"I'll be there for you, I'll keep you safe." He says softly, looking me in the eyes.

I sigh. "Jack, you didn't listen.."

"I can't leave you, Layla." He wraps his arms around my waist, leaning down, so we're eye level.

"Jack." I frown.

"Layla. What he's planning to make you work with, is dangerous. It'll ruin you. The things you'll get involved with..." He shakes his head. "It's not safe, baby." He says softly, caressing my cheek. "I will keep you safe."

I shake my head. "I know what I'm dealing with, I spoke with Ronchi." I gulp, placing my hand on his cheek.

He pinches his brows together. "He told you what goes on down there?"

"Yes." I nod my head. "And he told me a little about your parents, how your father used to be the gangleader and-"

I trail off when he tenses, his eyes filling with sadness. "It was an accident." He whispers and I nod, giving him a small smile. He returns it leaning in and placing his lips on mine.

"I love that you're so understanding, Layla." He smiles, pulling away.

I smile, licking my lips and nod.

He continues to stare at me, smiling. His eyes staring deeply within mine.

I break eye contact, pushing my hair backwards, blinking a few times.

Gosh I'm so awkward.

"When I first met you, the first thing that came to my mind was how beautiful your eyes are." He says softly. I look down immediately, a blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Th-They're not."

He chuckles, lifting my chin up. "They are. Truly mesmerising." His eyes glint with adoration. I feel knots twist in my stomach and I wrap my arms around him, tears brimming my eyes, knowing I have to leave him.

"Don't make this harder for me.." I whisper painfully into his chest, biting my lip.

He sighs, wrapping his arms around me. "I love you, Layla." He whispers in my ear, soothingly and a tear slips from my eyes.

"I love you too." I sniffle. "So I have to make this decision. To keep you safe, you know we can't keep running for the rest of our lives." I look up and he bites his lip.

There's silence until Jack finally breaks it. "Okay, baby." He whispers brokenly, caressing my cheek. "I love you, Jack." I repeat, my lips trembling.

He merely smiles. "I love you too." Then he leans down and puts his lips on mine. Possibly for the last time.

And I just hope that... Maybe...

Maybe one day we can be together again.

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