First Punch ➟ Kellic

F O R T Y F O U R

"Come back to me," he whispers, the noise almost drowned out my the approaching doom and my hammering heartbeat.

I try to smile reassuringly, nodding before leaning in and kissing him again. I needed one more. I needed one last thing to hold onto to, one last thing to give me hope.

"I love you," I tell him when I pull away, internally praying to deities I don't even believe in. We have to make it out of this alive.

"I love you more," he replies, not appearing anywhere near close to letting go of me.

The voices are really loud now, and I can't keep the worry from showing on my face as I decide that it's time. I lift my hand to cradle his cheek, needing to feel the soft touch of his skin one more time. Jake seems to read my mind, tightening his grip. I shoot him one last affectionate glance, needing to reinforce my feelings before I rip from his comforting clutches into the face of danger.

I shut the door tightly behind me before Jake has the chance to follow, immediately scanning the area. Anxiety floods my body as I land on the flock of yellow making its way up the staircase. I grip my switchblade I'd thankfully grabbed tightly in my fist, preparing myself for whatever's about to happen.

Dimitri's the first onto the landing, leading the group as per usual. Every muscle in my body tightens and I take a defensive stance, recognizing Carter as he stands at D's side. They spot me almost instantly, Dimitri looking confused as he holds his hand up, stopping his followers from coming any closer.

"Cooper?" he greets me, still looking confused. Even just his expression and hesitation confirms a lot for me. Carter didn't say anything. They didn't instantly start shooting. They still hold some loyalty.

"I know who you're here for," I tell him, my finger hovering over the switch on my blade, trying not to let my guard down. "You can't do this."

"What do you mean?" he asks, taking a step closer, Carter's intense glare practically burning a hole in my head.

"I love him," I admit. "I can't let you do this."

D's expression immediately changes to a stunned one, the rest of my old family seeming to hesitate, unsure of what to do in this situation.

"You what?"

"He hasn't hurt anyone in months. We're not gonna bother you again. Please just leave us alone," I demand, my voice making it clear how I serious I am about this. "None of us need another mess to clean up. Let's just go our own way."

"D, you-" Carter tries to argue, but Dimitri puts his hand up again, shutting him up.

"Is this why you left?" Dimitri questions, still not looking too threatening, but I don't let myself relax.

"I need him, D," I tell him, dodging the question. There are a lot of reasons that I left. "He's my family now."

They all look at a loss for words, this entire situation unprecedented for us. Who are they more loyal to now? Me? Or avenging our fallen members?

"An attack on him is an attack on me." I flick my blade out in the process, reinforcing where I stand in this. My loyalty to them is gone. It's one against 7, but I'm more than willing to die over this. I'll take my chances. I just hope they can't stomach killing me. I am their BG after all.

"D, think about-" Carter argues again, but to no avail. Dimitri isn't having any of his shit and I couldn't be happier about it.

Just as I think this might actually go my way, I hear a door open behind me. I let out an automatic sigh, cursing Jake in my head for being so protective. I had this, but of course now he's gotta test their patience.