"People change and forget to tell each other." -Lillian Hellman
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"Come one, one more step." I mumbled while holding tightly onto Natalie's boney fingers.
"I know how to get into my bed K." Natalie chuckled while collapsing her weak body onto her pre-made bed.
"You're more than capable, but I just wanted to make sure you didn't trip and die." I teased.
"I'm finally home, Kennedy. There will be no dying." Natalie looked around her room with a big smile plastered onto her damaged face.
Natalie got the okay from the doctors late last night that she could finally go home. She didn't need any other supervision from them except a post-op check up in a few days. But other than that, she was healing quickly.
Zayn happily drove us from the hospital early this morning since everyone else was too busy, but he won't admit that. On the way here, Natalie had fallen asleep in the backseat which gave me some needed time to talk to Zayn.
I first thanked him for thinking about my locks and, of course, he told me it was nothing. Then after some awkward silence, I remembered the text Leonardo sent me. I had forgotten all about it because Harry blinded me by his apology. So I showed it to him and he had a lot to say about it.
"That douchebag sent you that?" Zayn's hands flexed hard around the steering wheel as his jaw tensed.
"Yea. I haven't shown it to anyone. I don't know what to do." I tucked my phone back into my jean pocket and sighed in defeat.
"Ever wondered what the Suckers casino looks like?" Zayn's eyebrows raised as he turned his head towards me.
"Not really. Why, you have an idea?" I turned towards him, intrigued by what he had to say.
"I talked to Harry about this when he first told you about everything. I feel like now is the perfect time to act on it." Zayn began to explain and turned his head back towards the road.
I didn't answer, but instead put my head on my hand and kept my eyes on him.
"How would you feel about taking a little trip?" Zayn chuckled manicaly to himself. I couldn't help but smirk.
"To the Suckers casino?" I lifted my head up in excitement. Hell, maybe I could do some snooping.
"Bingo. See Leonardo, get a feel for the casino. Maybe confront him one on one like he wants." Zayn smirked as he turned the corner towards Natalie's apartment. I chuckled lowly.
"Let me guess, Harry's trying to protect me?" I raised an eyebrow in annoyance as Zayn nodded his head.
"And he can't come because he'll jump any moment he gets. You'd have to go with me or Liam. Louis is off today and Niall's in no head space to go." Zayn frowned slightly.
"So it's a secret?" I felt a bit of fire ignite inside of me. I loved any kind of danger, especially the secret kind.
"I wish, but no. Harry finds out everything. I bet he already knows, he's just that good." Zayn looked out his side window and sighed. I could tell he was a bit bummed about something.
"Then I guess that parts up to me." I smiled at Zayn who had lifted his head in excitement.
"Alright, so. All your laundry is done and I restocked your fridge. You're all good to go. Now are you sure you don't want to stay at my apartment? Or let me stay here?" I bit down on my lip in concern.
Natalie giggled and spoke confidently, "No Kennedy, I'm fine. Plus, I've got my trusty cane. You don't have to worry about me." Natalie took my hand softly and squeezed it. I smiled down at her broken face.
"But, before you go... Tell me everything!" Natalie's face perked up in happiness which caught me off guard.
"Everything what?" I questioned, not understanding what details she wanted. I haven't done anything worth noting.
"Oh come on! You're actually smiling. Harry and you are back on so how did it happen?" Natalie inched herself up in her bed until her head was against her headboard. Immediately I chuckled.
"He said he was sorry and showed me a place dear to his heart. But I can't tell you because it's personal information. Although I know you helped him." I sat down on the edge of her bed and smiled.
"That's it! That's all you're gonna give me? No horny details or sweet words? Just that he said sorry and you accepted it? Pathetic Ms. Monroe." Natalie scoffed and crossed her arms.
"Jesus, fine! He said he never meant to say it. He also said that instead of me running away with everything he's told me, he wants me to stay and learn more." I looked down at my hands and felt my face turn red.
"Kennedy! Please tell me you kissed him! I know you're not dating or whatever but if a man told me that after being shitty, I would have put my hand down his pants right then and there." Natalie nudged me slightly as I collapsed my blood red face into my hands for protection.
"Natalie! No I didn't have sex with him you whore!" I collapsed my back onto the bed and joined in on her giggling.
"Hey! I'm just saying. I'd probably be pregnant right now." Natalie poked at my shoulder while I shielded my embarrassment.
"Okay, okay! I kissed him, but that was it. Nothing more, nothing less." I shook my head as Natalie cheered.
"You've dug yourself a deep hole haven't you?" Natalie settled down her laughter and spoke seriously.
"I hope not." I turned my face towards her, a smile on both of our lips. I sat up and she brought me in for a hug.
"Just, be careful. You've seen what could happen, now imagine that ten times worse." Natalie chuckled.
"I know, I will. Now, I've got to go." I reluctantly pulled away from her and stood up beside her.
"Ugh, that's right. You have a job to do." Natalie groaned as she let go of my hand. I frowned.
"Sadly yes. But I'm hoping it's going to be an eventful day. I'll come over later okay?" I embraced her one last time before turning and walking towards the door.
"Bye Romeo!" Natalie called out as I walked to her door. I chuckled at her remark and sighed.
"Fuck off!" I shouted back with a giggle as I opened her front door and locked it behind me.
I hailed a taxi to Alea as soon as I reached the corner of Natalie's street. It was a quick ride, yet very quiet. I watched the clock the whole time, awaiting Harry's anger the minute I stepped through the front doors. Zayn had to have told him, he's his boss. Well, kind of.
"Thanks." I smiled at the driver who happily took my money. He nodded in response and unlocked the rusty cab doors.
I climbed out and was met with the familiar alcohol and cigarette smell. I hadn't been to Alea in a bit, at least when it was open. I felt a little comfier now, knowing that I was in a public place rather than alone.
I walked up the steps and opened the cold glass doors. My nostrils were hit with a strong cologne heavy scent, making me sneeze. I chuckled to myself, not missing the toxic masculinity illuminating from the poker side of the casino.
I smiled while looking around the building. The lights were red and music was blasting. People were talking with their peers, playing lotto machines and various card games. It was nice to see people active here. I enjoyed the sight.
"There you are." Harry's face came into view and I could sense the anger in his eyes. He grabbed my wrist and began to pull me towards the downstairs door.
"Hello to you too." I responded sarcastically as he put the code in and opened the door viciously.
He pulled us down the dark stairs until we were in the comforting downstairs poker room. The radio was on a random station and everyone, minus Natalie, was here.
Liam was smoking a cigar in the corner while chatting with Louis about god knows what. Niall was playing with a deck of cards while Zayn was on his phone. I couldn't help myself when I searched the room for Ryleigh. I haven't been down here since she died. It feels a bit empty and less snippier.
"What the fuck are you thinking?" Harry released my wrist and leaned his butt against the poker table in the middle of the quiet room.
Everyone's eyes peered up at us, and stayed there. I groaned annoyingly and began to pace.
"I'm going." I responded and moved towards Louis and Liam in the corner. Louis smiled slightly as encouragement.
"No, you're not. I'm your boss so-"
"Oh my god! Are you really going to play the stupid boss card? I'm not technically under your employment until I sign that agreement. So don't pull that shit with me." I crossed my arms and groaned again.
"She's got a point mate." Niall chimed in from behind Harry. Harry stuck his middle finger up at him, earning a chuckle from me and the guys.
"So you want to die? Is that what you're saying? 'Cause that's exactly what will happen if you go, unattended and unarmed. A silly pocket knife is useless there." Harry groaned at our brewing yelling match.
"He won't hurt me, I'm his heir or whatever. And I've never been afraid of death, you know that." I released my arms and stepped towards him. Instant nostalgia hit me from all the times we've been in this same position, fighting for dominance.
"I don't fucking care! If he won't kill you, his workers will. I know because if one of his workers walked into my casino, I'd kill them too. No matter what." Harry stepped towards me.
"Really sweet Harry, nice speech. Now let me go." I tried to move to the side but he moved with me.
"No." He growled.
"Harry, I will not hesitate to be violent. I'm going if you like it or not." I pushed my shoulder against his but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him again.
This is bull shit
"You have no authority over me! If you're this bothered, let one of them come with me! Not you because I don't want you getting in the way." I yanked my hand from his grasp and stepped back.
"Why do you want to go so badly?" Harry questioned, watching me with nothing but anger in his eyes.
"Liam, let's go." I looked over to Liam smoking in the corner, him immediately standing up and putting his cigar out.
I looked Harry dead in the eyes, examining his features. He's angry, furious even. I don't know why. He's not my boyfriend, he's not my boss yet. He's someone I have an agreement with, and yet he's acting like he owns me. I don't stand for that shit.
"Kennedy, come on." He stepped towards me and I took a step towards the stairs. My eyes were still on his angered ones.
"I'll be back later." I fixed my leather jacket and turned towards the stairs, Liam following close behind.
I ran up the stairs, leaving Harry and the rest behind me. I was doing this with or without him. I needed to see Leonardo for myself and make sure my mother was alive. She might be a bitch, but she's my mom. I can't not check up on her.
"You are such a badass." Liam mumbled in my ear as we walked to the outside of the casino.
Once we were away and in the parking lot, I let out a sigh. I wasn't nervous or anything, mostly just angry. Angry at Harry, angry at the world. I have freedom to do what I want and he had no right to try and stop me.
"I don't feel like a badass." I collapsed into the frog position and moved my fingers to the roots of my hair.
"Well, you were. I've been working with that man since we were teenagers and I've never seen anyone stand up to him like you do." Liam says from behind me. I could tell he was trying to help me as best as he could.
"Explains why he's such a narcissist. Although, fucking with his ego is really fun." I chuckled lightly and stood up straight.
"Is so fucking fun, watching him quite literally blow steam from his ears." Liam's comment earned a loud cackle from both of us.
"Alright, where's your car?" I tugged on my red crop top and looked towards Liam. He looked towards the front of the parking lot.
"You want to drive?" Liam grabbed his keys from his suit pocket and began to walk us towards his car.
"Nah, I'm good. I'm waiting for a high speed chase to drive again." I nudged him slightly as we stopped in front of a Cadillac.
It wasn't anything extraordinary, just a black Cadillac. I liked it though. It was simple and infancy. Well, it's a very expensive car but to the naked eye it seems like some rich douche bag is driving it, rather than a cold blooded millionaire murderer.
Liam got into the car first, climbing in through the door and slamming it behind himself. I took a minute to wave what the fuck I was actually doing. Because, even if I don't want to admit it, I could be walking into my own death.
On some level, Harry was being reasonable. My knife won't protect me from Leonardo's clan of fuckers. I mean, yea Liam's there but they'd kill him way before they'd kill me.
I could get kidnapped again, tortured, and have no one to save me this time. I wouldn't doubt it if the first thing they do when I step in there is drug me with a towel and drag me back to their stupid warehouse. That place was so dirty.
Yet, as I think about all the things that could go wrong, I don't get scared. My breathing remains regular, and my heart beat stays the same. Death doesn't scare me. Not like it used to.
I shook my head to try and relieve myself of my gruesome thoughts. Obviously it didn't work, but it was worth the try. I gripped the door handle and opened the black car door.
I climbed in beside Liam and was instantly hit with the hot backing of the black leather. The sun must have been shining on it all day, making the chairs feel like fire on your ass.
"Shit, these chairs are hot." I slammed the car door and maneuver myself so I was sitting as little as possible on the seat.
"It's not that bad. Here, let me turn off the butt warmers." Liam leaned over the center consul and turned down the ass warmers.
"You have ass warmers on in the middle of the summer?" I turned towards him with an angry expression.
"Hey! My ass gets cold easily!" Liam argued back while I settled more into the seat once the mini fire on my ass went away.
"Whatever, just go." I hissed as my bare shoulder hit the steaming car seat, I fought through the pain and buckled my seat belt in.
Liam turned up some music and put a pair of aviators over his eyes. I laughed as I watched him use his spit to fix his hair. He barely had any so I was a tiny bit confused but nonetheless found it amusing.
He pulled out of the parking lot and slammed on the petal. He wiggled himself in between different cars, eager to get us to the Suckers casino. His expression the whole time looked like he was trying to push a baby out.
I kept my eyes glued to both Liam and the road in front of us. I was trying to memorize the way there, just in case I want to make a surprise visit alone. I'd have to kill everyone first of course.
Eventually, Liam pulled into a parking garage. He began to slowly drive up the many levels.
"They have a fucking parking garage?" I questioned as he crawled up the ramp to the fifth floor.
"Leonardo is a bit extra." Liam chuckled as he turned down the radio, leaving us in silence.
"Yea, no kidding." I giggled as he finally stopped on a floor and parked in the back of the lot.
"Alright, so we can do this two ways. Either you text him and say you're here. Or, we kill the five bouncers blocking our way in." Liam looked towards a small door in the big concrete wall of the parking garage. A brawly man stood there, looking around the lot with an annoyed expression.
"I don't want to cause any harm. I'll text him." I unbuckled my seat belt and grabbed my phone in my back pocket.
I opened it to my text messages and scrolled all the way down to the random number Leonardo sent me. And instead of texting him, I pressed call. I held the phone up to my ear and heard it ring twice before he picked up.
"Kennedy. What a nice surprise." Leonardo's condescending voice whispered into the phone, sending shivers down my spine.
"Me and Liam are waiting outside your casino door right now. Let us in so I can speak to you." I looked towards the bouncer who was still scanning the perimeter with annoyance.
"Wow, you came to me. It's usually me coming to you." Leonardo chuckled as I cringed at his voice.
"I guess I really needed to talk. So can we come in?" I looked towards Liam and rolled my eyes, giving him the hint that it's not going well.
"I'll escort you in myself. Except, Liam stays in the car." Leonardo's end of the line immediately cut off.
shit.
"Fuck!" I slammed my head to the back of the seat and collapsed my phone into my lap.
"What, what happened?" Liam turned his body towards me and looked at me with worry in his eyes.
"I have to go in alone or no entry." I groaned in anger and slammed my head on the head rest again.
"Shit. Uh, here." Liam untucked his shirt from the back of his pants and reached under it. He pulled out one of his guns and held it out for me.
"Take this and hide it in the back of your shirt. Do you have your leather jacket you always wear?" Liam looked down at my leather jacket tied around my waist. I nodded and took the gun.
"Thanks. I'll be out soon." I grabbed the handle of the car and opened the door while untying my jacket.
"Be safe Kennedy. Or else I'm a dead man." Liam winked as I tucked the gun into the back waist of my jeans and threw my leather jacket on and over the gun.
"Thanks Liam." I tapped the top of his car before closing the door and looking up. Immediately, my eyes met Leonardo's.
I gulped down any ounce of fear I had hiding while keeping eye contact with him. Leonardo's face was bruised as a cigarette hung out the side of it. He smiled while admiring my face.
I want to vomit
"Kennedy! Come here darling, come! I'm so happy to have you here!" Leonardo shouted to me across the parking garage.
"One condition. You swear to let me go free once we're done." I shouted back to him and narrowed my eyes.
"I don't want to hurt you Kennedy! I just want to talk." His smile faded and a smirk appeared.
"Then talk we shall." I whispered to myself before taking my first step towards him. Still, no fear.
I listened to the small sounds of my converse hitting the floor as I approached him. The closer I got, the more I saw of him. He had a white wife beater top on and black suit pants. His head was shaved, exposing a new area of tattoos I had never seen before.
He had a scar on his shoulder from when I threw a knife at him, that made me smile. His arms were covered in various tattoos and scars, somehow similar to Harrys. That I didn't like, the similarities.
"You armed darling?" Leonardo smiled as I got into arm's length with him. I shook my head.
"No." I lied.
"I'm choosing to trust you." Leonardo chuckled while sidestepping and motioning for me to go in.
I stepped in front of him and began to walk. It was a dark hallway, filled with random people. So far, this reminded me more of a nightclub than a casino. Which is pathetic.
I turned down another dark hallway, then another until I reached the light. I stepped into the room and immediately gasped. It was a two story room filled with rainbow lights, bars, people, dance floors, slot machines, and various poker tables.
It was a nightclub, yet also a casino. People were dancing naked, men and women on stripper poles. This place looked like a gambler's wet dream. Shit, it was pretty cool.
"Kennedy, welcome to Sucker." Leonardo placed a hand on my shoulder and pointed to the big glowing sign hanging off of the second floor wall.
"Must get a lot of business." I shook his hand off of me and stepped further into the room, smelling way more alcohol and weed than at Alea.
"Here there, mostly youngsters." Leonardo chuckled while leading me towards a quieter part of the place.
"Tequila please. On the rocks." I turned towards a bartender and ordered a drink. Leonardo chuckled while sipping a random cup of liquid.
"Don't worry about paying. On me tonight." Leonardo smirked while the bartender handed me my drink.
"How nice of you." I responded sarcastically as I took a sip of my tequila. At this point, I just needed it to get by.
"Let's sit in a quieter place. Come." Leonardo led us into a semi secluded part of the casino. A quiet corner in the dining portion.
Leonardo settled down across from me, having a permanent smile on his face. I settled down in a chair and crossed my legs. I kept my hand on my garter as I took a sip of my drink.
"You're probably wondering why I asked you here. Or at least to speak alone." Leonardo started.
"No. I want to know why the fuck you put my friend through a car accident that almost killed her." I slammed my hand down on the table, instantly turning from calm to angry.
"Now, now Kennedy. Please, calm down. I'll explain." Leonardo shot down the remainder of his random drink and sighed.
I sat back in the chair and crossed my arms, having none of his shit. I hated this. I should've just listened to Harry.
"Now, Kennedy. Not to be rude but, she was just collateral damage. I needed a way to you so you would know I was serious. Since your mother didn't work and sadly Harry's mostly untouchable, I had to go for the closest beside the two. The most vulnerable as well." Leonardo paused and ordered himself another drink with some random ass bartender.
"Serious about what?" I held back every emotion I had. All I felt was anger, I wanted to fucking kill him.
"Kennedy. Simply. If you do not join us, slowly but surely all of your friends will die. All ending with your mother." Leonardo smiled as he took my drink and shot down the remainder.
Nothing but anger lingered in my veins once he spoke. How could he? Oh just you fucking wait till I join Alea and can never join him. I would pay a lot to see his face once he sees it. His shit eating grin he has right now would be a distant memory.
"Where's my mother?" I couldn't think of any other response. Simply because any other response would mean me or him would be dead.
Most likely both
"She's off for the night. Don't worry darling, she's alright. I didn't kill her." Leonardo's smile widened.
"Take that fucking smile off your face you fucker." I stood up from my seat and started to breathe heavily.
"Kennedy, come on. We just got started." Leonardo's smile faded and his face went blank.
"No, I'm done. You don't get my fucking time. Harry was right, this was pointless." I immediately started towards the exit.
"You're better than this Kennedy! Better than him! I can't believe you're listening to him. Your father taught you better than that, I taught you better." Leonardo shot up from his seat.
I whipped my body towards him and walked towards him.
"He has treated me better than anyone has. He doesn't force me to murder innocent people or target practice on fucking innocent animals! He's protecting me and giving me freedom. And he's fucking me like I've never been fucked before. So fuck off Leonardo and pick on someone your own size." I nudged him as I began to run towards the exit.
"Oh! And Leonardo. You hurt one of my friends again, I will kill your wife without fucking hesitation. But thanks for the tequila Uncle Leo!" I stuck up my middle finger as I pushed past everyone to get to the exit.
Adrenaline pumped through me as I rushed down the dark hallways, pushing past the random people having sex or big bouncers trying to block people from entering.
It felt like an eternity until I was free of the sweaty bodies and I could breath fresh air. I ran down the lot until I knocked my body into Liam's car. I climbed into the car, ignoring the frantic Liam in the driver's seat.
"Kennedy, is everything okay?" Liam was breathing heavier than I was as I buckled my seat belt and closed my eyes to try and calm myself.
"Drive!" I shouted at him, feeling the car instantly start to move. I think I might have scared him.
I lost track of time as I kept my eyes closed, focusing on my breathing. I'm sure Liam was trying to talk to me but I didn't want to be talked to. My body was overrun with anger and sadness.
Anger directed towards Leonardo and everything he does, even him breathing. And sadness over him too. He thinks he's still powerful and that's just sad. He's living in a fucking pathetic idea of a fantasy.
Before I knew it, the car had stopped and it was quiet. I could feel the sun on my skin, but not as horrible as before. I slightly opened my eyes to be facing the Alea front doors. And there was Liam, walking up to the main entrance, his head hanging low.
My eyes were slightly watered as I looked around my surroundings. Random people walking through the doors, and others outside lighting a joint or cigarette. But the person that caught my eye was Harry, lighting a cigarette before sitting down on the curb.
I thought for a second, if I could confront him. I had to fill his ego and I hated doing that. But, I also feel like he could make me feel better. Both physically and mentally.
So, with that, I climbed out of the car and blindly walked over to him on the sidewalk. He looked up at me, a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. He looked innocent at this angle.
"You look like shit." He pulled the cigarette from out of his mouth and chuckled. I rolled my eyes and sat down beside him, shoulders touching.
"Thanks." I yanked the cigarette from his fingers and put it on my lips, sucking it and blowing it out.
"Anytime baby." Harry smirked while taking the cigarette from me and placing it in his mouth.
"You were right, I shouldn't have gone." I sighed and collapsed my head onto his shoulder.
"I know, I'm always right." Harry said cockily, making me nudge him hard in the arm. He laughed.
"You wanna know why lord narcissist or not?" I wrapped my hand around his bicep, not really caring if I'm showing affection. I just needed it a lot right now.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I just had too." Harry joked back, trying to lighten the mood as best as he could. Which I appreciated.
"He told me that if I don't join him, he will kill all of my friends. Ending with my mother." I frowned as Harry handed me the cigarette. I shook my head no, allowing him to finish it.
"Shit. That's smart." Harry chuckled.
"Hey!" I hit him in the arm again, holding back a laugh as he laughed.
"I'm sorry! It's the serial killer in me talking." Harry smiled down at me, making me smile slightly.
"Anyways, I obviously told him to go fuck himself and then somehow you were brought into the topic." I immediately bit my tongue, wishing I didn't say that because it was just going to fill his ego more.
"Of course I did." He joked. I gave him a dirty look, earning another laugh from him, "Alright what did you say." Harry questioned while putting the cigarette out.
"At first I defend you but then I told him how you fuck me like I've never been fucked before." I felt my cheeks go red as I spilled the beans. Harry tried to hold back another smile.
"Oh really?" Harry teased.
"Mhm." I kept my lips glued to each other, trying to suppress my smile.
"I'm glad you're broadcasting it to the enemy how amazing I am in bed." Harry nudged me slightly.
"Harry!" I buried my face in his shoulder as he chuckled to himself. I couldn't help my smile.
"Alright, alright. You're not too bad yourself." Harry teased again.
"Oh my god, stop!" I could feel the embarrassment leaking out of my pores.
"Alright on a serious note, you were right. I'm not your boss, I have no authority over you. I just feel the need to protect people that I'm not in the mood to have die." Harry cleared his throat.
"That's one way to say you care about me." I teased and lifted my head up from his shoulder.
"I never said that." He moved his eyes to stare into mine, bringing me into a trance as his eyes always do.
"Whatever you say." I whispered between us as we kept hard eye contact on each other.
We stayed there in silence, just moving in sync together. Our eyes examined each other. Every now and then, we would venture down each other's bodies but come right back up to each other. You could feel the tension slowly build.
His eyes however, were completely different from the ones I stared into earlier. They were peaceful, calm, and sensitive. You could tell so much from a person's eyes. And right now, I could tell he was calm and hungry. Hungry for me.
"We have two options right now. Fuck in the bathroom, or fuck at my apartment." I spoke surprisingly out of nowhere.
"Up to you love." Harry's eyes didn't move from mine as I looked down at his lips and back up to his emeralds.
"Bathrooms the closest." I looked slightly over to the entrance to Alea then back at Harry.
"Bathroom sex, huh. If that's what you want Ms. Monroe." Harry broke eye contact and stood up, holding a hand out for me to take.
"That's what I want, Mr. Styles." I whispered in return while grabbing his hand and helping myself up.
"Then that's what you shall receive." Harry pulled me towards him before turning towards the casino.
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a/n: Sorry again for no chapter for two weeks. I was on a little vacation and had zero time to write. Anyways, I'm here now and hopefully getting past this writers block I'm still experiencing. Love you all and stay safe xX