Page 33 of Smoke and Mirrors

They’re more than just words. They are a vow, a promise.

He allows me to slip down his body until my feet are firmly on the floor. One of his arms comes around my waist, allowing me the support I need as he guides me back down the hall.

My hand goes to my mouth as I see the destruction in my living room. The sofa is on its back, the side table and contents spread across the floor. Magazines, picture frames, a coffee mug I’d left lying around, and a pile of clothing I had folded the night before all decorating the small area—it looks like it’s been hit by a tornado.

I spot Luca picking up my television off the floor and placing it back on the small unit where it usually resides. As far as I can tell, it isn’t broken.

He turns to me, his face serious. “You all right?”

I swallow tightly and nod.

My front door is open and just inside stand two other men. One has darker skin and is huge, much bigger than Kace. His muscles bulge, stretching the black shirt he’s wearing as though it’s three sizes too small. He stands straight, his arms crossed against his chest, and his eyes focused on me, dark and serious, disguising any sign of emotion.

The other man I recognize as Axel, the guy I met with Kace in the hall when I left for Molly’s the night Jared had his car accident. He leans against the door frame, his posture more casual. He’s dressed the same as all the boys. They all wear black—dark and menacing.

“I need to call the cops,” I say as I look around the disaster zone.

Axel steps forward, pushing the door closed behind him and standing in front of it, the dark man’s lip curling up into a sneer.

I look to Kace nervously.

“Calm down, guys,” Kace says, looking at them pointedly before turning back to me. “Lily, you don’t need to call the cops.”

I stare at him with wide eyes until Luca draws my attention.

“Yeah,” he agrees, stepping over a broken picture frame. “The big guy over there…” he points to the large man, “… he gets a little Hulk smash when cops are around.”

I continue to dance across the floor, dodging the mess of my precious items.

“And they ask so many questions,” he says in exasperation. “Who are you? What’s your name? Where do you live? And I’m like whoa, lady, I’m not looking for a date,” Luca quips.

I clench my fists, my emotions threatening to burst through the dam once again. “Is this a joke to you?” I snap.

“Everything’s a joke to him.” The giant man in front of the door scoffs.

Luca holds up his hands. “Whoa now, that bloodstain there, that’s not a joke. That’s gonna take a lot of work to get out.” My eyes follow his finger as he points to a bright red patch on the carpet. I stumble backward, Kace catching me with an arm around my shoulders.

“Holy shit,” I mutter breathlessly.

“Lily, don’t look. I’ll get someone to clean it all up, okay?” Kace says, trying to calm me as his hand rubs at my arm.

I push myself away from him, shoving against his chest and taking a step back. “Who are you?” I cry, my eyes flicking between all the men crowding me and my small apartment dressed as though they’re ready to rob a bank or something.

They all look to Kace, but his eyes stay on me, the bright blue orbs studying me, his face completely impassive and not offering me any kind of emotion or clue.

“Well?” I ask loudly. “Speak, dammit!”

Daisy barks, bouncing up and panting.

“Good dog,” Luca coos. “Anyone got a treat?”

“Get out,” Kace orders, his voice tight.

“Kace…” Luca warns, the humor disappearing from his face instantly.

Kace ignores him. “Axel, Eli, Luca… all of you, out.”

“Don’t do it, man.”

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