Page 12 of Smoke and Mirrors

I sit back into the seat and slump down looking up at Molly’s apartment. “We’re at Molly’s?”

He furrows his brows and nods. “Isn’t that where you wanted to go?”

I chew on my bottom lip and breathe harshly out of my nose. “Kace, I never told you where I was going.”

He opens his eyes wide, his chest stops mid-breath like he’s paused his breathing. I furrow my brows watching him like he’s been caught in something—I just don’t know what.

His stunned face softens, and he lets out a fake half-smile. “C’mon, Molly’s waiting.” He opens the car door and slides out leaving me speechless in the car, wondering what the hell is happening.

My brain is working overtime, and I can’t for the life of me figure out how the hell Kace knew that I wanted to come to Molly’s, or how the hell he even knew where Molly lived in the first place?

A sudden knock on the car window shocks me out of my thoughts as I see Kace looking down at me. I take a deep breath and nod, open the door, and step out.

“Kace, how did you—”

The door of the apartment flings open, and Molly’s standing there with the crying baby on her hip. Her hair’s a mess and her face, bright red. She looks at me and opens her eyes wide with the ‘help me’ look she’s so good at, while the screaming of the little girl echoes down the city street. Dogs howl, and a neighbor starts yelling out of his window, his stern fist hurtling through the dark night air.

“Put a lid on it, Earl. Can’t you see I’m trying here, you low life piece of sh—”

“Okay, Molly. Let’s go inside, hey?” Kace interrupts her yelling at her neighbor.

I can’t help myself as I pull out my cell and stealthily snap a candid shot of Molly holding a baby. Let’s face it, this is a very rare sight indeed. I giggle to myself while we all amble inside her apartment.

The screeching cries of the baby are actually quite loud. Even I feel uncomfortable, and I like kids, so I can imagine how bad Molly’s feeling right now. The high-pitched tenor this little girl has going on is ear-piercing. We make it to the living room, and Molly stops and turns to face us. Her eyes begin to water as she pulls the baby up from under her arms and holds it out directly in front of her as far away from her body as possible.

“Make it stop!” she says, yelling over the baby’s racket.

I furrow my brows putting on an awkward smile. Bringing my pointer finger up to the little girl’s nose, I pet it making coochie-coo noises.

Shit! I’m really not that great with babies either.

Molly grunts and starts pacing the floor holding her at arm’s length as she bellows even louder.

“Oh my God, make it stop!” she yells stopping right in front of Kace and practically throwing the baby at him.

He has no choice but to clasp the baby in his grip as it’s thrust into his chest. The moment she’s in his arms and against his chest, she stops crying. Literally, the room falls silent, and we all hold our breath as Kace cradles her in his arms tenderly. He looks down at the little girl, and it’s like something in him changes. The hard edge evaporates, and only this soft shell of a man is left—a kind, gentle, loving man who is caring and nurturing this tiny little human.

He rocks her gently, running his finger along her reddened cheek as he smiles down on her cute little button face. “There you go, sweetheart. You just wanted to be held properly,” he whispers softly.

I look up at Molly, who’s chewing away on her bottom lip, and she raises her eyebrow at me and smirks. “Well, fuck me,” she quips.

Kace looks up at me watching him. I smile because seeing this softer side of him is refreshing. It’s nice to know there’s more to him than just the hard, dangerous mystery that is Kace Colt. He has a gentle side too, even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

But as soon as I smile, it’s like this light switch flicks, and he realizes that he’s let his guard down. His smile falters, and his eyes glaze over. His relaxed body stiffens, and he swallows hard as he walks over and hands me the baby. She slides into my arms easily and continues to stay calm. All she wanted was to be held properly.

“I… umm…” Kace pauses like he’s lost for words.

“You were great with her. Thank you,” Molly says.

“I’m ah… I’m gonna go. You coming, Lily?”

I furrow my brows. Something’s wrong with him. I don’t like the edge to his voice.

“Thanks for the ride, but I think I’ll stay and help Molly with the baby.”

“Okay.” He turns and heads for the door.

Slumping my body, I huff. I’m not sure what I wanted from him, but it was more than that. Maybe an ‘I’ll see you soon?’ or something to that effect.

---