Page 11 of For the Love of Layla

“Fifteen minutes it is.”

I bite down on my inner cheek; a bubble of laughter trickles up my throat. That was the wrong answer, Layla. I can’t wait for you to see what I do next. He leans down, kissing the top of her head as I grip the table. The sound of her adorable shy giggle rips through my heart like an ice pick. Brutal and efficient.

You like his voice and his kisses, huh?

I clear my throat, fighting yet another bubble of laughter. Although I couldn’t feel further from amused. I stand, keeping the deep hood of my black Salvador leather jacket pulled over my head. I know I shouldn’t. It’s a risk, but it’s more than worth it to feel her. My skin will be the last to touch hers, even if it blows apart every plan I’ve put in place. I dip past the table, and I can practically smell her chamomile lotion as I walk past her, running my fingers along the small of her back so slightly she’ll doubt if she felt me in the first place. Her skin will break out in goosebumps, remembering my touch. She shifts in her seat behind me as I continue forward towards the back of the lounge.

Don’t worry, little star. Just making some adjustments to your plans.

Fifteen minutes, that’s more than enough time. I step out the back door leading against the brick exterior of the building. Pulling out my phone as members of the band trickle out, piling into a large panel van.

One.

Two.

Three.

One more to go, come on, James. I’ve got a busy night ahead of me.

I reach into my pocket, sliding on my leather gloves as the man of the hour slips out of the back door.

Six minutes.

He shouts his goodbyes as his friends pull down the alley. There’s no working cameras in this area, so I don’t bother keeping my hood up.

I want you to see me.

Shoving off the wall, I take a breath, finding it already steady. That’s the good thing about people like me, whatever I am. I can be seen if I want or not when it doesn’t suit me. Perfectly still, perfectly blended into a crowd. Perfectly calm in all of the most mind bending moments.

“For the love of God, Liam, be quiet. Children are meant to be seen, not heard.”

I adjust my neck as my mother’s words infiltrate my skull, always sticking her nose where she doesn’t fucking belong. He jumps at the sudden movement, laughing, “Holy shit, dude, you scared me.”

I give him a stiff smile, baring my teeth more than necessary. “Oh, my bad.”

“Hey, do you have a lighter on you? I think one of my band mates took off with mine.” He asks as he digs a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket.

Sure don’t.

I step closer, “Yeah no problem, man.” He sticks the cigarette in his mouth, oblivious when I pop the snap in my holster.

Four minutes.

His eyes widen as he sees the blade backing up until he hits the side of his car, “Hey, man, I don’t want any trouble. Alright?”

I laugh, the bitter sound tunneling down the alley. I step closer, so close I can smell the stale cigarette smoke clinging to his clothes, leaving him nowhere to go. “She liked your voice.” I suppose I should feel nervous.

I’m downright giddy.

The thought of getting an object of her affection out of the way forces fire and adrenaline through my veins.

“What the fuc-”

I slice through the air, catching him exactly where I needed him as I watch the skin of his throat peel open beneath my blade. The cigarette falls from his mouth as he stumbles backwards, coating it in blood that’s quickly releasing from his wound. “Haven’t you heard smoking kills, James? She hates cigarettes anyway, something about her dad I think, but I haven’t confirmed it yet.” He stares at me, his green eyes unnaturally wide. I lash out again, this time deeper, deep enough to ruin the thing she liked so much about him. He gurgles gripping at his throat as I force his hands from the wound opening it back up to me. He doesn’t fight much, “You couldn’t keep her safe.” He doesn’t argue the point. I’d imagine severing his vocal cords have a thing or two to do with that. I jerk the blade back again, this time plunging it deep into his throat.

Squelch.

Such a cute sound, just like her.

---