I had so much fun writing this chap, it's longer then the last. I hope you find the action scenes okay. I tried…

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Chapter 6

"Hmm, is that so?"

"Yes sir, I'm not sure what his intentions are, but it seems that he was already acquainted with the woman".

Cynical indigo eyes peered through the darkness of the dim corner that he was seated in; smoke trailing from his large, thick cigar as he spun his eyes up in thought. Tapping his chin, he observed the trustworthiness of the man in front of him.

His eyes trembled with slight fear from being under his ominous presence, a dark wooden mask concealed the shady face beneath it and, obviously, he was one of the smaller names among his many henchmen. Cutter.

He couldn't come up with a reason to doubt his words at the moment. Mizo grinned with a hidden thought obviously gearing in mind. He knew his type well, one of his most favored, truth be told. He was a stool pigeon, a rat. They only made his job easier, although knowing the person he was squealing on, he wouldn't live very long afterwards whether the information given was true or not. That was the amusing part. He didn't really care though; this driver wasn't really one of his essentials.

Mizo nodded as he twisted the cigar bud into the ashtray on the coffee table. "All right then, I'll look into it. Be sure to get rid of her if given the chance. You're dismissed". Reacting to the passive wave of his hand, Cutter immediately stood up from the leather lounge chair, almost stumbling over his own feet.

"Y-yes sir, I mean boss- sir," without sparing another look toward his master, Cutter darted out of the dark meeting room in which Mizo often hid and conducted his 'business affairs' in. It was actually a hidden room beneath the home news studio, 'Blitz's' studio, which was why it was free of suspicion from any prying eyes. No one was able to put together that the money leeching, goods smuggling, spree killing combat racer was also the famed news host with a wide cheery smile and a twinkle in his eye. It was good to keep things that way. However, because of recent events, Jak's winning streak to be more precise, his control over hiding his identity was beginning to waver.

Within moments, the person who he had been waiting for spoke over the intercom. He was simple and straight to the point, just made things faster and all the better. All he said was, 'I'm here' and Mizo shook his head with another thought suppressing grin.

Mizo leaned forward to press the red button under the black coffee table; a buzz announced that the door had been unlocked. It would take him a minute or so being that he had to walk across the well disguised studio to get to the basement door and down intertwining steel stairs. Then a long hall would lead him to that single lounge room that also needed to be unlocked. Mizo liked to take his precautions. The room itself wasn't of anything mistrusting, so if anyone were to discover it, all they'd find were some rare paintings and a masculine den set up, complete with lounge chairs and his coffee table.

Another grumble of quick words were exchanged over the intercom again before Mizo let him in. He sat back against the cushion of his chair as he awaited his most dangerous and most esteemed drivers to approach him. As soon as he saw him step into the light, Mizo offered a box of imported cigars to his guest.

"I have my own," Razer waved away his offer, bringing his hand to his lips, making an orange light flicker against his face as he lit his fix. Putting the lighter in the front pocket of his trench coat, he sat down across from his 'boss', wearing the same dry, unreadable expression as always. Resting his ankle on his knee, he lifted a brow at Mizo, signaling that he'd state his reasons for inviting him to his private quarters.

Mizo folded his hands on his knee, eyeing the man locking gazes with him. His eyes blazed with passionate hatred and murderous intent and yet, his face would never yield such things.

Mizo cleared his throat. "I've heard- some interesting rumors lately".

Razer said nothing. Effortlessly, he pulled the long white cigarette from his lips as he exhaled trials of smoke from them. He didn't seem to have a care in the world. Nothing fazed him - nothing disheveled his mood if he didn't let it.

"I've heard you have been seen with a certain woman the other day," Mizo challenged him with his squeezing eyes.

Razer only tilted his head with a sly grin, "Is there something wrong with taking care of my- personal affairs?"

He was being sarcastic and playing naïve just to pull Mizo's leg and they both knew it. They both knew what woman they were talking about but neither would say it. Mizo's brows bent in reaction, already feeling his forehead rise and wrinkle with slight anger. Then a smile matching Razer's formed on his own face.

"Of course not…but you do know what will happen if you betray me, don't you?"

"Will you plant explosives on my vehicle too? Sorry to pull you from your cloud but that doesn't work on me," Razer's smile only stretched wider, flashing his straight white teeth as Mizo's teeth only seemed to clench in anger.

"I think you know very well what will happen…"

Razer exhaled another puff of nicotine from his lips before he arched a brow at him, "Hmm, what is it? Do you doubt the compliance of your most reliable driver? What interest would it be of mine if I lent a hand to the enemy?"

Mizo lifted his head as he registered Razer's words. It was true. Lending a hand to the enemy would be too risky and too dangerous of a move, also the benefit, if any, was no guarantee. The smart move would be to stay on the side that was currently in power until it was a guaranteed fact that there would be a change. Besides, everything that Razer was, the very life that he lived, belonged to Mizo. He wouldn't make such an idiotic advancement…or would he?

Mizo knew full well the lady's man Razer was and there was no doubt in his mind that maybe, somehow, he was charming Rayn over and using her to his advantage, to their advantage. He couldn't be too sure of anything yet, he needed more than just the words of one of his lower henchmen.

Finally Mizo nodded, "Inform me if anything of interest should come up".

"Of course," Razer agreed before he stood up from his chair, back turned to Mizo. Before he could walk away, Mizo stopped him.

"Oh and…since you're in such close proximity to her, it would be easiest for you to be the one to dispose of her". This would be the test to see whose side he was on, and if he were to fail, he had already ordered Cutter to take care of the job.

Razer nodded before he left the room and walked down the long hall in silence, throwing his cigarette butt to the floor disrespectfully, not caring that it was still lit. Once outside the news studio, Razer got into his car, stringing his fingers through his black strands of hair with a sigh.

Usually at a time like this, he'd vent his anger through a couple of laps around the tracks, but being that another event was awaiting his arrival, today all he'd be able to do was watch from the sidelines. That was fine. There were…other ways to release his frustrations. A smile played across his devious features before he drove away.

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After the crowds emptied the arena and spilled out into the streets, another group of people entered the tracks. Mostly men compiled of Mizo's best and worst drivers, along with puffy haired prostitutes decorating some of their arms, they each arrived in his or her own combat vehicle. They were entertained by cans of beer and crude jokes until the familiar and long awaited vehicle began to drive into the stadium. Another two vehicles on each side for extra protection in case things should go wrong.

The vehicle halted in front of the others some feet away before the feminine figure, now dressed in beige racing gear and a helmet, rose up from the exit. Her dark hair glistened in the burning sun as she removed her helmet and approached the group of men. Hand on her hip and wearing a confident smile, she bopped her head at Shiv. He stood ready for her, leaning on the hood of his car with crossed arms.

"Ready for a painful, if not deadly, defeat Krew's girl?"

"I think you may be confusing me for yourself," she shot back smoothly, earning yet another impressed grin from the criminal. She observed some of the other familiar drivers parked behind him. Edje, UR-86 and Cutter's car seemed to just sputter behind, obviously late for the meeting. Cutter gave Shiv an apologetic glance and mouthed 'car trouble' and Shiv just shrugged in response. Returning his gaze to Rayn, his eyes then flickered with interest at the arena entrance. It also caught the interest of the other drivers as well.

Rayn looked behind her to see the well-known Havoc zooming in before reaching a screeching halt on the side of the arena, away from both groups. He made it very clear that he was an individual and did not bother going through the trouble of belonging to any 'cliques' of any sort. Razer stepped out with short gesture of his hand, "You can begin now".

Razer wasn't taking part in the race. He knew if he did, he'd beat them all before he even had the chance to break a sweat. Leaving them all in the dust would defeat the whole purpose of Rayn proposing the challenge to Shiv, so therefore he took it upon himself to just watch and see how it turned out.

"Let's go then," Shiv waved at the men behind him and they responded with grunts and cheers of masculinity and excitement.

Rayn flashed Razer a quick glance but he didn't seem to meet her gaze. His eyes were already on the tracks. Each vehicle made their way to the starting line, Razer slowly making his way on foot as well, to be the one to send them off.

Since this wasn't an official race, the starting lights were off, there were no ambulances on stand-by and no cameras to record the brutality. It was just raw and dirty driving without witnesses, except for those present, and the witnesses weren't guaranteed to tell the truth if anything should happen that shouldn't.

Cutter once again sputtered up to the line with a frustrated bang on his steering wheel. Razer smoothly walked aside his vehicle, lifted up Cutter's hood, and with a few movements of his hands, he put it back down and nodded with approval. Cutter turned the ignition and it growled with newfound power. "Good looking out," he shouted over to Razer.

"Enjoy your ride," Razer responded before walking over to the middle of the starting line between Shiv and Rayn's roaring vehicles. Smoke spinning from their wheels already, Razer smiled with hidden thought as he took off his coat. The women gathered at his Havoc cooed and squealed in excitement at the sight of Razer's tight arms wrapped nicely in his dark shirt, matching his dark and slick hair.

Razer lifted his coat into the air. All eyes followed as the engines bellowed, dirt splashing from the spinning wheels and metal gleaming in the sun. The wind blew dust past solemn eyes as they focused on the garment clenched in Razer's fist. With the downward motion of Razer's hand, the vehicles were off.

A detonation of wind sounded as Rayn stomped onto her turbo power, Shiv doing the same. As the other vehicles soon fell behind, both of them zoomed down the concrete and dirt paths in unison, wheels sparking and grinding, fierce glances exchanged every few seconds. Another blue whirl spun around their wheels as they both swerved violently around a sharp curve, deafening crashes and fiery flames announced the first few deadly mishaps of the drivers behind them that could not handle the turn.

A sadistic smile crossed over Shiv's face as he only accelerated even more. Rayn cringed at his smile but sped up as well. Another vehicle soon cut in front of the both of them. Dropping mines directly behind him, they both jerked their wheels to avoid them. More crashes and explosions set off behind them.

Tires flying past them and rolling over the tracks, Shiv then jerked the front of his hood against Rayn's. With a screaming shriek, the metal of his hood scratched against hers and she cursed over at him. Surprisingly, when she looked over, he was motioning something with his eyes. It was the driver in front of them. UR-86, the second best driver next to Razer. None of them had a chance unless they got rid of him. Dipping her head to him in understanding, they both turbo dashed alongside him.

The red android, suddenly alert that he was being bombarded by two drivers, attempted to speed past them. Only being fortunate to bump the back of his vehicle with their front bumpers, they both locked onto UR-86's vehicle. Homing missiles launched with a sharp whistle through the air, spinning and coiling toward the automaton's vehicle.

Skidding around another sharp turn, UR-86 managed to escape three out of four missiles, the fourth only causing minimal damage. "Bloody bag of bolts!" Rayn yelled as she began shooting her machine guns at his back bumper. The bullets ricocheted off his trunk in bronze and gold sparks.

A red light layered over Shiv's vehicle as he sped up ahead in front of Rayn, but still behind UR-86. "Get off!" Shiv grunted as he rammed the front of his vehicle into his back bumper. UR-86's body jolted forward from the violent force banging him from behind.

Raising his crimson fist in anger, UR-86 smashed the brakes, intentionally falling behind the both of them. Now lagging behind them, his machine gun bullets began to hit beneath their tires. Realizing that he was trying to get them both off the road by shooting at their tires, they tried to speed up but to no avail. There was no turbo left until the next time they passed the starting line.

Meanwhile, Razer leaned against the hood of his car, the few women that were accompanying the other drivers gathered around him. Razer's ears perked up at the sounds of death cries and explosions. It was like music to his ears. The smell of motor oil and burning rubber was tasted in the air.

Now this was freedom. Even though his life was not his own, and his lifestyle was not without consequence, when he was here, he was alive. When he felt the wind thrashing through his hair as he raced through the tracks, he felt like there was nowhere he couldn't go and nothing he couldn't do. Only then was his life in his own hands and other lives were in his. There could be nothing more enjoyable than this.

Beaming at this sweet thought, he slid a cigarette into his lips. Before he could reach into his pocket, a feminine hand wrapped in black fishnet gently slithered into his fingers. He looked over at the red headed woman beside him. Sage eyes locked onto his roguishly, thick red lips licking lustfully as her leg discreetly rubbed against his. Her denim skirt drawing up slightly to reveal the flesh of her thighs, he skewed her over with curious eyes.

"Allow me to light that for you," she offered, reaching into the valley of cleavage in which her lighter was hidden. Her hand rose up to his cigarette, his fingers guiding her there and keeping the light against the cigarette. Even after lighting the cigarette, her hand lingered there for a moment before finally returning the lighter into the tight space between her full, almost exposed, breasts.

"Thank you my dear," he tipped his head at her gratefully and she responded by pressing her body even closer to his.

Feigning fascination, her red nails drew over the skin of his neck before she whispered, "I don't really understand this sport. Maybe you could explain it to me sometime".

"Hmm," Razer responded with a smirk, his body didn't flinch the slightest bit even as she continued to scratch along the side of his neck.

Beckoning the other two women with her finger, they all surrounded him. Long legs stood seductively close to his as they continued to coo and adore him. The brunette tapped his chin playfully, "Maybe you can explain it to all of us".

He knew what they wanted…him. He had taken the red head to bed twice and it seemed that the experience was gossiped to the others, causing them to swarm to him for a taste. It wasn't usually his style to take these kinds of women to bed but at the time, it was convenient and free of charge. He had only taken her right after he was free from the 'cage'. He knew that if he wanted to take the opportunity though, even now it would be free of charge and to take them all.

Even he had his desires that needed to be satisfied but unlike the other grotesque thugs under Mizo's rule that couldn't tame their crotches, years in a cell trained him to be without a woman and be content with it. Since then, he hadn't really felt the need to take such a recycled, flesh-bearing woman to bed.

Before he could respond, his eyes widened back with interest at the starting line as he stepped out from the crowd of lust-ridden women.

"Shit!"

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The explosion branched off into fiery balls of fire, spreading and rising into the air as the familiar, robotic voice echoed through it.

"Take that!" Rayn threw her head back in laughter, her hair becoming loose with the strong gusts of wind. Shiv also laughed as they looked back, smiling with satisfaction at a plan well conducted. Deciding to stay in front of him and obstruct his view, they were able to split at the right moment in which UR-86 had drove right into a mine, allotting enough damage to his car to finally make him explode to his demise, for the time being.

Finally they had become serious again, eyes glaring at each other. It was the second lap. One more afterwards. UR-86 was out of their path and the other drivers were already lagging behind them. The only competition was each other.

Thrusting down the intertwining road once again, they accelerated through the streets, concrete stained with skid marks as they raced furiously. "Be ready to kiss my feet," she yelled confidently over at Shiv.

"Sure, anything to kiss below your waist!" Shiv purposely gave her a sickening wink, knowing full well that it would only disgust her.

A jolt of anger made her fists clench onto the steering wheel, "Just wait till I win you swine!"

"We'll see about that little girl!" his engine roared, blue waves iridescent around his tires as he shot ahead of her. She knew better though. There wouldn't be enough turbo power until the third lap, she'd save it until she could use it to her advantage. He was a bit wide on the turns, giving her the advantage to get slightly ahead since her vehicle swerved over the curves more smoothly and she was able to control her vehicle a little easier than his.

Every turn they made, he widely turned and she stood closer to the edges. It was risky, but she handled her vehicle well enough not to go crashing into walls or skidding off from a wrong turn. An upcoming supply of blue eco made her eyes light up with hope as she immediately drove between two of them, automatically filling her turbo gauge to full. Shiv was a little ahead, but with every turn she caught up and he fell behind just for a moment.

Smart girl, Razer thought to himself as he folded his arms, watching the race and pleased with the progress. The women behind him curled their lips seeing that he had lost interest in them, so they just occupied themselves with their own conversation.

The third lap was coming to an end, the last sharp curve that she had been waiting for was coming up. Shiv's car was slowly lagging behind just as planned because of his lack of blue eco. Her heart pumped her hot blood ferociously through her veins.

"Now!" she shrieked as she made the sharp turn as he made his wide turn. Just like always she accelerated in front of him or just a moment but before he could get too far ahead of her, her foot jammed down on the turbo pedal. Her wheels alit with blue flames so strong, they glowed like her entire vehicle was spitting out fire from the back.

"What the-," Shiv's eyes widened as he stabbed his foot on his acceleration. He still couldn't catch up to her and there was no turbo to boost him forward before they reached the finish line.

Rayn cheered herself on as her vehicle spun past the finish line at full speed, smoke clouding around her wheels as she came to a strong halt. Shiv came to a halt just seconds afterwards. "Damn it!" Shiv fisted the leather on his steering wheel. He couldn't believe he had just lost to her, to a woman.

Rayn jumped out of her vehicle, taking off her helmet and throwing it in the air victoriously. Her hair was partially loose, long strands messily falling all over the curves of her smiling face. The men that were hired for her protection and were standing by their two vehicles that accompanied her earlier, clapped and praised her.

Shiv finally managed to pull himself from his vehicle, jumping out and leaning on the side of it. The other few drivers that managed to escape the brutality of the race slowly began stopping at the finish line behind him. Shiv's head tilted to the side as he shook his head at her, still in disbelief.

"Well, congratulations Krew's girl. You won,".

Rayn crossed her arms, "I told you brains win over brawn…and you can call me boss from now on".

A loud cocky laugh erupted from Shiv, "Just because you've won the race, you still have a long way to go before I start calling you boss". A devious and obviously inappropriate thought seemed to flash over his mind and it showed through his growing smirk, "Unless…".

Rayn raised her hand to stop whatever absurd comment he was ready to spit at her, "Don't you even think about it".

"No one's going to be calling you boss after this," a strange, cackled voice sounded over the radio. Shiv bent his confused eyebrows at the radio in his vehicle, as did the other drivers. Rayn wrinkled her forehead, baffled and feeling a slight tinge of fear.

Her eyes suddenly widened at the approaching vehicle coming straight towards her from the tracks. It was one of the drivers that lagged behind. It also seemed to be the voice that sounded over the radio, being that all the other drivers were present.

Shiv and the other men quickly scattered out of the way but Rayn froze. Her amber eyes stared ahead of her, watching the speeding car zoom right at her with the intention of running her over. Behind the wheel was a shady driver, wearing a dark wooden mask hiding his murderous expression. Her fingers trembled and her feet were planted to the ground. The men she hired were eagerly rushing forward to try and push her out of the way but they wouldn't make it in time.

Precursors! I'm going to die! This is it!

Her eyes squeezed shut with anticipation before a swift flash of red and silver cut through the air towards Cutter's head. The silver knife stabbed through the bonds that attached his mask to his face. His mask now falling down to his arms, he stared down at the red-handled knife in bewilderment, then he looked up quickly enough to see the blood lusting grin of the most dangerous man in Kras City. Suddenly the horrific words replayed in his mind from earlier.

'Enjoy your ride'.

His horrified, sepia eyes looked down onto the interior of his mask. It read in carved letters, 'Brakes'.

At the realization of what this meant, Cutter immediately stomped down onto his brakes. They didn't work! His body went into a panic, continuing to stomp onto his brakes like a raging mad man while losing the concentration he had to run Rayn over. Swerving his vehicle right past her, she opened her eyes just in time to see him heading straight for a nearby concrete wall.

She gasped in horror as she shielded her body, huddling onto the ground as Cutter went crashing into the wall with a deafening cry of help. After a loud crash and explosion following after, debris and pieces of metal flew around the arena. The remains of his vehicle engulfed in flames, the driver was evidently dead.

"How unfortunate," Razer shook his head at Cutter's leftovers, approaching Rayn with a grim expression.

"Wh-what happened?" Rayn straightened her body again, blinking at the combusting vehicle in shock.

The other drivers whispered amongst themselves, eyes wide at Cutter's gravesite. Shiv shot Razer a knowing glance. Shiv knew exactly what happened. Cutter had crossed Razer the wrong way and that was the consequence he endured. That was why no one ever got Razer angry or got in the way of any of his missions. They knew better.

"Time to get going," Shiv yelled over to the rest of the drivers and they quickly obeyed, all avoiding glances with the deadly criminal known as Razer. After they sped away, Rayn continued to blink and stare at where Cutter had crashed.

"What do you say we celebrate your victory over some wine?"

Rayn looked up at Razer, nodding slowly and unsure. "O-oh yes, sure. That sounds nice".

Razer pointed towards the exit with his thumb, "Meet you outside. I need to take care of something first".

Rayn eyed him suspiciously. Without further question, she brushed aside a stray strand from her eyes and obediently walked towards her vehicle. As she drove away, the other two vehicles that she came with followed behind.

Razer clenched his teeth, jaw bulging from his face as he swiftly made his way towards Cutter's flaming racing car. Squinting his eyes from the black smoke and the heat from the explosion, Razer used one hand to shield his eyes and the other to guide in front of him.

Catching the glimpse of red he was looking for, Razer reached in and pulled out his red knife jabbed onto the front seat beside the body. Quivering eyes stared mutely up at Razer as his chest heaved heavily up and down, gasping for breath. He was still alive, barely, but just enough to be called 'alive'. Cutter pleaded him with helpless eyes, although he knew that what happened to him was well deserved for poking his nose into business that wasn't his own.

Razer spat at him. He knew he had to pull him out, just because if he left him there, Mizo would know he had left him to die and he had something to hide. Therefore he had to let him live but after this experience, he was sure Cutter wouldn't dare open his mouth with Razer's name in it ever again.

Cringing with utter disapproval, Razer reached in with a groan and pulled Cutter's body from the vehicle. Badly cut, burnt and injured, his bloody body dragged across the road away from the fiery site. Razer dragged him a safe distance away before leaning in and saying, "You're on your own". He dropped Cutter into the dirt, ripping a piece of loose cloth hanging from his shirt.

He wiped his blade with the cloth before throwing it back onto the ground, "I'll be needing this for later and I'm sure you know better than to get in my way again".

With that last comment, he turned and walked away, leaving a dangling and fearful body sprawled on the ground helplessly. Nightmares of Razer would haunt him for the rest of his life.

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Her fingers sprawled over Razer's shoulder demurely as she laughed. Her head thrown back and her hair halfway falling down her shoulder. Her stomach twisted in her own laughter as Razer just smirked, contently taking small sips of his wine. She had long forgotten the business like nature in which they were supposed to be conducting themselves. For tonight, they were just a man and a woman, losing themselves in wild storytelling and sweet wine.

"So, in the end, I had to be the one to personally guarantee the safety of the Eco delivery and my father's client ended up signing over the contract to me, seeing that I was more of a trustworthy business partner. Daddy was a bit upset about it, but I promised most of the funds would go to him and I kept my word…"

She was finishing off the rest of her father's famous Eco smuggling mess up story that was left hanging in the restaurant the week before. He had to admit, now that she was sober, the story was actually captivating enough to grab his attention. Nothing in women held his interest unless they served his benefit sexually, but with his lack for sudden sexual cravings, there was nothing else that would give him a reason to seriously sit down and intently listen to a woman. Listening to her however, was turning out quite pleasant.

She had a mind. She had ideas. She had sophistication and a feisty side to spice it up. She was also coy at times, innocent and mouse-like when cornered up under certain circumstances. Just when you think she's as harmless as can be, she'll capture you with a roguish smile before she pounces and makes her move. She was a jack in the box, you couldn't help but focus on her until she was ready to unveil herself with whatever surprise she was keeping to herself.

"Sounds like you are a very smart woman, you make very wise business choices," Razer lifted his wine glass to her in emphasis and she bopped her head in agreement.

"That I do," she smiled widely as she let her glass clink against the tip of his before they brought their cups back to their lips for another sip.

A shred of silence passed through the air. Now realizing her fingertips were so casually resting on his shoulder, she immediately snatched them away as if she were burned. Heat tingeing her cheeks, she turned away, her expression suddenly growing solemn.

Razer observed her sudden change. Her eyes suddenly looked so empty, almost for a moment they had lost the gleam that was shining in them just seconds before. He chose not to question it. He knew those dull eyes anywhere. They mirrored his own.

Her lips parted, as if to speak, but shut again. It seemed she was having trouble searching for words, or rather searching for another conversation starter that would stall her from going back to her own home. He could see it in her eyes. She knew they were just in this for the business and the casual pauses for drinks were just extras that would not interfere with their deal. She knew that this was inappropriate, as well as dangerous. Yet, she couldn't find the motivation to listen to the logic tugging in the rear of her mind, the logic that was telling her to go home where she belonged. Where she belonged…

Finally Razer placed his glass on the table next to the leather sofa. Dimming the lights with the turn of his fingers under the lamp, Rayn looked up to offer him a mildly baffled look. He still said nothing. It was as if they both knew the words that were being unsaid. She didn't want to go and he didn't care either way. It was nothing more and nothing less. Just an understanding they both shared from living the lives that fate had bestowed upon them.

He retreated to the kitchen, and soon enough the clamor of pots and pans caused Rayn to turn around. Staring at him in disbelief as he moved about, from his cabinets to his tall wide refrigerator, laying out spices and ingredients on his marble blue counter. For someone that lived alone he sure had a bundle of food to work with.

She finally worked up the nerve to stutter what was passing through her mind, "Y-you can cook?"

Razer's black brow arched at her with a knowing smirk, "Hmm, did I ruin your criminal, barbarian-like image of me?", at the end of his sentence, his thick knife came down chopping a green vegetable onto the cutting board.

Rayn continued to blink, now resting her chin on her wrists, watching him from the sofa. She shouldn't have been too surprised, seeing that he lived alone and unlike her, he had no servants to cater to him. For some reason this made some anger spark in her, like it was some sort of challenge. She was supposed to be the woman here and here this criminal was outdoing her. She wouldn't have it.

Without warning, Rayn stood up from the couch, removing her jacket. Razer eyed her questionably as she approached him, a determined look on her face.

"Move aside," she waved him away like an irritating insect.

"Excuse me?" He paused with the knife mid-air.

"You heard me. Move aside," Rayn managed to squeeze beside him, grabbing a knife for herself and another vegetable to cut up for the salad.

Razer shook his head and wore a lopsided grin, as if some inside joke had passed through his mind.

"What?"

"Nothing," he whispered. Little does she know, she's helping me prepare her last meal. She is still too trusting of a woman.

Rayn eyed him from the corner of her eye. I'm no fool, Razer. You're being too pleasant and too welcoming to me. Don't think I'm not suspicious.

In a second, both their eyes met in an awkward moment and they both offered a mild smile before returning back to their cutting.

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Razer stared at the sleeping curves of the woman draped over his leather couch. Wine glass still lightly resting in her thin fingers, her eyelids were closed and her mind was elsewhere in her sleep.

After dinner and another entertaining bit of conversation, Rayn's eyes had drifted from enduring such a long day's events. Razer didn't stop her.

Sometimes after a day such as this one, with so much death and so much angst, it was nice to sit back and see something as peaceful as this. Of course Razer knew better. Peace never lasted long, at least not until something else would come along to threaten it. Sadly, he'd be the one to come along and threaten this peaceful sight lying on his couch, clueless and angelically.

Even though she was now this feisty, risk-taking woman during the day, snapping her fingers at servants and pressing her knuckles on her hips at every thug in the Bloody Hook, when she slept, she looked completely different. There were no attitudes. She wasn't ordering anyone around or trying to get her way around things. She was just a helpless woman, floating amidst whatever sweet dreams lay in her mind.

Razer watched a bit longer, observing the bisque skin on the curve of her jaw to the dark messy strands that fall over her face. He observed how her legs curled up onto his cushions as if his home was hers, one shoe dangling from her toes. Her head lolled and leaned onto the arm of the sofa and there was not a care in the world evident in her face. Maybe that was what he looked like when he slept.

Finally he stood up and carefully pulled the wine glass from her fingers. The rim was still stained with her red lipstick. Placing it on the kitchen counter, Razer made his way to the knives by his sink. Next to them was a knife sharpener, in which he inserted his blade into it. With a brief grinding sound, his blade came out furnished and as sharp as store bought, glistening in the dim light.

Mizo's words echoed through his mind. 'You do know what will happen if you betray me, don't you?'.

Razer clenched his teeth as he slowly and skillfully slinked his way towards Rayn's body asleep in his living room. Her body coming into view, lifting in shallow breaths, Razer lifted the blade into the air. It was the same blade he had used on Cutter earlier.

His fingers reached forward to brush aside the loose hair hanging over the flesh on her neck. She didn't move. She was so exhausted. Razer neared the cold silver closer to the side of her neck.

"It's a shame, princess. It's really a shame…"

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I'm so sorry that I left you guys hanging there. Okay maybe I'm not. :dodges rocks: Aww don't you guys love cliffies? Don't worry, it'll only get better.

Note to Luv2Game: You're beta had me crying almost to tears, my mother thought I was laughing at her and I was like no, nothing, I'm reading. As for the UR body jolting part, don't worry, as soon as I re-read it, I thought the same thing. I kept it that way, goes with the mood of the chap. Lets see if anyone else catches it.