Emily: Are you coming or not?

Emily: I need an answer

Emily: Look, I rearranged my entire schedule for you. The least you can do is come down from the ivory tower and bestow your presence on us insignificant plebs

Emily: A sign of life please?

Queen: Tell Em youre coming before she pops. You know what she's like when shes ignored.

Queen: Are you so desperate for attention that you won't stop until everyone is focused on you?

I slip my phone into the back pocket of my blue jeans. Tightening the hood around my face, I stuff the bitterness burning in my chest to the back of my mind and check my surroundings once more to ensure I haven't been followed. The narrow street is fairly empty, except for a few cars parked on the road. It's a handful of a neighborhood, mostly single-family homes, and small apartments on a few small streets about a fifteen-minute walk from the business district. A route I know well.

Hunching my shoulders to hide my face even more, I continue in the direction I was heading, ignoring the string of unanswered texts.

Heat spreads up my neck as I recall the softness of waking up in Kai's bed all over again as if it were just this morning and not a week ago. Thankfully, Kai was gone, his side of the bed already cool to the touch. When I checked the time, I realized he must have been gone for hours, meaning he let me sleep there.

I close my eyes, willing the shame away.

Distance, I decided once I scurried back to my room. We need distance.

A little breathing room after the intense night we had between Soichiro and... our other issue.

After a shower, I called Romero and had him kick my schedule into high gear. I gladly accept any distraction that comes my way, as long as it keeps me busy and away from Kai as much as possible. He's not completely unavoidable, though. When avoidance isn't an option, I keep my guard up, using my professional can-do attitude like a shield. In my efforts to be friendly with him, I crossed a line and compromised myself. No more lack of boundaries here. No, sir.

But Kai's not blind or dumb. He can see right through me. I catch his assessing gaze whenever I struggle to stand against the bond we used to share. He's magnetic. I want to be near him. It would be nice if he were just a pretty face to look at; maybe then I wouldn't miss him so much. Yet, I do. The other guests at the functions I'm dragged out to bore me. The endless days of charity luncheons and spa appointments make me restless. Romero's lessons in dance and etiquette lost their glamour. Kai was really the only part about any of this that I was enjoying anymore.

I don't cry about it, though.

One month. That's what I tell myself as we enter November. Technically one month and eight days, but who's counting?

Me. I am.

I'm counting every second.

It's either that or get lost in my confused feelings about Kai and his proposal.

My gaze casts around the familiar sights, waiting for that feeling of home to come. It doesn't. Instead, I'm aware of the peeling paint, the small squares of dirt that used to be dead grass, and the rusty metal staircases.

I face my old building, looking at the second-floor apartment. The stairs look rickety and unsafe, as if they'll detach from the wall with a slight breeze.

Across the street, a large signpost sticks out of the ground, boasting about new commercial buildings with a picture of a shiny sky rise.

Where are these people supposed to go? Where would I be going, if Kai hadn't come along when he did? I was broke before he showed up, and I'd be desperate now if I had to face this situation alone. Would I think of packing it up and moving back in with my parents?

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I fish it out with an exasperated sigh. I breathe easier when it's just the alarm reminding me about the brunch Kai and I are scheduled to appear at. It was arranged by one of the board member's wives, an unwelcoming woman with a bland smile, but otherwise fine. Soichiro will be there, and he expects the rest of his family as well. Since last week, he hasn't gone out of his way to make things difficult, but I suspect he's planning something. The lot of them are schemers.

Giving one last look at my building, I retrace my path back to the bus route I took to get here.

Incoming.

I squeeze Kai's arm to alert him to a man in a suit heading our way, his sights set on Kai. His attention shifts from glaring at the overdone garden painting on the wall to the man closing in. Seconds before he makes contact, Kai flashes his eyes at me, which I choose to interpret as thankful. I manage a smile in return.

They greet each other, getting the niceties out of the way before the business talk comes rolling in. Usually, I try to pay attention. It's interesting stuff and Kai always seems impressed when I'm able to offer a thought or two, but my heart isn't in it today.

I unwind my arm from Kai. "You talk," I say when the conversation pauses, "I'm going to find our table."

Kai doesn't reply as I slink off to the main dining room. About ten or so large round tables, topped with pearl and gold place settings, are spread around the room. A display of white orchids sits at the center of each. It's one of the smaller gatherings we've been to, more intimate, but the conversation from the sixty or so in attendance still creates a constant level of noise.

I wander the room, taking in the sunlight pouring in from the tall windows, bathing everything in a white, clean glow. It's a beautiful setting, and I need to remember to tell the wife before we leave. It's always nice to reward a job well done.

Purple and red catch my eye. I turn to see Ralf accompanied by Johnny in one of the corners of the room. They're in a group with other men, some with their wives, all dressed nicely. Only Johnny sticks out, with his missing tie and leather wristbands peeking out from the cuffs of his gray suit jacket. He makes eye contact and when he's sure he's got my attention, he lifts his drink, a flute with a pale golden liquid.

I grind my teeth together at his half grin and rotate around entirely, giving him my back and none of my concern. Why's he here anyway? It's not like he's family. Not any more than me, anyway.

The new direction puts Kai's aunt directly in my line of sight. She's surrounded by men, each one hanging off her every word. The white pantsuit gives her an air of power, and the matching jacket serves the purpose of reminding everyone she's a doctor. Nothing about her is an accident.

I sneer and pivot again. Every face is vaguely familiar, and I make a game of recalling their names and business titles. I get a point if I can get it in less than ten seconds. Anything to keep me occupied long enough that I don't start tearing my hair out in boredom.

Across the hall, Kai detaches himself from the conversation and stalks towards me. I freeze on the spot. That magnetism that always draws me in begins to pull as Kai steals my eyes and thoughts. At the same time, I want to dart away and hide, craving the distance.

Don't get it confused, I tell myself. Boss and Employee. That's the relationship.

Before he can reach me, Soichiro intercedes. I can't hear what is said, but after a final look in my direction, Kai follows him out of the room. My eyes draw, suddenly worried about a potential trap. Unable to stop my feet – to reason that to be left alone is what I wanted – I start after them.

I ease through the crowd, careful not to let my mask slip as people greet me. I don't see Kai or his grandfather. It's as if the group has swallowed them whole. I move to the fringes of the party, circling the edges of the room, hoping just to catch a glimpse of them.

It's silly to worry. I can't help it, though. I am worried. Kai can obviously handle Soichiro on his own, but he shouldn't have to.

I pass by a window, and after a double take, I go back. It's a sunny day, but there's a chill in the air from a slight wind. It causes their hair to sway as Soichiro and Kai stand in a private outdoor area. There are tables, but they have chairs stacked on them, so the space wasn't included in the party. They're alone and there's no way I can get close.

Soichiro's hand is wrapped around the back of Kai's neck, bringing their heads together as he pulls Kai down to his height. Kai's posture is completely rigid, his expression drawn. I pinch my lips together as my hand comes up to the glass. If I could just push my way through and go to him, and know he'll be okay.

"They're talking about you, you know,"

Forcibly, I yank my gaze away. Salima stands at my shoulder, her brown eyes on her cousin and grandfather. Bright red hair has been tamed into a French braid, small curls spilling out around her cheeks and eyes. The white dress that drapes her frame makes me think of spring, but she's covered with her signature black leather jacket, which makes me smile.

Her hooded eyes lower even farther. "You ruined everything," she continues. Then she smirks, eyes lifting, looking at me with a small amount of humor. "That's what he always says. You're ruining Kai's future, his plans, his life."

"Soichiro knows you've been spying on him?"

Salima stares at me for a moment before giving a small laugh. "That's just over the breakfast table. I can't imagine what he's convincing Kai of right now," she says, nodding towards the two outside. "You're not even supposed to be here today."

"Oh, really?"

"Check the tables. There is no setting for you. He said if you had a seat, he wouldn't come."

I snort. That's the kind of ultimatum I'd expect from a toddler.

Movement outside pulls my attention before I can reply. Kai heaves away from Soichiro. His lips move rapidly, but he's not yelling. Deep grooves carve between his brows in anger.

My hand drops to the window, as if he could actually feel my touch. I need to know what Soichiro said to make him so angry.

"Soichiro's disapproval is nothing new," I finally manage to reply to Salima, but I really wish I was saying it to him. "He doesn't control us."

"Big words for someone still attached to his generosity," she replies. "Grandfather still has a heavy hand in Kai's life. You might want to rethink this fight."

My breath hitches as she touches on a deep fear of mine – that none of this is really worth it if Kai loses everything in the end.

"They're planning on getting rid of you."

I nod. "I know."

"It's going to get messy," she says. I turn at the challenge I hear in her voice. She raises an assessing brow. "Do you love Kai that much?"

I'm not sure what to say, what she's expecting me to say, or what the right answer is. Is she taunting me? Trying to create space for doubt? Kai and I have hardly seen each other, but I'm still doing everything I can to make sure he stays focused on his goals without sacrificing mine.

I try to look at it from her perspective. She's leaving soon and will be cut off from the family, at least publicly. I doubt Kai would take direction from Soichiro and turn Salima away if she needed him. But she probably won't call.

Is she trusting Kai to me?

"You don't have to worry about him," I answer. It's the safest one I can give without lying.

We stare at each other for a moment longer. Something passes in her eyes; a flash of heat that extinguishes just as quickly. Within seconds, her face morphs to the usual excited expression I'm more familiar with. She links her arm with mine and drags me away from the window - away from Kai - and back into the dining hall.

"You know, I should be mad at you. I'm turning twenty-one this month, but all anyone can talk about is you. You and Kai. Kai and That Girl. That's all I hear about at home anymore."

I nearly laugh. Salima has a legion of followers on all her socials. People are counting down the days until her to party like it's a holiday. She is an icon, an It Girl. Once, I saw someone with a tattoo of her face on their arm. Even on my best days, I doubt I'm taking all that much attention from her. I glance at her from the corner of my eye. She's got huge round eyes and a beautiful face. It's fierce, just like the rest of her family, but no one has her coloring. And unlike them, her expressions dance with humor.

"Feeling left out?" I joke, nudging her slightly.

She scoffs. "Hardly. It couldn't be better to be ignored by them."

I stifle my laugh.

"Not too late to run," she says.

A part of me wants to ask if she's inviting me to run with her, just to see her reaction. Instead, I twist my lips and shake my head. "I'm good where I'm at."

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

As we walk through the room, we pass Ralf and Johnny, who have secluded themselves in a corner. Ralf glances at us sparingly, but Johnny grins broadly. He reaches out and tugs on Salima's braid, causing her to turn and slap his hand away. He pretends to shake his hand in pain, but I catch their shared laugh. Johnny's is coated by arrogance compared to Salima's pleasantly warm giggle. When he catches me watching, Johnny puckers his lips in a kissing motion, blowing at me.

I roll my eyes, tugging Salima along.

"He's harmless." She floats happily next to me.

"He's a jerk," I say, remembering the discussion I heard. "I can't believe you tolerate him."

She shrugs. "He's been Ralf's best friend since he was ten. Ralf's twelve years older than me. You do the math."

"So, he's been around since before you were born."

Salima nods. "I'm ten years younger than Kai. The baby," she says with a sneer and an eye roll. "They never needed me. Ralf's always had Johnny, and Kai's always made do. As long as I've been alive, I've felt like I didn't fit in with them. It was more than just an age thing. I know Ralf and Kai don't mind me, but my presence doesn't change anything for them."

She looks out over the room, eyes passing over the guests who don't notice her. "I believe the best thing we can do is find people who not only need us, but more importantly, want us."

"I couldn't agree more."

"So, I tolerate Johnny because he's important to Ralf," she reaffirms. Then her lips tilt in a half-smile. "And because he really is harmless when you get past all the leather and crude jokes."

I wave my free hand in denial. "I don't believe it. What proof do you have?"

We laugh together, and I realize I do feel lighter than just a bit ago. Only a little, though. It's nice to talk with her, but half my thoughts are still with Kai, wondering if he's okay with Soichiro.

Salima's sweet eyes gleam before focusing somewhere behind me, offering whoever it is a welcoming smile and wave. I turn partially to see who she's bringing over, and my breath seizes. Mathilda inches towards us, arms tucked behind her. Her eyes are trained on me, trying to determine if I'll be just as welcoming.

I've seen her since that morning at Kai's, but we've been able to keep a respectable distance. With the public on my side, Soichiro hasn't been able to use her as much as he'd like. Which is so much better, because I didn't want to make this girl my enemy.

"Mattie," Salima calls, encouraging her to join us.

I tilt my head towards us, opening our circle to her. Her lips roll up slowly and she steps into our group. Immediately, Salima launches into the recent changes to her party planning. We listen as she glows brightly, railing against Kay's pretentious ideas.

"I'd be happy with a few friends at the beach, but no," she draws out with a heavy sigh.

My stomach coils and drops repeatedly as she lists the many, many, many luxurious preparations. At one point she mentions a private island and my jaw drops

"That can't be surprising," she tells me at seeing my reaction. "Your wedding is like twice the size of my party."

I choke on nothing but air. I actually haven't been keeping up with Romero and Mariah's planning, considering it's a wedding that's never going to happen, but maybe I should be checking in with them to make sure they're not going crazy with Kai's money.

A gentle but firm hand settles on the small of my back, heat sinking through my clothes to my skin. Kai appears next. I try to decipher the emotion behind his eyes and without words, he leads me away from them and I follow after an apologetic glance at them. I have so many questions tripping over my tongue, but they have to wait. People have started to take their seats. Soichiro and Kay are already seated at the table we're heading towards, along with a few others, and Salima's warning from earlier comes back to mind.

There is a seat next to Kai, but it's not reserved for me.

Mathilda trails a few feet behind us. Both Kai and I notice her at the same time and exchange a look. Soichiro's set us up to make a scene. Already, we're attracting curious looks from others as the room waits for whatever is going to happen. Some look concerned, others confused. And some look like they've been dying for the bloodbath to begin.

Kai's jaw clenches with Soichiro tells him to sit. He motions for one of the wait staff. As the waiter approaches, Kai begins collecting the place setting to the left of his seat and piling them in the waiter's arms.

This wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't a man already seated there. "Um, excuse me," he stammers. He's a graying man, somewhere in his mid-sixties, and he watches with a gaping mouth as Kai takes away all his things.

"Kai," I warn. I'm mad at Soichiro too, but making a spectacle isn't the answer.

To the waiter, Kai gives the instructions to find the man another seat and to bring a new setting for me. To the man, he bows slightly. "There's been a mistake. This is another guest's seat." His tone is almost neutral, except for the edge of a threat to it.

The man looks completely overwhelmed but stands nevertheless. The woman who organized the brunch appears, apologizing for the misunderstanding, and leading him away. I groan inside. We all know this wasn't her fault, but of course, she'll take the blame. Who else is it going to be? Soichiro?

Please.

A new place setting is put down. Everyone watches as Kai guides me to the spot to his right and lowers me to the seat. Next, he motions for Mathilda to sit at his left, the seat newly vacated for his guest. Then, he levels Soichiro with an eerily calm stare.

"How many times are we going to do this, Grandfather?"

"As many times as it'll take you to understand."

I hold my chin up, but the entire time all I can hear are my thoughts echoing, this is bad. Soichiro doesn't respond well to being embarrassed, and this will only push him further. My eyes glance left to see Mathilda in her seat. She looks older than her nineteen years, sitting tall with a straight back and long, thin neck. Despite the scowl marring Soichiro's face, she remains poised.

Kai sits relaxed between us. I can feel the eyes of everyone in the hall studying the three of us. My lips tighten to hold back the panic bubbling up. I'm the only one hearing alarm bells. Kai and Mathilda can pretend they don't notice or care, but I shift awkwardly under the heavy attention. It's all I can do to keep my eyes from swiveling around. I can already hear the rumors that are going to come out of this, and what they'll become once they hit the news outlets.

The public has more or less reasoned that Mathilda was Kai's intended, but that he was so overwhelmed by his love for me that nothing could sway him. Romero's been an "anonymous source," feeding them a sort of Cinderella story to keep them happy. Between that and our fake dates, Mathilda is hardly mentioned anymore. But this might ruin that.

My thoughts suspend when Kai takes my hand and rests it on the table. His covers mine completely, for the world to see.

Soichiro's jaw grinds when he sees it, but he doesn't say anything.

After that, brunch moves quickly. The light mood, ruined by Soichiro and Kai, never recovers. As soon as we can, Kai and I clear out. I keep my gaze warm as we sweep from the hall, while Kai ignores those jumping for his attention. The only time my gaze is challenged is when we pass Ralf's table. He sits between Salima and Johnny, and while Ralf's cool eye barely lifts in acknowledgment, Salima and Johnny spare us proud smirks as we make our escape. An anvil of tension drops in my stomach at the sight.

Because of the wind picking up speed outside, we wait near the front door for Spencer. Since we're still in public, I keep my hand in his. Though, if I'm honest with myself, I'm happy for the excuse. The physical connection gives me a bit of comfort.

"You look worried," Kai remarks, his voice heavy and bored.

I raise my shoulders in a half-hearted shrug. "I'm not worried." I expect him to be buried in his phone when I glance at him, but instead, his clear eyes peer down at me as if I'm the only one here.

"This is just your thinking face, then,"

My eyes narrow. "No, this is not my thinking face," I snap, deepening my voice at the end to mock him.

His brow lifts, the hints of a smile challenging my retort. Waiting for me to break.

"Kai. Hilary." We both turn to see Mr. Dickenson standing just behind us. I relax, already put at ease at the sight of his smile under the fluffy white mustache. "How are both of you?"

"Great," I chirp, pasting that happy smile on.

Mr. Dickenson chortles. "Well, you're doing better than me if I were in your shoes. That was like facing a firing squad."

I grimace. Perhaps I was too enthusiastic given what we just walked away from.

He carries on, overlooking my reaction graciously, "If you don't mind, I'd like to borrow Kai for a moment. Would that be alright with you?"

I look to Kai. I can tell he'd rather just leave, but he nods, stepping away and following the older man. When they're out of earshot, I go back to looking for Spencer to give them some privacy. Not a minute goes by before I feel eyes on me.

Deep breath in, I assume it's Rick who has the habit of appearing out of nowhere. I turn to face him with a sardonic smile, but all my breath leaves in an exasperated sigh when I see ruddy hair.

Johnny grins, bringing his hands up to lock behind his head. "You don't pay a lot of attention to your surroundings, do you?"

I take in his casual stance with an unamused expression, though I'm surprised by just how natural it looks on him. Ralf and Kai are so refined, that Johnny looks almost common next to them, even in his suit. He looks more fitted for a vintage black t-shirt, dark blue jeans, and thick black boots made for stomping, all of it worn and faded in the right places. Even playing the part in a suit, he sticks out in this crowd.

Either way, he could still pick up a supermodel and make her feel like a queen with that face. I kind of hate him for it.

I look over his shoulder to where Kai is talking to Mr. Dickenson. His back is facing us, so he hasn't noticed yet.

Not that Johnny seems to care where Kai is. He just keeps on grinning. I cross my arms. "Why are you over here?"

"Just seeing the sights." He shrugs nonchalantly. Then he looks me up and down like he'd love to eat me alive. "Lots to see."

I scoff. "Don't pretend you have any interest in me. I know you don't, not even to make Kai jealous."

That kicks a light off in his eyes. Humor, I decide, not lust, fake or otherwise. "Is he still just as territorial as he used to be?"

His words from last week still draw out the same anger. My skin crawls. My hand curls as much as they can with my arms still crossed.

"Mm-hmm." He steps closer, looking around. "No paparazzi today?"

"Yeah, can't believe they missed all this," I reply with sarcasm, motioning to the room just we left.

I have Romero's instructions running through my head. Countless hours spent in an attempt to equip me with "proper" manners, so that I can play the part. However, I can't focus on a single thing he's taught me. It's all becoming a jumbled mess.

I don't want to smile and reply civilly. I want to growl and rage and bite his head off!

How has Kai done this for years?

"Your face is turning an interesting shade of purple. Is that normal? I have to be honest, it's very ugly."

I shake my head, barely holding back my emotions. Best not to play with him. It'll give him the idea he's funny. "What do you want, McGregor?"

"Oh, it's McGregor now?" Johnny mimics my tone with a sly grin, lowering his arms and stuffing his hands into his pants pockets. He steps even closer. So close that I can pick out the different shades in his violet eyes. "Isn't it obvious?"

My brow arches as I wait for him to continue.

He leans in even closer and the warmth of his breath fans my cheeks. "I'm desperately in love with you. I've been following you for days, looking for the perfect time to beg you to run away with me."

I groan and he winks. I gnash my teeth at his laughter, and my foot itches to kick him.

He seems to get the sense he's walking on dangerous ground and backs off with a sigh. "It's a joke," he teases, "in case your boy toy is listening." He checks over his shoulder, making sure Kai is still distracted.

"Like he's got me wearing a wire?"

"I won't put anything past him," he says, turning back to me. "He did have you spy on us."

"Kai didn't have me do anything. I did that on my own."

"Sure," Johnny drawls. "And I believe that because sneaking into The Griffon is something only an idiot would think up."

His blatant sarcasm sends me reeling. I move, grabbing his shirt collar and urging him back The action takes us both by surprise, I realize as I stare at him, my hand still gripping his shirt, both of us breath heavy and the sudden change in dynamic.

I look around to see what attention we've drawn, thankful that no one seems to have noticed. My guard has fallen, but I can't bring myself to care right now. Agitation flows through me, tightening my fist on his jacket for a brief second before letting go and shoving him away.

"Stop screwing with me," I say after a minute of silence. "Just tell me what you want."

All at once, Johnny drops the charming persona he layered on. His tongue runs along the upper edge of his teeth, finishing with a harsh frown. "Admit you're faking your relationship, and you'll never see me again."

I shake my head.

"He doesn't care about you, you know. He only cares about himself."

"That's not true."

"You don't know the kind of person - "

"I know enough."

We stare at each other, neither willing to back down. His body practically vibrates with a weird, volatile energy.

He squints, sizing me up. "You know, I misjudged you."

People usually do. But I'm curious what he thinks he missed.

"I thought you were a nice, innocent girl caught up in Kai's schemes. I know you heard my conversation with Ralf at the Griffon. I told Ralf to back off because I believed there was something more to you, but it looks like I was wrong." His words cut like knives.

I am a nice person! I'm doing all of this because I'm so nice. Too nice, even. Kai would want me to end this conversation and give him nothing.

Unlike Kai, though, I don't see Ralf or Johnny, as an enemy, as much as I dislike them. They're not my favorite people in the entire world, but they're still just people.

"Whatever happened between Kai and Ralf doesn't give him the excuse to try to ruin us."

The sneer returns. "You can't ruin something that doesn't exist, and we know there is no real relationship."

"Kai and I exist," I say firmly. And it's the truth, at least. In some form or another.

His focus narrows. I feel the superiority that naturally seeps from him, that at one time would have had me looking down. I don't let my shoulders drop or my knees weaken. If anything, my spine straightens. I've been in this position before, but usually, I have Kai looming behind me or at my stand. No one challenges me for too long when they have to meet his unimpressed scowl.

Right now, it's just me.

I got this.

After a solid minute of staring me down, Johnny's expression sways. It morphs into one of smugness. "Settle down, wildcat. We're only talking."

"Sure." And our eye-joust just a moment ago was only friendly sparing.

I wait for Johnny to leave. He surely wouldn't want to be found here when Kai's done with Mr. Dickenson, right? That's practically inviting trouble in for dinner and wine.

He looks behind me and nods towards the two. "So, what's so important over there?"

I glance over. "Nothing," I mumble. I hope Kai isn't telling him lies.

Johnny remains standing in front of me.

"What?" He shrugs cluelessly at my obvious glare.

"We are not friends," I tell him, feeling like it should be a mutual understanding.

"We're both waiting for our rides. What do you want me to do, stand in the corner?"

Rolling my eyes, I offer, "I'd rather you disappear as quickly as you appeared."

"Cover your eyes and I might," he laughs. Something tells me covering my eyes is the last thing I want to do around Johnny.

I turn around so that at least it doesn't look like we're chatting away.

"Last chance," he says close to my ear, causing me to jump.

Last chance? Against all sense, I turn back around. "Last chance, before what?"

"Before we have no mercy."

It takes a second to register. When it does, I scoff for pretense, but I can already taste the panic. Kai and I are facing down Soichiro on one side. We don't need Johnny and Ralf coming at us from the other.

And now I'll have to tell Kai about this, since he's heading back this way. I stare wide-eyed, caught red-handed as Kai stares down Johnny.

Johnny takes note of Kai's approach and bows out. Whistling as he walks away, hands stuffed in his pockets as if he's just out for a stroll, but as he passes Kai, and they exchange a look, it's clear he knows what he's done. After they pass, Kai has nothing else to look at but me. I try to ignore the simmering in Kai's eyes as he gets closer, but just as I open my mouth to try and calm him, I'm interrupted.

"Oh, and Hil," Johnny calls out from middle of the room, "you should really think twice about taking the bus. You never know who you'll meet."

My stomach drops.

I advert my eyes from Kai, looking at the details on the ceiling. We've been here before for dinner with some of his business associates. The hotel is beautiful with a glass dome ceiling letting a pale glow, aided by two large chandeliers that sit over a double curved staircase with black iron railings. Please, I think to the sky, save me. Everything is a warm cream, accented with black for a classic feel. A statue sits between the staircases, which we had to go around to reach the smaller of the two ballrooms at this hotel.

Wish I could appreciate it.

"What'd he say to you?"

I pause, mouth hanging wide open. I don't think this is the place to discuss it. Over my shoulder, I spy the sleek black car pulling up through the windows, and Spencer's blonde head pops out.

"In the car," I nod, pulling him with me.

Kai grumbles as I push him in, piling in after him. Once the door is shut, he rotates towards me. "What did he do?"

"He didn't do anything," I let out a half-laugh, ignoring his dirty look. "We just talked."

"What did he mean about the bus?"

I huff. There's no way around it. "I ditched my facial appointment this morning and went down to my old neighborhood. The one that's being demolished and re-developed into a 'commercial space'." I scoff, rolling my eyes while doing air quotes. "What does that even mean?"

"You skipped your appointment?"

I snap my head around. "Why do you sound offended? Are you saying I need it?"

Kai pinches the bridge of his nose. "Your schedule isn't just to keep you busy, it's -"

"What, to keep me out of the way? Keep me distracted?"

"No, to keep you safe, Hilary," Kai snaps.

I fall silent, my muscles locking up. He groans. "Not safe. My grandfather's not going to kill you or anything."

"Kill? Murder is an option, now?" I think back to the looks Soichiro was sending me all during lunch, and Salima did say they were going to get rid of me.

"No. But..." he groans. "Just stick to where Romero, Rick, or I can find you."

"Okay," I say reluctantly, not at all convinced, "I get it."

"Why were you even down there?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I just felt the need to see what they were doing. I know the protests haven't been doing well."

"They'd need a lawyer."

"Which no one who lives in that area can afford."

"It would be pointless anyway."

"Even the people who own their homes?" My worry for my old neighbors grows.

Wariness flickers across his face for a second before it falls to its usual brooding state. "They might be able to hold out for a while, but nothing stops progress. That neighborhood borders the business and shopping district. It's prime for development, so the city will make them sell."

"And doesn't that seem wrong to you?" I press.

Kai clears his throat. "McGregor."

I shrug, annoyed he won't answer my question. "It doesn't matter. He wants us to reveal we're faking before, and I quote, they have no mercy. Same story every time."

"I'll warn him to back off," Kai sighs, straightening out in his seat. "Again."

He directs his gaze out the window, letting one arm lay on the door while the other rests in the middle between us. His jaw works as his eyes scan the passing city.

Technically, I know this is where my part is supposed to end. I've told Kai about what Johnny said, and given him the information he needs. But I've never been a halfway kind of person, and I think Kai knows that by now. So, when my hand slides into his, Kai closes his eyes and gives a sort of hopeless sigh.

"I have an idea."

He takes a deep breath, resigned. "What is it?"

Sorry for the filler and the lack of Kai. Since this is getting back into the story, I had to start gathering all the pieces together again. Don't worry, we'll be getting to the good stuff soon (I promise for the 15 billionth time).

Big thank you to everyone who read and left comments and kudos. I appreciate everything you do and always look forward to those emails. You guys are honestly the sweetest.

Take care of yourselves and stay safe.

Until next time,
konix