Just as the night rolled on, Kev's mood soured. Avradren Damaruk had just walked into the club. His blood boiled. Man, fuck… now my night's ruined. This fool here?
Ammy leaned in, brows pinched. "Renny?"
Kev shook his head sharply. "Nah. One of them Damaruk brothers in your grade." He jerked his chin toward the door.
She glanced, spotted him, and sighed. "Oh. Avradren. Yeah, he's troublesome. But why would his presence bother you?"
Kev waved it off. "Never mind. Let's just have a good time."
"Okay, babe," she said, sliding back into his rhythm as the music swallowed them again.
Hours passed, and the club finally began to thin. The heavy bass dulled, the air thick with the sour mix of sweat and spilled liquor. People spilled toward the exit in loose clusters, some laughing too loud, others dragging their feet, the night's haze clinging to them all.
Kev and Ammy pushed forward with the flow. Just as they reached the threshold, a hard shoulder clipped Kev from behind. His footing slipped, boot skidding against the step. He lurched forward, barely catching himself against the doorframe.
"Damn," he muttered, twisting back with a scowl, eyes flashing irritation at whoever had clipped him.
"What happened, babe?" Ammy asked, steadying him.
"Somebody pushed me," Kev muttered, scanning the crowd. His eyes locked on Avradren, leaning in the shadows, grin wide and devious.
Kev's chest heated. "Man, you... " the insult burned out of him, "... what the fuck is your problem?"
Avradren tilted his head, mocking casual. "What's up? I ain't do nothing."
Kev squared up. "Afraid to say what you did?"
Avradren's smirk deepened. "I am not afraid of no punk."
Kev's jaw flexed. "Don't call me that."
Avradren's lips curled into a sneer. "Just because you're moving with her doesn't put you on my level. I'm allowing you to go out with her. If not, your so-called alliance would've ended before it even began."
Ammy stepped in front of him, eyes flashing. "You're not letting him do anything, Avradren. Don't fool yourself."
Kev closed the distance, his presence pressing in like a storm. The tension coiled tighter, thick enough to choke the air between them.
Avradren's lips curled into a sharp grin."Oh… I see what's going on here." His demon eye flared open. Dark markings spread across his face like wet paint running down canvas, and a guttural growl slipped through his teeth.
Ammy's demon eye ignited in response, while Kev's followed suit, his gaze glowing like molten iron.
"Even a blockhead like you should see the futility," Ammy said coolly. "You and I may share the same grade, but with my boyfriend beside me, you'd be overwhelmed before you could blink."
Avradren scoffed, spreading his arms wide. "Overwhelmed? I could take you both, and three more, without breaking a sweat."
Kev grinned, tilting his head. "Aight, champ. Go ahead. Do your worst."
They shifted into position, the air around them crackling with hostile energy. Avradren was just about to lunge when a voice like thunder rolled out from the club entrance.
"What is this nonsense?"
They froze. A towering figure stepped into the streetlight—Thyrosan Korav, the President. His glare swept the three like a blade, stopping squarely on Avradren.
"You again," he spat. "How many times must I knock sense into you, Damaruk? Do you have no shame?"
Avradren's jaw locked, but he dared not speak.
"Get out of my sight. All of you. Now."
Ammy and Kev exchanged a glance, tension draining into frustration. They turned and made their way out.
But as Kev passed, Thyrosan's hand snapped out, iron-strong, halting him mid-step.
"Where is your companion?"
Kev blinked. "Uh… who?"
"Renayo Ezraphor,"
Kev frowned, scratching his head. "Ain't seen him in a while, Mr. President. Don't know where he at."
Thyrosan's gaze lingered, cold and dissecting. Then, with a sharp nod, he withdrew his hand and vanished back into the club without another word.
***
Later, as the taxi rumbled down cracked streets, Kev leaned back with a deep sigh, his words rolling out heavy with unease. "Man, this ain't sittin' right with me. Why everybody lookin' for Renny all of a sudden? Even the damn president sniffin' around. What the hell goin' on?"
Ammy kept her eyes on the window, lips pressed tight, offering no answer.
Kev rubbed his face, stomach knotting. "Got a real bad feelin'… somethin' ain't right. I just hope my boy's alright."
***
The taxi pulled up at Ammy's apartment. After settling the driver, the two of them made their way upstairs to her room.
Kev slouched back on her couch, arms spread wide as he shook his head. "Man, that Avradren dude ain't shit. All bark, no bite. Straight up pussy."
Ammy smirked, curling one leg beneath her as she faced him. "Guess what else is a pussy."
Kev raised his brows, grinning as he played dumb. "Uh… a cat? You tryna get one now? 'Cause I ain't feedin' it."
She rolled her eyes and tapped him lightly on the head with two fingers. "Silly. You know what I mean."
Kev chuckled, leaning back. "Mm-hm..."
Ammy tilted her head, her smirk softening. "We did look good together, though... standing up against him."
Kev straightened a little, lips quirking. "Fo' sure."
"And if he'd tried to misbehave out of that swollen pride of his," she added, voice lowering, "we would've humbled him." That made Kev laugh, a warm, throaty sound.
"You beginnin' to sound just like me," he said, catching her hand before she could pull it away.
Their eyes locked, the teasing spark dimming into something heavier. For a moment neither spoke, the silence saying more than words could. Then, slowly, Kev tugged her closer.
"You know you love me," he murmured.
Ammy leaned in, lips brushing his as she whispered, "Maybe I do."
The kiss deepened, playful sparks flaring into something hungrier. Clothes slipped away piece by piece, laughter melting into breathless gasps until they finally gave in to each other.
Later, tangled in sheets, the night softened. Ammy's head rested on Kev's chest, his arm draped lazily around her as they drifted off together, the faint hum of the city bleeding in through the window.