Dimitri
We were still holding fucking hands.
I didn't know how the hell it happened. Or why I didn't pull away.
His hand was warm as shit. Strong too. His eyes were staring right at me, like he could see some crazy stuff I couldn't. It was hard to look away. Perhaps it was because his hand was holding mine.
And for a moment, everything just felt off. Like the air between us shifted. My heart was beating fast, and I couldn't tell if it was fear, confusion, or something I didn't want to name. I should've stepped back. I should've said something. But I didn't. I just stood there like an idiot, still holding his hand, still staring at him like I was frozen in place.
But then…
"Ahem."
I turned around real quick.
Some guy was standing at the end of the hallway. Big shoulders. Nice suit. Cold-ass eyes.
It was Aspen. From what I know about him, he was Kaius's brother. They were three siblings, the last being a sister. They all were in the crime together.
I let go of Kaius's hand and stepped back real fast. There were many rumors about Aspen, how rude he was, how dangerous and unpredictable he acted.
Aspen didn't say shit. Just stared at me.
A long, cold stare. Like I was a piece of crap.
The tension was thick as hell. There was a cold rush within me, it was as if he could see past the persona I was wearing.
Kaius stepped up, getting between us. His back was to me, facing Aspen like some damn shield. I had no clue if it was in defense or if he was just trying to assume the air of someone greater than Aspen was.
"What's your fucking problem?" Kaius asked. "Do you need anything?" He asked sharply, it was almost as if I was string at two strangers and not two brothers.
"Nothing," Aspen said. His voice was calm. Too damn calm. "Just watching everyone real close." His eyes moved to meet mine and I felt my heartbeat quicken. Was he onto me? Could he tell I was a cop?
Kaius didn't move. He stood there, staring his brother down.
After a long-ass pause, Aspen gave this fake smile, then turned and walked away. He carried with him the tension that hung in the air.
Kaius didn't say anything at first. Then he turned to me. His stance had changed drastically from when he was talking to his brother just a few seconds ago.
"Let's get the hell out of here," he said.
We walked outside. Three cars were waiting. Kaius and I got in one. Ronald got in another and drove off without saying shit.
The car ride was quiet. Too fucking quiet. The leather seats squeaking anytime we moved was the only thing that filled the silence between us.
I sat there all stiff, not knowing what to say. His presence made me feel all exposed and shit. He was alarming and excruciatingly unpredictable. Ronald was not here and I could not guess what his next move would be. He might just jump and kiss me and this space was not large enough to throw him off me.
Kaius looked out the window, then turned to me. The air that had eased up a few minutes ago had turned still once again mainly as a result of the memory of him constantly placing his lips on mine, regardless of my disapproval.
"Who do you think the next president should be?" he suddenly asked, his eyes focused on the window..
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
This got him to turn back to face me. He smirked slightly. "The elections. Coming soon," he said. "You gotta have some opinion."
I shook my head. "Not really into that political bullshit."
He smirked. "There's Carlos… the people's man. The asshole who tried to kill Jim that time. And then there's that other dickhead. What's his name… doesn't fucking matter."
He turned to me again. "So? Who should win?"
I thought about it. "Whoever will do more good than harm, I guess."
He burst out laughing. "That's fucking cute."
I frowned. "What's so damn funny?"
"You really think elections are about good and harm?" he said. "They're not."
"What are they about then?"
He smiled, but it looked dark as hell. "About who can reduce the harm that's already been done. That's all the shit there is."
I stared at him. "That's… fucking sad."
"It's real," he said. "No matter who wins, no matter who the people wants, the president's still gonna be a selfish bastard."
I leaned my head back. "Do you have the power to choose the next president?"
Kaius chuckled.
Then he looked at me with that same mysterious smirk.
"You'll see for yourself soon enough," he said before smiling like an innocent child. "I am still just a harmless, simple businessman, Dimitri."
That sent chills down my fucking spine.
He was far from being a harmless businessman. He was crime himself. He was all things terrible.
There was some shit going on between Kaius and Carlos.
We pulled up in front of my apartment.
He looked at me again, eyes lingering. "Get some rest."
I nodded. "Goodnight."
He didn't say shit back. Just drove off.
As soon as he disappeared down the street, I pulled out my phone and called the captain.
He picked up fast.
"Captain. We got a fucking problem."
"What is it?" he asked.
"Kaius… he's working with Carlos. I'm sure of it. He's trying to help that bastard become president."
There was a pause. Then the captain said, "That's exactly what Carlos wants him to think."
I frowned. "What the hell?"
"Carlos is trying to trick him. He's using Kaius to build support. But if Carlos wins… he'll destroy his ass. His whole damn empire."
"You sure about that shit?"
"He told the higher-ups. He's for the people. He wants to clean up this fucked-up country. Kaius's just a step. Once he's done with him, he'll throw his ass in prison."