Page 78

Malia

"I hate that I have to leave," he says for the hundredth time.

"I know, you’ve been whining about it for the past ten minutes.

We’ll see each other tomorrow, just text me when you get home safely.

That’s an order no matter how tired you are. As long as you’re alive, you tell me that."

"Okay, bossy."

"Meh, I prefer Love." I kiss him one last time before practically shoving him out the door.

We’ve been cuddling, talking, and teasing each other for hours, and as nice at it has been, he really needs to go now.

I mean, I’d love for him to never leave at all, but he can’t just neglect his duties and abandon Wystan because he’s not in the mood to get out of my crappy bed.

Only a few minutes after I closed the door behind Keahi, someone knocks on my door.

"I know you haven’t forgotten anything.

You can’t hide here until your shift is over," I yell through the door, only for it to reveal Flint when it slowly opens, not my boyfriend. Ups.

"I don’t even care what that was.

I’m just here to let you know we just had the meeting.

Some guards came forward with tiny bits and pieces of information but nothing substantial.

"Our theory that it has nothing to do with Shadow Handlers has been confirmed by someone’s story.

Apparently, she and her partner were on watch when she saw a group of white-clad people inject her partner with something."

"Why would she only just talk about this now?" I ask with furrowed eyebrows.

That woman didn’t need to hear of the missing guards when she saw it happen to her own partner.

"They were on watch last night." Oh.

"So, it’s still happening?" It didn’t feel very present when Flint told me the last time, but I guess the assessment was inaccurate.

He nods and the knot in my stomach tightens, knowing that Keahi is out there.

He’s a very capable fighter, especially since he’s been training with both Wystan and me, but it’s still dangerous.

One wrong move in a certain moment and it’s lights off.

I suddenly wish he’d have stayed and hidden in my cell instead of going to do his job.

"At least we have some kind of a description now.

You’re making it public, right?" I ask.

I’ll tell Keahi either way, but it would be preferable if I didn’t have to go against orders to do it again. Not that there’s much more Flint can take from me now.

"Yeah, no use doing anything else anymore.

The guards are already angry, no need to fuel that."

"Is there anything else?"

"I said I’d tell you when I know more, this is me doing that.

Some people still keep their word," he mutters pointedly.

Clearly, he’s more bothered by my perceived slip-up than he initially let on.

"I did keep my word.

I said I’d tell Keahi and I did.

Anything beyond that was out of my control. I’m fine with facing the consequences, you’ve warned me of that, but don’t expect me to be happy about it.

"You know you’ve put Keahi and me in an uncomfortable situation by giving us more information than the rest, and how I see it, the news being public has already had a positive impact.

Your guards are taking training seriously and the ones on watch are more attentive," I point out, trying to make him see reason.

He has nothing to reply to that.

"I’m not the only one calling the shots about your punishment.

Trust me, I’ve been given shit for telling you in the first place.

I couldn’t let this go without consequences since I – and probably you – would’ve both lost our integrity." Saying this, he at least has the decency to sound apologetic. However nice it may be to know he’s not holding on to his grudge against me, I’m not in the mood to talk right now.

"Whatever, Flint.

I’m really tired and I still have to text Keahi.

Good night." He takes the hint and leaves my cell.

As soon as he’s gone, I pull out my phone to give Keahi the update.

He replies quickly, saying he understands and adding a few emojis I’ve called my favorites.

This man. He really is trying to make me feel better even though my anger at him has already passed. I tell him to focus before reluctantly going to sleep.

I keep my phone on just in case.

I won’t sleep soundly anyway, not as long as Keahi practically has a target on his back, but it’ll do.

He should be home at like four am, so I’d still have a few hours to sleep after that.

"More disappearances?" I ask Flint.

It’s been four days since we got the first hint about who we’re up against and there have been more disappearances every day and night since.

Our enemies have been sighted a few more times.

Sometimes in the woods, others in the city.

There doesn’t seem to be a pattern. They haven’t targeted or attacked the regulars, so we’re apparently their focus.

We still have no clue about what happens with the kidnapped guards or why we’re being attacked in the first place.

The mood around the facility is grim, to say the least.

"No, actually.

Not one missing guard in the last twelve hours." That’s more time of quiet than we’ve had in days.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Malia.

I think I can still keep track of my people,” he snaps but quickly deflates with a deep breath, adding, “Sorry." Flint has been tense, like the rest of us, but he usually doesn’t take it out on me.

We’ve been getting along again. Well enough, at least.

I’m teaching the guards all day every day.

Keahi is stuck with night shifts so we’re seeing each other for a few hours every evening.

While I’d like to see him more often, I remind myself that the distance is okay in the face of our impending move. Or rather my move into his house. We’ll get enough of each other then, I’m sure.

"Right, are you joining us today?" Even the boss needs to upgrade his skills, so Flint has been training with the other guards whenever he has the time.

"Aye.

Only in the morning though, later I get to attend some fun meetings." He fakes some enthusiasm before we head to room nineteen.

It goes as usual.

A few selected protégés and I give a new group of guards instructions before keeping an eye on them as they train.

Even though I still don’t get paid, it turns out I really love teaching others how to fight.

While the way I learned these methods was unethical and often painful, I do like using them for something good and they are useful.

It’s nice to see how my training could have gone instead, and I like being the one that creates those new memories for myself. It’s healing.

And grueling.

Hours later, I’m heading to my cell on wobbly legs.

The guards might not yet be even opponents in a one on one considering I’ve had years of non-stop practice with the Dark Fraction, but I’ve had many energetic guards asking for a duel so I can point out where they slack.

It was enough to evoke a soft quiver in my thighs.

I open the door to my cell to find Keahi already lounging on my bed with one of my books in his hands.

His eyes lift to mine and he smiles.

It’s not unusual for him to surprise me like this, and I’ve grown to like his impromptu visits. They remind me that he’s as crazy about me as I am him.

When I head to set down my things before greeting him, he hums to himself.

"No ‘yay, Keahi, I’ve missed you all day.’ or ‘I’m so happy to see you.’? This is very hurtful, Princess," he teases as he sets down the book.

"Aw, don’t pout.

I was just about to get to you.

Of course, I’m very happy to see you." I get to the edge of the bed and lean down to give him a kiss.

"Mh," he pretends to be hurt and turns his head to the side, swerving instead of letting our lips connect.

Rude, but okay.

I climb on his lap, demanding his full attention with my hands on his face.

"Hey Keahi, I’ve missed you all day," I muse, my fingers playing with his dark hair.

I like the way they look buried in his curls.

Like beams of light in a brown autumn forest.

"Just how much exactly?" he asks, drawing my attention to his mischievous eyes.

Warmth blooms in my stomach at the game he wants to play, a grin taking over my cheeks.

When I lean forward to kiss him now, my hands keep him in place so I can connect our lips.

His reaction is instant, his grip on my waist tightening as he pulls me flush against him. I push him down into a lying position and gladly go with him, keeping our bodies in sync and pressed together.

I savor the moment but pull away before he can get any ideas.

"That’s enough.

I’m all sweaty and gross."

"I’d say you’re not sweaty enough.

We could change that." He hits me with a gaudy wink, and I slap him jokingly across the chest.

This idiot and his endless innuendos.

"When do you have to leave?" I asks rather than acknowledging his comment.

"Not until tomorrow.

Yep, I could finally convince Flint to assign the night shifts to someone else.

He even mentioned a day off. After my shift ended at five am today, I was in a shit mood and decided enough is enough, so I tracked him down earlier and made him listen to my demands. I had this whole speech planned about how I dedicated my life to being on the force and how I’m one of his most accomplished guards and all that crap, but guess what."

“What?” I ask eagerly, going along with his theatrics.

“I didn’t even need all that.

He told me to switch shifts with another team straight away.

I think he just wanted to end the conversation. He seemed distracted.”

“Yeah, this thing with the disappearances has him stretch a little thinly I think.

But hey, his loss is our gain.

When is your day off? Mine’s tomorrow.”

"Then so is mine." He smiles broadly, and I give in to kiss him one more time.

He tries to keep me in place when I attempt to pull back, making me smile harder.

"In that case, I’ll take a shower.

It seems we have time." I get off his lap and his noise of protest reaches my ear.

I raise a brow and look over my shoulder. "Don’t cry, little boy, I’ll be right back," I mock. Instead of flipping me off like I expected, Keahi’s complexion darkens from the neck up. I narrow my eyes at him. "Why are you blushing?"

"I’m not.

Take a shower already." He throws a pillow my way.

Okay...

I laugh and head to the bathroom with my hands raised in surrender.

I make sure to hurry as I wash myself, excited to get this evening started. The first night we got to spend together in way too long. Uninterrupted date time. It sounds great.

"What do you feel like doing tonight?" I ask as I walk toward my closet.

I’m only wearing two towels, one in my hair and one wrapped around my body.

I might have chosen the smaller one for my body to tease Keahi a bit, but if anyone asks, I’m not confirming anything.

Keahi doesn’t answer, so I turn around, trying hard to keep a knowing smirk off my face.

He’s scanning my body once over while I play innocent, his eyes trailing down every inch of exposed skin at a sinfully slow pace.

"What?" I ask.

"We should start by going to my place because this bed is not up for what I have in mind."

"Are you finally following through on your threat to punish me? Or was that all bark no bite?" I tease him.

"If you want my brain attentive enough to form comebacks, you should get dressed," he suggests, his eyes flicking between my face and the towel.

Be careful with your words, they say.

I turn back to my drawer and drop my towel.

"What are you doing?" Keahi practically shrieks.

"Getting dressed," I answer over my shoulder.

I get a peek at Keahi’s gritted teeth and red cheeks beneath the hands covering his eyes.

As long as that’s where the blood rushes to, I’m doing something wrong.

I wait until I catch him peeking through his fingers to open my bottom drawer and make a show out of picking out underwear.

"Malia," Keahi grits out when I bend over.

I don’t even have it in me to feel subconscious about being this exposed when it’s so clear that Keahi sees nothing he doesn’t like.

"What do you say, black or blue?" I ask him, lifting two different sets of lingerie up.

I went shopping, well, borrowing last evening, and I’ve been dying to show Keahi what I got.

"Blue," he replies, eyeing the ocean blue lace dangling from my right hand.

That makes sense.

He’s told me blue’s his favorite color.

"Blue it is." I put my panties on before walking over to Keahi.

"Lend me a hand, will you?"

"I- what?" he stutters, and I can’t stifle a chuckle at how adorable he is right now.

"The bra," I clarify before turning my back to him.

"Right, sure." He carefully closes the clasp before asking if feels good.

His hands linger even after I’ve confirmed, so I turn around and take a step back to give him a better view.

He clears his throat and pulls himself together.

"It really suits you.

Is it new?"

"Yes, sir."

"You look beautiful.

I wish you’d asked me to come with you so I could have made you try on every item in the store, but you’ve definitely made a good choice.

Really beautiful." Ugh, now I’m blushing.

"I’m glad you approve." I put on some more clothes before we leave the facility.

"Have you ever been to the cinema?" Keahi asks when we’re in his car.

"Nope."

"Do you want to go? Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to take you straight home, but I think it’s time for another date.

I’m a gentleman, after all."

"Oh, sure you are.

But yes, I’d love to go." The only times I feel like a regular teenager are when I’m with this man, so why not stack up on some experiences?

"Google what movies are on tonight," he instructs since he’s driving.

Like that’s so easy.

I’m learning how to use my phone quickly, but I’m not great at searching the internet. It’s not my fault, though! The internet just doesn’t give me what I want. Every time I look for a simple answer, it shows me fifty results of anything but the thing I needed.

Keahi talks me through it.

His voice remains even and patient, no matter how many times I stumble over his orders or ask him to repeat a step, and that’s enough to ease the anxiety at the base of my stomach.

It’s nice to know I’m not getting on his nerves. Not that he doesn’t tease me about my limited skills in that department, but that’s just him being him.

The movie theater is a lot bigger than I expected.

It is close to the city center to be fair, but still.

There are many people here, mostly kids our age, it seems. It makes me strangely subconscious, allowing some of the previously calmed anxiety to resurface.

"Are you sure what I’m wearing is okay? People are staring." Every time I raise my eyes from the ground, I see people looking at me.

Keahi must’ve seen it too because he quickly snaked his arm around my waist when we entered.

Should I care? No, of course not.

I’ve killed people, for the stars’ sake.

Some judgement really shouldn’t matter to me. Yet, I hate to think that I’m embarrassing Keahi or that people realize he’s too good for me, which will help him realize it too.

Before my thoughts can spiral, Keahi replies, "The only reason people are staring is that you’re by far the best-looking person here.

Why do you think I’m shooting death glares at every person coming up from behind us? That skirt fits you perfectly, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to bash everyone’s teeth in for looking at what’s mine."

I raise an eyebrow at him, pretending not to find this as attractive as I do, but he sees through my act.

"Don’t give me that look.

You know you’re just as much mine as I’m yours. Am I not yours?" he dares me.

"You are," I confirm quickly.

I get on my tiptoes to press a lingering kiss on his lips.

Now that he’s mentioned it, I allow myself to look around more freely, analyzing the way people look our way without letting my insecurities cloud my judgement. I can see what he’s talking about, and it’s not just me they’re checking out.

"Let them be jealous, I love it," he whispers against my lips just before brushing them over mine for another soft kiss.

Almost instantly, we’re interrupted by the disapproving click of a tongue.

I pull away from Keahi and meet the eyes of the receptionist.

"Right, two tickets please," Keahi tells the grumpy old guy with all the charm he can muster.

Funnily enough, my man actually manages to persuade the grinch into giving us a smile and wishing us a good time.

"I would have barked at him had he not been an employee."

"Don’t be jealous, he had nothing on you," Keahi assures me, grinning.

I push his shoulder and follow him into the dimly lit room, trying to help look for our seats.

"Hey! Yeah, you two," someone whispers from behind us when the lights turn off and the ads start playing.

I turn around to see a group of guys roughly our age occupying the row behind us.

"Sorry to interrupt, but it’s not every day you see two such pretty people.

Is there any chance we can get your numbers?" one of them asks.

That gets Keahi’s attention, and he turns around. Sensing that he’s about to say something rude, I respond before he can.

"Both of them?" I ask sweetly.

Keahi’s clearly about to protest, so I place a placating hand on his thigh.

One man sporting a mop of blonde hair that covers half of his freckled face scratches the back of his neck.

“Well, preferably.

You see, Johnny over there and I would love to fight over yours, but your broody friend is just Elia’s type. Your call though, of course,” he explains under his breath, pointing to his friends as he goes. Keahi’s chest rattles with another foreboding breath, so I quickly take the guy’s outstretched phone and type in both of our numbers. Keahi’s gets the title “broody one”, of course. Wouldn’t want the men to confuse them.

“Thanks!” Elia says, glancing at the numbers on his friend’s screen with a bit of sheepish disbelieve.

I smile and turn back around.

"What on earth was that?" Keahi whispers quietly, leaning in so his lips brush up against the shell of my ear.

"No idea what you’re talking about," I play dumb.

"You just gave those guys your number."

"Technically, I gave them yours too."

"You forgot to mention you’re not available.

That neither of us is."

"Ah, who cares about details? Let a girl live."

"Are you stocking up on backups in case you get bored of me?" he challenges me.

"You know what they say, if plan A doesn’t work, there are still 25 letters in the alphabet." Rather than granting me with an instant reply, Keahi places a hand on my thigh, adding enough pressure to make me sense the possessive intention behind the gesture.

That simple touch is enough to make my body react in a most unfortunate way.

"You know you’ll never be with anyone other than me, right? I told you we are stuck together for good," he whispers into my ear.

Feeling his breath against the sensitive skin of my neck certainly doesn’t help to make the heat disappear from my cheeks.

If anything, the tingles on my skin intensify. Still, I want to keep playing this game.

"Meh, who knows what life has planned for us." I don’t want anyone else, of course.

Never.

But Keahi is fun to tease. Although, I do get a little worried about having crossed a line when he becomes suspiciously quiet.

The lights go off completely since the movie’s about to start, which means I can’t see Keahi’s face to judge whether he’s pissed off or not.

I feel him, though, as his hand, which has been resting above my knee before starts slowly moving up my thigh.

"What are you doing?" I whisper.

"That’s the second time you’ve questioned whether you’re mine today.

I’m making sure it won’t happen again." His voice is low enough for only me to hear, but I cast a glance around us nonetheless, goosebumps prickling my skin as anticipation builds.

His hand slips carefully underneath my skirt and I stiffen a little. He doesn’t really plan on doing what I think he is.

"Keahi, we can’t do that here," I whisper urgently just as he starts touching me over my lace panties, rubbing soft circles around my clit that have my breath hitching.

He can’t really want to go through with this.

I shift in my seat but don’t reach out to stop him.

"Watch me," he whispers into my ear right before he slips one of his fingers inside of me.

He sits up straighter, chuckling as the screen lights up brighter.

"You’re loving this, your body is telling me as much," he mutters ahead.

"Keep your voice down!" I’m the one leaning in now to make sure no one overhears our conversation.

"Scared of getting caught?" he muses.

I’m about to speak a smartass retort when he adds a second finger.

Instead, I bite my lip to keep quiet and spread my legs a little wider for him. That’s not my doing. My traitorous body has taken control.

"Admit you like this," Keahi whispers a little huskily.

The pace of his fingers pumping in and out of me picks up as his thumb starts applying pressure to my clit, and I have to grip the edge of my seat to keep still.

There are people right behind us! They’ll notice! I know what we’re doing is wrong but shit if it doesn’t feel damn right. My body is glowing under his touch, enjoying every second of his sweet assault.

"Tell me how much you love what I’m doing to you," he tells me.

I lean in a little more, so my lips are right against his ear.

"I love what you’re doing to me.

I love how you make me feel." My little speech ends in a whimper as he applies more pressure to my clit with his thumb.

Not too much and not too little, but as always, right on point.

I don’t miss his shudder when my breath hits his skin, though.

This is turning him on as well.

He loves the effect he has on me.

"You’re doing really well," he whispers before lowering his voice even further.

"But the guy to your right might be catching on." My head instantly snaps to the side, my breath hitching, but the man seems to be focused on the movie playing up front. Son of a-

"Relax, Love, or I can’t move." Oh.

I try to do as I’m told, too desperate for a release to pretend I don’t want it, and Keahi starts pumping his fingers inside me again.

"You need to stop," I grit out under my breath.

"Why is that?" he asks casually.

Meanwhile, I’m wondering how he can sound so normal while he’s doing that to me when I’m fighting the urge to turn my head every two seconds to make sure no one is watching.

This must be payback for what I did in that bistro over breakfast.

"We’re in public," I reason as if that stopped me when the roles were reversed.

"And?"

"And I’m going to come," I barely say the words at all, but Keahi must’ve heard me.

It’s like his determination only grows.

He starts rubbing my clit with tight little circles and I can barely keep myself from moaning.

"It’s – It’s too much," I grit out ever so quietly.

I’m keeping my eyes shut, trying to forget where I am, and bite down on my lip.

The side of my head is leaning against Keahi’s shoulder. His free hand pets my hair twice before it slides down to cup my throat.

"it isn’t.

It’s just right.

Just relax, I’ve got you. Come for me, Love," Keahi whispers, applying a little more pressure to my throat. Just like that, the tingles in my womb flare up and I do exactly as my man says, damn near crying out as tiny white dots paint my vision.

Luckily, Keahi is holding my head in place because I would’ve probably thrown it back if not for his grip on me.

That would have been anything but subtle.

Instead, I turn my face, so my mouth is pressed up against Keahi’s chest. I don’t keep myself from biting down on his skin as I try to keep any noise from spilling past my lips.

When I start coming down from my orgasm, I turn my head again and exhale deeply.

Keahi lets go of my throat and tucks my hair behind my ear, making me marvel at his ability to go from hot and demanding to gentle and cute.