Chapter 22 Twenty Two
DANIKA
We're so distracted by the newcomer, we don't notice one of the attackers coming for me with a knife. But before he can strike, the golden-eyed man appears in front of me, breaking the man in half. Literally. I gulp, easing backwards.
"W-what do you want?" Cora asks.
He cocks his head towards her and flashes her a smile, exposing a pair of terrifying-looking fangs.
"Which of you is Danika?" He asks, and I stiffen.
"It must be..." He moves his finger from Cora's direction and points directly at me.
Just when I think he's going to hit me, he holds out a hand to me...for a handshake.
I stare at his large hand, bewildered. What if he causes me to disappear into thin air the moment I place my hand in his?
He grimaces, shoving that hand into the pocket of his black cargo pants. "No handshakes. Got it," he mutters, and I glance at Cora, confused.
He sighs, lowering his hood from his head. He's very good-looking, I'll give him that. But there's something about him that strongly reminds me of Kaziel.
"The name's Bellamy Lakewood," he says, and I blink.
Lakewood as in...
"I am Kaziel's cousin. He sent me here to babysit his little angel since he's pretty far from here."
My cheeks flush instantly.
I definitely don't need babysitting.
He winks at me, and I grimace.
"But it looks like there's nothing to worry about. You've got yourself a wonderful little pack."
"So, you didn't send these people?" Eve asks, gesturing at the bodies lying on the floor.
"Come on now. Why would I?" Bellamy pouts. His gaze meets Cora's. "Surely, you don't think so, pretty princess?"
She bites her lower lip, dropping her gaze. Is she...blushing?
"The real problem is how we're supposed to get rid of all these bodies without attracting attention," she mumbles, and he grins.
"You don't have to worry about that, my men have it covered. Shall I drive you girls home instead?"
Of course we agree. Why not?
...
I don't think I've ever been this close to a car that looks this sexy. Apart from Kaziel's black Mustang.
Bellamy's red Ferrari is the kind that purrs like it knows it's hot.
Cora practically squeals when Bellamy opens the door. "I call shotgun!"
"Not happening," Eve says flatly, sliding into the passenger seat first.
Cora huffs and drags me into the back seat. The moment the door shuts, the smell of leather and something darkly expensive fills my lungs. I don't even know what that means, but Bellamy definitely smells rich. I guess all the Lakewood men do.
He starts the car, and the engine hums to life smoothly. Kind of like the man himself.
I glance around and freeze.
There's a gun on the dashboard.
An actual, metallic, deadly-looking gun.
"Um," I say carefully. "You do know that's not a regular car accessory, right?"
Bellamy glances over, then he picks it up. "This?"
Before I can answer, he clicks something. There's a metallic sound, and my heart literally stops—
click...
A tiny flame bursts from the barrel.
Cora screams. I nearly die. Eve doesn't even blink.
Bellamy just chuckles, flipping it shut again. "Relax, it's a lighter."
My pulse is still going haywire. "Oh, good. I thought we were about to star in a murder documentary."
He grins, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. "You have a flair for drama, little angel. You'll fit right in."
Little angel?
Cora's already leaning forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "You carry a lighter shaped like a gun? That's so cool."
Cool? He nearly gave us a heart attack, remember?
Bellamy smirks, turning onto the main road. "It gets attention."
"Yeah, mostly from terrified civilians," I mutter under my breath.
His shoulders shake with silent laughter. "You're cute when you're scared."
I glare at his reflection. "You've been talking to Kaziel, haven't you?"
"Of course," he says easily, as if that explains everything wrong with my life.
The rest of the drive is quiet except for the steady purr of the engine. Streetlights wash over his face, carving out his jaw and cheekbones in flashes of gold. Every once in a while, he glances at me through the mirror, and it's unsettling how much he reminds me of Kaziel when he does that.
They both have that same lazy confidence and devil-may-care smirk.
By the time we reach my building, my nerves have somewhat recovered. Bellamy pulls up to the curb like he owns the place.
"Here we are," he says, stepping out first.
I open my door, but he's already there, offering a hand. I hesitate, then I take it.
"Thanks," I murmur.
He flashes me a grin. "Anytime, angel."
Behind me, Cora yawns. "Danika, I'm allowed to crash at your place, right? I really don't want to go home tonight."
"Of course," I say immediately. "You can take the couch."
She beams, hooking her arm through mine as we head towards the entrance. Bellamy follows a few paces behind, hands in his pockets, whistling softly.
Eve throws him a look over her shoulder. "You really are related to Kaziel."
"What gave it away?" he asks, his eyes glinting as they change from golden to blue.
"The attitude," she drones.
He laughs softly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
When I reach the door, I turn back. He's leaning against his car, his eyes half-lidded, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Goodnight, angel," he calls out, his voice smooth.
I swallow. "Goodnight."
The moment the door shuts behind me, I press my back to it, exhaling hard.
Cora's already humming, kicking off her shoes. Eve disappears down the hall without a word.
I rub my arms, trying to shake the strange chill running through me.
Bellamy might be Kaziel's cousin...
But there's something about him that feels just as dangerous. Maybe worse.
Just then, my phone rings out, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Letting out a shaky breath, I head to the bathroom to answer the video call.
Kaziel's handsome face pops up on the screen, and I nearly break into tears from the amount of relief that washes over me.
"Are you alright, dove?" He asks, his brows slightly furrowed with concern.
There's so much I want to say. But instead, my eyes well up with tears.
"Sweetheart," Kaziel rasps, and I blink hard, trying to keep the tears at bay.
"I was practically useless earlier, Kaziel. I...I could've been kidnapped or worse, killed," I croak.
His face is instantly contorted with anguish.
"But none of that happened."
I shake my head. "You should have seen me, I was frozen to the spot. Eve was such a..."
He frowns. "Wait, Eve was there?"
I nod.
"She just randomly showed up and fought with those men. She's so strong and fast. I wish I was even half as strong. I wish I wasn't so pathetic—"
"You are strong, Dani," Kaziel tells me with a gentle smile on his face.
"What?" I breathe, staring at him in disbelief.
"You are so brave too. You chose to stay with me, to understand me. So, don't think you're weak. You're not. You don't have to worry, I'll teach you how to protect yourself, yeah?"
I smile, my heart growing warm.
"Thank you, Kaziel," I say, and he sighs.
"What do I have to do to hear you call me an endearing name?" He asks, and I chuckle.
Deep down, I'm freaking out.
I've never been in a relationship. I should've been conscious of this.
What name do I use?
Kaz?
Honey?
Tiger?
No. No, that's weird.
"Okay, that's enough. Let it come naturally. Don't tire yourself out thinking so hard," he says, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I murmur, and he hums in response.
"Good night, dove. See you in your dreams." His smile is so gentle, it makes my stomach tingle. Just before the call ends, I hear the sound of a feminine voice.
"Kaz, aren't you done? Get over here, please."
The line goes dead, and I stare at the screen, my heart racing.
What is this painful feeling in my chest? I wonder, biting my lower lip.
Jealousy?
No, Kaziel wouldn't do that.
He's not like—
My head jerks up at the sound of the knock on the door. Letting out a shaky breath, I head to the door and open it. Eve is standing there, tense.
"Can we talk? Please?" She says, and I hesitate.
I have a feeling whatever she has to say won't be good.
"I'm really tired, Eve. Maybe some other time," I mutter.
But just as I'm about to shut the door, she holds on to it. "Remember how I said I knew Kaziel's ex-girlfriend?"
Why can't she just leave me alone?
"They didn't break up, Danika. She was murdered. By her boyfriend."
I freeze, the hair on the back of my neck rising stiffly.
"What?"
She swallows hard.
"I'm worried, Dani. I'm worried it's going to happen to you too."