Lexington Avenue
14/02/2016 10:00am

Kacee POV

So, this was what my life had come to. This morning Andy had dropped me off about a mile from Abaddon's luxery penthouse. I was bait and a distraction. Whilst Abaddon was with me, explosives could be fitted to his warehouse and his mansion, where his mafia family stayed. I swallowed the lump in my throat and dug around in my pocket for the envelope. My fingers brushed the paper and I let out a shuddering breath.

The letter was from John. He'd pressed it into my hand before I left. Sure, we'd hugged and exchanged goodbyes, but that was it. He barely spoke. I tried to ignore my hurt feelings and walked on. The others had said goodbye and seemed to mean it, even Paul. Andy and Ashley seemed confident they'd see me again.

My destination was an amazing building that made GreenView Heights seem paltry by comparison. I glanced at the camera on the wall. Dani and his friend Nikki should be hacking into the security systems in each property. The doorman let me in and smiled. The lobby to this building was insane. All gold railings and plush carpets. My eyes locked upon the elevator and I sauntered over.

"Where to, Miss?" A young man was inside, smiling.

"Penthouse, please." I fought to control my stutter.

He smiled widely and pressed the button. The doors pinged shut and the lift rose. I felt my stomach drop and had to fight the urge to throw up in my mouth. The lift stopped and the doors opened.

"Have a great day, Miss." The young man smiled.

Yeah, right. I managed a feeble nod and stepped into the penthouse. There was a guy in here, sitting in front of a box of imported whiskeys. He had cracked one open and was sipping, leisurely. He glanced round when he saw me.

"Who are you?" He snapped, standing, setting the glass down.

"I-if I were you I wouldn't be so quick. My name is Kacee Hanley and I'm here to speak with Mr.Slade." I said, as confidently as I could.

The guy looked stunned then a vague hint of recollection swept his features when he recognised my name. He walked towards a door at the far end and knocked, opening the brass handles and peering inside. I could hear voices and there was a sudden commotion.

The doors flew open and Abaddon Slade appeared in the archway. His eyes locked on me and he smiled. Bile rose in my throat but I kept my composure.

"Look at what I've been gifted with on Valentine's day." He smirked, walking towards me.

I tried to keep my face impassive. He got to me and grabbed my chin, locking eyes with me. The man behind him resumed his whiskey drinking and was grinning too.

"Cyan and Abbie will be so pleased to see you, Miss Hanley." Abaddon said, breathing whiskey into my face.

At the mention of Abbie's name I felt elated. Abaddon snapped his fingers and the man with the beard appeared. He was dragging Abbie and shoved her. She managed to catch herself before she fell. Cyan kicked her and she gasped. He laughed as did the whiskey-man.

"Abbie!" I yelled.

She lifted her face to look at me and her eyes widened. She stood, shakily, and tried to walk towards me, only to have Cyan grab her hair.

"Stop it!" I shouted again.

Abaddon clicked his fngers and Cyan let Abbie slump to the floor before addressing me, grinning as he did so.

"So, tell me, what happened, Miss Hanley," He smirked. "Did the demons grow bored of you, is that it?"

"They're cowards. They forcibly handed me to you." I tried to sound convincing and Abaddon seemed to buy it.

"Oh how tragic, how sad." He mocked.

The whiskey-man and Cyan laughed too. Abbie met my gaze and I realised she must have thought we'd been adandonned. Hurt flashed across her features when she realised that my lie meant Andy wasn't coming for her. I so badly wanted to tell her this was all a hoax but I needed to stay in character.

The whiskey-man coughed and Abaddon glanced at him. The guy excused himself to the bathroom and my gaze landed on the new box of whiskey. That must be where the ricin was.

"No matter. I have you Miss Hanley and I may as well keep you for myself." Abaddon said, licking his lips.

He grasped my face harder and I winced at the force of his fingers. The sound of glass shattering made us all look round. Cyan rolled his eyes and went to the bathroom. I could hear him trying to rouse whiskey-man. Cyan reappeared and he almost looked panicked.

"Boss, Octavious is dead." He said, and Abaddon almost looked shocked.

"He was bound to be killed at some point. Anyway, go down to the other mob bosses. I want them all to know I've won. I've beat Il Serpente." Abaddon snapped.

Cyan nodded and went to walk away, but paused, clutching his chest. He'd drank the whiskey too. He fell to the floor, gasping for breath. Abbie was watching and I could see the satisfaction on her features when he stopped breathing.

Abaddon wheeled backwards and his eyes snapped to me, fury lacing his features. He was on me in an instant, grabbing my throat.

"You treacherous, little whore." He seethed.

The elevator pinged and the doors opened. I saw Abbie smile widely.

"Let her go." I knew it was John.

I angled my head and saw them, guns aimed at Abaddon. He snarled and flung me to the ground.

"Go ahead and kill me, you little bastards. My men will find you and kill you and your whore." He hissed, kicking me in the stomach, making me sob.

"Your men are dead, Abaddon." John smirked.

"Your warehouse and mansion were blown up. Guess you're all alone." Paul chuckled.

Abaddon went pale and I used the chance to crawl towards Abbie, helping her to her feet. My eyes went to the assassin I was in love with and he smiled before looking at Abaddon again.

"And now it's your turn to die." John said, lifting a button.

Abaddon went to grab me and Abbie as we passed. We got in the lift. To my absolute horror the assassins stepped out the lift. George pressed the button for the lower floor. My stomach dropped.

"No! I won't let you do this." I screamed as the doors shut.

The lift started to go down and I frantically hit the button for the top floor. The speakers sparked to life.

"I'm sorry, Kacee. They told me to." Dani's voice spoke.

I could hear something in the background. Someone was crying and I realised it was Annaliese. The lift got to the lower floor. The foyer was empty as I helped Kacee from the building.
The explosion jarred both of us and I stumbled to the floor. Abbie went with me.

**********************


Lexington Avenue
14/02/2016 11:35am

Abbie POV

The top of the building collapsed in on itself like a house of cards. Poor Kacee was still winded and toppled over, taking me with her. She sat up and helped me, but she was sobbing and my heart broke for her. I was finally able to stand and I hugged her, squeezing her tightly. She curled against me, crying loudly.

Against my better judgement I broke down too. I was so torn up emotionally. I was happy crying since I was free and I'd live to make up with my Mom and Dad, but I was so heart broken for Kacee that the tears were confused. I barely registered we were being approached until CC hugged the both of us.

"Ssh, it's okie." He murmured.

I pulled back, allowing him to hug Kacee. Ashley appeared next to me. He looked relieved, but emotionally exhausted. The journey to Tribeca was quick and easy. Once there I just wanted to leave. I was so tired and couldn't bear anymore human interaction. My mind was changed when Andy rushed out to greet me. I hugged him and I never wanted to let go.

I got to meet Rukia at last. She was seated in the lounge, staring out the window. Her eyes were red and puffy. When she saw Kacee, she stood and rushed over, hugging her.

"Where's Annaliese?" I asked.

"She wanted to be alone." Andy said, sounding hurt.

That night everyone celebrated. Kacee was sitting outside when I found her. I sat next to her, being careful of my bruised hip where Cyan had been too generous with his beatings. Sure am glad that fucker died slowly and painfully.

"Lie to me." Kacee whispered.

I suddenly realised what she wanted and sighed sadly. As much as I wanted to tell her that John was alive I couldn't.

"I'm so sorry, Kacee." I murmured.

"I hate him so much." She sobbed then.

She was clearly lying to herself and I shook my head.

"No, you don't. You love him so much." I replied, smiling slightly.

She sniffed and dug around in her pocket, feeling for something and pulling out an envelope. She held it to me and lowered her face.

"Get rid of it." She said, softly, voice hoarse.

I sighed and looked at the letter. Kacee's name was on the front, written in John's handwriting. I looked helplessly at her then.

"Don't you want to read it?" I asked.

"No, I don't. It's too much." She whispered.

I nodded then and stuffed the letter in my pocket. I left her and went inside to see Andy. He was sitting in one of the chairs, looking out a window.

"Hey." I smiled, sitting next to him.

"Hey yourself." He grinned.

He looked thoughtful then and glanced outside towards the veranda.

"How's Kacee?" He asked.

"Not too good," I replied. "She's heartbroken."

"I know how she feels. I felt it when you were abducted." He said, looking at me.

A loud noise from the kitchen made us both look round. Andy smiled and chuckled.

"Sounds like Ash and CC have found the vodka." He rolled his eyes. "So, what now?"

What now, indeed? My brush with death made me realise that I needed my family. I should go home and make it up to my parents. They'd be furious, but relieved.

"I need to go home and see my family." I replied.

"I suppose you do." Andy smiled.

"I'll come back, I promise." I grinned back.

"I'm counting on it." He grasped my hand in his.

We stayed there for ages, enjoying eachothers company. Going home was important, but I knew where I needed to be.

Notes