I encourage myself and go back into the room before closing the balcony door. Leroy looks up from his phone, glances at me, and then disappears into the bathroom.

I rub my arms, shivering because only now do I feel how cold I actually am, something I hadn't noticed because of all the thoughts running around in my head. Running back and forth, I think about how I should address it as soon as he is out of the bathroom.

Maybe he forgot? No, I don't think so.

I wince as the door opens again and turn to face him, gritting my teeth.

"Um," I begin uncertainly, drawing his attention to me. Without even looking at me, he walks to the nightstand and puts down his wristwatch, as well as his phone. Swallowing, I clasp my hand tighter with the other before forcing myself to finally say the words.

"As a thank you for letting Danny help me today...", I stammer nervously and falter as he now looks directly at me.

Pull yourself together now, Rina!

"Was I thinking about a massage."

There, it's finally out! Relieved at that, I sigh softly as Leroy's brows twitch up.

"Only if that's what you want!", I hurry to say as he frowns. God, why doesn't he say something?

"What exactly do you want to massage?" he suddenly picks up, making me blink in perplexity.

"Well, your neck, what else?" Irritated, I blink, to which he just nods with a mild smile.

"Okay, uh, then please take off your shirt and sit down on the chair," I clear my throat and point my finger at the black chair in the corner before walking over to the nightstand on my side of the bed and reaching for the massage oil I've already provided when Leroy's next words make me stop.

"My day has been really exhausting," he murmurs, slowly approaching me. "I don't feel like moving much and the buttons are pissing me off when I try to take this shirt off, so why don't you be a love and take it off for me?"

I don't even lift my eyes as he stops half a meter in front of me, because I know I would only spot his evil smirk. Deep down, I curse myself for not thinking of anything better than massage. It should have been obvious to me that Leroy would use the moment to expose me.

Swallowing, I walk slowly towards him, staring steadfastly at his chest and taking a silent deep breath before slowly opening his shirt. I can feel the beads of sweat forming on my forehead, so nervous is his gaze on me throughout.

The first button, the second button, the third button...

Why the hell doesn't this shirt open so easily?

I swallow as I unintentionally brush his abs and try to stop it somehow, but I can't get the buttons open properly any other way. Eyes closed and good luck!

Inwardly, I sigh with relief when his shirt is finally open and go a little on tiptoe to pull it over his broad shoulders.

This gesture makes me realize how intimate we are right now and I just can't tell if I like it or not.

No, I don't like it, but I think I would if it wasn't for Leroy.

The room is charged with tension as he slowly turns and walks towards the armchair. Swallowing, I follow him and feel my nervousness only grow. As he settles down on the armchair with his legs wide open and his arms resting casually on the backrests, I shudder, for now, he once again exudes the scent of danger. I stop behind him and listen for a moment to my heart, which beats up to my neck and echoes in my ears.

You can do it!

I swallow empty and nod to myself before I reach for the oil, put some on my hand, and then place both hands on his broad neck before I first smear everything thoroughly.

Leroy sighs and lowers his head as I begin to massage. I try to massage every tense muscle properly and gently, but as Leroy draws a line with his finger, starting at the nape of his neck and working up to his shoulder and inner chest, my movements become more uncertain again.

Shakily, I try to comply with his request, which he doesn't seem to notice, because he only hisses softly now and then when it becomes pleasant. Or does it hurt him? I don't know. All I know is that I'm uncomfortable because I didn't realize how I was gently stroking his neck. My heart skips a beat as Leroy seems to notice too and pauses.

God, I'm embarrassed!

"Are you trying to get me hot right now, chica?" he suddenly murmurs harshly, making me wince.

I sink into shame as I realize what he just said and shake my head, which he can't see at all, but I just can't bring myself to say anything.

"Because if you will, then think twice if you really want to do it."

"No, I...", I croak and just shake my head again, to which Leroy merely nods, probably knowing himself that it's hard for me to say anything now.

"So it was just an accident then, I see. Good. I just wanted to inform you."

I just about stifle a gasp and do as he said. God, I can't believe he...

Don't even think about it, Rina! Finish massaging him, wash your hands and then go to bed without saying a single word!

And that's exactly what I do. Still, I can't stop myself from rolling around in bed hours later, feeling incredibly ashamed, even though Leroy isn't even lying next to me, but has left again because he probably had something to do after all.

I just want to sink into the floor...

☼ ❅

Days go by and I hardly ever see Leroy and Kelly anymore. I sometimes hear it when he climbs into bed late at night, but he's gone again the next morning, which is just fine with me.

By now I've realized that Kelly is there for a reason, otherwise, she certainly wouldn't be out with Leroy so often, but that's just fine with me too. At least this way he stays away from me.

Liar...

Sighing, I grit my teeth.

What is wrong with me? Just because I just got up and discovered a chocolate box on my nightstand, which Leroy obviously put there for me, doesn't mean I can forget what he did to me! And what he is still doing to me. Still, I wonder what this is all about. Why is he giving me chocolate? What is he trying to achieve?

Perhaps an offer of peace?

I blink in perplexity and stop brushing my hair. Not taking my eyes off the mirror, I can see exactly how my forehead smooths out.

But of course, that must be it! I have made it clear to him that I am not a spy who wants to harm him and so he has no more reason to treat me badly. Since he is not a man of big speeches, he has therefore only given me chocolate. But do I accept his peace offering? And what does it mean for me? Does it mean that he will now fulfill my wishes without me having to do anything in return?

"Such a confusing man," I growl at my reflection and continue brushing my hair before tying it into a tight braid. I'll just politely thank him for the next time I come across him. So if it is indeed a peace offering, let him say so before I embarrass myself.

Nodding, I get up and put on a pair of trousers and a cozy cashmere jumper, because it's quite grey and cold again today, before I leave the bedroom to be downstairs in time for breakfast, where Yang and Danny are already safely waiting for me.

But this time it is different.

Stunned, I pause as I enter the kitchen because instead of meeting Yang and Danny, I only look into Kelly's face, who is sitting at the table. Yang is standing by the cooker and gives me an uncertain look that I don't quite understand at first, but when Kelly glares at me and suddenly stands up to put the food away, I mean to believe why Yang is looking at me like that.

I don't let it faze me, wish them both a good morning, and sit down at the table before reaching for the scrambled eggs, but Kelly's hand beats me to it, pulling the plate away from under my nose.

"So, you're up now?" sneers Kelly, also reaching for the cucumbers and tomatoes to put them away. "Don't you know there's no food for late risers? Well, now you can starve until noon."

"Excuse me? Late risers? But it's only nine o'clock!" Stunned, I watch her clear away the rest as well, without even responding to my words.

I look at Yang, who shakes her head slowly, which I understand to mean 'say nothing', but why should I say nothing? I have done nothing to her and yet she has nothing but hostility for me. Angrily, I shake my head and walk towards her before snatching the damn plate out of her hand.

"I don't know what your problem is, Kelly. You said you wanted my husband and I'm assuming that's why you're acting the way you are, but in my opinion, you should work it out with Leroy and just confess your love to him, I don't care, you're welcome to him, but don't come down on me about it because I really haven't done anything to you," I say calmly as she looks at me from widened eyes as if she can't believe what I just said in front of Yang.

And suddenly her eyes fill with tears and she starts to cry.

My jaw drops open in indignation. Why is she crying now? I had rather expected her to punch me in the face and...

When I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder, I pause. The realization hits me deeply and makes me swallow empty. So she's crying because Leroy walked into the kitchen behind me.

Oh, so that's how it is, Kelly...

"What's going on?" I wince as I hear his deep baritone so close to my ear.

Sighing, I let my shoulders slump. Oh, I know exactly how this is going to go down and what it means for me now, because all he sees is, his crying friend and the stupid cow who keeps getting on his nerves.

"I-I...," Kelly begins, sobbing and wiping away her tears. "It's my own fault. I was just about to make Katrina something to eat because I made a Bear and ate everything away, but she said she'd only eat what Yang cooks. I could never cook well enough for her to like it, so I should just leave it alone and it's fine, I'm a bit sensitive though, sorry," she whispers and lowers her head, crying softly, which looks really heartbreaking and would certainly have taken me away if she wasn't acting so mendacious!

Leroy's fingers dig painfully into my shoulder and I bite my lower lip to keep from hissing.

"That's not...-," I begin, but immediately realize that I'm speaking far too quiet and clear my throat when Leroy interrupts me as well.

"Katrina, can I have a word with you in private?" Even though it's a question, he's already grabbing me hard by the arm and pulling me roughly behind him outside. I can imagine how pleased Kelly must be smiling behind my back right now and grit my teeth angrily. How can anyone be such a sneak?

"What's your problem?" With a wave of his hand, he whirls me around so I can barely regain my balance.

"I don't have a problem with Kelly," I retort, unfortunately far too quietly, causing him to take a step closer to me with narrowed eyes.

"Speak in a way that I can understand you!"

"I-I...-"

"I-I-," he mimics me, making me take a step back now rather hurt. "So that's how it works, chica? When someone does a little something to please you, you immediately try to stir up trouble and think you have a right to insult my guests?"

"But it's not like that at all," I breathe. Tears spring to my eyes at this unfairness and I lower my head so he doesn't see them, while I cross my arms defensively in front of my chest.

"And how is it then? What was that about ear-" Abruptly he pauses, forcing me to look up in confusion after a few seconds. He stares at my forehead in a daze and grits his teeth angrily.

"Don't move," he murmurs, looking around cautiously before slowly raising his hands in the air placatingly and turning to face the walls. What the hell is he doing? Just as I am about to ask him, I too recognize the red laser beam aimed straight at my head.

"Oh, God," I gasp and tremble. Panic floods my body like wildfire, seems to turn every rational thought to ashes and my limbs as buttery as burnt coal, because for a moment my legs want to give way under me, but I just about manage to catch myself.

"Just hold still," he murmurs, sounding like calm himself. Does he really not mind the situation, that he can stay so still, or is he just trying to calm me down?

"Oh, my God," I croak in fear as the laser beam travels down my face and stops at my chest.

"Shhh, stay calm," he whispers in a pleasant timbre and now I realize he is actually trying to calm me down as he gives me a look where I can see the worry in it.

For a small moment, I don't want to take my eyes off him, because there is such calm in his eyes that I want to lie down in them, but then Pablo walks slowly towards us - his hands equally over his head.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know."

"How could this happen?", Leroy hisses angrily now, while Pablo only lowers his head in shame. He doesn't know.

"What do they want?", Leroy hisses softly and Pablo raises his head again before nodding in my direction. I shudder as Leroy's nostrils merely flare as he inhales angrily.

"The men are in position, but only Jeff and Alexei are upstairs. The others wanted to take a break earlier so they came down, but we'll manage. I'll cover for you," Pablo explains, looking him confidently in the eye. Leroy grits his teeth angrily and closes his eyes for a moment as if calling himself to reason.

"You watch your back!" hisses Leroy, to which Pablo nods like a soldier.

Pablo is just turning around after assuring Leroy that he will give the others a discreet signal and that there will be a hail of bullets in about five seconds when the sound of a gunshot suddenly cuts the air before I feel a bump between my breasts and falter, but as if that wasn't enough, another shot immediately follows, hitting me in the stomach.

This time it's different because now burning pain spreads through me and I cry out, grab my stomach and see only all the blood on my hands, which takes away my breath.

Dark spots dance in front of my eyes, playing a wicked game with Leroy's green eyes, which suddenly look directly into mine, and the colors mix before I only feel myself being thrown around forcefully and finally lose consciousness.

☼ ❅