{another added chapter to grow the dynamic between seth and katrina. this takes place after seth gets back from dropping kate off, and he decides to drop by the tattoo parlor}

Seth looks like shit. His dark hair is sticking up in multiple places and in different directions. There's splotches of dark crimson on every feature of his face, which is no doubt blood. His eyes seem to have lost awareness as they're barely staying open and the corners of his lips are turned down in a permanent frown. My eyes stay on the blood. I heard about what happened earlier today when I was passed out but seeing evidence of what happened makes it more real. I ignore the emotion of concern for the Gecko brother that blooms and tightens my chest and focus on the anger instead.

"What do you want Seth?" I ask, not moving from the center of the room as I keep my hurt wrist against my chest. Trying to keep my face void of emotion, I hold onto all the shit that went down during the last few hours. Because I let myself be vulnerable around Seth, my life is now up in flames and crashing into another direction.

I was content is staying in my normal routine because it was safe, and it was what I was used to. Now, I have to find a way to adjust around the new development that is taking course. I'm going to help Sonja, and then we're going our separate ways. The unbalance of emotions makes me feel unsteady. I wish I can go hide for the next few days and wish this all blows over.

You're strong Katrina, you can handle anything thrown at you, my mother's words invade my mind as an imagine of her in the hospital bed replaces Seth standing in front of me.

"Katrina?"

Seth's voice causes me to blink, a tear drops onto the high point of my right cheek and rolls down to drop at the bottom of my chin. My mom dissipates as my vision takes in the Gecko once more. His hands move to his front pockets as he takes a step closer. Something in his demeanor alerts me that something is wrong.

"I suggest you leave." Turning my back to him, I begin to walk to my station so I can begin setting up for my clients later on tonight. The first one should be coming in in less than half an hour, and a Gecko standing in the shop is not going to help the situation I'm already in with the mob.

I hear Seth curse under his breath, and I see him shake his head as he walks closer. Does this man clearly not take a hint?

Dropping one of my tools on the table, it pangs with a loud bang. The thought that no one takes me seriously enough to respect my choices is really starting to irk me. "What do you want Seth?" Resisting the urge to grab one of my sharp objects, I curl my hand into a fist as I face my body to him once more. "If you want money, I don't have any I can give you. You made sure of that. I have other things I need to worry about because of you, and I'd appreciate if you stop putting up an act like you care. It's idiotic you even showing up here again. Do you have a death wish?"

Seth drops his head for a second, his hands still in his pockets. When he lifts his head, one of his hands comes up to scratch at the unkempt facial hair. "I'm sorry Katrina."

"Sorry—Sorry just doesn't cut it." I curse internally as my voice cracks at the end. "You may have thought of me as an easy target, but you don't know me at all. One call, and I can have those men who you pissed off in here to take care of you."

His eyes narrow with a hint of agitation. "You won't do that. Even I know that."

My nostrils flare as heat runs through my veins. Biting the inside of my cheek, I turn to continue getting everything ready. Maybe ignoring him will give him the hint that I no longer desire to converse with him.

The stinging in my chest becomes tenfold at the simple fact that no one takes me seriously. Maybe it's the fact that I'm too kind—too forgiving. No one expects me to hold a grudge or be, frankly, a bitch. That's something I can take away from Sonja. She knows how to stand her ground and get what she wants. People don't step on her or disregard what she has to say. I need to be more like that if I want people like Seth to not walk all over me. If I'm going to survive.

"I'm not trying to be a dick," his voice says, breaking the silence.

Without turning around, I know he's taken a step closer. Do I need to physically assert myself in order for this man to walk away? In order for him to realize I'm not worth his time—whatever he wants to do with his time.

"You're not?"

"I didn't mean to insult you. I meant I knew you wouldn't do it because you're a good person Katrina. Too good in fact," his voice dies in what sounds like disappointment.

"And a good target I guess."

The heat that radiates from his body is the only warning I have that he has closed the distance between us before wrapping his hand around my arm, turning me so I'm now facing him. The grasp was gentle, but the initial shock has me wincing as my wrist flops awkwardly between us. His eyes assess my facial expression, and lands on my wrist that is still red and will likely become a bruise by tomorrow.

"Let me go Seth."

The hand drops away as he takes a small step back. "Who did that? Did I-"

"No," I interrupt. "It wasn't you."

His eyes narrow. "Then who did?"

"Stop Seth. I'm not your problem anymore. I'll deal with it." My eyes capture his gaze as I see numerous emotions flash across his features. "I don't know why you came back, or where your partner is, but coming back was not a smart decision. Sonja and I have to deal with the fallout, and I don't want to find out what'll happen if they find out you're here now."

Biting my bottom lip, I ignore the tightening in my chest once more. I know the sensation is caused by something else, but I refuse to acknowledge it because Seth is a stranger. I don't need to be involved with him any further. His actions are a liability, and I'm already in a hole as it is.

"If someone hurt you because of me-"

"Seth," my voice has lost it's hardness and is a soft whisper. Exhaustion eats its way at my emotions and limbs. "You took advantage of me, but I'm not going to enjoy what happens to you if they find out you're back. Leave now Seth. What's left for you here?"

His eyes fall and settle on the ground between us. The door behind Seth opens, and my eyes look over his shoulder to see Benny walking inside. Benny's eyes land on Seth's back, and his eyes narrow.

"I thought that was you when I was walking by," Benny says, walking around Seth to stand beside me.

Seth curses before lifting his head to look at the man next to me. "The one and only barman."

Seeing the look on Benny's face, I know he isn't thrilled to see the Gecko brother standing in the tattoo parlor after what he pulled with him and in the building today. "I got this Benny," I cut in, standing between the two.

"Clearly not if he's still standing here."

My eyebrows raise as I gape at the older man beside me. Seeing Benny's nostrils flared out a little and his eyes narrowed, I know he's more focused on anger than what's he's saying, but if there was a moment I would slap up upside the head, this moment would be it.

Seth shrugs across from us. "I'm just a stubborn guy."

Letting out a sigh, the wave of exhaustion is too much. "I don't need you two brooding at each other in my shop. Take this manly shit outside. I'm not dealing with this."

"Karina," Benny's tone drops, and the look he sends me is one that says I shouldn't argue. "I need to talk to you."

The Gecko's eyes always drift to me. "You'll know where to find me if you change your mind."

"She won't."

"Benny," I cut in, directing him to the back as Seth leaves the tattoo parlor as I wonder how I'll know where to find Seth considering he didn't give me any clues.

The man turns once we reach the room, and his eyes scan my body. "I heard you were roughed up in the parking lot. Did that piece of shit hurt you?"

Shaking my head, I hold my wrist to my chest once more. "Not too bad. My wrist hurts, but I pepper sprayed him in the face so I'm sure he's regretting putting his hands on me."

Benny doesn't look satisfied. Instead, his expression turns colder. "No, Katrina, they're not going to back off. If they think you were involved in Seth's shit, then you and Sonja are not going to come away from this easily.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy as fuck you defended yourself, but it wouldn't surprise me if that guy wants to come back and scare you into next week. Be careful. Think before you act. And do not associate with that Gecko any longer.

"You're in this now Katrina, and it scares me to death. I don't want you in danger, and there's only so much I can do to help you. I'm afraid it won't be enough."

My throat starts to hurt as it swells as emotion eats its way closer to the surface. "And I love you for that Benny. I can always count on you to be there for me. Sonja says she has a plan, and I'm going to trust her on this. Once we've gotten ourselves out of this hole, we're going our separate ways."

Benny's eyes narrow, and he doesn't like what he's hearing. "I don't like Sonja having complete control over whatever plan she says she has set up. Just promise me you will be careful? Because sometimes all you can trust is yourself."

Needing comfort, I step forward and wrap my arms around his middle. "I know. I'm learning that the hard way."

"If this is how it feels to be worried about a younger sibling or child, I'm glad I don't have either."

Leaning back, I give Benny a playful hard look. "You would've been a great big brother and father. I don't know what I'll do without you."

"One call. Give me one call and you know I'll be there for you." He leans his head down to kiss the top of my head.

{this was going to be longer, but i decided to break it off here. a new character will be introduced at the end of the next chapter and i'm eager to see how they'll play out in the storyline.

also, i'm turning 23 tomorrow *insert blink-183 lyric here* so i figured i'd update this and try to get another update out sometime in the week.}